Nature Photography: Five Tips For Great Beach Photos.

Nature Photography: Five Tips For Great Beach Photos.
Nature photographers, landscape photographers, wedding
photographers, hobby photographers... who doesn't love an
excuse to take some photos at the beach? It is human nature
to want to take photos of the places we are drawn to
personally, so the beach is a great source of inspiration
for photographers at all levels.

Beach photography can be particularly challenging, even for
experienced nature photographers. We are often inspired by
the sounds, the smells, the open space; so the job of the
photographer is not just to photograph a place, but to
capture a feeling.

This can make beach photography a deeply personal thing, so
your approach to a photo will be guided by what that
location means to you. However, there are some easy ways to
add impact to your pictures. Here are five simple tips to
help you enjoy your next beach photography outing.

Beach Photography Tip #1. Time of Day. Every landscape
photographer knows that early in the morning and late in
the afternoon are the best times for taking outdoor photos.
At these times the sunlight is soft and warmly coloured,
and shining from a low angle to illuminate most subjects
more evenly.

This is even more critical at the beach, particularly if
your beach has white sand. If you take your photos in the
middle of the day, the glare from the sand and the white
water will create stark, high-contrast photos that will not
do justice to the location. However, when the sun is low it
will illuminate the entire scene with much warmer colours.
The froth at the waters edge will light up like champagne
bubbles, and the whole photo will be richer and more
atmospheric.

Beach Photography Tip #2. Get Down To The Water's Edge. To
get the best beach photos, be prepared to get your feet
wet. Down at the water's edge where the sand is wet, your
foregrounds will be more colourful, and wiped clean of
footprints, tyre tracks and other distractions that can
spoil the natural look of a beach photo. You may also
discover reflections that add interest to otherwise plain
foregrounds.

Beach Photography Tip #3. Find An Eye-Catching Feature. A
long, empty expanse of white sand with a clear blue sky is
perfect for a walk on the beach, but can be too empty and
plain for a photograph. You should try to find a feature to
build your composition around. Many beaches have a rocky
headland at each end; head for the rocks to find a more
interesting foreground. Not only will your photos have a
stronger focal point; they will also have more appeal for
viewers who can identify familiar features in the image.

Once you start looking, there are all types of features on
a beach that can add interest to your composition;
driftwood, shells, rocks, lifesavers' flags...just be
creative and the list is endless.

Beach Photography Tip #4. Make The Most Of A Good Sky. A
clear blue sky at the beach can be a thing of beauty - and
can also be a photographer's worst enemy. A great cloud
formation can add a whole new dimension to your photo,
especially if you can't find anything of interest in the
foreground.

Even if it quite overcast, don't despair. With a little
luck, you might be able to capture the magnificent effect
of sunbeams over the water as the sun rises or sets behind
the clouds. Remember that beach photos don't always have to
be bright and sunny. We see enough of that in advertising
and the movies. The photos that stand out from the crowd
are often the ones with dark skies and brooding atmosphere,
not white sand and blue sky.

Beach Photograhy Tip #5. Use Your Wide Angle Lens. A
wide-angle lens can be the best way to capture that sense
of isolation and distance that you often feel when walking
on the beach. The smaller lens exaggerates the perspective,
making the background appear to stretch away for many miles
and creating a real sense of three-dimensional depth. If
you are looking up the beach, you can capture everything
from the swirling water right in front of you to the
lighthouse in the distance. Even better, the stronger depth
of field of the wide-angle lens lets you keep it all in
focus.

This 'wide-open-spaces' effect can look plain and empty if
your scene lacks features, so remember Tips #3 and #4 and
make the most of your skies and foregrounds. Obviously the
wide-angle lens is not the best option for every photo, but
it not a bad place to start if you are looking for ideas.

So there you have my five simple tips for beach
photography. This is by no means a comprehensive guide. As
with all nature photography, beach photography is an
adventure that never ends. You never get tired of taking
photos, and you never take two photos quite the same.
Still, if this little article encourages you to get out
there and practice, then you are one step closer to
becoming a better photographer.

----------------------------------------------------
If you found these tips helpful, visit
http://www.naturesimage.com.au to find Andrew Goodall's top
selling ebook "Photography In Plain English" and check out
his popular beach photography collection. While you are
there, don't forget to subscribe to the online newsletter
for regular photography tips...it's free!

10 Tips to Writing Great Trivia Questions

10 Tips to Writing Great Trivia Questions
These past several months, our content team has written
over 20,000 trivia questions on 100s of movies, TV shows,
video games and celebrities. We thought you might like a
few pointers.

10. You cannot please everyone

It's hard to balance questions between easy (for the casual
fan) and difficult (for the die-hards). The casual fan
wants to stay with what's in the movie, and on the DVD
case. The die-hard wants to be asked about the history of
the film and its production, and probably has all the
dialogs memorized. Be clear which type of fan you want
answering a specific question correctly and get it out
there. The fact that some people find the questions too
easy does not mean others do not enjoy them.

9. Make each question stand on its own

Make it easy for someone to read your question and get
everything they need to answer the question. It's
frustrating to have to browse up, down and around to get
the context of an incomplete question. Don't just ask the
question: "Who punches first, the chicken or Peter?".
Someone playing will go, "Who's punching chickens? What
movie was THIS in?" You'll probably get better reception if
you ask: "On Family Guy, who punches first, the chicken or
Peter?".

8. Make every word count

How long do you scan the subject line of an email in your
inbox before you decide to open it or trash it? 5 seconds
tops? Same goes for a trivia question. Ask yourself if a
user can scan your question in 5 seconds and get what it's
about. Make the question crisp, to the point. Pick a
writing style. Be consistent with your choice of words so
the user knows what you're getting at easily.

7. Double-check your facts

Your mind can play tricks on you. You might remember
something that didn't actually happen. Try internet
resources like Wikipedia and IMDB where you can read what
others have said about a movie. Have you assumed something
that isn't there (or confused one character with another)?
Checking facts is harder for newer movies, but definitely
worth the effort. Remember, people really want that perfect
score, and you don't want a true trivia buff get upset at
you for saying their correct answer was wrong.

6. Know your audience

Who is your question directed to? The horror movie buff? Or
the Frat Pack fan? A 15 year old casual film goer? Or a 35
year old die-hard movie buff who's watched every movie by a
cult director in the theaters or on DVD the moment it comes
out? As you think of your trivia questions, be clear on who
you want answering your question correctly. That way, you
can be sure that it challenges some who play, and educates
others as well. It helps if you throw in a fun factoid
about your correct answer, that pops up after someone has
answered your question.

5. Mix it up so it never gets predictable

Here we are talking of the structure and grammar of your
question. Let's say you love the video game "Gears of War".
What if a string of 20 questions came at you, and every one
of them started with: "In Gears of War, what...". Wouldn't
that get boring? On the other hand, you will probably enjoy
answering the same 20 questions, if each one was phrased a
bit differently. Move the game title around in the
questions to different spots. You will have more fun
reading and playing, right?

4. Stay away from obscure numbers and fringe facts

People play trivia for fun, not to be quizzed on what they
barely saw in a movie or game. So no trivia on that phone
number that flashed in the middle of a thriller movie. Or
the room number where the evil guy stayed in a horror film.
A good way to not be obscure is to write trivia after
seeing the film, than during the film. The film will
confirm details, but don't study every frame to dredge up
facts nobody remembers. If you can't explain why it's
important to the movie, then you probably shouldn't do
trivia on it.

3. A photo or image can be more than eye candy

There's many a great trivia question hiding behind a photo
that relates to the movie, or TV show or video game that
you want to write about. If you do have a photo you could
use, try crafting a question around the photo (instead of
throwing in the photo later into the mix as an after
thought).

2. Know how you want to be known

Do you want to be known as the ultimate expert on a
specific movie, TV show, video game, actor or celebrity? Or
are you a lover of a whole movie genre or pop culture area?
If it's the latter, then show your range with the depth and
variety of questions that you submit. Remember, with every
question you submit, you are developing your reputation
within a community of fellow trivia and entertainment fans.

1. Don't write when you don't feel like it

The best trivia questions take life when your brain cells
are popping with creative ideas. It's no different than
being in the mood for any form of creative writing, be it a
short story, a blog post, a novella. Anything good that's
worth sharing with others just cannot be rushed. If it
isn't working for you, take a break, go for a walk. Then
get back to it a bit later.

Finally, you've read all this, but still don't feel like
writing trivia questions? Then just don't. You can always
just play trivia games instead.

----------------------------------------------------
At http://kwanzoo.com/ we have free trivia games for
entertainment fans. You can play trivia games about your
favorite films, tv shows or even video games. We invite you
to come create your own trivia game, submit a single trivia
question, or just play along with your friends.

Black And White Photography: Three Tips For Beginners.

Black And White Photography: Three Tips For Beginners.
Black and white photograhy is a field of artistic
photography that holds a fascination for many people,
photographer and viewer alike. If done well, black and
white photography can evoke an atmosphere, or create a
sense of character in a subject that may not be so well
captured in a colour photograph.

In the age of digital photography, producing a black and
white image can be simply a matter of using software to
convert a colour image. It is a matter for your own
judgement whether this is effective for your photographs.
Sometimes a photo you think will make a great black and
white photo will disappoint; sometimes a photo you never
imagined will surprise you.

However, most serious photographers will tell you that the
best black and white photos are taken when the photographer
deliberately sets out with black and white images in mind.
This creates an entirely different mindset in terms of how
you choose and approach your subject. You may, for example,
start to see potential in subjects you would never normally
consider for colour photography.

If you have never had a serious go at black and white
photography, here are a few simple tips to help you get
started.

