Religious/Spiritual challenge

on renderosity challenge this time is Religious/Spiritual

my entry

Splashup free online photo editing tool

Splashup, formerly Fauxto, is a powerful editing tool and photo manager. With all the features professionals use and novices want, it's easy to use, works in real-time and allows you to edit many images at once. Splashup runs in all browsers, integrates seamlessly with top photosharing sites, and even has its own file format so you can save your work in progress."

Convert Files Free

This may be old news for some of you, but for anyone looking to convert the occasional file (or convert music files for use on different type player) here's a site to convert any file up to 100mgs free, including music and video clips. " here

Levels

The information in the histogram is the best way to tell if an image is over or under-exposed. Ideally, with conventional images, you want the graph to extend neatly within the extreme boundaries of the histogram. If you find your histogram has minimal content at either limit, you can be safe to assume that the contrast of your image could be improved, and this is where Levels come into play."
Whatever we choose to do to the black point slider will have no effect on our highlights, and whatever change we make to the white point slider will leave the shadow end unaffected. Being able to adjust both ends independently gives us a great deal more control than does Brightness and Contrast.

• hing which stretches the image histogram increases the possibility of posterization.
• Performing levels on a luminance histogram can easily clip an individual color channel, although this may also allow for darker and brighter black and white points, respectively.
• Performing levels on an individual color histogram or channel can adversely affect the color balance, so color channel levels should only be performed when necessary or intentional color shifts are desired.

Tags: postphotos, stock, stock, photos

advice resizing of an image

"If it is for print, use 'image size' if only for web use 'save for web', don't change the quality down from 12 as this will lead to artifacts, and should only be used to reduce file size for images that remain only in electronic form to be viewed on crt's. Your default image dots per inch count should be at least 240 dpi, better at 300 dpi for print. If using only for web, first change dpi to 72 or 74 dpi, (screen resolution), this will also change image size, then save for web if that is your final area of presentation. My guess is that a competition is going to end up in print, so you will need to keep image at the 300 dpi, and reduce image size by changing pixel count."

photography tutorials

this link help many photographers to editing their photos

"Excellent article on editing: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-10-06.shtml"

parachute stock photos

new stock photos to Shutterstock with sea parachute sport

Tags: poststock, photos, sea, shutterstock, parachute,

History and Practice of the Art of Photography

Do you want to read a special book?
Snelling, Henry Hunt, 1816-1897
History and Practice of the Art of Photography
you can download here

Photography Tips While Traveling

Photography Tips While Traveling
Whether you�re embarking on a family vacation or your family reunion, it�s going to be a special time. When we think of trips we�ve taken, we tend to remember them best with photographs. Here�s some ideas to enhance your vacation as well as your memories of them.

Location Preparation
1) Since you know where you�re going (that\'s a minimum requirement), doesn�t it make sense to check out the location before you get there? Create a list of attractions, accommodations, special points of interest, amusement areas, shopping, etc. A good source to help you do this is: the Places and Travel section of msn.com ( http://groups.msn.com/Browse?CatId=179)

2) Figure out the photo opportunities for each appropriate venue. Anyone can take a �that�s nice� picture of the kids at an amusement park. Wouldn�t you rather capture a �WOW� photo that could be hung over the mantle?

3) Depending on the location you�re traveling to, you can see what books are written about them that highlight the best photo opportunities for the entire area

4) If you�re cyber-savvy, start at www.google.com and search using different combinations of: your destination, best photography locations, for images of the location, scenic spots, etc. The options are endless.

5) If you�re off to a non-big city area, scout out the national parks in the area. The great thing about national parks is that the scenery is usually so breathtaking, that a so-so shot looks outstanding, just because of the subject. Once in www.nps.gov, do a search on photos and you will be presented with terrific shots of all the parks


Photography Preparation

OK, you�re either traveling through or you�re at a wonderful location full of photo opportunities. You began this leg of your trip at the crack of dawn and as you�re pulling into the most scenic overlook for 400 miles, the sun is just starting to crack the horizon.

You instinctively pull the car over, grab your camera and your tripod, and look for the best spot to set up. Just one tiny little problem� YOU FORGOT YOUR TRIPOD! Rather than smack yourself on the forehead then, why not plan these things now, before you leave?

