Macro Photography Tips

Much has been written on the topic of Macro photography for those photographers fortunate enough to own a DSLR with macro lenses – but what about if you own a compact point and shoot camera? Can you get great macro shots too?

While the results achievable with a point and shoot camera in macro mode probably won’t compare with a DSLR with a purpose built macro lens I’ve still seen some remarkably good shots with compact cameras (all three shots in this post were taken with compact cameras). Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of yours:


Select Macro Mode – this is a fairly obvious first step but I’m always surprised by how many digital camera owners haven’t explored the shooting modes that their camera has. Macro mode is generally symbolized with a little flower and when selected it will tell your camera that you want to focus on a subject closer to your lens than normal (the minimum distance allowed will vary from camera to camera – consult your instruction manual to find yours). Macro mode will also usually tell your camera to choose a large aperture so that your subject is in focus but the background is not.

Landscape Photography Tips

My first love in photography when I first got my trusty old Minolta SLR as a teenager was landscape photography. There’s something about getting out in nature with the challenge of capturing some of the amazing beauty that you see. Perhaps it fits with my personality type – but I loved the quietness and stillness of waiting for the perfect moment for the shot, scoping out an area for the best vantage point and then seeing the way that the light changed a scene over a few hours.

While I don’t get as much time as I’d like for Landscape Photography these days – I thought I’d jot down a few of the lessons that I learned in my early years of doing it. I’d love to hear your own Landscape Photography tips in comments below.

What is vector art

Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon(s), which are all based on mathematical equations, to represent images in computer graphics.
Vector graphics formats are complementary to raster graphics, which is the representation of images as an array of pixels, as is typically used for the representation of photographic images.^[1]

There are instances when working with vector tools and formats is the best practice, and instances when working with raster tools and formats is the best practice. There are times when both formats come together. An understanding of the advantages and limitations of each technology and the relationship between them is most likely to result in efficient and effective use of tools.

Make Greek Easter bread

Tsourekia or Greek Easter Bread is a braided decorative sweet bread which is an Easter specialty but can be eaten throughout the year.

Tsourekia looks so impressive but is surprisingly easy to make at home. Simply follow this easy step-by-step how to video.

Method:

1. To start, combine a third of a cup of water and half a teaspoon of caraway seeds in a small saucepan over low heat. Set aside to infuse the flavour and cool slightly.
2. Whisk 250 grams of melted butter,one cup of castor sugar and one cup of warm milk in a large bowl. Whisk in four eggs, a pinch of salt and caraway mixture.
3. In a separate bowl, combine one and a half tablespoons of yeast and half a cup of warm milk and stir until the yeast dissolves.
4. Add the yeast mixture to the butter mixture. Add half a teaspoon of ground allspice and nine cups of self-raising flour and stir until mixture is combined.
5. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 15 minutes or until mixture is smooth. The longer you knead, the better the bread.
6. Place in a large bowl and cover with a damp tea towel. Set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 2 hours or until dough doubles in size.
7. Use your fist to punch down the dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a further 15 minute or until smooth. Set aside for 10 minutes to rest.
8. Cut dough in half then Divide each half into 3 even portions. Roll each portion into a 40cm long log. Place the 3 logs side-by-side on a greased oven tray. Plait the logs together and tuck the ends under.