Black And White Photography Tip #1. Choosing A Subject.
Some subjects lend themselves to colour but are not nearly
so effective in black and white. Sunsets, for example, are
really all about colour, so rarely produce a good black and
white image. Colourful birds, flowers, fashion...there are
many times when the only logical approach is to shoot your
subject in colour. On the other hand, some subjects are
ideally suited to black and white photography.

Because this is an 'old-fashioned' medium, it often works
well with old-fashioned subjects. Rustic items like old
farm equipment, a tumble-down shack, an old wooden fence
can all be great subjects for black and white photos.

When photographing people, age can also be a factor. A
close-up portrait of an aged face showing all the lines and
creases of their years on earth can have much greater
impact in black and white.

This can only be a short article, so these examples are
just the tip of the iceberg. You will find many great
subject once you start thinking in black and white.

Black And White Photography Tip #2. 'Seeing' Your Subject
In Black And White. When you first approach your subject,
you need to imagine how it will look without colour. Try to
look at it in terms of lines and shapes, shadows and
contrasts. You will begin to see your subjects in a whole
new light. You may even find yourself zooming in on a
particular feature, or photographing the subject from an
angle you might never have considered in the past. One
thing is for sure; once you get into the 'black and white
headspace' your camera will express the character of the
subject in an entirely different way.

Black And White Photography Tip #3. Use The Light To
Enhance Impact. Because a black and white photo relies so
much on shadows to define shapes and details, your approach
to lighting can make or break an image. As a nature
photographer, I often photograph black and white photos
quite differently from colour photos.

You have probably heard the rule that the best landscape
photography is done early or late in the day when the sun
is low and the light is soft and even. Well, in black and
white photography I often look for just the opposite. To
create better definition in a subect I will often take my
photos through the middle part of the day, to create
heavier shadows to emphasise the lines and shapes in the
composition. I am also more inclined to take photos looking
directly toward the sun, to produce silhouettes that make
the most of trees, windmills and other strong shapes
against the sky.

Earlier I mentioned a portrait of a very old person. If it
is the lines on a face that give the image its character,
you need to make sure the lighting is from an angle that
produces shadows in the creases. Thus you may be looking
for lighting in a black and white photograph that would be
considered unflattering and unsuitable for a colour
photograph.

So there you have three very simple tips for black and
white photography. Notice that they are all about the
creative approach, not about settings and camera
techniques. This is because in most ways black and white
poses no more technical challenge than colour photography.
To take better black and white photographs, you don't
necessarily need to change the way you use your camera.
Instead, you are looking to change the way you see the
subject, and how you can use light, shade and composition
to capture the character that black and white photography
has to offer.

If you are looking for a new creative challenge, I
recommend giving black and white photography a try. It may
open your eyes to aspects of your world that have never
turned you on before. Good luck and happy snapping!

----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Goodall believes that with a small amount of
guidance, anyone can become a better photographer, no
matter what sort of camera they have. Andrew's ebook
"Photography in Plain English" is a perfect place to start.
Check it out at http://www.naturesimage.com.au and while
you are there, sign up to the online newsletter for even
more tips...it's free!

Your Guide For Luxury Watch Gift Buying

Your Guide For Luxury Watch Gift Buying
If you're about to make a luxury watch purchase as a
special gift for someone you care about, you want to be
sure that the timepiece you're choosing is the perfect
watch for that person. Whether it is for a male or female,
choosing a luxury watch today is an accessory that will
long be appreciated and cherished, however, it's important
to remember that each person has his or her own
discriminating and particular style. For that reason,
before you make a selection, give thought to the
personality as well as to the fashion sense of the
individual.

What Type of Person Are You Buying For?

Today, watches have gone far beyond their original purpose
of just telling time. And because there are so many
different types of watches, movements and styles to choose
from, you can't just purchase a watch for someone just
because you like it. When choosing such a generous gift,
your goal is to be sure the recipient of the luxury watch
will love it. So when choosing a luxury watch, think
carefully about whether it suits the personality of the
person you're buying for. Think about the lifestyle of
the person who will be wearing the watch in addition to
their level of activity, the type of use the watch will
get, and whether the watch is for dress-up occasions or
every day activity. You want the watch to compliment the
person's life and have it add something special to their
wardrobe, so, take note as to whether the person you are
buying for chooses simple styles or designs that are more
elaborate.

What Watch Should You Buy?

After you've determined the personality of the person you
are buying for, think about the needs of that person. As
you get ready to purchase a luxury watch, keep in mind that
there are many kinds of watches, which can range anywhere
from fashion watches, to designer watches, casual watches,
dive watches, and novelty watches. So, if you're buying a
luxury watch for a very active person, of course that would
require a rugged watch, one that can be used for water
sports, mountain climbing or other heavy-duty activities.
If you're buying a watch for someone that will use it for
work, than you want a watch that has elegance and style.

The following is a brief guide to follow when you get ready
to buy a luxury watch as a gift.

- A sporty, luxury watch can meet the demands of an active
lifestyle, not only because it can measure speed and time,
but also because it will be water resistant. For the man or
woman who is into sports, you might want to consider a
watch with a face that is easy to read. Best to get a
timepiece that is highly resistant to the elements.

- If your special gift is going to be a stylish luxury
watch, one that might be worn to work, you should consider
a watch that is trendy and cutting edge. It follows that
you want a watch that has unusual features, which might
include a unique shape, a different color face or perhaps a
very stylish band.

- If you've already decided that the watch you purchase is
going to be chic, stylish and extremely functional, you
probably want a watch that not only looks good, but always
keep great time. Some luxury timepieces come with features
that remind a person when it's time to get to their next
appointment, while other watches keep time through the
simple movement of the wrist. Today, the choices are so
vast that some watches even come with a GPS or MP3 player.
(Continued)

- Perhaps you're in the market for a watch that has a more
formal, elegant look. If so, consider a jeweled watch
with diamonds gracing the face of the watch. Any woman or
man would be proud to wear a watch that is bejeweled with
precious stones. More to the point, a watch with diamonds
is durable as well as good-looking.

Because a luxury watch is a very special gift, it is meant
to make a statement of class, distinction and
functionality. When you buy a luxury watch you want to be
sure it will last for decades, so when you get ready to
purchase a luxury watch, buy from an authorized dealer.
If you are in the market for a genuine luxury watch, to
assure that you get what you pay for, choose to make your
purchase from an approved and recommended authorized
dealer. And if you buy online, choose from a dealer that
has a large selection of luxury watches, such as Movado,
Ebel, Concord, Cartier, Chopard, Baume to name a few. When
you get ready to make your purchase, choose from a dealer
that has a long-standing reputation of excellence, along
with a passion and love of luxury watches.

----------------------------------------------------
About the Author
Joseph Levy is the President and Founder of The Watchery,
the most popular online discounted luxury watch business on
the web. Mr. Levy is a watch connoisseur with more than ten
years of vast watch knowledge, selling to collectors around
the world. You can learn more about The Watchery and the
finest watches on the web http://www.TheWatchery.com or
call toll free at 866-843-9282.

Life Lessons From The Movie... March of the Penguins

Life Lessons From The Movie... March of the Penguins
I would like to recommend a movie I saw recently called,
March of the Penguins, produced by Warner Independent
Pictures and National Geographic Feature Films.

This movie was a surprise to me, not at all what I was
expecting. I was hoping it would be more like Polar Express
and I would leave the theatre feeling uplifted, and that
feeling would stay with me for days. This was a different
kind of film. It was beautiful and stunning, and I was
deeply touched, but I couldn't help but feel the anguish
and pain, that these grace filled beings suffer every year,
when they endure the 70 mile - 20 day march to their
breeding grounds, and the experiences that follow, to give
life to the enchanting baby penguins. There were scenes in
this film that are burned in my memory forever.

I saw this movie with a friend who was feeling a little
down and thinking his life was difficult. After watching
this documentary, both of our lives seemed like a piece of
cake. I highly recommend this movie. It will make you
laugh, and it will make you cry. I have been haunted by it
ever since. This amazing story has caused me to think
deeply about so many things. It has uncovered places deep
inside me that cry out for healing, and it has reminded me
of what is really important in life.

The story, beautifully narrated by Morgan Freeman, opens
with the words... "In the harshest place on earth, LOVE
finds a way. This is the incredible true story of a
family's journey to bring life into the world."

And incredible, is an understatement. As I watched these
tuxedo clad beings leap out of their ocean home to begin
their journey, walking upright in single file, I understood
the power of clear focus, keeping your mind on the goal,
and moving forward with fierce determination, in a way I
had not comprehended it before. I understood too, about
never giving up. And as they progressed along their
perilous journey, in the dark and cold, and the scenery
changed from previous years, and they needed to find their
way, I knew the importance of following my own instincts
and connecting to my own inner guidance. I appreciated how
important it is sometimes to just keep going, even if it
means you may have to crawl on your belly for awhile.

After the long, cold and arduous trek to their mating
ground, I sat raptured, as each penguin attempted to choose
a partner, someone especially for them, from a sea of what
only appeared to be identical partners, wondering just how
and why they made their choice. And then, I witnessed what
had to be the most tender, delicate, intricate, courtship
dance on the planet - intimate, affectionate and stunningly
beautiful. Totally enthralled with this ritual, there were
moments when I didn't know where these beautiful beings
ended and I began.

Each female, lucky enough to have found a mate, laid a
single egg, and that egg was very carefully transferred to
her male partner, to guard and hatch, while the now very
weak female begins her journey back the same 70 miles, to
obtain nourishment again on the ocean floor.

As I later viewed the fathers gently hovering over their
new born offspring, the baby chick cradled on top of their
feet, I felt their deep love and parental bonding, and I
experienced the sacredness and importance of sustaining
life at all costs. And as I witnessed thousands of penguins
huddled together, braced against the elements, I realized
the importance of sticking together for a common goal, and
the comfort that a sense of community can bring. Each one
took turns on the outside and inside of the circle, in
order to share the warmer and cooler spots, and I saw first
hand what integrity and a sense of fair play can mean to
the interconnectedness of all living things.

