When asked by my students what I would rate as my top ten tips for someone starting out in photography, I didn’t have to think. These are my all time top ten for anyone who is beginning their photography journey. Follow these simple steps and you won’t look back.For someone who has just got their first digital camera it can be daunting to think where does one start. What is the first step in going past just taking snapshots. I always ask the question, “What do you want to achieve with your photography?” Unless you have an idea where you are going you’ll never reach your destination. So this leads on to my first tip.1. Begin with the end in mind.So many amateur photographers never consider the possibility that they can take photos like the ones they see in magazines. A good photo is taken by a good photographer and not a good camera. If you want to shoot those beautiful landscapes or stunning portraits then you will be able to if you set yourself simple goals to get there. Know what you want and it’s only a matter of a few simple goals and you’ll be there in no time. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.2. Take your timeRome wasn’t built in a day. Yes, you can take those great magazine shots but you won’t be doing it today. Time together with effort are the vehicles to stunning photographs. Take time to learn your art and time to practise what you learn. So often, when getting a new toy, we want to master it in the same afternoon. Because digital is cheap and instant assume that becoming a good photographer is just as simple. On the other hand don’t procrastinate and dream too much. You have to get out and create images no matter how good or bad they are.3. Think before you shootCoupled with taking your time this tip is a vital foundational principle to photography. One of the biggest advantages film photography had over digital was the careful thought process. Why? Because film, developing and printing was expensive by today’s standards. In a matter of minutes we can take a few hundred shots with digital. Back then, you had only thirty six shots and needed to think before shooting the image. Even if you are just a beginner and don’t know how to compose a great shot, think about what you are going to include or exclude when taking the shot.4. The subject is most importantThis should be logical and straight forward, but, we are all guilty of neglecting the importance of the subject in a photo. The subject is your lead actor, the star attraction. When someone looks at an image of yours the subject should shout out, “I am the subject”. It should not compete with any other element in the image. Give it the importance it deserves and you will have a great photo.5. Use your feetA zoom lens should always be your last resort. If you can’t walk in closer to your subject, only then should you use your zoom. Use your feet to walk around and find a better viewpoint. Some photographers act as if their shoes were lined with lead and they remain static and shoot from one position, right in front of the scene or subject. Photography is a dynamic art. Move around and find the best and most creative shot.6. Get in closerThis tip is tied in with the previous point. Use your feet and not your zoom but also get in really close. Fill the frame with your subject. Don’t include elements that you don’t want to remember in twenty years time. If your subject is a loved one and one day when they are gone, do you want to see more of them in the photo? Be proactive and create your memories now.7. Exclude clutterThat image of a loved one who has passed on often shows the garbage can or the microwave, the neighbours dog or part of a car and the loved one is relegated to a small percentage of the image. Too much unnecessary clutter that has no need to be remembered. If it’s not important cut it out! If it doesn’t add to the image then subtract it. When looking through your viewfinder watch the edges and make sure there is nothing there that shouldn’t be in the image.8. Change your anglesAs I have said, photography is dynamic so move around and look for new angles. Don’t stand right in front of your subject. Get down lower, climb up higher and move to the left and right of the subject. Find a viewpoint that is not common. How many people do you see lying down in public and shooting from low down. Try it and you’ll get a shot that is unique.9. Practise and shoot oftenPractise makes perfect, so the old adage goes. Gary Player, the master golfer and winner of many international titles, says that the harder he practises the luckier he gets. You create your own luck. The more you shoot the more likely you are to get that great shot because as you practise you become more familiar with your camera and techniques are learned.10. Start a structured learning processBuy a basic photography book and learn the fundamentals of photography. Enrol in a photography course or join a local photography club. Look for courses and books on the internet and focus on learning techniques and skills that you can apply to your photography journey. If you don’t get the basic building blocks in place you won’t be able to build on your knowledge.Treat your photography like any profession or art. Stay focused and allocate the amount of time you need to be successful at it. Experiment and have fun at the same time and make sure that you practise, practise and practise. Happy shooting!
