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[W143]Ways To Show You Love Her

by Tom Bonner, Tom

Despite all this technical wizardry, the average dSLR is fairly dumb. It cannot think. It knows nothing about art, composition or lighting effects. It doesn't notice whether you are photographing a beautiful sunset or the local garbage dump. It does not see the difference and would not care if it did.

Yet, far too many dSLR owners allow this non-thinking, non-appreciative hunk of electronics to rule over their photographic endeavors. They believe the camera is smarter than they are.

The more I use my digital cameras, the more I find myself reverting to some sort of manual control. That does not mean I never shoot in a fully automatic mode -- it's just that more and more often I find that my knowledge and experience allows me make better decisions than my camera.

How do you develop this knowledge? It can start gradually, by occasionally experimenting with manual settings. If you always shoot fully automatic, in the program mode, try a few of these suggestions next time you are shooting.

Turn off auto focus

Auto focus is useful and can be a lifesaver many situations. However, if you always let your dSLR select the focus you may be missing out on some great images. You might prefer part of your subject be out of focus. It's an artistic decision and your camera cannot make that decision for you. In addition, no matter how fast camera makers design their AF systems, pre-focusing will always be faster. So try using manual focus when it is appropriate.

Switch out of the program mode

I am finding less and less use for the program mode when I shoot. Since I understand what type of image I am trying to capture and the camera can't read my mind -- I find I am far better at selecting the best combination of aperture and shutter speed to get what I want. Camera makers have gone to great lengths to add automatic modes like sports, night, portraiture and the like. The idea behind these modes is that you can set your camera to the appropriate setting and forget about it. Sometimes this works, but I find I get better results when I determine the optimal settings.

Lately, I have been shooting almost exclusively in aperture priority. I set the f-Stop and the camera selects an appropriate shutter speed. Occasionally I will use shutter priority -- especially if the light is shifty and I want to make sure I don't fall below a certain speed. Sometimes I will use full manual -- when I want to ignore the camera's meter in order to get exactly the shot I have in mind.

Play around with exposure compensation

Most dSLRs offer some form of exposure adjustment, which will allow you to override the actual meter reading by a set number of stops. Much of the time, the default setting will be very close, but if you are attempting a special effect or the light is tricky, exposure compensation can be your best friend. Learn how to use it to your advantage.

Experiment with contrast

If your camera offers contrast adjustment, learn how this can improve your images in varying lighting conditions. If you are shooting outdoors at noon on a bright, cloudless day, normal contrast may make your images appear awful. See if toning down the contrast will soften the shadows and eliminate hot spots. If the light is weak and dull, can you improve the image by cranking in some additional contrast?

Vary your flash settings

It's true. camera makers have created some wonderfully intelligent flash units. Even the built-in flashes can produce stunning results under the right conditions. But there are plenty of times when the flash should be overruled. Start with flash compensation. Try more or less compensation to see how the light changes. Experiment with different shutter speeds to see how that affects the tone of the background. If you have a separate flash unit, get a cord and try shooting with the flash off the camera. Experiment, experiment, experiment. You'll get some duds, but you will also get some wonderful images. And you will never allow your camera to dictate how your flash should be used in the future.

I urge you to try all of these techniques when you get the chance. You might not use all these techniques every time, but make it a point to try at least one of these each time you head out with your dSLR. If you do, and you ware willing to learn from your successes and your failures, you will quickly see your photographic IQ surpassing that of your camera. When you are smarter than your camera, you will be well on the way to capturing some outstanding images.

Teacher Appreciation Week has become an annual event in many schools around the world. Countless teachers, coaches, and aides can be a great help and inspiration to our children throughout the day as well as in the after-school hours. It's our obligation to show them how much their effort and patience means to us.

Everyone likes to be told that they're doing a great job. Our teachers are some of our most valuable resources whether they teach your children during the school day or in the after school hours.

Here are 10 ideas to get the most grateful parents started:

(1) Send out a press release: Press releases are simple and free. Write up a letter from the class or school and send it to the press for all the community to see. Send a picture of the teacher or of the teacher with his or her students with the press release.

(2) Prepare a meal: Take turns with some other parents bringing in breakfast or lunch for the teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.

(3) Send a note of gratitude: Take time to write something really special. Teachers appreciate your words of support. Site specific ways that they have helped your children or family. You might think that "everyone" will send a note of appreciation—but many won't. Be the person who provides a heartfelt thanks to a favorite teacher. On a strict budget? Send a free e-card or have your child color a construction-paper card from scratch!

(4) Give a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant: Sometime during the month ask your teacher's friend about which restaurant is a top-pick or ask the teacher where s/he might suggest you take your spouse to lunch or dinner over the weekend. A gift certificate to a meal you know they'll enjoy will be a great gift for any teacher!

(5) Give a gift certificate for a massage, manicure/pedicure, or facial: Many teachers don't take the time to pamper themselves. Give them the gift of relaxation as a real treat!

(6) Personalize t-shirts or coffee mugs: Snap a photo of the class or have the kids make a spacial class collage. Get it transferred onto a mug, shirt, or book bag so she'll always have it to enjoy!

(7) Picture it: Take a picture of the class and put it into a special picture frame for the teacher to hang up in the classroom or keep in her home office. You can even personalize the picture frame with the teacher's name, the grade, and the year with a little engraved brass tag or ask an artistic friend to paint it right onto frame.

(8) Before of after-class surprise: Bring in muffins, a cake, or pizza before or after class so that teachers can enjoy a special well-deserved treat.

(9) Walk of fame: You can get creative--buy a remnant of red carpet, roll of red felt, or paint a roll of butcher paper red and tape it to the floor of the center hallway at the school or facility. Make gold stars with each teacher's name on one. Ask the students, administrators, parents, and staff to greet these special teachers as they enter the school. Then make the teachers feel extra special-- take pictures for posterity (with the students!) and celebrate!

(10) Have a give-back day: The best way to show gratitude is to give back! Help clean the school, paint, and wash the windows! Raise money for the teachers' favorite charity. Plant a tree or some flowers! Donate some books to the library in their honor! Refill their supply closet! There are many things you can do to give back to the people who've helped your family all year long!

Anyway you do it, the important thing is that you show and tell the teachers and coaches in your child's life that they're making a positive difference in the lives of others. So many of these amazing role models are under-appreciated and under-praised. Now is a great time to let them know how much they matter.

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About Author

Both Tom Bonner & Dr Robyn Silverman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Tom Bonner has sinced written about articles on various topics from Digital Photos, SLR Camera and Computers and The Internet. This article originally appeared in ; the weblog for Sony and Minolta SLR enthusiasts. Enjoy for more articles by Tom Bonner at Alphatracks.com. Tom Bonn. Tom Bonner's top article generates over 823000 views. to your Favourites.

Dr Robyn Silverman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Travel, Children and Kids and Teens. Known as "The Character Queen," Dr. Robyn Silverman is a child development specialist and parenting expert. Her tips-based style makes her a favorite among both parents and teachers. She's the creator of the Powerful Words Character Toolkit, a character e. Dr Robyn Silverman's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.