Now, desperately needing nourishment of their own, and
elated at the safe return of the females, I witnessed each
father, with great sadness, getting ready to leave his baby
chick and listening for the chick's song, so that he would
recognize him or her, upon his return, and I remembered
that we are all born with our own unique song in our heart,
and when we sing that song with love, our true nature is
instantly recognizable, and our extraordinary life purpose
fulfilled.

And later, when I listened to one mother penguin cry out in
pain, over the loss of her chick to the bitter cold, I
ached too for my own lost family and understood her grief.
As the weather warmed, and I saw another mother push her
little one out to mix and mingle with the other young
penguins, I was transported back to my first day at school,
when my own mother, did the exact same thing to me.

Near the end of the movie, I watched in shock, as the
parents finally walked away and left their young ones
behind. In that moment, I felt a strong sense of betrayal,
abandonment and fear, as my own need to cling to things
long after they are over, surfaced once again. I was
reminded of the importance of letting go and moving on,
taking that next step or leap of faith into a brave new
world, as these little ones eventually did, with their
first courageous leap into the sea, their new home for the
next four years, until they too would make this remarkable
journey.

Until this film, I was not aware of what is involved in the
life of an Emperor Penguin, as I am unaware of so many
other amazing things that happen on our planet. What if, in
the media, instead of focusing on the comings and goings of
Hollywood's hottest celebrities, we strive to learn more
about the nature of the universe and the wonders of our
planet instead. How our lives would be so changed for the
better I suspect, if we each did that. I applaud everyone
who was involved in bringing this beautiful story to life,
and I thank you for a job well done.

----------------------------------------------------
Veronica is the author of In a Dream, You Can Do Anything,
A Collection of Words, An Extraordinary Collection Of
Writings That Will Uplift You, Motivate You, Inspire You,
And Gently Guide You Along The Inner Path Of Your Life.
Click here to learn more and listen to sample inspirational
audios: http://www.insightsandinspirations.com
veronicahay@telus.net

Playing the Piano - "Pitfalls" to Avoid When Studying Piano for the First Time!

Playing the Piano - "Pitfalls" to Avoid When Studying Piano for the First Time!
For the 18+ years old adult, studying the piano for the
first time in their life, I believe you should avoid three
"pitfalls" to assure realistic progress. These pitfalls
are unscrupulous online vendors, bogus review sites and
well-intentioned piano instructors that don't have innate
rhythmic coordination. They don't and can't play with feel!

Too often, deceitful online merchants that offer 15+
"bundled" DVDs, guaranteeing the success of the piano
aspirant, mesmerize adults seeking online piano
instruction, through their storefront image.

The problem with purchasing "zillions" of DVDs is that the
adult student spends more time operating their DVD player
as opposed to using that energy in the application of
scales, arpeggios and harmonic studies. If learning the
piano was as easy as watching a DVD, everybody would play
the piano well!

Now understand, video references are helpful, BUT you don't
need a video for each and every concept when clear and
concise written instruction is sufficient. This is why I
"pepper" my eBooks (electronic book) with short video
clips, for additional clarification.

95% of all Play Piano Review Sites Are a JOKE!

They're jokes because they are not owned by professional
music educators or performers. Super Affiliates promote
all types of sites: "How to Train Your Dog..." "How to Play
Golf... " "How to Play Guitar... just to name a few.

These SMART GUYS are professional marketers. They have
"big pockets," as such, they spend thousands of dollars
daily in Pay for Click Advertisements (PPC), hoping that
someone will click on their consumer product ad! These are
called "sponsored ads." Perhaps these ads are surrounding
this article now!

So please be intelligent in your research. As my father
use to tell me: "Believe none of what you read, and half of
what you see!" But you can trust what you're reading here.
I've been providing online piano instruction for well over
6 years, and I've seen online piano programs "come and go!"
So be careful, watch out for the "Smart Guy" reviews.
They're SMART business people that know how to sell
product, but they don't have the expertise in music
education to guide your study of piano credibly and
effectively.

Lastly, the most important pitfall to avoid is the
selection of your piano teacher or online piano instruction
program.

Read this very carefully... All adults (18+ years old) must
be taught differently than a grade school-aged student.
The teaching methods are different. Only an instructor
that has the history of studying piano as a child, up to
their adulthood, understands this fact.

Can you imagine trying to learn to ride a bike at 18 years
of age... trying to find the "sense of balance;" not to
mention other inhibitions and fears associate to adulthood?

Now imagine trying to rid yourself of those impediments
along with inferior piano instruction. Your chances of
playing the piano and creating the music you desire, is
almost in vain. You'll be frustrated and give up. IT'S
NOT YOUR FAULT! You assumed the instructor would provide
the needed learning tools and strategies to achieve your
playing goals.

Remember, everybody that teaches piano, can't play with
feel - that's right! "They don't have rhythm!" Their
sound is too VANILLA! Don't believe me... just visit:
www.YouTube.com

The Good News!

Here's the truth... the study of piano is about RHYTHM!
Just because someone is "degreed" in music, doesn't
necessarily mean they can keep a beat!

My students have achieved success. So it can be done with
the proper instruction and students' desire to discipline
themselves to adhere to a consistent practice routine that
is in concert with their lifestyles!

In summary, I am reminded of Duke Ellington's classic
standard, "It Don't Mean a Thing, If it Ain't Got That
Swing!"

To your success,

Ron Worthy

----------------------------------------------------
Ron Worthy is a Music Educator, Songwriter and Performer.
He provides online piano instruction. To learn more
"tricks of the trade," you are invited to visit:
http://www.MrRonsMusic.com and
http://www.PlayPianoTonight.com

Switch Your Digital Camera To Manual: Three Good Reasons.

Switch Your Digital Camera To Manual: Three Good Reasons.
New photographers taking up digital photography often seem
to follow the same path and hit the same snags. They buy
the best digital camera they can afford (possibly their
first digital SLR), after lots of research and discussion
with camera salesmen. They promise themselves that they
will really learn how to use the features of the camera and
start taking some great photos, not just snapshots. After
all, it doesn't cost anything to practice and you can
delete your mistakes, so how can you fail?

Then they try to read the manual.

After a brave effort of trying to wade through pages of
poorly written jargon, most people find the task too
demanding. They switch the camera to automatic, and that is
where it stays.

Does this sound like you? Don't worry, you are not alone.
But it is worth perservering, because taking great photos
is immensely satisfying, and allows you to get the most out
of your digital camera investment. Perhaps you are just
going about it the wrong way.

Why do I feel it is so important to use the manual settings
on your digital camera? Because your camera does not always
know how you want your photo to look. Let's take a look at
three examples.

Example #1. Often you can make your subject really stand
out by shooting it in the sun, with the background in the
shade. This is a great technique for flowers, people,
wildlife...all types of subjects. However, with two
different levels of light in the one picture, it can be
tricky to get the exposure just right. If you leave the
camera on automatic, it might set the exposure for the
background, leaving the sunlit subject badly overexposed.
So you get a perfectly exposed background (which you don't
care about) and a burnt-out subject.

Example #2. Some subjects can only be taken in very low
levels of light. Sunsets and rainforests are two simple
examples that come to mind. In these situations, the light
is only a fraction of normal daylight brightness. With your
camera on automatic, it could set a shutter speed so slow,
your photos will be a complete blur. Of course you can
counter this by using a tripod, but in my experience people
who rely on automatic settings usually don't keep track of
what their camera is doing.

Example #3. Action photos are often spoiled by the wrong
shutter speed. Whether you want to freeze a moving subject
(kids at a school sports carnival) or slow the speed to
create a motion effect (waterfalls), your camera does not
know how you want your picture to look. When you know how
to set your own shutter speeds, and balance them with the
correct aperture and ISO settings, you will get the result
you want almost every time.

Learning the essential skills of photography is not as
difficult as it seems. The mistake people make is to rely
on their camera manual to tell them everything, which is
not really what it is designed to do. Your manual is there
to tell you how to adjust the settings for your camera, but
it is not so good at explaining what the settings are for.
So it will tell you how to operate your camera, but not how
to be a better photographer.

A much better approach is to find a good, basic beginner's
guide that explains the fundamentals of good photography.
There are plenty of books, ebooks and workshops available.
Don't get too involved at first. It may seem that there are
a million things to learn, but you don't need to go that
far. If you can understand aperture, shutter speed, depth
of field and ISO, you will know almost everything you need.

After that, it all comes down to patience and practice.
With the right approach, and less reliance on a
poorly-written manual, your skills will improve in no time.
Like I said at the beginning, it doesn't cost anything to
practice and you can delete your mistakes, so how can you
fail?

----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Goodall believes that with a small amount of
guidance, anyone can become a better photographer, no
matter what sort of camera they have. Andrew's ebook
"Photography in Plain English" is a perfect place to start.
Check it out at http://www.naturesimage.com.au and while
you are there, sign up to the online newsletter for even
more tips...it's free!

Are Cartoonists Masochists? And Why You Should Copy.

Are Cartoonists Masochists? And Why You Should Copy.
Well, no actually. However there is a point to the
question. Cartooning is generally a solitary occupation.
Whilst you may well be a very social gregarious person. And
that is a good quality for a cartoonist as you will draw
inspiration from many everyday things you see and do. It is
a fact that you need to draw your cartoons for yourself.

