Author: Igor

The Most Inspiring Music Artists In History

Nobody creates music in a vacuum. Everyone has their heroes: people who “showed them the way” and introduced them to incredible new sounds.

When you’re just starting out creating music, though, you don’t always know where to draw inspiration. Sure – focus on your particular genre. But a lot of the most successful artists in history looked to the past to create their sounds. Maroon 5 went back a long way, borrowing from Beethoven to come up with their catchy tunes.

Of course, if you read this blog on the 5 Online Must-Have Music Tools, you’ll know that there’s more to a successful music career than just pure artistic inspiration. You need technical skills too. But don’t underestimate just how much particular artists could inspire you to create incredible tracks.

U2

U2 probably isn’t the first band that springs to mind when you’re looking for inspiration. But there is no doubt that the band created the modern soft rock sound. Before Bono and The Edge, rock was very much rock ‘n’ roll. After them, it became way more progressive.

The Beatles

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The Beatles are widely regarded as the most influential band in history, beating out Bob Dylan, the Stones, and even the mighty Elvis himself.

The reason this band is so influential has to do with the sheer number of new sounds it introduced, plus its ability to rock a crowd. It might be more than fifty years old now, but the music still feels fresh somehow. Who knows – it might yet come back around? We’re currently seeing an eighties revival. What about a sixties one too?

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix was probably the greatest guitarist to grace the surface of the Earth. The man was able to riff like nobody else before or since. And he had a knack for coming up with melodies that strummed on your soul.

He was also very influential on how music looked. Like Elvis, he understood the importance of visuals.

Bob Dylan

It’s hard for any history of music to make sense without mentioning Bob Dylan. The man was a musical genius, and he’s been touring around the planet since the 1980s. That’s a long time for anyone to spend on the road.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley’s genius was to take traditional reggae and somehow repackage it for a western audience. You might not think it, but practically every reggae tune you’ve heard in your life came from Marley. He is so dominant in the genre; it is ridiculous. Now many people know his music because modern artists sample it so often.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was a massive influence on music, especially during his heyday in the eighties with Bad and Thriller’s release. The man combined dance moves with exciting visuals and vocal inflections. He had a knack for working up a crowd and making his music participatory. He might have been one of the strangest people in the industry, but that was also a part of his genius. It’s a shame it all ended so tragically.

October 16, 2014
Why You Should Take Up Film Photography
Can you believe that even five or six years ago, digital cameras were all the rage? Now we simply have our smartphones which do all the work for us – no need for anything else. Unless you are a professional photographer who needs hyper-focus lenses for work, in which case you may still have a digital SLR which you use often, the chances are you take most of your photographs on your phone. Companies like Samsung and Apple have gone to great lengths to make their smartphone cameras second to none, ensuring that the only camera you will need when you’re out and about is already in your pocket.

So what’s the deal with analog photography? You might remember, if you are old enough, that all cameras used to operate using film. Each film canister had a limited number of shots you could take, and after that would have to be dropped off at a developer to be exposed in the correct conditions. Then the photos would be returned to you in physical form. No? Nobody remembers this? It wasn’t that long ago, people! Anyway… Believe it or not, analog photography is still alive and well, despite the existence of much more efficient cameras nowadays. So why is film photography still so popular, despite its inefficiencies? In this blog, you’ll learn about why analog photography remains sacred, and why you should take it up as your next hobby.

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Understanding Film Photography

If you love taking photographs, you will love the beauty and elegance of film photography. This medium involves being mindful about the shots you take, because of course, each shot uses up film – even if you mess it up! This means paying more attention to the lighting, composition and colours in the picture, which will create beautiful shots you can treasure forever.

British film photographer George Muncey said in an interview, ‘I also am just a strong believer that photography exists best in print, whether it’s in a book or on a wall.’ This sums up the beauty of film photography in its greatest forms. Photographs used to solely exist in print; now they almost entirely exist digitally. Modern analog photography is bridging this gap, creating meaningful moments and experiences for photographers, while preserving the craft of film photography in the modern day.

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Why Try Film Photography?

You might be thinking, ‘This sounds nice, but so what? I just take photographs to make memories.’ For most people this is true. Yet film photography in the modern day supports this – you don’t have to lug around huge, ancient cameras in order to have fun with film photography. Here’s a breakdown of why film photography is an awesome medium which can boost your creativity, even if you aren’t yet passionate about photography.

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- Experimenting With Light
One thing that film photography heavily relies on is light. If there is too much light travelling through the lens when the photo is taken, the film will be over-exposed, meaning that the photo can appear bleached and without detail. If there is too little light, the photo will not be clear either. So when you get into the nitty gritty of film photography, you can experiment with the functions of the camera which help let in the right amount of light. Some film photography fanatics purposefully over or under-expose their photos to create cool effects, kind of like a natural Instagram filter!
- Waiting For Results
In the contemporary technological world, we seem to have lost the art of waiting to see how things turn out. With film photography, this discipline is returned. Instead of taking a photograph and immediately checking how we look in it, you are forced to wait until the whole roll of film is finished and developed to see the results. This brings the joy back into taking pictures of loved ones and landscapes – and even ourselves – because we aren’t just focused on seeing ourselves in the photo, but in the moment itself.
- Digital Availability
Film photography in the 2010s has developed a long way since before the internet existed. Now, most reputable film developers will offer a scanning service, meaning you can access your film photographs digitally as well as physically. This means that you can still post your photographs to Instagram and send them to friends and family, even if they were taken on an analog device.

