Digital Artist’s Handbook

Self publishing has been around as long as there has been publishing. There has always been a niche for those who for any number of reasons can’t or don’t want to publish their media through third party channels. With the advent of the internet and technology, self publishing has become increasingly popular in recent years.

There are many different ways to self publish, including desktop, print (traditional media) and electronic publishing. Self publishers also have many reasons to employ alternative publishing methods to the traditionally accepted third party publisher. A desire to have something published and seen immediately is a popular example. It is also a new avenue media artists can explore in order to gain a better understanding of their craft through working through the different steps of publishing that they normally would not have contact with via traditional publishing.

Opportunities in self publishing vary widely. Media can be published to attract interest from traditional publishers, galleries, festivals, collectors and interested organizations. It can act as a sort of electronic calling card so that the media’s target audience can have a point of contact, examples of previous work and other information. Self publishing is also a popular method for those wanting to make a strong public statement.

By self publishing media electronically a new level of freedom and opportunity is provided for the artist. Traditional consumption and distribution models largely no longer apply in a world where information can be inexpensively published and disseminated instantly around the globe.

In times past, established publishers could largely slam the door on new ideas, but such limitations are all but gone as artists are more easily able to bypass traditional channels of publication. The downside to all this freedom is that the responsibility of actually getting media to the mass market is solely on the artist; additionally, ease of publishing has created a much larger number of artists in competition.

The internet, and it’s virtually infinite networking capabilities, is vital if you are to succeed in actually reaching significant numbers of your mass target audience. Using the tools mentioned in “Working with others”, networks can be built from scratch to encompass regional, national or international audiences. Further, the instantaneous nature of the internet provides a vehicle for the sort of rapid, quality feedback from peers and audiences that is lacking in more traditional publishing mediums.

By self publishing, the artist can maintain control over much more decision making as to the presentation and experience of the work. Without constraints imposed by third party publishers, it is possible to provide the work in exactly the form intended. Obviously, when the artist publishes the work directly, there is no additional input to alter the original work.

Self publishing is also much less expensive than traditional methods. By making use of new technologies such as Print On Demand publishing (POD), books can be printed in smaller numbers at an affordable price. POD prints books after receipt of the order, as opposed to the traditional method of pre-printing in mass-quantity.

While there is no denying that Photoshop can work wonders for photos that are taken at professional photo shoots, the role of a makeup artist is still vital to the success of any campaign. Every shoot should have an MUA, especially when you can find one for free.

Why an MUA is Crucial!

Take a look at some of the reasons why your photo shoot cannot go without a professional makeup artist.

• Cameras tend to clear away at least half of the coverage and makeup that a model wears, especially if it is not applied properly and of poor quality. However, if you have a makeup artist on hand, she typically knows some of the best products on the market and knows that caking on makeup isn’t the answer. Instead, she will take her time to provide more coverage and throw in some color that will make the model standout in every photo.
• Using Photoshop on all the imperfections of the skin, whether it is acne, dark circles or bags under the eyes, will take hours to do. An MUA can help to eliminate many of these marks that you want to hide.
• Models tend to enter into a photo shoot more comfortable and more confident when they have had their face ‘put on’ by a professional. Many think of it as an opportunity to get pampered and have their beauty truly stand out. You can certainly see the difference when comparing photos of women who did their own makeup versus those who had a professional apply theirs.

Getting an MUA

Part of the challenge that most face when searching for a photo shoot MUA is that they fail to realize that beauticians don’t do makeup and that not all makeup artists do hair either. However, if you can find one that does have experience in the other you can save yourself a whole lot of time. Take a look at some of the ways you can find an MUA.

1. Through MUA schools – Remember that students are always searching for experience for their portfolio, so this is a great place to start when looking for an MUA, especially one that is free.
2. Online – There are several online resources that can point you to talented MUAs. For instance, Model Mayhem allows you to search in your area for an MUA that has the experience and background you are looking for. It will even help you to find some that want to work for money, or simply want a copy of the photos taken to add to their portfolio.
3. Sales pros – Every so often you will find a company that has sales reps who are trained in makeup, such as Mary Kay. However, keep in mind that even though these reps aren’t allowed to charge, many of them are not makeup artists, so you have to be weary of which ones you work with.
4. Pay!! – If you want to avoid the headache and not think about the makeup on a shoot, then your best bet is to hire an experienced MUA for money. When you work with someone who knows what they are doing you don’t have to deal with mistakes and inexperience quite as often.

Now that you know why you need an MUA and how you can get one for your next shoot, start looking now!  Never underestimate the value of a great makeup artist.