It's an old adage but we all know the one "You can please
all of the people some of the time....." etc. and you
certainly won't please everyone with your efforts, so don't
try. Draw your cartoons to please yourself, and if you've
got it right, you will please (read entertain) most others.
Getting back to the masochist thing, you will find that you
are spending a lot, if not most, of your time in your
studio, work area, wherever you do your stuff. Hunched over
your drawing board, working and re-working your cartoons.
Probably with an editor impatiently firing dealines at you.

So, you are in effect in self-imposed solitary confinement.
In which case don't be afraid to make your cell as
comfortable as possible. It's nice to have a window with a
nice view. OK, that doesn't work for everyone if you are
easily distracted, but then maybe you just aren't commited
enough if your mind wanders that easy. Have a coffee
machine so you don't need to leave the room. Music works
for me, and depending on my mood, or what I'm trying to
work on, can help enormously. Really whatever works for
you, but there's nothing wrong with being comfortable.

As to copying, well it's a given that most cartoonists, if
not all, start out by copying the work of a cartoonist that
they admire. There's absolutely nothing wrong in that. It's
a great way to learn tecnique, lettering, shading, etc.
When you are just starting out grab afew newspapers,
comics, or whatever. Find something you like the look of
and start copying. It's amazing how quickly things start to
come together. Before you know it you are drawing great
looking cartoons of your own. Just remember, as soon as you
have the mechanics of drawing cartoons down, stop copying
and develop your own style. Imitation may be the sincerest
form of flattery, but plagiarism is something else. Have
your own characters and style.

As a final word in this article remember that cartoonists
draw what they know, and if you are in tune with what's
going on around you, and take notes as you go (best advice
I was ever given, you have an idea write it down then,
guarantee you'll forget it otherwise before you get home)
you'll be a great cartoonist. And don't worry if you are
of, shall we say, mature years, wishing to take up this
great career. It's afact that most well known cartoonists
had a few years under their belt when they began. There's
no substitute for experience, I don't know of many 20 year
old newspaper/magazine cartoonists.

Whatever you do, practise as much as you can, and remember
the words of Winston Churchill when he was asked the secret
of success. He stood up, went to the dias, said "Never,
never, never, never, never, never, never, give up". And sat
down.

----------------------------------------------------
Chris Haycock is an information publisher, one of whose
hobbies is cartooning. For more information on cartooning,
including details of a very special insiders course on
cartooning, go to http://www.cartoonsforfunandprofit.com

14 Judy Garland Quotes To Celebrate The Birthday of Oz's Star

14 Judy Garland Quotes To Celebrate The Birthday of Oz's Star
Ready for a few Judy Garland quotes to remember her by on
the anniversary of her birth? They might not be what you're
expecting. While many of us remember Judy as the
happy-go-lucky Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, there was
much more to her than just that.

For instance, she was the mother of world-famous Liza
Minelli! Not many people know that one. She was also very
under-appreciated and conflicted during her lifetime. If
you want to get to know the real Judy, these fourteen
quotes are a good place to start.

1. "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of
a second-rate version of somebody else."

2. "How strange when an illusion dies. It's as though
you've lost a child."

3. "If I'm such a legend, then why am I so lonely? Let me
tell you, legends are all very well if you've got somebody
around who loves you."

4. "We cast away priceless time in dreams, born of
imagination, fed upon illusion, and put to death by
reality."

5. "I was born at the age of twelve on an MGM lot."

6. "My life, my career has been like a roller coaster. I've
either been an enormous success or just a down-and-out
failure."

7. "Behind every cloud is another cloud."

8. "I can live without money, but I cannot live without
love."

9. "In the silence of night I have often wished for just a
few words of love from one man, rather than the applause of
thousands of people."

10. "I'm the original take-orders girl."

11. "It's lonely and cold on the top... lonely and cold."

12. "I've always taken 'The Wizard of Oz' very seriously,
you know. I believe in the idea of the rainbow. And I've
spent my entire life trying to get over it."

13. "For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my
heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."

14. "I've never looked through a keyhole without finding
someone was looking back."

When the world lost Judy Garland, we lost someone special.
She didn't just sing about "over the rainbow", she really
believed in it. Perhaps she finally made her way there.
After all, it's been rumored that a tornado hit Kansas on
the day of Judy's death. On the anniversary of her
birthday, let's remember her for the amazing person she was
and the legacy she left behind with these fourteen Judy
Garland quotes.

----------------------------------------------------
For more quotes related to movies, check out the popular
movie quotes section of Famous-Quotes-And-Quotations.com, a
website that specializes in 'Top 10' lists of quotations in
dozens of categories.
http://www.famous-quotes-and-quotations.com/movie-quote.html

The Business Of Stamp Collecting

The Business Of Stamp Collecting
If you think that stamp collecting merely involves the
preservation of postage stamps in nicely-compiled binders,
think again.

It's true that stamp collecting provides a very rewarding
experience for enthusiasts all over the world. The
excitement of acquiring a valuable postage stamp, coupled
with the thrill of witnessing its rarity soar throughout
the years, is truly an exhilarating feeling. It should
come as no surprise that in this day and age of emails and
digital distribution channels, the hobby of stamp
collecting still commands a great following.

But stamp collecting can be more than just a hobby.

Stamp collecting can actually be a profitable venture, a
hobby that can be transformed into a business, and for many
entrepreneurs, a dream come true.

Welcome to the business of stamp collecting, where there
are many ways to earn substantial income while enjoying the
joys of one of the most wonderful and fulfilling pastimes
in the world.

The Game Of Speculation

The number one way by which a stamp collector can earn some
income from his hobby is, of course, by buying and selling
postage stamps.

Just like any investment model, the stamp collector is
supposed to sell stamps when they're hot, and but them when
they're not. It's a matter of pinpointing which of the
postage stamps currently in circulation have the best
chances of rising in value. Once such an appreciation of
value happens, the stamp collector can sell the same for
some profit.

Speculative stamp collecting is an investment model that
requires a small financial investment - currently
circulated stamps cost less than $0.50 each - yet yields
significant earnings as a normally-priced stamp today can
cost as much as $40 in a matter of 2 or 3 years.

Philatelic Investing

Philatelic investing is similar to simple stamp inventing
in so far as they both involve the buying and selling of
postage stamps. However, whereas the latter is about
speculating on currently circulated postage stamps, the
former is all about the purchase and eventual disposition
of postage stamps that already command significant prices.

Philatelic investing often involves thematic stamp
collecting. Philatelic investors usually concentrate on
specific types of postage stamps, as the variety of
published stamps may be too overwhelming for any
businessman in this field.

Philatelic investing requires more diligence. Unlike
simple stamp speculation where investments can be bought
for mere cents, the subjects of philatelic investing cost
hundreds of dollars, and sometimes, thousands of dollar
even. Hence, a critical study of market forces, postal
history and other relevant information is necessary in
order to make sound investments that have the greatest
chances of garnering fantastic profit.

Philatelic Brokering

Some people who are deeply involved with this hobby think
that speculative postage stamp collecting is not as
high-yielding as they'd like to fancy. However, philatelic
investing requires too much monetary investment, which
places it out of their reach.

The next best way to capitalize on the prevailing passion
for postage stamps is through philatelic brokering.

Philatelic brokering involves offering one's services to
find the postage stamps that particular collectors are
looking for. It involves the usage of one's knowledge
about postage stamps and about postal history as well as
the industry to provide for the needs of other
collectors... for a fee of course.

A collector may be looking for a 19th century half-penny
British stamp of Queen Victoria, for example. If you know
where to find one for, say, $850, you can offer your
services to the collector. Ask for $1,000 for the said
stamp, which will immediately net a profit of $150 for a
single transaction.

----------------------------------------------------
Find out more about stamp collecing today! It's a fun hobby
and it can have the possibility of bring in money! Check
out my website for more information ==>
http://www.stampcollectinghobby.net

Photography For Beginners: Depth of Field.

Photography For Beginners: Depth of Field.
Depth of field is one of the most important aspects of
photography you can learn. Use depth of field well in your
photography and you can gain immense control over the look
and impact of your photos. Unfortunately, depth of field
also seems to be one of the toughest aspects for beginners
to learn and master.

Even when you break it down to the simplest terms, the
relationship between aperture and depth of field can seem
confusing. Whenever I teach a class, or try to explain the
manual settings on a friend's camera, this is the always
topic we have to go over again and again. The good news is
that with practice and concentration, the aperture/depth of
field relationship will finally 'click' for you. The bad
news is, there is more to understanding depth of field than
just using your aperture.

But let's start at the beginning. What is depth of field?

In simple terms, the depth of field is the area behind and
in front of your main point of focus, that is also
acceptably in focus. So if you focus on a subject one metre
away, you might look at your photo and find that everything
from 0.9 to 1.2 metres is in focus. In this case, your
depth of field is 0.3 metres (30 centimetres).

The very first thing a new photographer learns about depth
of field is that it is controlled by the aperture on your
lens. Very simply, a smaller aperture creates a larger
depth of field, and a larger aperture creates a narrower
depth of field. So if we go back to our previous example,
let's say the 30cm depth of field was captured with an
aperture of F-8. You could narrow the depth of field
considerably by adjusting the aperture to F-2.8, a much
wider setting.

Sound confusing? It is hard to explain it any more simply,
especially without showing you photos as examples. If this
is your first time working with depth of field, don't
worry. Go outside right now and take some shots just as I
have described, and you should be able to see the results
right away.

So if it is that simple, why do so many people struggle
with depth of field? As I wrote earlier, there is more to
depth of field than just the aperture.

Depth of field is also affected by how close the subject
appears in your photo. That means either how close you are
to the subject, or how much you magnify or reduce the
subject using different sized lenses.

The closer you are to your subject, or the closer you make
the subject appear by zooming in with your lens, the
smaller the depth of field becomes. Let's say you are
photographing a person five metres away. At this distance,
a standard or wide-angle lens will not only show a lot of
background, but the wide depth of field could make the
background quite distracting. However, if you walk much
closer to the subject and re-focus, the depth of field will
become much smaller. As a result, the well-focused person
will stand out clearly from a blurry background. You can
maximize the effect by opening the aperture to its widest
setting.

