Creative and Unique Gift Shopping Ideas
By Christine Harrell
Gift shopping is fun but some people can be hard to shop for! From the person who has everything to people you just don't know very well, there are lots of clever and interesting gift ideas for everyone out there.
Recognition Awards
Sometimes we just want something simple that tells someone what they mean to us. However when our sentiments are expressed with tacky, mass-produced items the personal message is often is lost in the translation. Just how many "World's Greatest Mom" mugs does one person need?
Instead, consider a recognition awards such as an inscribed crystal trophy. Not only does this create a breathtaking and memorable gift but you can inscribe it with a personal message that will carry more meaning than some stock phrase will.
Companies that offer employee recognition awards are a great place to find these types of gifts. When searching for personal gifts, these traditional employee recognition awards can take on an entirely new meaning. How about a "Friend of the Year" plaque to be presented at a birthday ceremony. Or, if you don't want your other friends to get jealous, try "Susan of the Year" or "Best Golfer on Main Street".
Photo Books
Digital photography is great. It allows us to always be ready to snap a picture or two (or two hundred) at any event. It's easy to toss out the ones that don't turn out and have a collection of photographic memories.
The problem is that most people seldom look at their digital photos. Maybe a special one will get put up as your computer wallpaper or emailed to friends, but generally they get looked at once or twice then forgotten. Most of us are tactile people. We want something we can hold in our hands. We want photo albums that we can flip through on the sofa with our family around us.
Most digital photography sites offer more than just the ability to print out your photos. Photo book software has become incredibly sophisticated, making it easy to create customized gifts that are professionally produced. You can not only create the perfect album of memories but you can create a different, unique album for each person on your gift list.
Put your photos on a calendar, coffee mug, even a real postage stamp to create stunning presents unlike anything else.
Make Your Own Gifts
Are you a great cook? Bake cookies or make a book of your recipes. Do people think you have a nice voice? Record a book on tape. Do you like to work on cars? Give friends coupons for your free auto services. Write an adventure tale featuring your children. You don't have to be a great writer and they'll be thrilled to be the story's heroes.
Recognition awards, photo books, homemade gifts - the possibilities are endless. This year, make a commitment to steer clear of the boxes of stale candy and Target gift certificates and give gifts that people will really remember.
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on recognition awards, visit http://www.allstar-awards.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Harrell
Creative and Unique Gift Shopping Ideas
Digital Photography Class - Cracking The Photography Code
Digital Photography Class - Cracking The Photography Code By: Connie Fillmore
Don't roll up your eyes and groan at the mere mention of "class". Not all classes are as bad as those in your school and college were. In fact, a digital photography class promises bounties of fun and it is guaranteed that it will be one class of your lifetime, which you would not want to skip at any cost.
The soaring popularity of digital photography has seen digital photography schools springing up in almost every nook and cranny of your locality. So, which one to enroll to ensure your money's worth?
Any good digital photography school worth it's salt will offer intensive training and impart comprehensive knowledge in almost all the aspects of digital photography. And this also includes enlightening you on the internal mechanism of a digital camera. You can expect there will be no shortcuts either.
Your digital photography class will start out with an introductory session that will give you an overview of the camera setup and what digital photography is all about. You will be trained on the functions and settings of your camera so that after the completion of the course you will know your camera like the palm of your hand and will be better able to appreciate the scope of digital photography.
Being well versed in the parts and workings of a digital camera ensures that when you go to buy one for yourself, you can make the right choice.
Digital photography classes, as a principle, concentrate on teaching you the manual mode of photography. This is because the hallmark of a great photographer is definitely his skills in wielding control over how his photographs turn out. And wielding control entails that you do not let the camera decide when the flash should be used or being spot on with the focus and exposure settings without the intervention of the camera's in-built scene modes.
There are many digital photography classes that arrange field trips for its students. And you will surely agree that a hands-on experience in outdoor shooting is actually far more beneficial than a theory class. Besides, a few bouts of outdoor filming will also ensure that your lighting issues are sorted out. Thus, the nitty-gritty of lighting like using filters to tone down the tints of a photo taken in the harsh midday sun or the details of night photography are best appreciated when tried first hand.
A stint at a digital photography class will hone your photographic skills manifold times with in-depth training in composition and blending the rules of traditional photography with the digital photography mode. The fine points of filming in different settings and churning out optimum results should also be a part of the curriculum.
Digital photography classes are particular about details. Therefore, you will not be stopping at filming lessons only. You will be taken through the editing and processing of digital photographs too. You will be taught the ways and means of accessing the images stored in the camera's memory cards and the PC editing tweaks that will transform even the drabbest image into an enchanting piece of art. Besides, you will also be educated on how to compress the digital image files and have them uploaded on the Net.
There are hundred and one things that you can do with your digital images. Printing is definitely one of them. And you can be sure that your digital photography class instructor will teach you the fundamentals of getting digital prints.
A digital photography class is an excellent way of acquainting yourself with the 'ins' and 'outs' of digital photography. Attend one and flaunt your skills with the lens and the shutter.
About the Author:
Connie Fillmore is a successful writer and publisher of photography related issues, for more informative articles go to http://www.digitalphotographyguy.com
Read more articles by: Connie Fillmore
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=96536&ca=Arts+and+Crafts
Some Cool Printing Digital Photography Tips
Some Cool Printing Digital Photography Tips
Jay Moncliff
Keyword:printing digital photography Title: Some Cool Printing Digital Photography Tips Description: There are some simple things you can do to make your printing digital photography easier. Word count:
Some Cool Printing Digital Photography Tips
Are you having problems printing your photographs? The colors just do not appear to be the same when they come out of your printer than what you see no your screen. Well, You have finally mastered your digital camera, but now you are worried about the best technique to use in printing digital photography. There are several elements that influence your prints.
Printing digital photography requires that you have a little bit of knowledge about colors and different types of inks and papers you can use. Look at your printing manual, and check out the help section of your photo editing software. There are some great printing digital photography tips here.
One of the influencing elements in getting printing digital photography right is the color of both your photograph and the printing colors of your printer.
Elements that are easily fixed that affect your printing digital photography
* The inks that you use when printing digital photography can affect the type of photograph you get. Make sure you use quality photo inks when you print photographs.
* Use good quality photo paper when printing digital photography. There are several types of paper on the market today. You can get glossy, semi gloss and mat papers for digital photography needs.
If you use the above items, there really is no reason for your images to come out any differently then what you see on the screen.
Use A Laser Color printer
Laser color printers are not as expensive as they used to be and their color saturation is magnificent. You can pick up a color laser printer for about $300 now a days. This type of printer will do wonders with your digital photography and your art work
Try Using Specialized Papers for Printing Digital Photography
If you have some really astounding photographs then you might want to try some of the specialty papers for printing digital photography.
A great paper to try is Canvas paper. Canvas paper makes your photographs look like real works of art because of the texture they have. It makes your prints look very elegant and distinctive.
Besides when the colors are printed on this material the inks become long lasting and wont fade as they do with other papers. Canvas paper also resists humidity much better and can be used both indoors and out.
If you are going to do photo enlargements then you definitely want to use canvas paper as it will give you that high definition you want.
If you are not really interested in buying any more supplies or equipment, you can always take your digital photographs to a photo lab and have them print the photographs for you. Printers at a photo lab as specialized printers that have high quality color. Your pictures will come out great every time. These labs do not charge very much for printing out your photographs either, so this may be a viable option for you.
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Francisco Segura owns and operates http://www.digitalphotographyweb.com Digital Photography
