Shutter Speeds and Social Feeds: The Artistic Differences Between Photographers and Content Creators

Photographers and content creators are two professions that mentioned daily are seems or are often considered closely related and often used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences and few similarities that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the differences and similarities between photographers and content creators and their respective roles in the creative industry.

Photography is a profession that involves capturing and creating still images using a camera. Photographers are artists that use their technical skills and creativity to capture moments and emotions that are conveyed through their images. They often specialize in a particular genre of photography such as portraiture, landscape, fashion, or photojournalism.

On the other hand, content creation is a broader term that encompasses various creative mediums such as photography, videography, graphic design, and writing. Content creators use their creative skills to produce engaging and informative content for various platforms, including social media, blogs, and websites. They may work independently or as part of a team to create content that meets the needs and interests of their audience.

One of the primary differences between photographers and content creators is their focus. Photographers typically focus solely on creating still images, whereas content creators may use various mediums to create content that tells a story or conveys a message. Additionally, photographers often work in a specific genre of photography, while content creators may work across various mediums and genres.

Another difference between the two professions is their scope of work. Photographers often work on specific projects or assignments, such as weddings, fashion shoots, or magazine editorials. Content creators, on the other hand, may work on ongoing projects such as social media campaigns or blog posts, producing content on a regular basis to keep their audience engaged.

Despite these differences, there are also some similarities between photographers and content creators. Both require a high level of creativity and technical skills to produce quality work. They both also require an understanding of the target audience and how to effectively communicate through their chosen medium.

In addition, both professions require attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure. Photographers and content creators must be able to take direction from clients or collaborators and adapt their work to meet specific requirements.

A photographer is generally considered an artist because they use their technical skills and creativity to capture and express a moment or an idea through the medium of photography. They make artistic choices about composition, lighting, colour, and subject matter, and often use their photographs to tell a story, evoke an emotion, or convey a message.

In contrast, a content creator is typically more of an executor of ideas and promotions. While they may also use technical skills to produce content, their primary focus is on creating content that will engage an audience and promote a brand or product. Content creators may use a variety of media, such as video, social media, or blog posts, to create content that is visually appealing and shareable, but their main goal is often to increase visibility and generate revenue for their brand or clients.

Of course, there can be overlap between these roles, and many photographers also create content for promotional purposes, while some content creators may have a more artistic approach to their work. However, in general, the distinction between a photographer as an artist and a content creator as an executor of ideas and promotions lies in the focus and purpose of their work.

In today's age and conditions, there is no clear answer as to whether it is better to be a photographer or a content creator. With the rise of social media and the increasing demand for high-quality visual content, both professions have become increasingly important and relevant.

However, there are some trends that suggest that being a content creator may be more advantageous in today's digital age. For one, content creators have the ability to produce content across various mediums, including photography, videography, graphic design, and writing. This versatility allows them to reach a wider audience and create more engaging and dynamic content.

Moreover, content creators are often able to monetize their work more effectively than photographers. With the rise of influencer marketing and sponsored content, content creators can earn a significant income through brand partnerships and collaborations. In contrast, photographers often rely on commissioned work or selling prints to earn a living.

That being said, there are still many advantages to being a photographer. Photography remains an essential and highly valued art form, and photographers are often able to charge premium prices for their work. Additionally, photographers who specialize in a specific genre, such as fashion or product photography, may have a more defined niche and be able to establish themselves as experts in their field.

It's also worth noting that many photographers are now expanding their skillset and becoming content creators themselves. By embracing various mediums and platforms, photographers can diversify their portfolio and reach new audiences.

Ultimately, whether it's better to be a photographer or a content creator depends on individual interests, skills, and goals. Both professions require creativity, technical skill, and an understanding of the target audience, so it's possible to combine the two and become a successful hybrid creator.

In conclusion, while there are some advantages to being a content creator in today's digital age, there are still many benefits to being a photographer. The key is to stay adaptable and embrace new technologies and mediums as they emerge, in order to stay relevant and competitive in the ever-evolving creative industry.

Tips for Building Successful Partnerships on Social Media

Over time I have established interesting partnerships with important companies like Ikea, Range Rover, Tesla, Relais & Chateaux, several five-star hotels and top restaurants to mention some, and I am often asked what my “secret” is ….. so I decided to write a short post!.

As social media becomes an increasingly vital aspect of modern business, many companies are seeking partnerships with social media influencers and agencies to help them promote their brand and reach new audiences. If you want to secure interesting partnerships and contracts representing successful companies on social media, consider the following advice:

Define Your Market Position and Brand

Before attracting partnerships and contracts with thriving businesses, you must have a firm grasp of your niche and brand identity. What distinguishes you from other social media influencers and firms? Which subjects or industries are you most enthusiastic about? What values do you want to associate with your brand? By defining your niche and brand identity, you can generate a compelling value proposition to attract social media partner-seeking businesses.