Now imagine your subject is posing in front of a beautiful
waterfall. If you stand close to the subject and photograph
them with a wide aperture, you could get a great shot of
the person but the waterfall will be an out of focus blur.
You could improve the situation slightly by closing the
aperture a few stops. However, the most effective way to
improve the depth of field is to stand a few metres further
back, and/or zoom back to a wider angle with your lens. Not
only will you capture more of the background, but it will
be much sharper than if you only adjusted your aperture
alone.

So there you have a quick look at not one, but three
factors than can make it easier to master depth of field;
aperture, distance from the subject, and the size of the
lens. This really is a topic that needs to be illustrated
with a few photos, but hey - you have a digital camera. Why
not go and try out these ideas at the next opportunity? It
won't cost you anything, and you can see the results right
away. You will soon develop a feel for the best way to make
depth of field work for different subjects in your
photography.

----------------------------------------------------
Depth of field is better explained and illustrated in
Andrew Goodall's ebook "Photography In Plain English" found
at http://www.naturesimage.com.au/page/25/default.asp .
You will also find plenty of other great resources for
photographers, including a guide to making money from your
own photography. For even more photography tips, sign up to
the online newsletter...it's free!

14 Marilyn Monroe Quotes To Remember The Day of Her Birth

14 Marilyn Monroe Quotes To Remember The Day of Her Birth
Marilyn Monroe is truly an American legend, so it's only
fitting that we remember the day of her birth with some
famous Marilyn Monroe quotes. Whether you love her for her
beauty, her intriguing mystery, her honesty, or the fact
that she was a size 16 and still managed to acquire
superstar status (that's right ladies, a size 16), these
quotes are the perfect way to honor her on her birthday.

1. "If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have got
anywhere."

2. "I don't mind living in a man's world as long as I can
be a woman in it."

3. "Creativity has got to start with humanity and when
you're a human being, you feel, you suffer."

4. "In Hollywood a girl's virtue is much less important
than her hairdo. You're judged by how you look, not by what
you are. Hollywood's a place where they'll pay you a
thousand dollars for kiss, and fifty cents for your soul."

5. "No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little
girl. All little girls should be told they're pretty, even
if they aren't."

6. "I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not
because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had
never belonged to anything or anyone else."

7. "Everybody is always tugging at you. They'd all like a
sort of chunk out of you. I don' think they realize it, but
it's like 'grrr do this, grr do that...' But you do want to
stay intact--intact and on two feet."

8. "Fame is fickle and I know it. It has its compensations,
but it also has its drawbacks and I've experienced them
both."

9. "I have feelings too. I am still human. All I want is to
be loved, for myself and for my talent."

10. "Dreaming about being an actress, is more exciting then
being one."

11. "I was never used to being happy, so that wasn't
something I ever took for granted. You see, I was brought
up differently from the average American child because the
average child is brought up expecting to be happy."

12. "My illusions didn't have anything to do with being a
fine actress. I knew how third rate I was. I could actually
feel my lack of talent, as if it were cheap clothes I was
wearing inside. But, my God, how I wanted to learn, to
change, to improve!"

13. "People had a habit of looking at me as if I were some
kind of mirror instead of a person. They didn't see me,
they saw their own lewd thoughts, then they white-masked
themselves by calling me the lewd one."

14. "I want to grow old without facelifts... I want to have
the courage to be loyal to the face I've made. Sometimes I
think it would be easier to avoid old age, to die young,
but then you'd never complete your life, would you? You'd
never wholly know you."

When we lost Marilyn Monroe (or should we say Norma Jeane
Mortenson?) we lost a truly unique soul. While her death
remains somewhat of a mystery, one thing is certain -- she
left us much too soon. Let's remember her on her birthday
with these fourteen Marilyn Monroe quotes.

----------------------------------------------------
For more famous quotes, check out the popular
Famous-Quotes-And-Quotations.com, a website that
specializes in 'Top 10' lists of quotations in dozens of
categories.
http://www.famous-quotes-and-quotations.com/

An Elephant Sat On the Hood of My Car (Part 2)

An Elephant Sat On the Hood of My Car (Part 2)
It was close to 4 PM in the afternoon and typical of the
Los Angeles basin, traffic was already getting quite heavy
and so things were quite slow as we tried to make our way
up to Costa Mesa. We proceeded for about 5 miles before I
saw flashing red lights in the rear view mirror. I stopped
and tried to make way for the vehicle to pass but then
noticed he just pulled in behind me and opened his door.
The next thing I knew, he was accusing me of hit and run
and wasn't too interested in my story about an elephant
sitting on my hood. Another patrol car arrived and soon we
were guided to the nearest police station where they talked
to us further and then made a few calls to substantiate our
story before releasing us with their apology. For two
people that were not seasoned travelers, this was turning
out to be quite a day. We got directions back to the
Freeway, tried to call our friends but there was no answer
so we just left a message that we were again further
delayed but getting closer.

I was absolutely exhausted having had little sleep that
past two night and not handling, quite frankly, any of this
very well at all. I asked Jane if she wouldn't mind
driving the rest of the distance since at this time of day
it was still going to be a good 45 minutes to an hour in
traffic before we reached their place and I thought I would
take a short nap. I crawled into the back of the camper,
took off my pants and lay down to get some shut eye and I
was asleep in no time.

Jane had the instructions but it was getting later in the
day and with so much traffic and not being used to LA
driving, it was a bit stressful. She had rolled down both
windows to get some cool air flowing through the cab which
may have helped her to stay focused on the road but she was
not paying attention as the instructions went flying out
the window. She saw the signs that said "Costa Mesa" but
she could not remember the turnoff and when reached for the
piece of paper it wasn't there. She had only one choice
and that was to pull off the freeway and see if the
instructions were on the floor as she put in another call
to Janice. It took a minute or two to work her way to the
shoulder but she finally made it and came to a complete
stop turning off the engine just as Janice answered on the
other end of the line.

I was off into dream land when the camper came to a
complete stop and I could hear the engine being turned off.
Although it still sounded like traffic a bit outside, I
knew it was LA and traffic was supposedly everywhere. So
that did not hit me. What also did not hit me was that my
pants were on the floor of the camper. I got up, opened
the camper door and stepped outside to see where we were.
Just then, Jane, got her instructions from Janice, started
the engine back up and before I could react to anything she
was back on the freeway and on her way. There I stood in
my boxers, t-shirt and sheet-wrinkled face with no shoes
on. "THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING TO ME!" is about all I could
say to myself as I embarrassingly looked around at the
rubber neck traffic.

It was only about 20 minutes later when I heard the siren
again approaching my position. Thank goodness it was the
same Highway Patrolman who couldn't help but believe my
story since I was the only idiot he had met in that whole
day. Fortunately for me, I had taken down the original
instructions and so I knew the turnoff and the address and
so the patrol man offered to drop me off in my boxers and
all as we both laughed about our crazy day.

Jane had found the turn-off but she turned left when she
should have turned right and so before she knew it, she was
about 4 miles out of the way. She knew Janice was not at
home yet so she called her cell and got new directions and
was soon back on track. In the meantime, I was dropped off
at Andy and Janice's home by the patrolman but now it was
starting to get somewhat dark outside. No one was home so
I sat on the front porch and waited. About 20 minutes
later, Jane drove by, noticed someone in boxer shorts
sitting on the front porch of her friend's house. Jane did
not stop but drove around the corner, and called Janice who
then called the police and you can just guess the rest of
the story.

We enjoyed the evening with our friends laughing our heads
off but that next morning we quickly packed the camper back
up, and headed back to Arizona never to see the California
coast again.

----------------------------------------------------
Jeff Gustafson is a media professional with iMpro, LLC. An
accomplished singer/songwriter as well as founder of
http://www.myhatt.com an international cultural awareness
concept and StrategyGolfCentral.

An Elephant Sat On the Hood of My Car (Part 1)

An Elephant Sat On the Hood of My Car (Part 1)
It was 1981 or 82 and we had decided to visit some friends
in Southern California. We weren't much for traveling in
those days. Not that we didn't enjoy it; we just didn't
really have the money and living in Phoenix during the
summer, driving 500-600 miles in 115 degree weather just
wasn't very appealing. But Janice and Andy had been
insisting that we visit since they were such good friends
of ours before they left our neighborhood due to his
company transfer. Jane and Janice, in fact, were attached
at the hip the 7 years they lived two houses down and the
kids played together virtually every available moment.

Jane convinced me that July this was the year to visit our
good friends. I made the arrangements for the time off
from work and we were western bound that last week of
August in our trusty camper. We took our time and drove
the southern route to San Diego stopping several times to
stretch our legs and walk a bit arriving in San Diego that
evening around 5 PM where we spent a couple of nights at a
very nice RV park near the water and enjoyed two days of
Sea World and the San Diego Zoo before heading up the
Freeway to the Mariner's home in Costa Mesa. The days were
warm but with a cool breeze and the nights were absolutely
delightful. Jane slept like a baby after walking both
parks for a solid 8 to 10 hours but I was up and down both
nights not being used to the coastal air.

Driving north on the fourth day between San Diego and Los
Angeles we noticed one of those drive-through animal parks
and Jane insisted that we check it out. It was quite
interesting with animals walking everywhere. You would
drive from one section to another waiting for each gate to
open to take you to another animal grouping. Many were
walking freely through the park with others just laying in
the sun or in the shade and you could stop and take
pictures and just take your good old time working your way
through the park. It was fascinating to watch the animals
in this environment as opposed to the previous day at the
zoo.

