Digital Camera Photos: 7 Ways to Improve Them

When I bought my first digital camera, complete with its little viewing screen, people would invariably ask, “Can I see the picture?” Children would ask me to take their picture, and then run over and ask to see it, then go back and ask me to take another!

It’s great to have all that excitement, but were my pictures actually the best they could be?

Here are 7 tips that I have learned that have improved the quality of my photos.

1. Use the high resolution setting. At the start, I had the resolution set to medium. That way I was able to take about 100 pictures before having to download the memory card to my computer’s hard disk. That was fine for viewing on screen, but then one day I wanted to do an 8×10 paper version, and the results were disappointing. Now I always use the highest resolution my cameras can provide. I have had to spend some money on more memory cards, but it was worth it.

2. Use a Tripod. Even the slightest movement of the camera can create a blurry image. Invest in a tripod. I have also found that when taking group shots, I am better able to judge when to “click” if I am looking directly at the group, rather than through the view finder.

3. Buy a Good Photo-Editing Program. Perhaps your camera came with Photoshop Elements, or similar. If not, go to your computer retailer and buy one. Not only can you fix blemishes (maybe Susan was having a bad zit day), but you can do more creative things as well. Recently I combined a photo of my grand-daughter with one of Dora-the-Explorer. Jasmine loved it.

4. Watch the Compression. As you use that fancy photo editing program, be careful of your compression setting. Most programs default to “jpeg” format, which saves space by selectively removing pixels, and recreating them the next time you view the photo. If you open, edit, and save a photo multiple times, the over-all quality decreases. Try to do all your editing in one pass, using the lowest compression, or use a format like “tiff”, which does not compress.

5. Get in Close. Don’t waste pixels on excess background. Get in closer, either physically or with an optical zoom setting.

6. Good Things Come in Threes (or more!). Considering the incremental costs of taking a photo with a digital camera (close to nil!), you should take lots of shots. If the shot is available for more than a few seconds, take more that one exposure. I always tell the subjects of my photos that I will be taking at least 2 or 3 shots of them. A blink at the wrong time ruins the potential.

7. Read the Manual In fact, read it more than once. As if I have to explain this one!

Here’s an equation for you.

(LOTS of photos with your digital camera) (the above tips) = (a day coming soon when you’ll be proud to show off your creations)

Richard Killey is an amateur photographer who shares the love of his hobby with readers of his website. Visit photosbyrichard.ca photosbyrichard.ca to read other articles of interest.

Artists Books in South Africa

An artists book is a limited edition book that is produced by
an artist or by a collective and that has aspects of
handmade work in it. The artists book has an edition
number and is signed by the artist/s who have worked on
the book as well as by the writer of the text if this is relevant.
The artists book may be in the form of hand printed
lithographs, lino cuts, letterpress or even hand written. They
are often made using an unconventional format and
unusual binding. There are not that many artists in South
Africa who make artists books (it is a time consuming
process and is something that the general public are not
really aware of).

Artists books allow artists to combine aspects of their
artmaking with text in novel and exciting ways. The edition
number for artists books produced in South Africa is usually
fairly small (100 copies or less). This makes artists books
relatively rare and collectable. The “can do” approach of
South Africans has extended to the production of artists’
books and has resulted in some unconventional
approaches to the concept. Graduates from the Wits
Technikon have done some very exciting pieces, which have
included handmade paper, sculptural elements, plastic
bags, fabric, embroidery and wire work. Artists books
produced by The Artists’ Press have received international
acclaim and can be found in some of the worlds leading
libraries.

Any artists book produced in South Africa has to have a
copy, or a number of copies donated to the State Library
Collection. This ensures that South Africa as a country has
an archive of artists books produced in the country. It also
acts as a resource for people who are interested in artists
books but who cannot afford them.

One of the best and biggest international artists book
collections that of a Johannesburg Art patron, Jack
Ginsburg, who is also the founder and Director of the
Ampersand Foundation. This is a collection of contemporary
Artists Books and includes all the ones that have been
produced at The Artist Press.

There are a few specialised artists books dealers in South
Africa who deal locally and internationally. Clarkes
Bookshop in Cape Town sells all kinds of collectable books
and can be relied on for artists books. Johannesburg based
Thoralds Books caters for the serious collector and have
clients across the globe. They focus on work with an
Africana emphasis. The Art on Paper Gallery also sells
Artists Books and actively supports the idea of “democratic
multiples” which refers to artists books that are produced in
a format and at a price that is easily assessable to the
person in the street.