As someone who is constantly interacting with make up artists and professional photographers, I am extremely mindful of my own appearance, in particular my skin. As someone who has had acne in my teenage years, I have been struggling with mild acne scars on my cheeks and forehead. Even though they have become less obvious with age, I’m still constantly trying to reduce their appearance. I recently came across a beauty product called the derma roller and I’m happy to report that my experience with it was quite positive. I detail my experience and my advice regarding this product in this post in case there are any of you out there who is thinking of trying this treatment.

Trying out a new beauty product can be quite confusing and daunting. Though making the decision to forge ahead is half the battle, that leaves the question of which product brand is best, both for its ease of use and budget-friendly price. To assist in making this decision regarding derma rolling, some tips and experiences have been detailed below.

At First Glance

At first glance, all derma rollers may appear to be the same; they all have a similar appearance, and are all created for the same purpose. Individuals who purchase an inexpensive roller ($15 or less) will quickly see that quality and quantity are closely related when it comes to derma rollers, as cheaper models may quickly lose needles or begin to rust.

Though this can be extremely discouraging, anyone finding themselves in this situation should give derma rolling a second chance and conduct some more in-depth research regarding different product brands and purposes. Because different models contain differently sized needles, with unique spacing and needle amounts, customers should always research the best brand and model for their needs.

A Peek into Microneedling’s Background

Upon closer inspection, potential customers will discover that the microneedling industry has a rather short, but interesting history. Although this technology was initially used exclusively by dermatologists in Germany, companies began to mass produce rollers to be offered to the public. Due to the high demand for derma rolling, however, the market became flooded with poorly-constructed imitation products, whose needles fall out and cause more harm than good.

Because there are so many poor examples of derma rolling companies, and so few great examples, consumers should do their homework before purchasing a roller. This includes identifying company origins and product materials to verify efficiency and quality.

A Quick Aside on Needle Length

Before beginning any research on brands, it is important to become familiar with needle length and what that means. Needle length should not exceed 1.5 mm for at-home microneedling application—both for safety purposes and to achieve the best possible results. Needles exceeding 1.5 mm are known to be far more painful during use, as they puncture the skin more deeply and are more apt to cause tearing. Longer needles are also capable of puncturing nerves or causing severe damage, and are best left to professionals or seasoned microneedle users.

Though it may be tempting to choose longer needles to speed results, longer needles may actually cause additional scarring. To avoid the potential drawbacks of microneedling, try to stick to using a roller containing needles of 1 to 1.5 mm.

On to Brands…

Two different derma needling brands are known for their quality and trustworthiness: Dr. Roller and New Spa. Each of these companies is regarded with respect among beauty production companies, and have an easily identifiable background and history.

Dr. Roller

Dr. Roller’s product is considered a high-quality derma roller, typically running customers approximately $40. This particular brand regularly receives high praise from users. Manufactured in South Korea, it is relatively inexpensive (as far as beauty treatments go), though it is well-constructed and extremely durable. Potential customers seeking a quality, less expensive derma roller, however, may want to keep looking.

New Spa

New Spa’s brand derma roller possesses high customer satisfaction ratings, and boasts a price point that is almost half of Dr. Roller’s budget model. Most customers saw a very real reduction in acne scarring after using this model. One customer, in particular, found New Spa’s roller to be an excellent beauty tool. After twice-per-week use for three months, this customer found a marked difference in acne scarring, including deep pitting. After 1 year of use (and 3 separate rollers, as suggested by the manufacturer), the customer discovered a 50-70% difference in overall scarring, rendering deep scarring almost invisible under a thin layer of makeup.

Conclusion and Tips

Though derma rolling can be unsettling, the process is made far easier by utilizing the information listed above, as well as the following tips:

• Always choose quality over price; a low price tag frequently means an ineffective roller.
• Do not use needles exceeding 1-1.5 mm in length, as these can cause scarring and other damage.
• Read as many user reviews as possible before choosing a roller that is right for you and your needs.
• When researching brands, pay attention to the reliability of the brand, including its manufacturing location, history, and longevity.
• You can also read more derma roller reviews (e.g. at Aquilah.com) where best derma rollers are compared. This will give you more confidence when making your purchase.

Using these tips and tricks, you should be on your way to a safe, effective derma rolling experience.

The demand for certified and competently trained phlebotomists has given rise to a large number of training programs around the United States. Owing to the nature of their work, it is important that a phlebotomist be trained well in various aspects of laboratory safety. As such, as they collect blood from patients, they will not put themselves (or their patients for that matter) at risk of infection. This is why it is important to evaluate different phlebotomy training programs before choosing the one which is most appropriate for your needs. Continue reading…

These days, the fashion hairstylist’s toolbox has expanded greatly from merely having hair sprays and hair dryers. Portable hairstyling tools is becoming a Big Thing in recent years. The convenience of styling hair at home and on the go has spawned a whole industry dealing with such hairstyling tools. The tools are styled after typical ones you would find in a hair and beauty salon but have extra design features which suit them for self use at home or on the go.