Develop a Powerful Social Media Presence

You must have a robust social media presence to attract partnerships and contracts with prosperous businesses. This involves building a following on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and producing content that resonates with your target audience. Be consistent with your social media posts, interact with your followers, and demonstrate your expertise and personality. A strong social media presence will increase your appeal to businesses seeking social media partners.

Investigate and Identify Possible Partners

Once you have a solid social media presence and a clear understanding of your niche and brand identity, you can begin researching and identifying potential partners. Consider companies that share your values and interests and a similar target market. Introduce yourself and your company to them via email, social media, or a shared connection. Be sure to emphasise what you can offer and how you can help them achieve their marketing objectives.

Create a Compelling Proposal

When pitching your services to potential partners, it is essential to create a persuasive proposal that demonstrates your expertise and value. This should include information regarding your audience's demographics, engagement rates, and previous partnerships and campaigns. Be specific about how you can assist the organisation in achieving its marketing objectives, and provide examples of how you have done so in the past. A well-written proposal can help you differentiate yourself from other social media partners and increase your chances of securing a contract.

Develop Solid Relationships

In order to secure lucrative partnerships and contracts representing successful companies on social media, developing strong relationships with your partners is essential. This includes being responsive to their needs, delivering on your promises, and communicating openly and transparently. Consider your alliances long-term relationships, and focus on establishing trust and adding value over time. Thus, you can establish yourself as a valuable social media partner and attract future opportunities that are even more exciting.

In conclusion, securing interesting partnerships and contracts on social media while representing successful businesses requires a combination of strategic planning, strong execution, and relationship-building skills. You can increase your chances of success and attract even more exciting opportunities by defining your niche and brand identity, establishing a solid social media presence, researching and identifying potential partners, developing a compelling proposal, and fostering strong relationships with your partners.

The Timeless Appeal of Photographs: Exploring Their Lifespan and Preservation

I was chatting and joking with an Italian friend and colleague today when he said. “Le fotografie non hanno data di scadenza!” (Photographs do not have an expiry date)….. and it made me think…so here is my take!

Photographs are often considered to be timeless, as they capture a moment in time that can be preserved and viewed for many years to come. However, photos do have a shelf life, and their longevity can depend on a variety of factors.

The lifespan of a photograph can be influenced by the quality of the materials used to produce it. Photos printed on low-quality paper, for example, may deteriorate over time and become discolored or faded. Similarly, photos printed with inkjet printers may not last as long as those printed with traditional photographic processes like silver halide printing.

Environmental factors can also impact the lifespan of a photograph. Exposure to light, heat, and humidity can cause photographs to degrade over time. For example, storing photographs in a damp basement or attic can lead to mold growth and damage to the image. Similarly, displaying photographs in direct sunlight can cause fading and discoloration.

Finally, the format in which a photograph is stored can also impact its longevity. Digital photos can be easily backed up and stored in multiple locations, which can help ensure their preservation. However, digital storage formats can become outdated over time, making it difficult to access older photos. In contrast, printed photographs can be physically damaged or lost, but they can also be more easily accessed and enjoyed.

In conclusion, while photographs may be considered timeless in the sense that they capture a moment in time that can be preserved for generations, their longevity is not guaranteed. The quality of the materials used to produce them, environmental factors, and the storage format can all impact the lifespan of a photograph. Therefore, it is important to take steps to properly store and protect photographs to ensure their preservation for years to come.

Vero True Social: The Good..The Bad and the Ugly!

For the past six months I dedicated most of my Social Media Time to Vero True Social. I have been on this platform since 2018 but never spent much time on it and decided I had to concentrate and give it a real try!

I love the design; I think it has excellent vibes; I think the owner/ founder is great and I like is philosophy…..so I really wanted to make it work for me.

I really needed a new social media home!

Certainly, as a journalist, I found that Vero True Social had some unique features, such as the ability to sort posts into different categories and the "collections" feature which allowed me to group together related content. These features made it easier to organize my content and showcase my work in a more visually appealing way.

However, I also found that the platform had a high turnover rate of accounts opening and closing. This was frustrating because it made it difficult to establish a stable network of followers. As soon as I started to gain traction and gain followers, some of them would close their accounts, which meant that I would have to start from scratch again.

In addition, I found that the rate of followers and engagements on Vero True Social was relatively low compared to other social media platforms. This made gaining visibility for my content and attracting a large audience difficult.