To look at what artists books are available from the Artists’
Press please go to artprintsa.com www.artprintsa.com

Tamar Mason, artist and writer focusing on limited edition
investment prints in Southern Africa

Your Hilarious Stars

Aries
March 21st – April 20th
Despite your best efforts this month, the dwarf you kidnapped and kept locked up in your spare room manages to overpower you and escape. You will learn a valuable lesson; dwarves have the strength of 7 men.

Taurus
April 21st – May 21st
You are considered dull and not very exciting by your work colleagues. Change all that this month by going to work with your skirt tucked in your knickers. Add extra leverage by leaving toilet paper hanging out as well.

Gemini
May 22nd – June 21st
A sign of a haunted house is a bad smell. For some time now a bad smell has been following you around your home and you have toyed with the idea of a ghostly presence. Septic Peg is the bearer of bad news for you; the smell that surrounds you is your breath.

Cancer
June 22nd – July 22nd
Whilst in your bedroom at home, you hear faint moans, loud rattling noises and the occasional scream coming from the room next door. You are sure you have a ghost. Get a grip, your mother is sleeping with the lodger.

Leo
July 23rd – August 23rd
You are attracted to a beautiful female. Long red locks, lovely white teeth and gorgeous slender legs. If only it wasn’t against the law to have a relationship with your red setter.

Virgo
August 24th – September 22nd
Repercussions are severe this month when you are caught sniffing your boss’ chair. A word of warning; next time wait until she has got up before giving in to your desires.

Libra
September 23rd – October 23rd
Your voluntary work for help the aged is much appreciated. The old fella, George ‘the donkey’ Jones, has copped a feel once too often and you will strike him with his own walking stick. Your services will no longer be required by help the aged.

Scorpio
October 24th – November 22nd
Humiliation will wash over you this month when you realise that the office hunk was watching you pick your nose and, worse still, eating it. Gone are the dreams of you running through meadows together, the wind in your hair. You make him feel sick.

Sagittarius
November 23rd – December 21st
This month you are challenged to be both open minded and discreet when you witness your neighbour ‘entertaining’ a local lad. Climbing a ladder with your digital camera in hand is very open minded but not very discreet.

Capricorn
December 22nd – January 20th
A business opportunity comes your way this month. Remember to do your research before committing yourself to this opportunity. After all, is there much demand for chocolate fireguards? Ring this number 09015 246 888 (£2.50 per minute) to find out about other worthy business ventures.

Aquarius
January 21st – February 18th
Your dwarf throwing contest at the local school fair is very successful. At least it is for the throwers, not the dwarfs. One dwarf is impaled on the school fence and another rebounds off the bouncy castle and is never seen again.

Pisces
February 19th – March 20th
Food will play an important role in your sex life this month. Your wife will come home, catch you in bed with a floozy and fling your dinner at you. Lesson learnt this month; too many cooks spoil the broth.

Lisa Mills is a freelance writer and is available to write articles for you. Email her Lisamills321 at hotmail dot com.

The Top Movie Review 2006

2006 was a great year for movies. I’m not sure who is going to win the academy award for best picture, but here are my personal favorites of the year.

5) The Pursuit of Happyness
I’m usually not a huge fan of the “inspirational” movie genre. This one however seemed more genuine and honest than most. Both Will Smith and his son, Jaden, were excellent. Will Smith plays Chris Gardner an incredibly intelligent medical supply salesmen who has fallen on hard times in both his career and marriage. In an attempt to live up to his full potential Chris tries to get a very exclusive job at a brokerage firm, even though it means he and his son must live on the streets. The real father/son chemistry between Will and Jaden adds a ton of realism to the film. While the uphill struggle is inspiring I was left wondering how someone as intelligent as Chris Gardner was forced into such a bad situation. It really makes you think about the struggles economically challenged families have, and how many more Chris Gardners are out there who don’t make it.

4) Thank you for smoking
Aaron Eckhart plays Nick Naylor, a tobacco industry spokesman. Naylor is very good and his impossibly difficult job. In a wonderfully done satire the movie takes shots at both the anti smoking lobby and big tobacco. It doesn’t take sides with either party, pointing out how absurd people can be when they aren’t flexible in their arguments. Most people see the Naylor as having no morals; I see it as him having such a desire to do what he’s good at that the challenge of representing a tobacco company out ways any evil they might do. I was very worried that his relationship with his son would cause him to “reexamine his life” in a cliché way, but Naylor kept true to himself in such a way that still taught his son a valuable lesson. Even if you could care less about the tobacco war this movie is a must see.