The most popular hairstyling tools include:

1. Hot air brushes
2. Flat irons
3. Curling irons and wands
4. Hair dryers

Hair Straightening Flat Irons

Hair straightening flat irons have come a long way since the days all you could expect was the regulation, ceramic hair straighteners. Today’s flat irons are designed to treat hair even as you straighten it such that at the end of it all, your hair strands not only look straight but bear a glossy sheen as well.

For people with smooth, long hair; the infused plate irons are the best choices. Most of the infused plate designs are made of ceramic material which, due to its porous nature, can retain some oils inside. The oil is transferred automatically to strands of hair when the hot iron is passed through. For the best results with your smooth long hair, look for infused plate irons which have anti-frizz serum and conditioning oils.

If your hair can be more accurately described as kinky, frizzy or coarse, the best straighteners are vapor straightening irons. These go a step further than infused plate irons by including a removable vaporizing cartridge which spreads moisture when the device is in use. The moisturizing action works well to make even the kinkiest of hair strands much lighter and remarkably longer than you would expect. Though vapor hair straighteners are much more costly than other brands, the results more than justify this dearer price tag. In-depth reviews of hair straighteners are easily available from sites like hairstraightenereviews.com

Hair Curling Wands

Every DIY hairstylist needs to have a hair curling wand or two stashed somewhere in the bathroom. Not only can these handy tools give your hair natural loose waves but with a little bit more effort they will produce amazing, tight spirals. As a matter of fact, you can also use a curling wand to straighten your hair if you are in a bind about what to use.

Before choosing a hair wand, consider several reviews and go for one which is most satisfactory according to the following criteria:

1. A curling wand should heat well enough and uniformly in order to adequately and naturally curl your hair
2. Does the hair curling wand have the right size of barrel to achieve the effects you want for your hair? In general, curling wands with thin barrels make for tighter curls while thicker ones result in more loose curls and waves.
3. Check and examine how easy the wand is to hold and use. This is an important criterion for DIY hair wands, more than you can say for wands meant for use in a hair salon.
4. Look for quality assurance guarantees on the packaging. The more ironclad the guarantees are, the more assured you can be that the wand will give you service for a long time.

This article focuses on open content licensing along with tenets governing it and questions we know it evokes, before weighing it against free licensing.

At the outset, let’s presume you intend to pass on part of your workload to others, for whatever reason. You could wish to introduce an element of fun in your work and observe the unpredictable outcome, perhaps following unanticipated twists and turns of events as matters progress. You could be part of a band who wishes to allow followers download songs you have sung, or a published scholar keen to follow the circulation of your works in various educational institutions. People have a plethora of reasons to create a work of art or cultural artifacts; such variety is proved by the manner in which they interact mutually.

Permission is required from me to ensure that unknown people, or others I don’t really care for, may freely replicate, alter and restructure my work. If I decline such permission, stringent copyright laws are invoked, which may severely constrict progress towards our proposed goal. I select and affix an open license to my output like Creative Commons; Free Art License where media content needs to be published, or a GPL General Public License when software needs to be published.

Unlike copyright viewed in totality, Free Licenses are no guarantee of my exclusive privileges in making the most of the object. They officially permit one and all, including me, to make full, free and maximal use thereof. Moreover, the license aids in guarding me against my innate desires: the risk filled untested application of constituents of personal bonds like faith, camaraderie, openheartedness and more, blindly taking them to be reliable indicators of sincere relationships.

Most European nations as well as the USA regard your output as copyrighted, unless specifically stipulated otherwise. Should you want to rework or distribute it, you will have to explain what your aim is. Others may wish to take your past work as their baseline and build upon or re-circulate it and cannot, therefore, afford your reworking it. In order to reassure them that you have no such intention, the best option is to select a license. Such a license will specify how, when and for how long you, its creator, will permit others to distribute, replicate or alter your work. It will also stipulate all conditions whereby you, as the new author to be, may utilize that output to create something afresh and list the effects of the manner of your release of the new creation.

Since open licenses aid in making most issues clear, they are best utilized if selected early when on the creative path. If you are considering a collaborative venture, or planning to build your effort on another person’s creation, it would be ideal to consider extant circumstances at the time of release of your work. In the former case, the right license puts each collaborator’s role in the task in the right perspective, clarifying individual expectations while describing how this project could be related to other works.

