Category: Art

Learning to drive is an important rite of passage and a major life milestone. If your friend has just passed their test and you’re struggling for an idea for a gift, try these different ideas, such as registrations, to congratulate them. 

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1. Personalized number plates. A private number plate can be a really fun way to add some personality to your friend’s new car. Choose a number plate (or let them choose) that shows off their fun side. Personalized number plates are totally unique, so they don’t decrease in value either. While they may not increase in value, there is a chance that it will become worth even more than when you bought it.
2. A fun travel mug. If your friend is a coffee addict who has a commute, a travel mug to keep their drink warm while they drive is sure to be appreciated. This is a thoughtful gift that doesn’t have to break the bank. Buy one with a good, secure lid to avoid spills.
3. A Sat-Nav. Most drivers don’t set off anywhere without consulting the Sat Nav. A new driver may be nervous about navigating around when they first start driving alone. A Sat Nav will help them find their way around and explore without stress.
4. A dash cam. Dash mounted cameras are an effective precaution that many drivers are beginning to use. If your friend is unlucky enough to be involved in an accident, the dash cam footage can be used to back them up in an insurance claim.
5. An emergency kit. Set up a kit of a few things they may need in an emergency or during a breakdown that your friend can keep in the back of the car. Pack up a bag with a blanket to keep warm, a small toolkit with some basic car repair tools and some long-life snacks in case they’re stuck for a while. Add in a first aid kit, and a small torch. You could add some tools for car escape too. If your friend breaks down, they’ll be very grateful for this thoughtful gift, when they’re warm in a blanket and have a tasty snack to eat while they wait for rescue. Additionally, if your friend is getting their first car and it happens to be a pre-loved Suburu, a subaru touch up paint would be a great gift to spruce up their vehicle. Scratches or chips on the bodywork are unavoidable, especially in used cars. A touch up paint provides a quick DIY fix for minor damage on the paintwork. Make sure to choose the right color that matches their car’s paint. This thoughtful gift puts them in control of their vehicle’s appearance and saves them a visit to the body shop for minor scratches.
6. A driving playlist. If you’re on a tight budget but still want to give your friend a gift to celebrate their exciting news, why not try something a little different? Create a playlist of songs that you love to listen to when you drive. Go old-fashioned and burn them to a CD with some personal album art, or keep it modern and share a link to a Spotify playlist. They’ll think of you whenever they listen to it, or you can listen together on road trips and create some great memories of singing along and driving. 
7. Practical tips and tools. Safety and preparedness are crucial for any new driver. Alongside a well-stocked emergency kit, you might want to include information on how to purchase locksmithing tools. These tools can be a real boon in situations where they may accidentally lock themselves out of their vehicle. By providing this extra layer of preparedness, not only are you giving a thoughtful gift, but you’re also ensuring they have the knowledge to handle unforeseen circumstances confidently.

Whether you choose something more practical like the Sat Nav or a fun gift like the playlist, the new driver in your life will appreciate you thinking of them, and will be able to think about you whenever they use your thoughtful gift.

When it comes to down time, there are many things that you can do, but often we don’t make it a priority. Downtime is encouraged, it is something that we should do under the umbrella of self care and taking time for ourselves., However, when it comes down to it, often we don’t really know what to do. So with that in mind, here are some of the best ways to spend your downtime. 

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Learn a musical instrument

Maybe you want to learn a musical instrument and try and gain some new skills in that way. It can be an excellent way to clear your mind and focus on something else. Whether it’s the piano, where there are some great online articles with advice, the guitar, when websites like https://guitaarr.com/ have some great insight, or even a wind instrument or something more unique. You are bound to find something that suits your interests and can keep this new hobby alive. 

Start a blog

Years ago blogging, was something that people just didn’t know what it was, but now it seems everyone has a blog. But it can actually be extremely therapeutic and a great way to spend your downtime. Writing can be such a great thing to think about and do, and can be a creative outlet as well as a way to relax and unwind. Some people have even moved their blogs on to monetise them so that they can turn them into their jobs. The sky’s the limit these days with the digital world. 

Side hustles and earn a little extra

Maybe you feel like downtime can be wasted time, so why not use it to try out some of the online side hustles instead? You could fill out online surveys, perform mystery shops and sell unwanted items in your home on platforms like eBay. It can be a great way to boost your income.

Change your lifestyle

Maybe you want to put your downtime to good use in other ways, so why not focus on your home. It might be time to start getting rid of clutter and having a more minimalist approach.Even if you convert your old movies or vinyl collection to digital versions you will be surprised how much room you can save. Start going through your things and decide whether you want, need or love them. You might be surprised by the things that you can offload and how much tidier your home will be. 