This also means you can share your photos in all the innovative, fun ways you can share photos in the modern day. You can send your analog photographs to Pixa Prints and have them made into a fun mouse mat or phone case; or you can still post them to your grandmother in a sweet envelope. Whatever your style, you can do it with film photography.

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What Camera Should I Buy?

There are two distinct types of 35mm film cameras: SLR and point-and-shoot.
1. An SLR is a completely analog camera which does not need batteries to function, although it will need them if you want to use the light meter. SLRs need to be manually focused and adjusted to suit the light conditions. This is a more technically specific camera which might involve more trial-and-error, but the chances are you will take more beautiful and high quality photographs with an SLR!
2. A point-and-shoot is an updated version of an SLR. Battery powered with a built-in flash, you literally just point it at the object, and click. These are auto-focus, auto-lit and are smaller and more compact too. These are great for simple memory-making, not studied, carefully curated shots.
Final Thoughts

If you want a new hobby that can enhance your passion for taking great pictures while testing your creativity, film photography is for you. Make sure to utilise all the available free resources online, such as YouTube tutorials and reviews, so you can be a self-taught film photographer in no time at all!
October 14, 2014
Top 6 Home Improvement Ideas to Try this 2024

Although not applicable to all, some families love to do home improvements, whether yearly or quarterly.

You should know one thing when it comes to home improvement: it is not always mandatory. It is always a personal decision unless circumstances require immediate fixes, such as a damaged roof. If you are planning to do major works for you home, it is best to check quote for home improvement services. Whether it’s painting, decorating, or any commercial or industrial work, youngman board hire provides the convenience of performing long runs rather than continually moving up and down ladders.

Well, if you are up for a home improvement idea this year, then great! However, it is best to assess which parts of the house will be renovated. It is a great way to save money and optimize your budget.

Now, regardless of which area in the house, here are the six best home improvement ideas you can evaluate and may consider part of your bucket list.

1. Roof Renovation

Your roof is the part of your home that should be monitored constantly for leaks and other damages. If you’re in Connecticut and find that repairs are no longer sufficient, considering a Roof Replacement Berlin CT service might be the next best step to ensure your home’s safety and integrity.

Most damage to roofs is attributed to climate-related reasons, but other external factors sometimes cause the problem.

Right! It may not be the most glamorous thing to spend your money on, but a well-insulated and tiled roof will help keep your house warm and dry throughout the winter months. Moreover, it will remain sturdy during windy days or extreme heat on summer days. If you really want to make it shine you should consider going solar as well, because the cost of installing solar panels is now more affordable than ever.

2. Kitchen Revamp

For sure, everyone loves to see a wonderful kitchen area.

Hence, it is always a nice idea to start renovating your kitchen’s overall structure or maybe just some of its minimal elements like the countertop, cupboards, and sink.

They say that kitchen remodeling is always a win-win investment because if you ever decide to sell your home, it can be used to leverage your home’s worth over others.

Well, just get the perfect kitchen images ahead of time and keep them safe so you can grab them anytime and add them to your listing.

3. Bathroom Makeover

Another great area to renovate is the bathroom.

Like the kitchen, your bathroom needs a makeover once in a while. Here’s one trending style you should check out: the tropical bathroom. You will need several green materials to make the feel more natural, with open walk-in showers
and freestanding baths to pull this off.

Sounds interesting, right?

4. Outdoor Space Overhauling

Your patio, terrace, or even lawn should also be considered when planning any possible renovation.

You do not want to waste the chance to enjoy the open space, fresh air, and striking sunlight for healthy skin.

So, yes! Start working on some concepts and make them real in no time!

5. Get an Extension

If you still have enough space in your garden or within your property’s perimeter, now is the perfect time to create some extension rooms.

For example, you can use a new room as your home office since almost everyone is working from home now these days. Also, you can use one more room as a gym since nearly every fitness facility is not allowed to operate at this time.

6. Gate Change

Your gate should probably need a revamp now after many years, so do not forget to include that in your list. Moreover, you may want to add new features to your gate to heighten security on the premises of your home.

Conclusion

Alright!What do you think? Are these ideas appealing to you?

If yes, it’s great! Still, do not forget to do your homework and research as well.

It is best to have a budget in mind and do thorough research before talking to contractors about the renovation.

At the same time, you can also seek help from professionals if you want to have more insights into the project.

We hope that any of these ideas presented help you decide what kind of renovation to have this year.

October 13, 2014
How Can You Keep Your Business Going Even Through The Tough Times?