It is not unusual to find people who first think: “What do I stand to gain here and how do I maximize it?” Such people exploit all free material, yet keep results close to their chests. These predatory instincts can be forestalled by a license. Today’s open licenses are so worded that people have no choice but to share all consequent work produced under the given conditions and materials used.

An Open License

• Provides the public enhanced rights compared to those the author could traditionally offer. For instance, the writer may allow access to his output gratis; legally permit redistribution to set the base for derivative work.
• Clarifies and stipulates how a work can be used and prevailing conditions required.

In effect, an author may permit his work to be re-circulated gratis, limited to applications that are not commercial. Such permission automatically authorizes the applications stipulated. The open license takes the author out of the permission loop.

Free License

We have discussed only open licenses so far. You may have come across the term Free Licenses. Understanding the significant difference between the two is important. When the term ‘free’ is used, it has a dedicated meaning. Free software (some call it copyleft) must mandatorily provide the user:

• Freedom to analyze and employ the work.
• Freedom to replicate and pass the work around to others.
• Freedom to adapt or / and revise the work as required.
• Freedom to allocate adapted works, effectively pushing forward derivatives.

Free and open are thus independent terms, with political overtones and significant practical consequences.

Note: It is incumbent upon the license to make certain that authors of works that are derivatives may only share out these types of works under that very license or its equivalent.

It is amazing how much technology has progressed over the years, so much so that we almost can’t believe the things that we see before our very own eyes. Images are manipulated and altered to become completely different than what they are.

Initially, the beauty of photography was the fact that it was able to capture reality with precision and detail, better than any other form of art. It was for this reason that we became accustomed to trusting what we see in photographs to be an actual portrayal of reality.

Visual Fiction in Today’s World

Shortly after the advent of photography came the development of visual fiction. Think of visual fiction as a fictional story, which can quickly develop out of a once non-fictional, or true, story. So too can we change photographs from something that was once entirely true into a work of fiction.

A good example of visual fiction is the Cottingley Fairies famous photo. For years, viewers were led to believe that this photo was real; however it was ultimately found that this photo was actually a fake. But, because this photograph was so widely recognized and publicized, can we truly say that it matters that it wasn’t real?

The general public, in response to visual fiction, has now begun changing their visual approach to photography; especially because they know that literally anything can be changed in a given image. We have now begun to understand that taking a photograph is no longer a perfect replication of reality, but rather an interpretation of it.

Computers aren’t the only way that photographs can be altered, changing their interpretation. The photographers themselves interpret the images they see, which essentially eliminates the objectivity of the image. Not only do photographers use editorial judgments when they take the photograph, but their prejudices, philosophies, intentions and personal preferences all affect the final image that is captured.

When Does Visual Fiction Cross the Line?

Because we have come to somewhat accept visual fiction, we have to ask ourselves when does visual fiction cross the line into too much fiction? Is there any artistic integrity in photography anymore? The truth is that the ethics of photography are still important, but so too are aesthetics.

Some would argue that depending on the message to be shared, in some cases aesthetics will trump ethics. For instance, if there is a documentary aspect to a photograph, perhaps ethics and maintaining the integrity of the photo would be important. However, if highlighting beauty is the message to convey, perhaps alterations and aesthetics are warranted.

Think about it, if you take a picture of the Grand Canyon and highlight certain features to make the image stand out – is there really an issue since everyone knows what the Grand Canyon is? So long as the main feature of the image is recognizable, adjustments to a photo can be done, right?

But, if you are truly searching to create a piece of fictional photography then the amount of changes and alterations to your photograph shouldn’t be of question, so long as the motives of the photographer are clearly portrayed to viewers. Only when photographers present their work with the blatant desire to deceive should their professional and artistic integrity be called into question, as well as their ethics.

Most homeowners out there from time to time have wrestled with the idea of whether or not to install a home security system. Truth be told it is a very good idea and one that you should not overlook. And over time there have been debates as to which way to have the installation happen is the best idea. There is the do-it-yourself kind and than there is the choice to hire a professional.

Both have their merits. I mean doing it yourself will save you money and time. And hiring a professional will ensure that the job will get done properly. So which is the best way to go?

A do-it-yourself home security system is pretty easy to explain. You buy the security system package and you do all of the installation yourself. And depending on which system you buy you may not need that much technical knowledge. Wireless security systems are the easiest to do. They are simple burglar alarms that don’t really take that much effort to install. You will not need to use an mounts or security pads. And the coolest thing is that they are completely wireless. You won’t even need your tools. This you can set up in minutes, you won’t need several hours to do it.