At each gate, there were clear warnings to keep your hands
inside the windows, keep them rolled up as animals came
close to the car and by all means do not honk your horn.
Unfortunately, there was a car of young adults slightly
ahead of us that were having quite a time trying to stir up
the pot with the large cats. You could see them taunting
the lions that were in the distance in hopes they would
come closer. They would call them, stick there arms and
heads out the door and wave their arms furiously to get the
animals attention. Fortunately, for the most part, the
animals paid little attention with just a slight lift of
the head, a short glance of disgust and then laying their
heads back down paying basically no never-mind.

But that did not hold true for Mr. Elephant. Although the
people were not trying to get his attention, he was the one
that had had enough of this nonsense. He gradually made
his way toward our cars but to our surprise the young
couples either saw him coming or got fed up them selves
with being ignored and took off just in time. But there we
were between the Elephant and the cars behind us. Not sure
what was about to happen we rolled up our windows and
watched as Mr. Elephant strolled to front of the camper,
slightly raised his trunk, gave a slide nod, then turned
and proceeded to sit on the front or our hood. "Oh my
goodness, what do we do now?" I could hear Jane speak. I
must admit I was at a complete loss. The big fella did not
over do it. He made his statement quite clear then stood
back up and moved on with absolutely no fan fare. A couple
of tons on my hood left quite an impression, if you know
what I mean.

At first I was most concerned about my radiator but once
outside of the park where we could stop there was no
indication of anything leaking. I pulled up to the office,
the people were very apologetic and both the park and
ourselves made a few calls to the insurance companies and
within an hour or so we were off and on our way to Andy and
Janice's.

As we pulled onto the San Diego freeway heading north, we
had not gone more than 3 miles and a car about 4 cars in
front of us got impatient and tried to switch lanes not
noticing the car next to them and before they knew it there
was a three car pile up that we just barely missed - two
cars and a camper. After seeing that everyone seemed to be
just fine, we noticed that cars were starting to drive onto
the shoulder to get around the crash site. We decided to
follow them since we were tired and running a bit late
after being held up at the park. What we did not notice
was that for some reason, the camper also left the scene of
the accident before any Highway Patrol arrived.

----------------------------------------------------
Jeff Gustafson is a media professional with iMpro, LLC. An
accomplished singer/songwriter as well as founder of
http://www.myhatt.com an international cultural awareness
concept and StrategyGolfCentral.

Canvas Painting

Canvas Painting
Ever wondered what is canvas painting? May be you have
heard of it, maybe not. Some of you out there may even want
to try but do not know anything about canvas painting. Read
on and by the time you finish reading this, you may sound
like an expert.

Canvas painting is basically painting on a canvas. You may
have heard of painting, oil painting, pastel painting
acrylic painting but not canvas painting. If you have not
figured it out yet, yes, canvas can be painted on. The
canvas I am talking about is not your canvas bag but a more
professional kind of canvas that can be bought and be
framed up when you are done with your masterpiece.

Let us start of with the canvas itself. The canvas can be
bought at an art shop. There are many sizes of canvas
available in the market. There are many types pre-stretched
too. Some of them are:

1) Decorative and Miniature

2) Traditional Profile Cotton

3) Deep Profile Cotton

4) Traditional Profile Linen

5) Deep Profile Linen

Basically, different types of canvas have different texture
and weight. Decorative and miniature canvases are usually
used for craft purposes. The highest quality of canvas that
you can get is the Deep Profile Cotton canvas.

What you need to know when you buy the canvas is what type
of paint and what type of painting you are doing. If you
are looking for a more textured painting, you should go for
the medium textured canvas. If you are doing some kind of
traditional art, you should use lightly textured canvas
like a silk canvas.

You should also note that different kind of paint, used
with different type of canvas will bring out different
effects. If you are thinking about traveling with the big
piece of canvas and do not have any idea how to, read on.
The next paragraph will tell you about canvas carriers.

There are three types of canvas carries that are usually
used. They are:

1) Guerilla Painter Panel Carriers

2) Handy Porter Boxes
3) Stanrite Aluminum Wet Canvas Carriers

Different types of canvas carriers suit different purpose.
The Guerilla Painter Panel Carriers is an ideal way to
transport artwork. It is adjustable and it keeps up to
twelve wet panels or up to four wet stretched canvasses
completely enclosed. The Handy Porter Boxes are made of
corrugated boxes with channeled polystyrene grooves to hold
paintings however, it is not an ideal way to transport your
masterpiece on a rainy day. The last carrier is only ideal
if you want to store your artwork indoors.

So there you have it, canvas painting 101. All in just ten
minutes, you sound like a professional artist telling your
friends about canvas painting.

----------------------------------------------------
Canvas painting is one of the most interesting hobby that
you can have. It can expand your creativity and artistic
feel. Find out more about canvas painting at this website
==> http://www.CanvasPaintingForBeginners.com

Free Download Sites For Movie Buffs

Free Download Sites For Movie Buffs
Movie buffs have always been curious to catch up with a
flick even when they are dead tired, but have some free
time. It doesn't matter much to them if the movie is the
latest one or any classic released long before, as long as
it caters to their interest. Though this craze for movies
earlier used to cost them huge bucks and also could only be
watched during holidays, mostly in theatres until of course
there is any good movie that their cable operator might be
featuring on that day. Nonetheless, all such worries
related to movies no longer exists for movie lovers as
there are several free movie download websites that have
sprung up in the recent past.

These websites as the name suggests, enable Internet users
to download movies of their choice by burning them on DVD
or CD as they like and carry them wherever they want and
watch them whenever they are free.

Types Of Movie Download Sites
The free movie downloads have increased tremendously over
the Internet. Although one may not find here the latest
blockbusters, but a plethora of classics, documentaries,
independent films and trailers are easily made available.
There are primarily three kinds of websites for free movie
downloads. There are sites that make available movie
downloads for absolutely no charge at all. Nevertheless,
there are also no hidden costs in these websites, but
download from such websites poses a threat of viruses,
spyware, pop ups and adware to your PC as the songs are
downloaded. These viruses can eventually lower the speed of
your system drastically.

There are quality or premium movie sites that charge
certain fee for every movie that is downloaded from their
movie database. Last but not the least, are the websites
that provide unlimited download for movies. These sites are
the best among all three and are the most preferred ones.
They involve a one-time fee after which you can simply
browse through and download as many movies as you want for
the rest of your life. No matter what your choice of movie
is, whether comedy, horror, romantic, spiritual, they can
all be downloaded from these sites easily within minutes.
However, it is important to have a good speed Internet
connection and bandwidth to download movies without any
hassles.

Movie Download Review Sites
With the movie archive that are provided at these free
movie download sites, the Internet user can simply browse
through the movie that they are looking for which are
generally listed alphabetically from A-Z. They are also
videos that can be downloaded from these movie download
sites. Apart from this, there are also websites that can be
accessed so as to check for the best movie download sites
along with their reviews that are sure to have your almost
all your favorite movies listed. This will avert you from
any inconvenience or exhaustive search of different movie
download websites.

What's stopping you now? You know how to find the best
website to download movies, so just start clicking and
downloading all at once without any hassles.

----------------------------------------------------
The article written by Weera Kunti, please visit the
website for more information at
http://www.themoviedownloads.org

So you Want to Go to Film School and Get a Job?

So you Want to Go to Film School and Get a Job?
When you think about how much time college students spend
getting an education, and the money involved as well, it is
hard to imagine a school where you can learn just what you
need to learn, and get yourself a job too.

The trend these days, especially during the economic
downturn, is one Los Angeles film school that offers a
production course curriculum that not opnly qualifies
graduates for positions in the film industry, but that also
for the television, music video and video industries.

Here's how this works. You get industry experts who pass on
their knowledge to the Film Connection classroom and
provide an interactive and exciting atmosphere where they,
as mentor teachers,work openly between sound stages, movie
sets and the classroom. The school provides training on
real sets and under real life working conditions. You get
to be trained one-on-one by a working professional. The
mentor proactively teaches both professional and technical
skills, helping to bridge the gap between academia and the
workplace. So when you are done, you will most likely get a
job. "With Film Connection you learn more do more and are
better equipped to get a job in the film industry upon
graduation. Those other over-priced film schools just don't
work. You come out under-trained, unemployed and broke,"
said Mars Callahan, writer, director and mentor.

Programs can be completed in approximately half the time of
degrees obtained from other schools. Plus, no experience is
required and you can start any time. Most schools have
specific semesters. Some of the students even take classes
part time during night or weekend sessions, so this way
they can train around their current job schedule. The
average course length is five to seven months, depending
upon the schedule.

Locating a good school is not only about which school will
provide an education that the industry will take seriously,
but the cost for attendance also plays into the formula.
Colleges and universities have formulas that they use --
some charge applicants by the credit hour, by clock hour,
or by the semester. With fees, books and supplies, it can
all add up pretty quickly.

When it comes to learning about the entertainment arts, you
should always look for a film, radio or music recording
school that provides loans like SallieMae. Seek the schools
that place more than 72 percent of their graduates into
good, solid industry jobs. And make sure the school offers
apprentice programs for the entertainment arts, with mentor
teachers in each profession.

----------------------------------------------------
Writer and social media expert Kristin Gabriel works with
the Entertainment Career Connection, Inc.
(http://www.recordingconnection.com), a fully accredited
academic institution certified by the National Private
Schools Accreditation Alliance. The school provides
educational apprentice programs for the film, radio,
television and the music recording industries in more than
100 cities in 50 states. The schools provide the
entertainment industry with graduate apprentices and entry
level employees.

