A Happy Family

Around a Rice Field

>> Nov 16, 2011

Located beside my BIL’s house in my husband’s home town, this rice field will be planted soon. It’s a kind of view that you seldom see if you live in a big city. There are many interesting things that you can see around the rice field. Hope you can enjoy it too; like I do. Watery Wednesday

How to Set Up a Home Studio

Controlling as many of the elements as possible is a key to quality photography, and this is where even a basic home studio can prove invaluable. Having the ability to alter lighting, use props and change backgrounds can make all the difference to your photography. The digital cameras you use in a home studio don’t have to cost the earth either. A good quality digital SLR is all that’s required, along with a range of lenses and a tripod. The studio doesn’t have to be a huge space either, so here are a few tips to set you on the right track.

Location, location, location
Chances are that you will be limited by choice at home when it comes to setting up a home studio, but sometimes it is just a case of thinking outside the square. If you are lucky enough to have a granny flat or old garage then you are already one step ahead. Otherwise you will need to look at spare rooms or even a workshop. Regardless of the location, it needs to adaptable. Any windows should have blockout curtains, but you will also want to use the sunlight in some shots so you will need to keep that in mind. The space should be free of clutter to give you plenty of room to move around uninhibited. You are also going to want plenty of power points for lights and your computer (because you will want to see how your images turn out sooner rather than later). Light-coloured walls are also a good idea to bounce flashes and lighting off.

Lights, camera, action
The biggest advantage of using a studio is the ability to control all of the elements. Light can be friend and foe in photography and it is in the studio where you can use it to its maximum effect. There is a big range of professional lights available but these can be quite costly. Of course they will usually give you the best results, but you can achieve similar results using household lighting. You will need different types of lighting for different effects – soft light like that produced by a lamp, or hard light produced by a spotlight. It is important that whatever lights you use are also portable and can be easily moved around the studio. It may take a bit of experimentation with your lighting to get the right effects, so don’t be scared to experiment.

Props and backgrounds
Having a neutral background that can be moved in and out of position is vital. There are backgrounds made specifically for studios but you can improvise – sheets, curtains, even butcher’s paper can be used. Make sure it is attached to some kind of system where it can be rolled up and down or moved to different parts of the room. Other items you should consider include a table that can be covered by a neutral cloth, much like a background, that can be used for photographing smaller items such as flowers. A chair or lounge with character is also a great idea if you enjoy taking portraits. Consider a box full of other odds and ends as well – professional photographers always have all kinds of knick-knacks on hand that can enhance an image.
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For Theater Performances Lover

Are you still looking for a special thing as a gift? If she or he loves to watch theater performances, why don’t you book the theater tickets and give it as a special gift?

At ACheapSeat.com, you can buy various premium tickets of theater performances. Here are my favorite choices. Since the opening at New York’s Eugene O’Neil Theatre at November 15th, 2011, the musical The Book of Mormon has got much praise. If you don’t want to miss the show, buy The Book of Mormon Tickets immediately to get the quality seat!

The Book of Mormon tells the story of two Mormon missionaries wishing to extend the God news in Orlando, Florida, but God sent them to Uganda, as an alternative. They must deal with various local unexpected problems like AIDS and hunger. The musical was nominated for almost 15 awards at Tony Awards this year and can win nine awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. What a great achievement!

Getting Radio City Christmas Spectacular Tickets is also recommended. Radio City Christmas Spectacular features almost 100 people of cast and crew who will present an amazing, extravagant, and non-stop enjoyment holiday show.

Another suggested option is booking Jersey Boys Tickets musical performance. Jersey Boys tells the story about a group of blue-collar boys that became one of the greatest ‘60 American rock ‘n roll groups, the Four Seasons. The musical will present many hit songs of the group. It’s surely a great musical show!

When You Need the Best Blank DVD Media

>> Nov 15, 2011

I haven’t yet used another media to store my data before, except the hard disk of my computer. But since the hard disk is almost full and it makes my computer slower; I need another media to save the data. The slow computer is so annoying; that’s why I need the Best blank DVD media which I can burn to save my important data safely.

If you’re also looking for the best media to store any data, you can search useful recommendations and opinions from satisfied users who share their reviews and experiences at a reliable resource website such as VideoHelp.com that focuses on blank media, CD-R, DVD-R, DVD+R, Blu-ray, packaging supplies, accessories and CD DVD duplication equipment. Every time you search for related information and guidance, you can rely on their excellent source.

When it comes to choose a good blank DVD, it stated that the good blank DVD should burn effectively with no any write faults, play back in a DVD player without pauses, can be watched by at minimum 95% or more of DVD gadgets, and should pass the basic scan test.

