How to make an everyday birthday cake evolve into a cool birthday cake!

Are you bored with the same birthday cakes year after year, do you envy your colleagues who come up with unique birthday cakes delivered to their loved ones every year. Well birthdays do come only once a year, and there is no harm in celebrating each birthday with a special touch. With various varieties available in the market you can never run out of ideas. But of course the best would be a homemade cake made with love, this also gives you the opportunity to go crazy with some wild ideas you can getter from various cake stores and online.

For example if you want to make your special someone have a royal celebration you can try out a cookie crown cake. With frosting and candy to add the rich look, you can be sure that the birthday celebrant is going to feel like a prince or princess on the special day.

Is the birthday boy or girl crazy over any specific animal or cartoon figure? Then why not turn the cake to resemble the same. Once you get the cake shape template, the rest is simple. After baking the cake to that template, you can use any colour frosting and different candies and cookies to get the desired look for the cake. This can even be done to resemble a large ice cream cone, or a favourite flower. This can even be done to resemble the trade they work in whether its a doctor still a student (maybe a book) or a writer (a large pen) you can create the cake in any shape you can set your mind on.

Photo cakes is the latest trend. With a simple square or circle baked cake, once a photo is pictured on top of the cake, nothing will make the cake more unique than that. Many bakeries simply scan the image and change it into an edible image on top of the cake. While you are at it why stick to one photograph? You can get many photographs merged together through photoshop or any image editing tool before you run off to the bakers. Through this method, you can show a history of details or a bunch of different friends all on the same cake top.

Let your mind run crazy set no limits as now anything you desire can be achieved in a cake to celebrate that special someones special day.

Camera Stabilizer Varizoom Flowpod

The VariZoom FlowPod has substantial advantages above ALL other handheld stabilizers and that is why more individuals are choosing the FlowPod. The FlowPod is the lone handheld stabilizer to offers 3 tools in one: Monopod mode, Stabilizer Mode and Low Mode.

The FlowPod and DSLRs – The FlowPod works with DSLR Still Cameras and the new DSLR Photography/Video Combination Cameras like the Canon Mark II.
The monopod mode has a noteworthy advantage over competing products since many stabilizers never get used due to the inconvenience and lost time in trying to set up and move from monopod to hand-held stabilizer and back. Video has been submitted to youtube for FlowPod Users. The FlowPod is a VariZoom patented product. This must not be confused with a STEADICAM Product. The FlowPod is simply available from VariZoom or VariZoom Dealers.

With the FlowPod’s built-in, patented monopod system, the operator can quickly collapse the monopod, return to stabilizer mode, and already be pre-balanced and ready to switch back and forth in seconds.

No other handheld offers the same low mode capabilities where the operator can micro-adjust the camera from the floor to waist level in seconds.

We have had FlowPod owners express regret that had not purchased the FlowPod in the beginning.
The unique balancing system is a straightforward but valuable tool that saves a lot of time by allowing you to quickly and accurately balance your camera in one attempt.

A superbly versatile DV camera stabilizer, the FlowPod can be used as a fluid handheld stabilizer, rock-solid monopod, or gliding low-mode tool. The FlowPod is used and recommended by filmmakers, wedding and event videographers worldwide

VariZoom introduces latest 3-in-1 DSLR camera stabilizer designed for video and still capture. VariZoom’s patented FlowPod system allows shooters complete benefits of monopod, low-mode mount, and stabilizer for video sequences. Correctly balance the camera one time for stabilizer mode, then shoot on monopod all day with the capability to instantly convert back and forth without added setup. In stabilizer mode, capture smooth, flowing-motion video sequences and quickly switch to monopod mode used for still shots. Ideal for wedding and event videographers wanting to get monopod stills and flowing-motion video on one support.

The patented FlowPod system allows shooters complete benefits of monopod, low-mode mount, and stabilizer for video sequences. Accurately balance your camera one time for stabilizer mode, then shoot on monopod all day with the ability to instantly convert back and forth with no additional setup. In stabilizer mode, capture smooth, flowing-motion video sequences and quickly switch to monopod mode for still shots. Ideal intended for wedding and event videographers wanting to acquire monopod stills and flowing-motion video on lone support.

The FlowPod stabilizer system, is Varizoom newest addition to the line of support gear for mini-DV videographers. This uniquely styled device is the generally versatile piece of support gear on the market. Designed to work seamlessly with or without a VariZoom control, the FlowPod merges the popular StealthPod monopod with this patent pending stabilizing system.

The unique multi-purpose handle features a telescoping pin that can either be locked inline for use as a monopod or unlocked to allow uninhibited suspended action shots. The slim design allows for ease of use in the tightest of shooting situations.

High quality aluminum construction.
Locking/Unlocking pivoting foam handle grip, for use as a monopod or as a stabilizing system.
make use of it with or without Varizoom’s zoom and focus controllers.
Optional Low Flow kit, allows for low-to-the-ground video shot, especially on moving things.
Ideal for camcorders with a payload of up to 8 lbs.

Definitely grab the FlowPod stabilizer, mount your camera and start recording. The FlowPod will offer you smooth footage, while walking, running or even going up and down stairs without any camera instability or shake.

How To Organise Your Photography Business

Juggling the day to day running of a photography business can take time & efforts on your part. This is the work which no one likes, paperwork, invoices, etc. Important thing is not to replicate and duplicate things, this takes up more time than we realise and lost time equals losing money. Every business (photography or not) needs to have a system in place. Keeping track of your contacts, equipment, jobs, sales, purchases, marketing, diary & products and a lot more.