Start exercising

Maybe it is time to start thinking about exercising, and this can be a great way to help with your mindset and self care. We are all encouraged to be more active, so why not head out for a walk, start running, join a gym or take part in local sports classes. It can be a great way to clear your mind from the working day.

Your mental health 

Finally, why not take a moment to think about your mental health and use your downtime for good use. Maybe you could meditate, enjoy a relaxing bath or shower, or just take some time to be alone with your thoughts.

Let’s hope these suggestions help you to utilise your downtime.

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay

There is information literally at the tip of your fingers, and now that there is information literally at the tip of your fingers and now thanks to the internet, YouTube, Online Learning, Audio Books and TV Subscriptions  or online tutors like Tutor Hunt, you can pretty much educate yourself in anything you want. Thanks to 24-hour news channels, international news channels and so much choice on our televisions and streaming you can keep informed and up-to-date with breaking news around the world and here are some other ways you can educate yourself today:

Read For Half An Hour Every Day

Getting into the habit of reading for 30 minutes every day can kick start your goal of “getting back into reading” and of course can educate you at the same time. Thirty minutes is not too much, it’s not too overwhelming, and it’s not too hard to set aside at the end of the day. If you go to bed thirty minutes earlier than usual and read for thirty minutes a night, then you should be able to get through at least one book every two weeks. Whether it’s a fiction book or non-fiction book, both can be educational as reading expands your vocabulary and helps you to become a better writer, while reading a non-fiction book will do this as well as teaching you whatever the topic of the book is. 

Watch a TED talk every day

Technology Entertainment and Design is what TED stands for and watching a short inspiring and, most importantly, an entertaining lecture from some of the world’s most inspiring and renowned thought leaders each day can only be a good thing. You can access them all on your mobile or tablet, they are free, there is something for, and they’re short and sweet as

TED’s curator Chris Anderson has made sure that the majority of TED talks are no longer than 18 minutes. 

Watch Documentaries

Watching documentaries has never been easier as you can watch them on TV and YouTube. All you need to do is type in a subject you are interested in and just see what comes up. It’s also fun to watch documentaries on things that you have no prior knowledge or real interest in because you are bound to learn something new, even if it’s just something that will help you out in next week’s pub quiz. Netflix and BBC have some great documentaries, and if it’s a crime you’re into or want to know more about our planet, then you’ll be able to find something. 

Watching TV

General, everyday TV can be very educational if you watch the right things and do limit the time spent on the couch in front of the TV. The UK TV schedule is full of Do-it-yourself shows which give you easy access to all kinds of information: Cooking channels offer new recipes and methods, home improvement shows introduce you to many money-saving DIY tips, and financial advisers advise on managing finances and investing money, for example. It can be useful to have the news channels on in the background as information does go in while you’re busy doing other things. 

Take A Class

You can educate yourself by taking an actual class. Is there a topic that you wouldn’t like to learn more about? You can take free or cheap introductory courses in a number of different subjects which will introduce you to new ideas, people, and potential career paths using Coursera, The Floating University, Skillshare, Khan Academy, TED talks, DO lectures, Academic Earth, Udemy, or local community college classes.

Learn A New Language

Are there any languages that you have been interested in learning? Well, there’s no time like the present, you may as well start now? Take a class, get private lessons, watch videos online – whatever it is, find time in your life to immerse yourself in this and you will thank yourself for it next time you’re in that country. 

Make The Most Of Online Tutorials

‘How To’s’ and other online tutorials are really popular, and you can find them on any topic you want from makeup tutorials, to cake decorating to even learning a musical instrument. You can pretty much learn anything you want to. Most of these online tutorials are free and you if there isn’t a specific topic you’re into, then you could easily switch and learn a new thing each day.

 

Photography is undoubtedly one of the most common outdoor hobbies worldwide. However, it isn’t uncommon for many skilled photographers to turn their hobby into a source of income. According to IBISWorld, America’s photography industry’s market size by revenue alone is $11.5 billion as of 2022. Many photography genres may appeal to you, whether you want to pursue a full-time career or simply take up a worthwhile pastime. Here are some of the top photography genres you should know about.

Travel photography

 

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Travel photography is definitely worth considering if you have a lot of wanderlust and are skilled with a camera. It is one of the broadest subcategories of people photography, involving the capture of life in other areas of the world. Travel photography is well-known for drawing inspiration from several different types of photography. For instance, you may set out to capture people and their lifestyles when you visit one area. However, you may notice and capture several landscapes and other elements of the natural world, like wildlife in that location that is picture-worthy. A good travel photographer perfects the art of taking excellent photographs when visiting new cities. These photographs typically capture the striking differences and similarities between people worldwide, making viewers feel more connected to and aware of how others live. 