Based on other reviews, many users recommend Taiyo Yuden DVD-R, the popular brand of DVD media that will store your data in document, audio or video form permanently and securely. To get maximum function, make sure to buy only the authentic Taiyo Yuden DVD-R from authorized Taiyo Yuden distributors!

Building Your Own Green Home

Have you lately purchased a piece of land in Austin, Texas, and planned to build a new home on it? According to many future benefits that you’ll obtain, why don’t you consider to have your own zero energy homes? Only a few builders like green builders Austin TX that specializes in offering green construction and green renovation can build zero energy homes.

For your information, zero energy homes are homes that specifically designed and constructed to apply the most efficient energy and more than the path of a year, these homes will generate energy as much as it has been used. Making a comprehensive green home isn’t a simple project, as minimizing energy usage requires watchfully thinking on all factors that relate with home’s design and structure.

Nowadays, there’s an increase in the demand of building green home as living in a green home can improve your life in the long run and give you benefits within environment, health, and finance issue. Austin green contractors that also conduct as solar panel contractors will apply green home construction and green technologies to reduce the affect to the natural sources, recover inside air quality, and save energy costs.

The zero energy home building projects in Austin will use fewer woods, reprocess wastes, apply water preservation and rainwater systems, use low airborne pollutant materials, apply envelope home design, install unisolar panels, implement ground source heat pumps, install smart electrical panels, and apply eco friendly landscaping.

Living in a green home means you must also adapt your life style into sustainable behaviors. When buying home appliances, make sure that you’ve read first the energy consumption labeling and take only energy efficient appliances and light bulbs which have ‘Energy Star’ logo. Avoid using chemical household cleaners and always choose cleaners which mention eco-friendly ingredients on the product labels. Otherwise, you can use simple ingredients such as green tea, vinegar, and baking soda to clean your stuffs. There are many other ways that you can practice in your green life style; just focus in saving energy and protecting the environment!

The Recommended UK Car Insurance Comparison Website

After your house, probably your car is one of your largest investments that need to be protected. In the UK, every vehicle user is obliged to get a car insurance to protect and maintain the vehicle. The importance to have car insurance isn’t only for fulfilling the lawful obligations, but it’s because the car insurance will protect you from unpredictable things that can make you financially broke.

Don’t you know that if you have no car insurance; one single accident cause can lead you to the bankruptcy? Let’s say that you involved in an accident. The right car insurance will guard you from any personal legal responsibility. In the worst situation, you are in the wrong side in the accident and you must cover the medical bills of a person whom you hit. All these expenses can give you the hardest times!

Otherwise condition, your car is hit in an accident. According to what it covers, car insurance may help by changing or repairing your car. It means that you can save much money from your own pocket on car repair cost, right?

So there’s no doubt, car insurance is important; but it also can be so expensive if you don’t know how to find the best deals. Is it possible to find the cheap car insurance plans but still can cover your main needs? Don’t worry; I’ll give you a hint here. The best way is making a car insurance comparison of the rates and the specific coverage provided by several insurance provider companies in your area.

To ease you in comparing different car insurance rates, it’s much recommended to do it online by visiting the reliable car insurance comparison website such as www.carinsurancecompany.co.uk. At the official website, you can use their comparison tool to find out several quotes at the same time. Getting further information from each provider on claims support, customer service, added advantages, and offered discounts is effortless!

Based on the comparison and other related information, you can make your educated and informed decision. Check out the website to help you in finding the best but affordable insurance rates that cover your needs!

The Village of Rope Makers

>> Nov 14, 2011

Weeks ago, I can capture a little bit of their activities. During our journey back home from my husband's home town, I passed by Kubangwungu village (Brebes, Central Java, Indonesia). Most people there make ropes that commonly used on ships, besides as farmers.

They do the making rope job on the sidewalk. If you pass through an alternative way Pejagan (Brebes) - Prupuk (Tegal, Central Java, Indonesia), you would be able to see it. It's so interesting. Rope with a length of ten meters put exactly on the side of the road, while other workers are rotating wheels for rolling the rope.

In this village there are dozens of craftsmen who have been in the making rope business for generations. Based on various sources, it said that before they made hemp rope from banana bark material. Along with the time progress, now they develop ropes using plant waste materials, such as children's food packaging waste from waste plastics and textile mills. Wastes that can be utilized are the long ones, which are possible to be used as ropes.

It’s a pity that they are now facing the difficulty of raw materials. There are lots of orders came from out of towns, but the barriers are hard to find raw materials.The material is recycled into a rope with a variety of sizes, such as the ship rope length between 30 and 40 yards.