A business is hard to run when everything is going well, but when things start to get tough, it goes from hard to a nightmare. The market is always changing because the things people want are always changing, and the things they want from businesses are also always changing. You’ve got to be able to keep up with this, and then work out what you can do to keep your business going. Usually, as long as you’ve got certain elements to your business, you’re going to be okay, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be constantly trying to improve anyway. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at how you can keep your business going even through the tough times to give you the help you might need. Keep reading if you want to find out more.

Cut Costs Where You Can

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Something that we highly recommend is when times get tough, you cut costs where you can. Now, we know that this is far easier said than done, but you’ve got to learn how to do this if you want to stay afloat. It might be the case that you are struggling financially, but you simply can’t figure out where you can cut costs to make ends meet easier. If you find yourself in this situation, then you’re going to need someone who is trained in finances to come and help you. They will be able to go through your accounts and find some kind of solution to the problem you’re currently facing. Sadly, it might not be an answer that you want to hear, such as letting people go, but if it’s the only solution, then there is nothing that you can do.

Hopefully, there will be departments that can cut their spending instead and it won’t come to getting rid of some of your workforce. But, if it does come down to this, you always need to cut the people who either aren’t doing their job as effectively as you thought they would or the people who aren’t essential. This is going to be tough, but it’s how you keep your business going when things get hard.

Keep Up Great Customer Service

Have you sat down and thought about the one thing that has the ability to make or break your business more than anything else? Customer service is the backbone of everything you do because you don’t treat your customers well, they aren’t going to keep using your company, and they aren’t going to recommend you to the people that they know either. You need to ensure that you are keeping every single customer you have on your side and loyal to your business. Send them promotional code in an email, make sure you handle any issues they have swiftly and with kindness. Simple things like this mean a lot to your customers, never forget that.

Keep Up With Your Marketing

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When things get tough, one of the departments that businesses tend to give up on is marketing, but this is a huge mistake. Marketing is still one of the most essential parts of your entire business, and you need to have a huge focus on it. This is the way that you’re going to get more customers, which is what makes it so essential. How else are you going to advertise who you are and what you do? People want excitement from your marketing campaign, they want to see something different, something engaging, and if you cut back on the marketing budget, this might not be possible.

Of course, there are some lower budget options that can be looked into. For example, if someone comes across something when they are scrolling on their phone that they think might be useful, they can use one of a number of screen recorder apps to make sure that the idea is captured. Of course, you might not be able to use that exact thing that has been recorded, but it’s a way to get ideas on a page. Using social media is also a low budget way of marketing your business. Your marketing team can deal with this though, you don’t need to worry about it. A push for new clients is essential when times get tough, and you can’t afford to let go of your chance to get them.

Make Sure Your Employees Are Happy

The final thing that we are going to suggest is that you make sure that your employees are happy. There is nothing worse than having employees working for you who are miserable because this means they won’t be doing their best. If you’ve ever heard the phrase ‘a happy employee is a hard-working employee’, this is what you should always be aiming for. If you notice that there is a problem with someone, talk to them and see if there is anything that you can do to help. It might simply be that they are struggling and don’t know how to ask you for help. You’ve got to aim to be a boss that people feel comfortable coming to talk to when something is up because this will make them feel happier working for your company.

If you want to boost the happiness of the office as a whole, why not introduce something like treat day once per month? It doesn’t have to be anything big or fancy, but this is a day where you bring in a box of donuts or something to show your appreciation for the people who work for you. It’s a small gesture, but it lets people know they are appreciated, boosting their mood.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see how you can keep your business going even through the tough times. If you do all the things that we’ve mentioned on this list, you are more than likely to see your business through anything. Prioritize your business for this time period, and everything is going to be okay. Good luck!

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October 12, 2014
Edinburgh Roxburgh’s Court Art Project

The Chris Stewart Group, The City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh College of Art have recently partnered up to transform Roxbourgh´s Court – an undiscovered gem in Edinburgh’s Old Town – into a destination.

More than 30 Product Design students from Edinburgh College of art have entered a competition to come up with an innovative urban design to bring more attention to this area of the city. In teams, the students presented a total of 9 different entries from which 3 have been short-listed and are now part of a competition where people can vote for their favourite entry to be turned into a real project.

Douglas Bryden, Programme Director of Product Design at ECA emphasised on the challenges of site-specific designs and how the students have responded to them:

“The design brief set by The Chris Stewart Group provided a great opportunity for Product Design students to learn more about one-off site-specific design. We challenged the students to research, design, and finalise an installation design concept for the site at Roxburgh’s Court within a day. The students responded incredibly well, working intensively to explore a variety of creative approaches to change Roxburgh’s Court and the adjacent closes into an interesting destination for both tourists and local residents. The students are very excited about the potential for the winning design concept to be evaluated and developed for fabrication and installation at Roxburgh’s Court.”

Our favourite entry is Night guide, which proposes illuminating Roxburghs Court for pedestrians during night hours using motion sensors and LED strips. You can see all the entries and vote for your favourite on the link below:

www.lateralcity.com/roxburghcourtartproject

October 12, 2014