August’s Musings Mondays, Helpful Humpdays and Photo Tips Fridays

Portrait Photo Tip: Photogrpah portraits during the golden hour
After nearly a whole month of posting my regular Monday, Wednesday and Friday posts on my Facebook page, I’m pleased to say they seem to be really popular with everyone! So here’s my first round up of all the Musings Monday, Helpful Humpday and Photo Tips Friday posts in case you missed any. It also means that you can Pin these images if you wish (which of course you can’t do on Facebook – at least I don’t think you can).

Let me know if you’ve been following these posts and if you’ve found them interesting/useful – and if you have any ideas for future posts (Photo Tips Friday, for example) then mention that in your comment, too!



MUSINGS MONDAY

Attractiveness: Are today's 40+ women more attractive now than they were in their twenties?

Today’s 40+ Women:

Is it just the fashions that make so many 40+ women look better now than they did in their 20s? Are we misled by the dated hair and make up of the 1980s/90s… or do we simply embrace a more youthful look these days? More



The Anti-Bucket List: Things I've never done before

Things I’ve never done that it seems everyone else has – my “Anti Bucket List”:

1. I’ve never seen a Harry Potter movie


2. I’ve never been to a hen [bachelorette] party – didn’t even have one myself

3. I’ve never eaten a KFC

4. I never permed my hair in the 80s (I was the perfect age for it)

Celebrity Equations: 60% Olivia Palermo + 40% Julianne Moore = Sharon Tate

Celebrity equations

SMILE! Why do I think in my head I'm smiling for a photo, then the photographer says "smile"?!

SMILE!

Why in my head do I think I’m really, really smiling for a photo, then the photographer says “SMILE”?! I’m thinking that my face is looking more and more miserable as I’m getting older… does this happen to anyone else?



Stargazer lilies: Remove the pollen!

Stargazer lilies

They’re beautiful but the pollen is EVIL! Cut them off as soon as the flower opens or your clothes will get covered in pollen if you brush against them. Best way to get rid of pollen if you do get it on your clothes? Don’t touch it – carefully use a vacuum to suck it up.

PLUS they’re toxic to cats so don’t let your kitty near them! Read here > http://www.stargazerlilies.net




HELPFUL HUMPDAY

Social Media Tip: Use just ONE profile pic across all your platforms - use just one avatar

Use just one profile pic (avatar) across ALL your social media platforms:

People need to recognise you from one place to the next!

Using six different pictures will make you look like six different people – and harder to get to know.

Ideally choose a clear head shot with strong graphic colours and shapes.



A smile and visible eyes (no sunglasses) tend to be more welcoming.

Top, top tip: Register your chosen avatar on http://en.gravatar.com so wherever you login or comment it’ll be recognised and show your profile pic.


Blogging Tips: Create your own favicon and stand out from the crowd

Create your own Favicon

Want to create your own little Favicon (a tab icon) for your blog? It’s quick, easy and instantly makes your blog look more like a brand!

1. Go to a favicon generator, e.g. www.favicon.co.uk to create a 16×16 .ico file

2. In Blogger, go to the Layout option (see below for WordPress)

3. Click on ‘Edit’ in the Favicon box

4. Choose and save the .ico file you have just created… done!

DO NOTE that it can take a few hours to show up in Chrome – try clearing your cookies and cache on your browser. Your new favicon will show up in Bookmarks too which = instant branding! (Here’s a “how to” for WordPress blogs: https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-favicon/)

Tweetdeck: Why it's SO GOOD at helping you manage Twitter

Scheduling Tweets

It’s SO easy with Tweetdeck https://tweetdeck.twitter.com, a free social media dashboard application to manage your Twitter account(s). You can see columns of your favourite hashtags all at the same time, you’ll find Twitter chats easier and BEST OF ALL you can schedule Tweets – even with images. And lots more besides.






PHOTO TIPS FRIDAY

Instagram Photo Tip: Use wallpaper to create backgrounds for your accessories pictures

Instagram Photo Tip

Pictures of accessories or jewellery (or any small object) can be improved in 3 easy steps:

1. Take a large sheet of wallpaper or patterned paper that contrasts with or complements your object.


2. Lay the object down flat and photograph it from above (ensure you have lots of natural, diffused daylight).

3. In Instagram, crop the picture and add a filter… Ta-da!

Portrait Photo Tip: Photogrpah portraits during the golden hour

The Golden Hour

Photograph portraits during the golden hour (the hour before sunset or after sunrise) to get the softest, most flattering light. Wrinkles will disappear, skin will glow, and hair will look golden…!

Instagram Tips: Get create with your selfies

Get creative with your selfies:

– Experiment with layers upon layers of filters (top left)

– Take advantage of low sun and create solar flare (top right)


– Use black & white for a change and increase contrast (bottom right)

– Get creative with viewpoints, like lying on the floor (bottom left)



Photo Tip: Essentials required for everyday photography

Photography essentials:

1). Sunglasses – better than squinting in bright light

2). Spare charged camera battery

3). A UV or polarising filter on your lens also protects the lens from scratches


Catherine x

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17 Comments

  1. 2 September 2014 / 3:53 pm

    Yes, sometimes I face the same issue where my face gets more miserable as I get older. I'm trying my very best not to think much about it. Golden hours are my favourite time to take pictures too but lately our weather isn't too photography friendly so I'm hoping those golden hours would be back soon =)

    P.S. You've been nominated the Versatile Blogger Award on my blog. If you'd like to participate, do have a look at my recent post. If not, it's ok too =D

  2. 2 September 2014 / 6:53 am

    Wow!! This is one heck of a round-up, dearest Catherine…I don't even know where to start!! The "golden hour" is something that my hubby and I have been taking advantage of a lot, recently; I'm already dreading the many months of rain we have coming!! I DO think that many women in their 40's are more attractive now than they used to be…updated hair and makeup can make a huge difference!! And I always wanted to know how to do the favicon thing…gonna get on that asap!! Thank you, thank you!! XOXO

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com

    • 7 September 2014 / 10:31 pm

      I saw that you did it!! Well done you x

    • 30 August 2014 / 6:18 pm

      Oh gosh Carolina – what a compliment, thank you!!! But it proves that my tip about photographing in the golden hour is right – it must be flattering if you though that 🙂

    • 30 August 2014 / 6:17 pm

      That was my favourite selfie, JJ – it's got about 10 filters on it!

  3. 29 August 2014 / 10:53 pm

    Great tips, Catherine, thank you! Something I have never done, but hope to some day: own a dog! xoxo

    • 30 August 2014 / 6:17 pm

      I haven't worn it at all this year – I should dig it out, Tamara! Thanks hun x

  4. 29 August 2014 / 5:31 pm

    Thanks for sharing these great tips/advice Catherine :). I also can't believe you've never watched Harry Potter! 😉 xx

    • 30 August 2014 / 6:16 pm

      You're welcome, Donna! The HP thing is out of choice…!!

  5. 29 August 2014 / 5:21 pm

    There is nothing I like better than learning new things, and you are such a sourcer of knowledge and inspiration.
    Great help ALWAYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  6. 29 August 2014 / 3:13 pm

    Another tip for pollen from lilles is sellotape, just dab the are with a piece of taught tape, works wonders but best of all is remove them before they start to furr.
    I cant believe you've never watched Harry Potter!! xx

    • 30 August 2014 / 6:15 pm

      Oooh I never thought of sellotape for the pollen, Gail! Good tip. And the Harry Potter thing is out of choice, I avoid it like the plague 😉

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