Your list should include AT LEAST the following consideration�

1) Do I need to repeat � BRING YOUR TRIPOD? It doesn�t take up much room, and as explained at www.best-family-photography-tips.com/tripod-photography.html, tripods allow you to capture entirely new categories of photographs that won�t be possible without one

2) Memory. Of course, bring all the memory you have, but also pack your portable storage device (explained at http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/digital-photography-tutorial.html)

3) If your camera has a hot shoe, bring your external flash, and any additional equipment that can be used to help with bounce flash

4) Remember your external shutter release cable for those long exposures. How else are you going to get that �angel-hair� look of the waterfalls?

5) Don�t forget the basics like: batteries, battery charger, camera bag, and additional lenses and filters (if applicable on your camera)

6) And just in case you need it, bring the manuals for your equipment.


Finally, don�t get so wrapped up in taking perfect shots that you don�t enjoy the trip. Remember to use the tripod so that you\'ll be in at least some of the photos.

Article courtesy of www.best-family-photography-tips.com, where you can see some sample pictures including more photography tips. Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights reserved.

Robert Bezman is a professional photographer and owner of Custom Photographic Expressions. Robert has created http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com to help the digital photography users create better photographs. Robert has a blog at
http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/family-photography-news.html

Product Shot - Daylight in Studio

TIPS FOR SHOOTING DAYLIGHT IN STUDIO

* The brightness of the light should be even throughout the frame, meaning no falloff of the light. If the light is brighter on one side of the frame and it diminishes on the other, it will give away the trick.

* Use lots of fill light. Without lots of fill, the shot could look like night.

* Shadows tend to look blueish outside, so use cool fill cards to get the look.

* Some part of the highlight area should blow out a tad. The contrast levels outside during the day are high, so expose for the middle tone and bracket your exposures.

* Decide what time of day it is you are re-creating. This will dramatically impact your lighting style. If it’s high noon, the light should come from overhead and be somewhat harsh and very blue. If it’s late in the afternoon, the shadows should be long, the light should be warm in color, and don’t use quite as much fill light.

* Use a low ISO, such as ISO 50 or 100. This will diminish the grain and is what the eye is used to for film photography.

* Maximize depth of field (unless going for a long lens look)

Source: ispeakfilm.dpblogs.com

Tags: background | daylight | depth | diminish | Film | focus | frame | golfball | lots | photography | placed | shadows | shot | Slide | studio

Photographs of people

Of all the various subjects, people reliably make the best photographs. Nothing is more fascinating to us than other people. A good 'people' photograph shows character, emotion and a connection for the viewer. Here are some tips to help you take great shots of the people in your life.

Subject Placement. The biggest mistake many photographers make is to try to shoot a person's whole body, head to toe. Don't attempt this, unless clothes are important (such as a uniform). Instead, focus on the face. The eyes and mouth are the most important features, so start there and work out until you have just enough to represent the individual(s). Crop tightly, and don't be afraid to overflow the frame with the person's face.

Lighting. A standard lighting technique is to position yourself so the sun is behind you and to one side. This arrangement will shine light on the subject's face, while the slight angle will produce shadows to illuminate form. A better approach is to put your subject in a shady area with a shadowed background. Unlike the human eye, photographic film can't easily handle bright areas and dark shadows, as in direct sunlight, so use the shade for a narrow tonal range. Overcast days are usually best for portraits. Use the flash ('fill-flash' or 'daylight flash') to add light to the face and fill in shadows.

Lenses. Use a long lens such as 135mm - the 'people' lens. A wide-angle distorts the face, although it can be effective for parties. Find a simple, mid-toned background and use a wide aperture to throw it out of focus. I like to use tree leaves or a wall as a background and a 200mm lens set to f2.8. Center the eyes in the shot, not the head, to provide balance in the shot. When photographing children, crouch down so that you're shooting at their eye-level.

Setting The Scene. Try to set-up your camera ahead of time rather than making people wait. Help relax your subjects by engaging them in conversation. Get them to laugh or smile with a joke from the day. Finally, be sure to put yourself in the shot -- that's what the self-timer is for!

Source: photosecrets.com

Tags: attempt | background | biggest | clothes | connection | emotion | eyes | fascinating | features | focus | frame | lens | Mistake | overflow | PHOTOGRAPH | placement | reliably | shadows | SHOOT | shot | Shows | tightly | tips | viewer

Lighting 102: Unit 1.1 - Position (Angle)

Summary: Lighting angle reveals form in a three-dimensional object. To see how light from a particular angle will affect your subject, view the subject from the position of the light.

_______________________

We live in a world of off-axis light. The sun does not stay right behind us. Our lighting fixtures at home illuminate us from above and other various angles. And we are constantly exposed to imagery - both still and moving - that makes use of very sophisticated off-camera lighting techniques.