Many photographers use a spreadsheet to run their business. Spreadsheets are fine if you want to crunch numbers and perform automatic calculations, create charts, ‘what if’ scenarios or keep track of simple list of data. However, you will end up entering the same values of information into multiple spreadsheets. This is not time efficient and you need to update different files if you are tracking related information in several spreadsheets. When you use a spreadsheet, viewing the set of data is not easy and quite often requires lots of scrolling to view it!!

Alternative to spreadsheets is a database management system which will simplify your work and allow you more time to do whatever you want, whether being behind the camera or with your family! A database will help you manage all your day to day business tasks with ease, answer questions and solve problems, link related data, view data in different ways and a lot lot more…

Here is what you need to do simplify your day to day tasks:

1. Keeping track of your contacts i.e leads, customers, suppliers,

2. Sending quotations and confirmations of bookings in a professionally laid out PDF format

3. Manage your work flow tasks / reminders for things to do on specific dates

4. Raising sales invoices / inputting purchase invoices

5. Linking expenses / purchases to jobs for precise cost analysis

6. Sending / creating delivery notes to clients

7. Sending remittance notes to suppliers for payment

8. Email marketing to get your message across

9. Keeping track of all your camera / lenses / software serial numbers

10. Mail merging and sending letters to clients & prospects

11. Creating reports to see your sales, purchases, expenses

12. Forecasting figures v actual figures

13. Keeping track of appointments with a diary

14. and a lot more…..

Can you imagine trying to do all the above with spreadsheets, you cannot. It is possible but you will end up replicating and duplicating things and is very time consuming. What you need is to get or create your own database which will speed up your administrative tasks. If you are good with programming, you can create simple databases, but this will be time-consuming for you or you can buy an off-the-shelf program which is made for photographers.

So if you are starting a new photography business or in need of getting organised. I recommend you get a database and see how it will transform your business.

Differences between Digital and Film Photography

Photography is a way of life for some and at least a part of life for everyone else. In this day and age, technological advances await us at every turn, and the field of photography is no exception. Cameras have gone digital, and the potential is astounding. The following will take a look at some of the differences in the old and new ways, and weigh them out as either pros or cons of digital photography.

Scientifically speaking, the differences between the two are enormous. With film photography, light traveling through the cameras lens is actually burning the images onto the film. With digital photography, the light of the images is being encoded as binary data and stored in memory as with a computer. These differences, while huge, can be unimportant to some though. No one is actually interested in the technical aspect of how the cameras work. The photographer is more interested in what it means to him in regard to the pictures he can take and what he can do with them.

One of the primary advantages of digital photography is versatility. Digital cameras can record not only the still images of film cameras, but also motion pictures and audio in some cases. While a film camera can be a specialized piece of equipment for taking still pictures, digital cameras can offer you an entire range of different equipment, all in the palm of your hand.

Digital cameras are also commonly found on other pieces of equipment. As technology advances, cellular telephones and MP3 music players now often have built-in cameras, which are always digital. This may offer some extra convenience to digital camera users, considering that they can decrease the overall number of devices that they must carry with them and use.

Printing your pictures is also very different from digital to film photography. In both cases, though, you have many options. Professional film photographers may develop their prints on their own, in their very own dark room. Amateur or casual film photographers may simply drop their film off at a one-hour photo place. With digital, your pictures are recorded as electronic data, so you can use your computer to print them. Or, if you prefer, you can still drop them off at a photo shop and have it done for you. So as far as printing goes, it seems it is up to you how deeply you want to dive in. Both film and digital offer you a range of options, from the hands-on to letting others do it for you.

So in the end, choosing between digital and film may mean considering the application. Hobbyists may stick to film, while technology buffs and burgeoning photographers will choose the brave new world of digital. Either way, it looks like both styles of photography are going to be around for awhile to come.

Sweet And Exquisite New Born Baby Photography

If you are interested in getting your babies clicked then choosing a professional photographer is always a good option. They are not only proficient in capturing the best images but have patience which is very necessary. Another advantage with professional photographers is that they have been working on such projects from a long time and are familiar with the extraordinary effects that can be given. So for marvelous new born baby photography, you can go for Stacie and Frank who are in to this business from a long time and know how to proceed with the work. Higher the experience better will be the quality of work.
Most of the parents like the pictures of babies in calendars or over the internet. They expect something like that so if you hire Stacie and Walter, you can be sure that the images will be fabulous and far better that you have come across over the internet. By taking their help you can surely demand for outstanding pictures that are cute, innocent and lovely. Different and exclusive poses make the new born baby photography better as well as highlighted. You will be surprised as the work quality is extremely great and fascinating too.
Rather than choosing the old locations, this couple looks forward for fresh ideas on new born baby photography. Every collection is different and just incomparable. A few light effects can form a beautiful addition. Apart from this, you can also choose some prominent poses for the babies. Cradles or baskets can be a good thought. Focusing on their small legs and hands can add charm to the collection. As they do not make much movement therefore still photographs or a black and white addition can be fantastic. So some of these ideas can be enriching and also be liked by their parents.
As babies do not like too much of lights hence the couple ensures that the photography sessions are fast. This will not create a problem for the baby and the work will be complete quickly. Not much time is wasted in planning as pre- preparations are done before hand so that the entire shoot is completed in one slot only. The new born baby photography is always refreshing because every baby ahs some unique features which make it special so even the photographers love to be a part of this work. So contact Stacie and Frank for enhanced pictures which are full of love and emotion.