3) V For Vendetta
“V for Vendetta” is the story of Evey Hammond who plays an unlikely role in bringing down an oppressive government after meeting a masked revolutionary terrorist who calls himself V. Based on Allan Moore’s graphic novel this movie offers a incredibly complex and visually stunning portrayal of one man’s quest to bring the power back to the people. While the actions scenes are amazing they don’t feel forced or cheesy as the story is the main focus of the film. Natalie Portman gives her best performance to date, and the chemistry between her character and V is amazing. There are so many nuances to this excellent film that I had to go see it multiple times to grasp it all.

2) Borat
Anyone who has seen the Ali-G show knows how amazing a character actor Sacha Baron Cohen is. His ability to stay in character in the most ridiculous situations leaves the audience gasping for air. This big screen adaptation of his Borat character may be the funniest movie ever made. The movie follows Borat as he journeys across America filming a documentary for Kazakh TV. I won’t ruin any of the surprises, as that is what makes the movie so funny, but when viewing prepare yourself to laugh harder than you ever have before. I literally have never seen an audience laugh so hard at the movies. It got to the point where you had trouble hearing the movie because the crowd was laughing so loud. If laughter truly is the best medicine this movie will definitely cure what ails you.

1)The Departed
I have not heard one person who has seen this movie not say it was the best film they have seen in years. This movie had it all; amazing acting, great direction, and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Not only is the cast packed full of huge names, but each give one of the best performances of their career. The characters and story suck you in that by the time the 151 minute long film is over you are asking yourself “Is it over already?” DiCaprio haters will be silenced after seeing The Departed, and Nicholson plays Frank Costello who you will love to hate. In most years movies nominated for best picture seem forced, as if they were made solely to win the award. This movie should run away with the award, and it will be a breath of fresh air to see such a brilliant and enjoyable movie win.

For more great reviews visit my movieandtvreview.blogspot.com/ movie and TV review blog

Sports Betting and Customer Service

When looking for a sports betting site online, one of the most important things to look at is the level of customer service that a site provides. You never want to do business with a site that does not offer top notch customer support. Even though this may not seem like a big deal, and definitely is. Waiting for an answer to an important question can be very frustrating. This is especially true if you need an answer quickly.

One way to find out if a customer service department is reliable or not is by simply testing them out. Give the customer service department a call and ask them a couple questions. This will give you a good feel for what kind of support you would get on a daily basis. If you have to hold the line for an hour before somebody helps you, you may want to consider finding another site. Also, don’t just give them a call. Send an email to the customer service department as well. This is sometimes the quickest way of getting an answer. So by testing out both of these avenues you will be able to get an overall feel for the level of service that they provide.

It is also very important to be dealing with a good customer service department in case you run into payment issues. If your credit card is being overcharged for some reason you will definitely need to speak with a customer service rep. On the other end of the spectrum, if you are not receiving your pay outs on time you will need to find out why.

The customer service department is one of the most important aspects to look at when choosing an online sports betting site. Be sure to do your homework in this area; you will be happy that you did the first time you need to contact them.

Check out our easybaseballbetting.com Baseball Betting page.

Methods To Learn Spanish – A Few Well Tried And Tested Methods To Learn Spanish

When there is a will there is a way! This is a very old and precious saying, which truly says that if you want to do something, you can do it. Similarly, if you want to learn Spanish, you would be able to find a good number of methods to do so. Some of the most popular and easy to take up are as follows:

1.Regular language school classes – in this method you find out a good language school in your neighborhood and register for the course you need – basic, medium or advanced. In case such a school is not available in your neighborhood, you would need to consider moving closer to where you would find such a good school. The advantage of having to learn through a regular school is that this is a very systematic method of learning, especially good for people who need everything neatly scheduled in watertight compartments.

2.Part-time or evening classes – this method is very similar to the above, but while the regular classes have more classes covered per day since these are regular classes, while the part-time classes cover less per day and hence the course would take longer to complete. Also, for these type of classes, you would definitely need to have the school in close vicinity either to your working place or home, to cut down in commuting hours and also be safe. It would not to have to drive every night late from your Spanish classes.

3.Online classes – there is another type of course that is becoming very popular with every day that passes. This is the online course. This is the best for people who have a job and do cannot commute any more to attend the language classes. The online course usually offers audio-visual material and a personal online tutor, who could be reached at a particular time. You would have the choice to appear for the exams (which would be held at a specific time) in the school or a branch of the school close to the place you live.