Aerial photography

 

The aerial photography genre is one of the fastest-growing photography fields facilitated by modern technology. Indeed, Allied Market Research estimates that the global aerial photography market was worth $2.26 billion in 2020 and will reach $8.52 billion by 2030. Admittedly, aerial photographs have been around as long as cameras and manned flights have been. However, aerial photography’s increasing popularity in recent times is due to the advent of high-quality drones. Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles that capture views from above and give photographers different perspective shots. In the US, UK, and many other nations, you need a license before you can legally fly a drone. They are being used to capture everything, from real estate to wildlife. Top-notch drones such as the DJI Matrice 30 series are used by search and rescue personnel to locate missing persons in foliage. Therefore, the perspective drones offer in aerial photography comes in handy for aesthetic and life-saving purposes alike.

Wedding photography

 

Wedding photography is, without a doubt, one of the most popular genres out there. Many people pay for professional photography only once in their lives, and that time is likely to be their wedding day. As such, wedding photography is in very high demand worldwide. As a career, being a professional wedding photographer will entail taking a wide range of photos in various settings and groups. The role is pretty intense since there is a lot of pressure to take your best shot on the first attempt because you may not get a second chance in many scenarios. The emphasis is on taking candid photographs that the family will treasure for their lifetime. Besides being quick on your feet, you should also be a fairly good salesperson and must be able to handle customer service easily.

Furthermore, you must be adaptable, ready to shoot indoors during dimly lit dances and receptions and outdoors on sunny days. Finally, the couples you photograph will expect a lot of direction from you when posing. Therefore, you must be confident and capable of clear communication with the bride and groom. 2020 was perhaps the worst time to be a wedding photographer since the pandemic reportedly cut weddings by more than 50%. However, the wedding photography niche is picking up fast post-lockdown, so now is the perfect time to enter the industry.

Portrait photography

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Portrait photography, also known as portraiture, intends to capture the moods and personalities of groups and individuals. Portrait images may be posed or candid, full-body, or close-ups. However, the common constant is that the subject’s eyes and face are usually in focus. Portrait photographers rely heavily on lighting and backdrop to convey the right tone and emotions. In addition, you must make your clients feel as comfortable as possible to get natural expressions.

There is no shortage of people that need portrait photography services, so it is one of the most profitable genres worth considering as a career.Everyday patrons need portrait photos for every phase of life, so you can expect to take a lot of maternity and newborn, high school senior portraits, and general family photographs. You will also take several corporate portraits for employees that need to update their headshots for publicity materials and websites. Furthermore, professional and aspiring models need updated portfolios with current pictures to market themselves for jobs and agencies. Consequently, portrait photography is an excellent starting point for all professional photographers. A great portfolio of high-quality shots will generate more contracts, and you will also get several gigs from word-of-mouth marketing.

Product photography

 

There is no denying that great product photography is important for convincing potential clients to make purchases. Indeed, an estimated 90% of buyers say that photo quality is the most important factor they consider when purchasing online. As such, product photography is a mainstay of modern-day advertising, and you can position yourself for great success in this niche with the right strategies. One of the best things about product photography is that it covers a lot of ground. For instance, you can focus on the sub-niche of jewelry to make a lot of cash. Many jewelry dealers are eager to hire professional photographers because their products require the right amount of creativity to attract clients through images. Alternatively, you can specialize in food photography for restaurants that need to advertise meals and create menus.

Product photos are used for labels, packaging, and print and online catalogs, so there is a high need for quality. Consequently, the majority of product photography is done in studios that permit careful control of lighting, shadows, and backgrounds. As a product photographer, you may lose significant cash to studio rentals, so invest in creating a personal photography studio on a budget.

Fashion photography

 

Fashion photography is perhaps the most glamorous photography genre, but it is sadly among the most difficult to break into. Fashion photographers usually reside in the design districts of Paris, Milan, and New York, documenting the trendiest runway styles and taking cover shots for leading industry publications. However, they work in many other locations, including studios, open fields, and city streets. Fashion photographers use many skills portrait photographers are known for. For example, this job focuses on the models, so a lot of your time will be spent posing and directing them to get the desired shots. As such, you must have good teamwork and communication skills to effectively collaborate with models, creative directors, wardrobe specialists, makeup artists, and many other professionals.

Architectural photography

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Many people take pictures of buildings as a fun hobby, but others have made entire careers out of it. Architectural photographers work as freelancers or are employed by agencies to capture the essence of structures and buildings from their commencement to completion. You will capture details like the building’s interiors and exterior and any subtle elements that make the building’s design outstanding. Also, architectural photography needs special equipment and techniques to reduce distortion and perspective issues that are easy to spot from a building’s right angles.

Real estate photography is a great subdivision of architectural photography. Realtors always require top-notch photographs, especially in today’s market, where 87% of home buyers rely on photographs to make their decisions. Therefore, realtors are willing to pay top dollar for quality professional photographs, particularly in the high-end market.