A Brief on Free Movie Downloads

A Brief on Free Movie Downloads
First, it was music and songs, then came music videos and
then promos and trailers of movies, but the latest arrival
throughout the world is free movie downloads. One of the
most common things that are downloaded from the Internet by
large number of people is a movie. The first thought comes
in people's mind is of free movie downloads, not digitized
modification of movies or high quality DVD's. With
reference to free movie downloads they can save their great
amount of money and get best service. Astonishingly, there
are number of websites on Internet that are offering just
that, either they offer movie downloads for free or offer
them at amazingly minimal cost.

In present scenario, the number of people downloading
movies from Internet appears to be increased. But, this has
turned few websites to raise their membership costs, which
used to offer free movies download to all movie lovers. But
paying a little money as a membership cost and getting
movie for their lifetime is proving a great deal for the
people. There are some users who start screaming as they
become irritated after seeing false advertisements
regarding small membership fee, where even the dollars they
spent do not make them to obtain free movies.

The phenomenon of getting movies on rental basis is
prevailing since long. But downloading free movies is
comparatively a whole new trend nowadays. Earlier,
downloading a movie was believed to be a difficult task
with slower downloading speed and huge video files but
today, with faster and speedy connection, greater
bandwidth, newer modes of file-compression, almost every
one is seeking out their favorite movies through Internet.
Not only movies, in fact television commercials and shows
are also available for free. Getting all types of TV
commercials from the net is not possible as hundreds of
them are still preparing to get ready for downloading.
There are some developing countries that have yet to catch
up with that stage.

According to a news report, around three billion movies,
songs and video clips were downloaded in the last month
only from a single website. But of course, most of them
were illegal. According to the report given by BBC, the
number of TV files and movies downloaded illegitimately has
been increased up to three times. This enclosed around 1.67
million people downloading free movies illegally, among
which majority of them are youngsters. This common practice
is creating headaches for the film producers who have
already dragged some file-swapping sites towards the court
for this issue but nothing changed. The picture downloaded
from Internet may be blurred and less cleared and you may
have to compromise with the quality of picture you are
watching.

To get free movie downloads, first you need to download the
software before you actually find a movie. Although the
numbers of TV downloads and movies have visibly increased,
the sale of VCDs and DVDs or Box Office Collection have not
been much affected.

Free movie downloads Perceptions
Critics of this emerging system believe that real watching
is done through satellite, cables, or theatres, not on
computer screens. The only advantage this has is that it is
available conveniently and offers versatile collection to
the viewers after paying a minimal membership fee. Through
the Internet, one can find rare movies like documentaries
and foreign movies, which are not easily available at movie
stores.

----------------------------------------------------
he article written by Weera Kunti, please visit the website
for more information at http://www.themoviedownloading.org

Nature Photography: Five Low-Tech Tips For Better Photos.

Nature Photography: Five Low-Tech Tips For Better Photos.
Digital cameras offer so many functions and features,
photography can seem way too complex for the beginner. In
frustration many new photographers simply switch their
digital camera to auto, and never learn how to use it
properly.

If this sounds like you, keep reading, because I have good
news. There are some great ways to take better photos
without having to learn the complexities of your camera.
That's right - leave your camera on auto and still learn to
take great photos.

Of course I encourage anybody to learn and understand
aperture and shutter speed, the settings you will need to
understand to really improve as a photographer. However,
the best encouragement is to start getting results quickly,
so here are five easy tips to help you improve your
photography...the low-tech way!

Better Photography Tip#1. Take your photo in the best
possible light. You may have heard that the best light for
most photography is very early or very late in the day,
when the sun is low, and the light is soft and colourful.
This is a good rule to follow most of the time. Not only is
the light more attractive, you can also avoid the contrast
and heavy shadows of midday.

Some subjects actually work better on cloudy days. For
animals and people, cloudy weather softens the light and
overcomes the problem of your subject squinting into the
light. In the forest, overcast skies prevent the heavy
contrast that is a problem on sunny days.

Better Photography Tip#2. Landscape photos: create a more
interesting composition. Many photos can be made more
interesting not by zooming right in on the subject, but by
zooming out, or standing further back to capture more of
the surroundings. The important thing is to use make sure
you use the surroundings to add impact to the picture.

For example, let's say you are photographing an old rustic
farmhouse. You could add even more character by using a
line of fence posts, or a gravel driveway, to lead the eye
into the picture. Or when photographing a waterfall, you
could try going a little further downstream, to shoot the
creek with the waterfall in the background for a more
interesting angle.

Better Photography Tip#3. Sunset and Sunrise. Everyone
loves taking sunset (and sunrise) photos. A brilliant
sunset sky can make a great photo, but you can make it even
better by looking for a good subject in the foreground. The
key is to find something that stands out against the sky,
with a an outline people can recognize; a tree, a windmill,
even a row of power poles. The subject does not have to
dominate the photo; in fact it is probably best if it only
takes up about ten percent of the composition so that the
sky remains the starring attraction. But if you can create
a striking silhouette, you will immediately add character
to your sunset photograph.

Better Photography Tip#4. Animals (And People). Portrait
style photos are usually spoiled by a distracting
background. When you take a photo of a friend, a pet, or an
animal, you don't want the surroundings to take attention
away from the subject.

So here's the trick. Don't stand close to your subject and
take the photo with a regular or wide-angle lens. Stand
further back and zoom in with your largest lens
magnification. This will have two results. First, it will
reduce the area behind and around the subject that is
visible in the photo. Second, it will minimize the depth of
field, which means only your subject should be in focus.
Anything in front or behind the subject will be out of
focus, and will not cause a distraction.

Better Photography Tip#5. Concentrate. Sometimes all it
takes to make a photo a success is to move a little to the
left or right, or zoom in or out just a little more. If you
just point the camera in the right general direction and
click, you are bound to fail most of the time. If you slow
down and really examine what you can see in the viewfinder
before you press the button, your success rate will impove.

Simple things to look out for include; trees and
power-poles appearing to grow out of the head of the
subject (move yourself or the subject to a better
position); litter on the ground (pick it up); aircraft or
distracting clouds in the sky (wait for them to pass by);
blurry branches on a windy day (wait for conditions to
settle for a moment). All these things and more can ruin a
photo, and they can all be remedied by taking a good look
to make sure your picture has captured everything you want,
and nothing you don't want.

So there you have some easy tips for good photography
without getting hung up on technology. Above all, pay
attention to tip #5 and slow down to concentrate on what
you are doing. The other golden rule is to take lots of
photos. Experience will teach you a lot more than being
told what to do. Remember with digital cameras it doesn't
cost you anything to keep on snapping. With patience and
attention to detail, you will be taking better photos in no
time - guaranteed!

----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Goodall's top selling ebooks on photography for
beginners have already helped thousands of people learn the
skills better photography. Find them at
http://www.naturesimage.com.au and sign up the online
newsletter for even more tips...it's free!

The popularity of the hawaiian flower tattoos

The popularity of the hawaiian flower tattoos
Tattoos began as part of rituals of different tribes and
ethnic groups. Before, it is used to signify a meaningful
phase in the life of those who are to be given the symbol.
The ritual is rather long and painful for the one having it
done, but this thought is not entertained by him, for
having the said sign is far more important. Nowadays,
everyone can get their own tattoo, and there is no need for
a ritual or a formal procedure before it can be obtained.
Even girls opt to have their skins permanently become a
canvass of an art work, and most of them choose designs
that depict their character and personality, and of the
most commonly sought after design is the Hawaiian flower
tattoos.

Flower designs, such as the Hawaiian flower tattoos, are
more than just a beautiful piece of art enduringly pasted
on a pretty girl's skin. According to some experts, the
flower is the perfect symbol of nurturing and flourishing.
It embodies both the earth and the life. Among the famous
flowers, Hawaiian flowers are given special attention, for
they are symbols of hospitality and friendship. Maybe this
is the reason why a lot of people go for the Hawaiian
flower tattoos.

Those who want flower designs but do not want the typical
rose tattoos may choose the Hawaiian flower tattoos. This
type of design still embraces the femininity of a flower
tattoo only with a twist. Those who want to get the
Hawaiian flower tattoos is not only given the choice of
what design to pick, she also has the choice of picking the
best Hawaiian flower that will best describe her, because
it has a lot of types.

In choosing a Hawaiian flower tattoo design, one must
consider what the flower symbolizes. The most popular
Hawaiian flower tattoo design is the Hibiscus flower.
Although this type of flower may grow on different parts of
the world, this is still considered as the state flower of
Hawaii. Whether as a state flower or even as a Hawaiian
flower tattoo design, it clearly represents the Hawaiian
culture.

People who have gotten the Hawaiian flower tattoos usually
have it in a tribal style wherein it is outlined by thick
black lines and accentuated by a little color. The Hawaiian
flower tattoos is sometimes seen alongside other Hawaiian
icons like the sea turtles or even the famous surfboards.
Other people who have acquired the Hawaiian flower tattoos
have them modified in such a way that the tattoo would
stand out and attract more attention. Some people were seen
parading Hawaiian flower tattoos drawn like a lei on their
necks, similar to the famous Hawaiian lei given to tourists
as their sign of "aloha".

However, no one should have a tattoo without thinking it
over. Tattoos are permanent scars on the body, and it is
only proper that it is done deliberately. And then, only
after ultimately being decided, that he can choose the best
design that would fit her personality. In picking a design,
consider the Hawaiian flower tattoos. This design is very
exotic eye and catching, that is why the Hawaiian flower
tattoos is not only popular to the Hawaiian people but to
the people around the globe as well.

----------------------------------------------------
For great Tattoo advice, recommendation's or Help visit us
at .....
http://www.armbandtattootribal.com

Digital Photography: Do Megapixels Really Matter?

Digital Photography: Do Megapixels Really Matter?
Is 'megapixel' the most overused word in the language of
digital photography?