4.Books – though learning through books has becoming somewhat obsolete with the presence of the computer, this method is still holding its ground for some die-hard fans. Books are indeed a great source of knowledge and there are some exceptionally well deigned bi-lingual books that can help learning the language as good as any other method. These books most often come accompanied by audio-cassettes or CD-ROMs, which provide the phonetics.

5.Audio programs – these are one of the best ways to learn since this would give you both written and pronounced word and phrases and help you at every step. These audio programs can be used through a regular walkman or portable CD player. You can also tune is to your favorite podcasts and learn Spanish from experts through these broadcasts.

[UTAULOID] just be friends – emu-3m

i made this for : nikotannikorpg (www.youtube.com JUST BE FRIENDS i had a problem that the ust didnt say “just be friends, all we gotta do.. just be friends.. it’s time to say goodbye” so i made emu sung with the music box version, i hope she sounds better with it :\ original sung by : megurine luka Original music and lyrics by Dixie Flatline UST bt : Manzan visit emu at : utau.wikia.com !! ukandanda kinou no asa hayaku ni wareta GURASU kakiatsumeru you na kore wa ittai nan darou kitta yubi kara shitataru shizuku bokura wa konna koto shitakatta no kana wakatteta yo kokoro no oku soko de wa motto mo tsurai sentaku ga BESUTO sore wo kobamu jiko ai to kekkajika touchaku no kurikaeshi boku wa itsu ni nareba ieru no kana yuruyaka ni kuchiteyuku kono sekai de agaku boku no yuiitsu no katsuro iroaseta kimi no hohoemi kizande sen wo nuita koe wo karashite sakenda hankyou zankyou munashiku hibiku hazusareta kusari no sono saki wa nani hitotsu nokotte ya shinai kedo futari wo kasaneteta guuzen anten dansen hakanaku chiji ni shosen konna mono sa tsubuyaita kareta hoho ni tsutau dareka no namida kidzuitanda kinou no naida yoru ni ochita kaben hiroiageta to shite mata saki modoru koto ha nai sou te no hira no ue no chiisana shi bokura no jikan wa tomatta mama omoidasu yo hajimete atta kisetsu wo kimi no yasashiku hohoemu kao wo ima wo kakko ni oshiyatte futari kizutsuku kagiri kizutsuita bokura no kokoro wa toge darake da omokurushiku tsudzuku kono kankei de kanashii hodo kawaranai …

A Peek Inside the Bloom Box

In the world of energy, the Holy Grail is a power source that’s inexpensive and clean. Lesley Stahl gets an inside look at one inventor’s “energy machine.” 60 Minutes, Sunday, Feb. 21, 7 pm ET/PT.

Decoration Day Boom!

Folks said Uncle Athanatious didn’t have enough sense to come in out of the rain. However, neither would you if you were in his business.

Uncle Athan – no one dared call him by his full handle – operated a gunpowder mill.

Dynamite was safer, but three times more expensive than black powder and harder to set off. Farmers of Boot Heel preferred the local “stump lifter” so ably concocted by Uncle Athan.

Back then, explosives were in great demand for clearing land. Black powder was ideal because it exploded at a slower rate than dynamite and thereby exerted unremitting pressure on tree roots.

Black powder also made great firecrackers – particularly rockets and salutes. The latter were fist- size bombs whose only purpose was to burst the eardrums of anyone standing close by when it was set off.

Traditionally salutes were the first to be set off on the Fourth of July and Christmas morning.

Ingredients for black powder consist of common materials that were easily obtained in country stores. Individually the ingredients were useful for many household purposes.

Two are charcoal and sulfur. I dare not reveal the third lest a young reader undertake a dangerous experiment.

The best charcoal for gunpowder was made from willow and alder trees. Uncle Athan had a piece of bottomland that supported a stand of the trees and needed clearing. The powder mill enabled him to turn a profit from unwanted trees.

His sideline venture was so successful he continued manufacturing explosive after his own need was met.

* * *

Uncle Athan’s process of making black powder was deceptively simple but a mite touchy.

First, charcoal and sulfur were crushed to powder in a “ball mill.” It was a rotating barrel containing recycled automobile bearings. The mill was turned by Uncle Athan’s faithful hound Fritz trudging inside an over-size hamster exercise wheel. .