Yet so many photographers, when they take the time to compose and illuminate their photos, settle for the bland, flat, on-axis (i.e., on-camera) light. Because that is the path of least resistance.

The biggest failing of on-camera flash is that the light, which comes from a point very near to the camera's optical axis, does not have the ability to reveal the three-dimensional quality of the subject.

Granted, most flashes can be tilted to bounce the light off of walls or ceilings while still attached to the camera. But those are very limited choices out of a wide variety of lighting angles available to the off-camera lighting designer

very interesting post from strobist.com ... i love this place.

Source: strobist.blogspot.com

Tags: ability | affect | angle | AXIS | biggest | bland | camera | comes | compose | constantly | exposed | failing | fixtures | Flash | illuminate | IMAGERY | makes | moving | off-axis | off-camera | on-axis | on-camera | OPTICAL | photographers | photos | Quality | resistance | reveal | sophisticated | techniques | three-dimensional

new Firefox addon

Palette Grabber 0.3.6 Homepage

by Konstantine Prevas

Creates a color palette for Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, GIMP, or Flash based on the current page.

Source: addons.mozilla.org

Tags: based | creates | Flash | gimp | Palette | photoshop

grunge mania .. my latest images

everybody love grunge layouts my latest stuff here and much more enjoy!!

one my photo in action

one of my photo photo in action

best seller this week to Shutterstock

my best seller from graduation shots more here

spring moments

spring concept with a beautiful shot from a bee in yellow flower you see more of mine shots here.........

Musée de l'Elysée, Lausanne three photos of me

Musée de l'Elysée, Lausanne
a museum for photography
i had three shots one of those is this

new submited shots in Shutterstock

new shots in my portofolio an example is this shot

Best seller this week to shutterstock

this week my best seller shot to shutterstock

this month to shutterstock

this month in shutterstock this image is in "TIME" lightbox

new submited shots in Shutterstock

new stuff in my shutterstock portfolio one of them

Best seller this week to shutterstock

my best seller shot this week to shutterstock

happy slave escape

he happy slave Flies high Evades the grounds Of worldly might Ascends to thrive On the line straight Spurns the dark In the open grows The happy slave Ultimately reclaims The bones sprinkled In the ogre's fields. ---------------------- by Safi Abdi
more details here

Best seller this week to shutterstock (hand hold a key)

New best seller this week to shutterstock

old love letter

Day by day Night by night Kiss by kiss Touch by touch Step by step I fall in love A love so incomprehensible So vivid So unique So wild, that not even the reign of God could control A passion so deep A need so necessary A want so strong The universe would not handle I love you today Ill love you tomorrow Ill love you forever -------------------- - Julio Patino -
more details about this poster here

Best seller this week to shutterstock

my best seller this week to shutterstock
vintage pocket watch on a old paper

Pig chinese new year

The Pig is a fun and enlightening personality blessed with patience and understanding. People born under the sign of the Pig enjoy life and all it has to offer, including family and friends. They are honest and thoughtful and expect the same of other people. Pigs can be perceived as oblivious or gullible because they do care about others so much that they will do just about anything for a friend in need. Years of the Pig Last in the cycle, Pig Years follow the Dog Years and recur every twelfth year. The Chinese New Year does not fall on a specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each Pig Year actually begins. 1911*1923*1935*1947*1959*1971*1983*1995*2007 ---------------------- Its better to give than to receive" would probably be the Pigs motto. Pigs are more comfortable giving of their own time or attention than they are to ask others for it. They do not find asking for help an easy task and would rather carry the burden themselves. Pigs will do anything they can to maintain a sense of peace amongst family or friends. This can lead to a tendency to be taken advantage of, but Pigs basically forgive and forget everything. They are compassionate souls who simply want to keep the peace. ------------------ People born in the Year of the Pig share certain characteristics. The Pig Sign is an abbreviated way of characterizing that individuals personality. Following are features associated with the Sign of the Pig. Twelfth in order, Chinese nameZHU, sign of honesty Hour9pm-10:59pm MonthNovember Western CounterpartScorpio CHARACTERISTICS Hardworking, Giving, Willing, Helpful, Materialistic, Gullible, Oblivious, Obstinate ------------------------ You can find this image also there..... http://submit.shutterstock.com/?ref=68800 ..... Details ( the Chinese symbol is real wet red human hair) Thnks so much