Tell anyone you are thinking of buying a new digital
camera, and the first question they will probably ask you
is "How many megapixels does it have?" In my gallery I
often overhear comments like "I would love to take better
photos, but my camera doesn't have enough megapixels."

Like computers and the internet, digital photography has
bred two types of 'expert.' There are people who know a
lot. Then there are the people who know just a little, but
think they know everything. Many of these people have been
persuaded (most likely by a salesman trying to increase his
commission) that the key to good photography is a high
megapixel rating. By clinging to this notion, they may well
be ignoring more important factors that could help them
become better photographers.

The number of pixels in a photo determines how much you can
enlarge the picture without losing image quality. The more
megapixels, the bigger the print. But how important is this
really, for most photographers in today's digital world?

Let's forget about the size of the enlargement for a
moment. How many photos these days are ever printed at all,
let alone enlarged to poster size? Gone are the days of
shooting photos on negative film, and printing them to see
the results. These days we see the results immediately in
the camera, and can look at them in better detail on the
computer screen. In fact, by eliminating the cost of film
and developing, more people are taking more photos than
ever before.

But back to the question: how many of these photos ever get
printed? Most pictures live their lives on a computer
screen, where we see a small version of a photo at 72dpi.
In fact, if we want to share them in emails or add them to
webpages, we have to make them even smaller to travel in
cyberspace.

Of course there are people who print a lot of their photos.
I encourage everybody to print their best photos, frame
them, hang them, give them as gifts...after all, what is
the purpose of all these photos if we don't do something
with them? But do we need a lot of megapixels to create a
good print?

In most cases, the answer is no. The vast majority of
printed photos are 6x4 or 5x7 inches, and very occasionally
8x12 inches. Very few non-professional photographers will
ever print a very big enlargement from their own
photography. They might think they will; but almost
certainly, they won't.

So, do we really need all these megapixels? I equate it to
buying a car than can travel 200 kilometres per hour in a
country where the speed limit is 100. The power is there,
and it may give some inward pride to know it is there...but
it is wasted power all the same. Apart from bragging
rights, in some ways you equally well served by an old
hatchback that just gets you from Point A to Point B.

You can produce good, high quality prints up to 8x12 inch
(20x30cm), and probably larger, with a five megapixel
camera. This is not a compromise; I doubt you would see any
improvement in print quality taking the same picture on a
ten megapixel camera. Certainly you would see a difference
if you enlarged the photo to poster size, but (as we have
discussed), very few people reading this article are likely
to do that.

Please do not see these comments as negative. I would never
suggest that anyone who has bought a more powerful camera
has wasted their money. Your upmarket camera probably came
with an extra feature or two that adds to the fun you can
have with photography. And of course, it is nice to know
you could make giant prints from your photos...even though
we both know you possibly never will.

Rather, I want to encourage all those people who didn't buy
the top-of-the-range camera and wish they did, or are
currently agonizing over how much to spend on their next
camera. If you want a camera that takes a decent photo, for
use online or to produce small and medium sized prints, you
don't need to overextend your budget. Buy the camera you
can reasonably afford and be happy with it - it will do the
job for you.

If there is one important buying tip that is more important
than the megapixels, it is to find a camera with a good
quality lens. If your photos are not crystal clear and
sharp when they are small, they are not going to improve by
being blown up to larger sizes. In fact, all you would be
doing is making your fuzzy image bigger and fuzzier.

Just as importantly, once you have your camera, learn to
use it. Most digital cameras come with manual settings that
allow you to be truly creative once you know the basic
photography techniques. If you look at any camera club
competition, you will find that the winner is not the
person with the most expensive camera. Invariably, it is
the person with the imagination and skills to get the best
out of the camera they have.

----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Goodall believes that with a small amount of
guidance, anyone can become a better photographer, no
matter what sort of camera they have. Andrew's ebook
"Photography in Plain English" is a perfect place to start.
Check it out at http://www.naturesimage.com.au and while
you are there, sign up to the online newsletter for even
more tips...it's free!

Digital Television Transition- High Definition Answers

Digital Television Transition- High Definition Answers
This is the biggest thing to happen to TVs since the
introduction of color. Digital television is no longer a
subject discussed only among the techno-savvy and
gadget-obsessed. It's now a hot topic ignited by the
United States government, fueled by cable providers and
electronics retailers, and spread in the everyday
conversations between even the most casual consumers. You
can try to avoid the escalating digital hype, but by
February 2009, the digital transition will hit home whether
or not you're ready for it.

The switch from analog broadcasting to digital has been
years in the making. In the 1990s, Congress passed a
mandate to change TV broadcasting from analog to digital to
free-up more bands of the broadcast spectrum for public
safety and emergency services, as well as for popular
wireless services. Currently, most TV stations broadcast
on digital and analog channels, with over 1,600 out of
1,745 full-power stations broadcasting digital programs.
After February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations
are required by law to end analog broadcasts.

David Rehr, President and CEO of the National Association
of Broadcasters, considers this digital television
transition "the most significant advancement of television
technology since color TV was introduced." Television
broadcasters will be able to offer programming with
characteristics similar to DVDs: higher quality pictures
without the typical TV interference or "snow." But you
don't have to see DTV to tell the difference; the
multi-channel digital surround sound, including Dolby
Digital 5.1, will turn casual TV watching into a theatrical
experience.

For many people, these benefits will come at a cost.
Consumers who use an antenna on an analog set and do not
subscribe to cable or satellite will need to upgrade in
order to continue receiving television programming.
Upgrading can be done in one of three ways: purchase a
digital converter box (also known as a set-top box or
converter box), purchase a digital television or subscribe
to cable or satellite. Digital to Analog Converter Box
On February 18, 2009, the curbs will not be cluttered with
70 million analog television sets and antennas. These TVs
will continue to work after February 17 with the addition
of a digital converter box. Because DTV broadcasters have
been designated channels in the VHF and UHF bands, antennas
should also continue working as long as a DTV signal is
available ' so don't throw out the rabbit ears just yet.

The digital converter box is an electronic device that
hooks up to an analog TV set to convert digital signals to
analog signals. Converter boxes, priced from $40 to $75,
can be purchased at electronics retailers across the
country. The National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) is currently providing an opportunity
for consumers to cut down on the price of the digital
transition. Each household may receive up to two coupons
worth $40 each toward the purchase of digital converter
boxes. However, the NTIA is offering enough coupons to
supply only half of the nation's households. To receive
these coupons while they last, consumers must apply online
as soon as possible at https://www.dtv2009.gov/ or by phone
at 1-888-388-2009.

Cable and Satellite Depending upon the service provider,
some cable customers may also need a digital set-top box to
receive and convert DTV signals. Satellite customers may
need a different set-top box to receive high definition
programming. Because no single information source claims
to be 100% certain of exactly how the transition will
affect all cable and satellite customers, the only way to
know for sure is by contacting your provider.

Cable network channels such as MSNBC, Lifetime and CNN are
not required by law to make the digital transition.
However, some cable providers, such as Comcast, are
removing popular channels like these from basic cable and
offering them only in a digital broadcast tier.

Although most cable customers will be able to receive basic
cable without a converter box, there may be few channels
left to watch. In order to receive additional channels
(including ones that were once staples in basic cable
service), consumers are thus forced to upgrade their
service in addition to purchasing a digital converter box.

A New TV If you want to take advantage of the full quality
of DTV, you won't need a converter box ' you'll need a new
digital television set. Contrary to popular assumptions,
going digital does not mean going broke. As the prices of
electronics continue to fall, most households are able to
afford a digital televisions of some kind ' Standard
Definition, Enhanced Definition or even High Definition.

Standard Definition television is the basic digital TV
format; its quality is comparable to traditional analog
television. Like analog TVs, SDTVs can deliver up to 480
interlaced (480i) lines of resolution and are transmitted
in 4x3 ratio. Unlike analog, SDTVs can include the 16x9
widescreen aspect ratio.

Although it has the same resolution as SDTV, Enhanced
Definition television provides a smoother picture because
it has progressive scanning rather than interlaced
scanning. EDTV can also be in 4x3 or 16x9 ratio with a
resolution of 480 x 640 or 480 x 720 pixels.

The superior quality of "pure" High Definition is achieved
through the combination of an HD television and an HD
signal. With more lines of resolution and smaller gaps
between scan lines, images on High Definition televisions
are two to five times sharper than those on Standard
Definition televisions. HDTVs can cost as low as $200 for
a small screen LCD, or as high as $15,000 for a large
flat-panel plasma. The options of HD resolution include
1080i (with more lines and pixels) or 720p (with
progressive scanning for smoother images), but the
difference is virtually undetectable unless the TV screen
is very large. High Definition programming shown on an
HDTV ' 1080i or 720p, over-the-air or cable, DLP or plasma
' is a strikingly significant upgrade from Standard
Definition.

Buying Advice As of March 1, 2007, all new TVs are required
to include digital tuners. While retailers may continue to
sell their pre-existing stock of analog-only TVs and
devices, they must indicate in a Consumer Alert that the
product is analog-only.

When shopping for a new digital television, be on the
lookout for product labels with tricky wording.
Televisions with labels such as "Digital Monitor," "HDTV
Monitor," "Digital Ready" or "HDTV Ready" do not
necessarily include a digital tuner, which means the
additional set-box may still be required. Labels such as
"HD Built-In" and "Integrated HDTV" mean a digital tuner is
included. The best and easiest way to find out is by
contacting the retailer or product manufacturer.

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Metro Productions is a full-service video and multimedia
production company headquartered in Virginia. Metro
Productions provides clients with the ability to realize
the benefits of high-end visual media products for the
purpose of sales, marketing, recruitment and training.
Delivery mediums for these productions include DVD,
streaming media and broadcast quality High Definition
applications.
http://www.metro-productions.com