After a while, the mixture was dampened and ingredient X added. Water aided chemical bonding and reduced the danger of accidental detonation.

This black “mud” was pressed through a “wheel mill” comprised of two worn gears from a cotton gin. The meshed gears were turned by Jack — a mule of limited ancestry but docile temperament — by pulling around a long sweep attached to the gear wheels. A similar arrangement was common for grinding sugar cane.

On visits, I was allowed to ride Jack while “it” earned its keep. My mother kept the visits short. Uncle Athan’s casual attitude toward his product made her nervous.

The wheel mill pressed out excess water and mashed the half-dry mud into granules. These were spread on wood trays to dry.

Finally, dry granules were crushed into “corns” by an ordinary kitchen-type rolling pin and sifted through various screens for size.

This was the most dangerous operation — performed solely by Uncle Athan. Though gainful employment was hard to come by, no one ever applied for a job with him. A stray spark, high heat or static electricity could set off the powder.

Size of the corns, and any color additives, determined the ultimate use of the gunpowder.

Large grains were best for removing stumps. It also was preferred for charging the Civil War cannon fired on Decoration Day – the south’s name for the north’s Memorial Day.

Fine-grain powder went into rockets. A little graphite gave the powder extra decibels. Rocket color was controlled by secret additives — camphor for white, Sal ammoniac for green, lamp black for red, and ordinary sand for “golden shower.”

Uncle Athan didn’t mess around with garden variety fireworks. The construction of little paper tubes, and stuffing them with tiny amounts of powder, was too tedious. Such things as penny crackers, sparklers, Roman candles, cherry bombs, devil spitters, fire snakes and other “kid stuff” were imported from China.

* * *

My uncle cured his powder in his house because it was clean, dry and handy. Trays were scattered about on tables, chairs, dressers, sideboard and beds. This kept Aunt Dilley in a nervous snit, but Athan was a stickler for quality control.

“There isn’t any cause for worry,” he assured her, “so long as you don’t open the damper on the stove or scuff your feet on the rug.” This did not seem reassuring.

Aunt Dilley knew the problem and didn’t appreciate safety tips. When trays of powder were drying, she served cold pork and beans straight from the can and walked dainty.

One night, when the living and dining rooms sheltered several trays of gunpowder, a thunderstorm came up suddenly. Apparently it was accompanied by static accumulation. In any case, the powder ignited.

It went off with a loud POOF — and sufficient concussion to blow out a couple of windows, smash chinaware and singe old Fritz sleeping under the dining table.

Aunt Dilley moved out the next day and went to live with her sister down the road. Uncle Athan stayed on at the mill and visited Aunt Dilley and her sister for Sunday dinners.

However, when a storm brewed, and gunpowder was drying, Uncle Athan hung around outside until the weather cleared. It was right pitiful to see him standing out in the rain in his yellow slicker and under a Purina Feed umbrella.

* * *

The event everyone had predicted for years finally occurred. Uncle Athan bought a one-way ticket to that Great Powder Mill in the Sky.

It was never determined what set off the explosion. The day was warm and overcast, but these conditions were not deemed adverse enough to cause the blast. Perhaps Uncle Athan combed his hair too briskly that day.

Old Fritz was not hurt, but he ran off – never to be seen again. Life in a powder mill for mans’ best friend was to unsettling – what with the over-size hamster wheel, singed fur, sudden loud noises and a diet leaning excessively to cold beans.

A large crowd came to Uncle Athan’s funeral. He was well liked, but a goodly number of strangers showed up. Word got around that Aunt Dilley was going to dispose of her late husband’s unexploded inventory after the burial ceremony.

As Uncle Athan was lowered into his eternal resting place, the Volunteer Fire Brigade set off 25 salutes, two cannon blasts, 15 stump lifters and 30 assorted rockets.

It was the end of an era, but Uncle Athan went out in style.

Every Decoration Day thereafter, Aunt Dilley visited Uncle Athan’s grave. She would set off a string of penny crackers – prudently disdaining stump lifters – and proclaim that Uncle Athan would rest easy for another year.

Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be contacted at:

mailto:LinWms@earthlink.net LinWms@earthlink.net

mailto:LinWms@lindseywilliams.org LinWms@lindseywilliams.org

Website: lindseywilliams.org lindseywilliams.org with several hundred of Lin’s Editorial & At Large articles written over 40 years.

Also featured in its entirety is Lin’s groundbreaking book “Boldly Onward,” that critically analyzes and develops theories about the original Spanish explorers of America.
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