Learn Digital Photography – My Top Ten Tips For Beginners
Discover 3 Essential Secrets to “Marketing Lifestyle”
Every advertisement sells lifestyle no matter what the actual product: from gum, breathe mints, and deodorant to housing developments and world class vacations.Real estate development advertisements always, whether they are townhomes, condos or single family houses, promote and appeal to a lifestyle. When attracting the baby boomers and empty nesters the ads appeal to a relaxed, recreational lifestyle. There are: tennis courts, golf courses, lakes, oceans and pools included to promote the lifestyle.Car cleaning products sell a lifestyle of beautiful cars going to exciting places. Health products sell the lifestyle of outdoor activities: hiking, biking, and vacationing. Candles sell the elegant lifestyle of dining and the relaxing ambiance of having a romantic evening.When it comes to “marketing lifestyle” start looking for a product that is in full alignment with your integrity and honesty. A product that truly builds a lifestyle, for people, and you feel good and sleep well; in other words, making money with a totally clean conscience.Being in balance and offering a product that truly gives people a rich lifestyle is a win/win for both the seller and the buyer.There are three essential secrets to marketing a lifestyle product.First, the product must be able to build a lifestyle of wealth; and the seller must feel great about offering it. Getting rich has to be in alignment with your integrity. You want to be able to have a 100% clear conscience knowing you’re giving value and you have peace of mind every night when you lay your head down.The product has the potential to easily earn you money, you feel good about the sale, and you have a system in place to help others to do the same thing.The second secret in “marketing lifestyle” is the product truly promotes both time and money freedom. People want time freedom. They are leaving the five days a week rat race so they can free themselves up and make money as well. They are willing to take the time to be highly engaged in a new project, but they want the ability to choose their hours and not be a slave to traffic rush hours, commuting to work and endless boring meetings.The third secret in marketing a lifestyle product is to be able to offer a real community of like minded people. A community of people who are: highly engaged in learning new things, networking, building teams, and making new friends. The community offers support, encouragement and fun.Consulting with a lifestyle and business coach can help you define what you are looking for and give you the direction and goals you need to move forward.I offer two free coaching sessions to guide you on your inward journey so you can set goals and design an action plan to move you toward your goals.
Terms of Auto Insurance
Do you want to get the auto insurance coverage you desire for your car? One basic way of accomplishing this is by learning the terms pertinent to auto insurance.The benefits of learning and knowing the terms of auto insurance can not be over-emphasized. It will not only build your basic knowledge, but stand as a key factor to choosing the right insurance policy for your car.CarrierThis is the insurance company that underwrite and/or issues insurance policy to policyholders. There are much insurers worldwide and have their own method of operation according to local law, custom and economic level of the state or country at large.The name carrier is referred to the insurer because it is the insurance company that actually carries the risks for the policyholder.CasualtyThis refers to the loss or liability resulting from an accident, damage, storm etc. The policyholder can then be compensated for the incurred loss of the car from such incident. This is usually done as a claim and carried out by the adjuster.Casualty is often one of the major causes of a claim by the policyholder. When there are more casualties there will likely be more claims but when there are few casualties there will most likely be few claims. But this is mainly based on the policyholder’s qualification of the conventional liability coverage.ClaimantThis is someone who gives a notice to an insurer for an incurred loss. This is usually done for the main purpose of collecting a claim from the carrier to cover or reimburse the incurred loss. Then insured will be covered with the claim as based on the terms and conditions of the insurance company.In most times the claim may be lost on the event of an incurred loss if the policyholder is no longer an active customer to the insurer. This is to motivate the assured to be regular in paying his premiums as this will be helpful in the event of an incurred loss.It is reasonable for a claimant to submit a claim for incurred loss coverage as long as he/she is still an active customer of the insurance company. Most often, the insurers do not offer claims to the insured unless on the event of an incurred loss.Coverage FormsThese are legal documents attached to an insurance policy to put into effect the coverage of the policy as provided by the insurance company.These forms are really necessary for a good insurance coverage as it will determine the effectiveness of the insurance policy.The endorsement form shows the legal and coverage status of the policyholder as issued by the insurance company.Combined Single LimitAs the name suggest, this refers to the amount (limit) of money an insurer, based on the insurance policies, can pay as a liability coverage for both bodily injury and property damage.The amount of coverage may differ from insurer to insurer as this is based on the insurance terms and conditions as well as the policies of the insurance companies.It is different from that of the split limit policy where the amount for liability payment limits of property damage and bodily injury are paid separately.ContractIn auto insurance terms this refers to the agreement between two or more parties to achieve a common aim. This can be seen from the agreement between the insurance company and the insured.This is also evident in the agreement between the insurance company and the agent, with each party offering the interest to the other.Competitive EstimateIn the auto insurance sphere, this means the request made by an insurer to a policyholder to submit more than one repair estimates to meet his/her needs. This may involve the total estimates of repair involved.This usually happens when there is an automobile damage resulting in incurred loss which requires some major of repair.The policyholder should be sincere and accurate in all details which will be filled in the estimate form and later be submitted to the insurance company.When an insurer request for repair estimate to be submitted the policyholder should comply and do so accordingly without any further delay.