Finally, the lack of analytics on the platform was a significant drawback for me. I rely heavily on data to inform my work, and the absence of this feature made it difficult to understand my audience and measure the success of my content. Without analytics, I could not know which posts were performing well and which were not, making it difficult to optimize my content and reach a wider audience.

While Vero True Social had some unique features, the high turnover rate of accounts, low engagement rates, and absence of analytics ultimately made it an unsustainable platform for me. As such, I've decided to focus my efforts on other social media platforms that provide a more stable and engaging environment for me to connect with my audience and share my work.

Prešeren Day 8th February

France Prešeren (1800-1849) was a Slovenian poet, considered the greatest poet and a cultural icon of Slovenian identity. He is widely regarded as the father of Slovenian poetry and a symbol of Slovenian cultural and national revival.

Born in the small town of Vrba, Prešeren showed a talent for language and poetry from an early age. He studied law in Vienna and later worked as a lawyer in Ljubljana. Despite his successful career, Prešeren devoted much of his time to writing poetry. His work reflects a deep appreciation for nature, a passion for freedom and a love of country.

Prešeren's most famous work is a collection of sonnets called "The Trilogy of Love," which includes the poems "A Toast," "The Tears of the Prodigal," and "The Matches." These poems express the poet's love for a woman named Julija, and his disappointment and heartbreak when she marries another man. Despite this, Prešeren continued to write beautiful and powerful poems that capture the essence of love and human emotion.

In addition to his love poetry, Prešeren also wrote political poems that reflected the Slovenian people's desire for independence and freedom. He strongly supported the idea of a unified Slovenia, and his poems inspired the Slovenian people to fight for their rights and their country.

Prešeren's legacy continues to live on in Slovenia, and he is celebrated every year on the 8th of February as "Prešeren Day," a national holiday in Slovenia. His poems have been translated into numerous languages and his impact on Slovenian literature and culture cannot be overstated. He remains an important figure in Slovenian history and a source of national pride for the Slovenian people.

In conclusion, France Prešeren was a visionary poet whose works captured the essence of love, freedom, and national identity. He remains an inspiration to all Slovenians and a symbol of their cultural heritage.

In Ljubljana there's the Preseren Monument with Preseren statue looking across the square towards his girlfriend's balcony. Sitting on the monument gives you a perfect view!

Farewell to the PhotoZines

I fell in love with photozines over two decades ago. I recall how much fun it was to flip through the pages of Back Issue the first time I saw one. I admired the photos' originality and creativity.

I liked it because, as a photographer, I saw it as a bridge between an idea and a finished book, as well as a very democratic way to show your images at a low cost.

We decided to say goodbye to the printing of photozine and concentrate on books. We are no longer accepting orders for photo zines. This is because we want to focus on better quality, so the book is the only possibility. We want to thank all the people who supported us during this time. It was a hard decision, but we’re proud of what we achieved with photo zine and thankful to everyone who helped us along the way.

Ljubljana in Monochrome Exhibition

Ljubljana in Monochrome Exhibition. opening in Krizevniska, Ljubljana

December 23rd at 6pm

My Photozine is for sale here https://www.msecchi.com/photo-zines/ljubljana-in-monochrome

Madonna della Salute

The Madonna della Salute is the most heartfelt holiday for the Venetians, celebrated every year on November 21st. It honours the ex-voto made by doge Contarini in 1630. At that time, the Plague had already killed a quarter of the city population.

A temporary votive bridge is set up across the Grand Canal so celebrants can cross the water from Giglio to a lane near the Salute. Thousands of locals crowd into the small streets leading up to the church and line the bridge as they watch the procession carrying the statue of the Virgin Mary through town.

The genesis of the celebrations dates back to the beginning of the 17th century when an epidemic plague swept through the lagoon city of Venice. Hundreds of people died every day. The governor at the time,

Francesco Morosini, was so alarmed by the situation that he gathered the people of Venice around him and asked what they would do to stop the disease from spreading further. The response he received was an overwhelming plea for a miracle.

Morosini promised that if they prayed to Our Lady of Health to heal the sick and stop the spread of the disease, he would build a church in her honour as a symbol of gratitude. Over the next few months, the funds to build the church were collected and the plans were drawn up. The church was officially named Santa Maria della Salute and was inaugurated on Christmas Day 1631.

Since then, hundreds of Venetians have gone to the Salute church yearly to light a candle and say thanks. It is a very beloved tradition, luckily not touristy.

Why Winter Is the Best Time to Visit Venice

The magical city of canals and bridges will come to life at nighttime with the illumination of the bridges and boats all dressed up in colourful lights & lanterns. At this time of year, you can also enjoy a romantic stroll along the banks of the canal as you enjoy breathtaking views of the Grand Canal.