The do-it-yourself security systems are that simple. But there are a few things to keep in mind. One being that you need to make sure that the system is set up properly If it’s not than it will not work the way it’s supposed to. So you need to keep that in mind when you are doing things yourself. Plus intruders are getting much smarter these days. And they know where your place of residence is most vulnerable. So with this they can skate by any cheap system and still get into to your home.

If you were to hire a professional they will know what you need and where to put it. Plus a professional will be able to install the system securely and properly. They will have teams coming in to hook you up with the latest gadgets and other valuable protection devices that your home might need. A professional will also hook you up with protection that is good quality and not some cheap system that sells retail on the market.

The only other difference with customers who buy the DIY systems is that they are concerned each day if they have enough protection. If a professional were to do it, yeah it would be more expensive, but you would sleep better knowing that you are completely secure.

One thing that cannot be prevented in life is aging, but although you cannot stop the aging process you can use some methods to slow visible aging. The appearance of our skin has a lot to say about our age. One of the most important things to any person and especially women is the body appearance. The natural process of aging is controlled by genes, but external factors like exposure to ultraviolet (UV)rays from the sun can speed up the process of aging. Exposure to the sun has effects on the skin and can result in changes in the way you appear.

One way of slowing visible aging is by the use of sunscreens. Numerous studies that have been done to compare people who use sun screens and those who do not and have proved that use of this products can help a lot to preserve the appearance of your skin and also slow down the aging process. It is recommended to wear sun screen every day to reap maximum benefits.If don’t ensure that you avoid direct exposure to the sun. Another helpful practice is to avoid exposure to sun rays between 10 am and 4pm when the is very hot and the UV rays are at peak levels. The use of sunscreens is also helpful in prevention of skin cancer.

Another way that you can use to slow down visible aging is by eating the right foods. Foods that contain high levels of antioxidants are the best to use. Antioxidants help to eliminate toxins and free radicals from the body. Accumulation of toxins and free radicals in the body speed up the process of aging. They also lower the body’s immunity and expose an individual to infections. Fruits and vegetable are among the foods that have high levels of antioxidants. Ensure that you limit your sugar intake and take adequate water. Water is very important in the elimination of body wastes including toxins.

A diet that has adequate fruits and vegetables in addition to taking a lot of water is effective in detoxification. Antioxidants also help fight cancer and other infections. Flavonoids, vitamin E, A and C ,beta-carotene and selenium are some of the most common antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables that are orange in color like carrots contain beta-carotene and are therefore rich in antioxidants. The same applies for berries like the blueberries. Apples and beans especially the red beans are other foods that are high in antioxidants.

Stretch marks are mostly associated with sudden changes in body size. Natural body processes that are associated with sudden changes in body size include pregnancy and puberty. Sudden weight gain is also another major cause of stretch marks. They occur mostly around the abdomen, hips and thighs. Stretch marks affect both genders and are notorious for compromising the beauty of a person’s skin. Not every one that has stretch marks experienced sudden changes in their weight; it is unfortunate that stretch marks are a genetic thing. Getting rid of stretch marks is the dream of everyone but it is not an easy task. Health experts advise on a number of stretch mark removal methods that aid in the process of getting rid of stretch marks by preventing their formation as well as camouflage already existing ones.

Moisturizers are known to take care of the skin by keeping it hydrated. Stretch marks are known to occur when the skin is brittle and resistant to stretching. Regular application of moisturizers be it herbal or cocoa butter formulas is considered the most reliable way of ensuring the skin is hydrated. A well hydrated skin has a greater stretching limit than a dry skin since it becomes more pliant and develops a plastic like characteristic. The acquired elasticity is known to prevent appearance of stretch marks since it renders the skin resistant to tears. For best results, it is advisable that you moisturize your body around four times a day. When used on already existing stretch marks, moisturizers are known to improve their appearance. A combination of wheat germ oil, olive oil and aloe vera is considered the perfect homemade moisturizer safe for all skin types since it is made from natural products.

Another stretch mark removal method is through the use of products that contain retin A or creams that contain retinoic acid. Retin is known to boost the production of collagen which in turn aids the skin in the process of stretching. Further, retin is known to prevent the skin from tears during its stretching process. Products that contain retin are controlled substances and it is thus advisable that you use them as prescribed by the physician and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Glycolic acid also removes stretch marks by stimulating the production of collagen which in turn improves the elasticity of the skin. This product gets rid of already existing stretch marks as well as prevents the formation of new stretch marks.

Regardless of the stretch mark removal method you choose, always put in mind that fresh stretch marks are easier to manage than old stretch marks.