more details about this poster here

Best seller this week

my best seller this week in shutterstock

new submited shots in Shutterstock

new sumbition in my gallery in Shutterstock...take a look

and this shot is for the moment my best seller from this batch

I am in love

The genesis of love begins with the oral relation of the infant's mouth and the mother's breast: "The picture of the child at the mother's breast has become the model of all sexual relations" (1905d). Also, in choosing an object later in life, the child will attempt "to reestablish this lost happiness" (1905d). But this happiness, even if it is marked by this choice of a primary infantile object, must later reunite and conjoin two libidinal currents, the tender current arising from infantile cathexis and the sensual current that appears during puberty, "The man will leave his mother and fatheras the Bible indicatesand will follow his wifetenderness and sensuality are therefore reunited" (1912d). This can only occur through the loss of the infantile object choice: "The individual human must devote himself to the difficult task of separating from his parents," as Freud indicated in the twenty-first of the Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis (1916-1917a [1915-16]). Yet, in "On the Universal Tendency to Debasement in the Sphere of Love" (1912d), Freud recalls the difficulty of loving and the numerous splits that remain: "When they love, they do not desire, and when they desire, they cannot love." ------------------------------------------------- My love is like an ocean It goes down so deep My love is like a rose Whose beauty you want to keep. My love is like a river That will never end My love is like a dove With a beautiful message to send. My love is like a song That goes on and on forever My love is like a prisoner It's to you that I surrender. - ------Tasha Shores ------ you

more details for this poster here

new submited shots in Shutterstock ( ropes)

my new stuff in Shutterstock .. this time more ropes than ever

The Fall of Slavery

WORD HISTORY The derivation of the word slave encapsulates a bit of European history and explains why the two words slaves and Slavs are so similar; they are, in fact, historically identical. The word slave first appears in English around 1290, spelled sclave. The spelling is based on Old French esclave from Medieval Latin sclavus, Slav, slave, first recorded around 800. Sclavus comes from Byzantine Greek sklabos (pronounced sklävMs) Slav, which appears around 580. Sklavos approximates the Slavs' own name for themselves, the Slovnci, surviving in English Slovene and Slovenian. The spelling of English slave, closer to its original Slavic form, first appears in English in 1538. Slavs became slaves around the beginning of the ninth century when the Holy Roman Empire tried to stabilize a German-Slav frontier. By the 12th century stabilization had given way to wars of expansion and extermination that did not end until the Poles crushed the Teutonic Knights at Grunwald in 1410. " As far as the Slavs' own self-designation goes, its meaning is, understandably, better than slave; it comes from the Indo-European root *kleu, whose basic meaning is to hear and occurs in many derivatives meaning renown, fame. The Slavs are thus the famous people. Slavic names ending in slav incorporate the same word, such as Czech Bohu-slav, God's fame, Russian Msti-slav, vengeful fame, and Polish Stani-slaw, famous for withstanding (enemies). ---------------- John Harris 'The Fall of Slavery' (1838)--------- Musing by a mossy fountain, In the blossom month of May, Saw I coming down a mountain An old man whose locks were grey; And the flowery valleys echoed, As he sang his earnest lay. "Prayer is heard, the chain is riven, Shout it over land and sea; Slavery from earth is driven, And the manacled are free; Brotherhood in all the nations; What a glorious Jubilee! "God has answered, fall before Him, Laud His majesty and might; On thy knees, O earth, adore Him: Now the black is as the white; Hallelujah! hallelujah! Every bondsman free as light. "Whip and scourge, and fetter broken, Far away in darkness hurled; This a grand and glorious token, When millennium fills the world. Hallelujah! O'er the nations Freedom's snowy flag unfurled. "God has answered! Glory, glory! O'er the green earth let it speed; Sun and stars take up the story, Nevermore a slave shall bleed; Shout deliverance for the freeman, Send him succour in his need. Glory be to God the Giver. Slavery now shall brand no more; From the fountain to the river Freedom breathes on every shore. Hellelujah! Hallelujah! Brotherhood the wide world o'er." ------- you can find this shot here-----
more details for this poster here

Best seller this week

my best seller this week shot
Stack of balanced stones on the sea

new submited shots in Shutterstock

my new shots in Shutterstock .. one example here

my gallery

What is an egg

What Is an Egg? by Lucia Kemp Henry What is an egg? It's a special place. It's warm and it's safe. It's a cozy space. What is an egg? It's a place to start Growing bones and a beak And feathers and a heart. What is an egg? It's a place to grow For a chick and a duck And an owl and a crow. What is an egg? It's a place to begin For all sorts of birds; For rooster and hen. --------------------- i love the eggs:P
more details here What is an egg