We see color in everything around us, drawing our emotions and moods from the hues of nature. Fantastic colors create displays that go far beyond grabbing our attention whether they are the pinks and purples of a sunset or the plethora of bright shades mingling in a flower garden. Still, the appeal that comes from black and white art photography manages to reach even farther into you to elicit feelings that the most intrinsic colors cannot.It all started with black and white photography, using the elaborate processes of camera obscura, daguerreotype and others that are mimicked by only a select gathering today. As the 20th century unfolded, new capabilities came about and color photography gradually became the selected method of capturing images on print. Today, digital cameras are available with a variety of features and settings that allow you to take good quality photos in nearly any setting. They are also available in a wide range of prices so that they are a good choice for photographers of all levels. Whether black and white photography is something that you wish to pursue as a hobby to create pictures you and your loved ones will enjoy or you are a professional photographer, there are options that are right for you.Today, there are those photographers who still enjoy using the old techniques of producing black and white photos either as a pastime or because they want to create a special type of photo that stands out for their business. Many others simply convert photos from color to black and white using a computer that has Photoshop installed. While these photos may not have the same old-fashioned quality as those produced with primitive processes, they are still capable of eliciting the desired effects that most photographers have in mind.While black and white photography is often used to create portraits, it is also a popular choice for those instances where a serious or somber tone is required. A soldier walking through the battleground is capable of eliciting the serious tone that is associated with war and battle. While there are still those who think color photography is the only method that is truly enjoyable and who find black and white photos to be without inspiration, many others think of it as a classic art form that is as fascinating as it is appealing.If you have a computer and a digital camera, you have everything you need to start creating black and white art photography that is simply striking.
What’s Your Working Journey in 2011?
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and found fascinating the current TV series ‘Britain at Work’ hosted by Kirsty Young.It has raised a huge amount of questions prompting many conversations with my Mum looking back over the years studying people’s attitude towards work over different generations.One question raised this week with my Mum was why I couldn’t remember very much the 80′s miner’s strikes and the terrible times families suffered in the hands of industries being wiped out causing extreme unemployment with over 3 million out of the work. During this period when I was growing up as a teenager I remember well the scenario of Dad intensely watching the evening news when you dare not say a word or else you would be glared at and told to be quiet (which I wonder now how often this typical picture plays out in family homes). It occurred to me that because my parents were self employed and ran their own business what was happening around me, didn’t directly affect me as none of our family members worked down the mines either.My parents were lucky to be in a position where financial independence was possible, certainly didn’t earn pots of money but they didn’t have to rely on an employer to provide the work and wage packet. Yes I do remember things being tough with not a lot of money floating around but we certainly didn’t go without.This made me realise and ask the question about attitude to life and work and what impression parents and family make on you as you grow up. Definitely having a family that ran their own business made a mark on me, helped create my outlook and influences on life – having to stand on your own two feet and not solely rely on other people. My parents were very much about being an individual and not being a ‘sheep’, following the crowd. They knew life was going to get even tougher and having a certain amount of independence and self reliability was very important.Over the last few months I’ve had an increased amount of people contact me interested in finding out how to become a home working virtual assistant – which has been fantastic. As always I paint a realistic picture of what it’s like to start up your own new venture, all the excitement and buzz, opportunities of being your own boss and setting up your own virtual assistance business. What I always point out is the two sides of being self employed and what the real crux of running a business involves. You can be the greatest provider of your service in the world but if you can’t sell it then you’re going to have a hard time. When you say to someone that business falls into the 80/20 rule – 80% is running the business getting clients on board and 20% is doing the actual work, for some the idea of going self employed suddenly loses its appeal. Going self employed doesn’t automatically suite everyone!Going back to the TV series ‘Britain at Work’ – a large percentage of people are brought up with the ideals of getting a job with the strong reliance of large companies and authorities to provide the work and the wage packet every month. A large percentage of people will be looking for something different, wanting to be their own boss, choosing not to be reliant on a company to provide the work but want to be financially independent and generate their own work.But what is guaranteed these days – very little. So are we at a tipping point in society where people are being forced into rethinking their working life journey?After watching the tragic aftermath of the peaceful demonstrations in Hyde Park this weekend followed by the violent disruption at Trafalgar Square with the small percentage of people intent on causing violent chaos – are we walking into a worrying period of repeated demonstrations with the rise of unemployment on the up.Will we start to see a huge rise in more people taking up the self employment route – is it a survival strategy out of this mess?Having the confidence to go it alone when you’ve always been in work where the responsibility of finding the clients/customers/sales has been the manager/owner/executive’s role is like tipping a working role scenario on its head. All of a sudden it’s your responsibility to find the clients that want the services/products that you’re selling – you’re forced into the driving seat of being the sales person – it can be an overwhelming place to be. All of a sudden you’ve got to wear the hats of about 10 different roles usually held by different people made up in a company. Having the ability, energy, enthusiasm, drive and sometimes the courage to try something new doesn’t automatically exist in everyone.So who is going to provide the jobs for all these people who don’t fancy self employment?Is it up to you, individually to create your own work, take a look at what skills you already have and think hard about what you could provide as a service or a product to sell?What is the survival strategy – does anyone have the answer that’s likely to fit all the differing scenarios to look after all those millions of people out of work.Whose responsibility is it?
Do You Need Travel Insurance When Traveling To Foreign Countries?
Many people ask the question, “Do foreign countries require me to have travel insurance?” Countries will differ on what they will require as far as insurance go, but if you like to travel a lot or if you like to go to places that many people would not normally go, then having trip insurance is a good idea for you and your family.When opting for travel insurance it is best to go with a company that has reliable underwriters. This means that your insurance policy will have a lot of coverage and if you go with a large company then you will be able to get a high level of support 24 hours per day. Accidents happen at the worst times of day, and so having a 24 hour support team for travel insurance can do wonders for your peace of mind.The next key factor to look for when traveling in foreign countries and buying travel insurance is to make sure they cover every country that you’re going to travel to. There’s no reason on opting for an insurance policy that does not cover you in your destination. The next thing to consider are your activities. Are you planning on snowboarding, surfing, skiing or any other types of sports where you may get injured? If so, then it is very important that your insurance policy cover these types of activities while you are in another country.Another factor in traveling are health alerts and safety alerts. When getting travel insurance, it is very important that you stay informed on the most up-to-date alerts for your travel and your safety. Also, some travel insurance plans will come with a medical option which is very important when you’re going to other countries that may have outbreaks in flu and/or contaminated water.Travel insurance is also very helpful for trip protection. Trip protection can cover anywhere from 100% to 150% of your total trip cost depending upon what plan you decide to sign up for. This type of insurance will also cover you for trip cancellation, trip interruption, delay and will also cover you if there are safety alerts due to safety issues and your traveling. Having this type of coverage is extremely important for your peace of mind and also for your pocketbook.Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry. There is no reason to plan your trip and have it canceled the last minute and having to be out money when traveling insurance to foreign countries will help reimburse you anywhere from 100% to 150% of what was spent.These plans are very affordable and they are covered worldwide. Many plans cover up to $100 per person per day and can even help you recover lost expenses if your trip is delayed for an extended period. As mentioned, some plans can also cover medical expenses up to $10,000-$100,000 per person with a very low deductible. Making sure that you and your family are taken care of is of the utmost importance. When it comes to choosing travel insurance to travel to foreign countries then it’s best to err on the side of too much coverage than not enough coverage.