There are fewer tourists at this time of year as the summer crowds have left, and the restaurants and shops are less crowded.

You will get a much more authentic experience of the city, especially if you're planning on visiting one of the museums and sights, as they generally have fewer visitors during the winter months. It is also cheaper and more convenient to find accommodation as it is off-season and many hotels are much cheaper during this time.

The city becomes even more romantic at night with live music from the cafes and small bars.

The weather during winter in Venice will be a bit cold (average temperature of 38°F (3°C) in January and 41°F in February), but visiting Venice in winter is quite enjoyable. Always keep yourself warm and dry during your stay in Venice.

Winter in Venice is generally between December to February, but months such as November and March can feel wintery in Venice as well. Winter in Venice means Christmas decorations and Carnival, a foggy fairy-tale world, and the occurrence of snow and lesser crowds to fight. The skies are clearer, which means you can see beautiful sunsets over the canal.

Venice is also beautifully decorated in winter, with beautiful Christmas lights and decorations throughout the city. Some many shops and cafés are open year-round, where you can relax and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.

A visit to Venice during the winter can be very relaxing and enjoyable as you don't get as many tourists, and it can be very easy to escape the tourist areas and explore parts of the city that are usually closed to the public in summer

Quitting Amazon KDP

I recently published a book on Amazon KDP that is now blocked for copyright. The photozine is a collection of aprox 30 images of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Images that I have taken during the years.

This is although I am the sole photographer of all the images and of course, I do own the copyright. Worst service ever! I am just about to give up on this project because I don't want to go through this hell again and waste all my time on this madness.

I never had a problem with any of the pictures before on Amazon KDP. I have sold several books of my work on Amazon. No one had ever complained about the pictures in those books either.

What happened? I have no idea. I have made several requests to explain the reasoning of the decision, but no one from Amazon has responded. I have sent to them all the info they may need showing them that these are my images, I have sent the cuts from newspapers and websites where they show I was the photographer.

The score is that the book is not available on Amazon anymore but you can buy a much better quality on my website and is here or on Etsy and is here

During the next few weeks, I will remove all my books from Amazon and sell them only on my website and Etsy

Concentrating on Flipboard and Vero

Social Media

A few months ago, I made a major change to my social media strategy. I stopped actively using Instagram and Facebook, automatically posting only and concentrating on Flipboard and Vero.

I initially decided to abandon Instagram and Facebook because I felt like their platforms were too saturated. Many of the people I followed were posting content that didn't appeal to me, and hadn't posted in weeks or even months. As a result, I wasn't getting much value from the platform. So, I decided to try out some new platforms and focus on the ones I thought would better fit my brand and audience.

I'm pretty happy with my decision to switch things up. My engagement on these platforms has increased substantially, and my follower count has also grown. Now I feel like my social media strategy is more focused on what I want to achieve as a business, resulting in more meaningful connections with my followers and increased revenue for my business.

I used to post many photos on Instagram and Facebook, but my posts got lost in the shuffle. I spent more time creating engaging and exciting posts than growing my business and connecting with my customers.

The Instagram algorithm made it challenging to follow friends' content unless you paid for it or followed many accounts, which meant that many people weren't seeing my updates or following me on the platform. At first, this was a bit of a disappointment for me. But over time, I realized that I could focus my attention and energy elsewhere - like on other platforms where I knew people would see my content and give me valuable feedback.

I found Flipboard a great app to promote my blog and posts, curate exciting content, and reach a wider audience. The app is easy to use and free, which made it appealing to me as a small business owner with a limited marketing budget. I got excellent results when I used the platform to grow my brand.

Vero the Social Video Platform, was created by Ayman Hariri, and is a no spam no algorithm one so hopefully at least at present no “Instagram risk”

Engagement is more than counting your views or followers. It's about measuring the interactions that your audience makes with your content!

You can follow me on

FLIPBOARD https://flipboard.com/@msecchi

VERO https://vero.co/marcosecchi

Elizabeth

The Queen is one of the world's most iconic and well-known figures. She has been the monarch of England for over sixty years, and during that time, she has seen many changes.

These are my favourite images of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,

Colour Photozine on Amazon with 90gr Paper

You can find it now on our website here: Elizabeth or ETSY. both 150gr Paper

`

Queen Elizabeth II - Portraits

Few of my portraits of HM Queen Elizabeth II

Photographing Fall Foliage

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year and photographing it can be a joy. There are so many different types of fall foliage to photograph, and the best place to find it is often just around the corner. Here are just a few ideas to get you started on your autumn photography journey.

Where is the best place to photograph fall foliage?

The best places to photograph fall foliage are always nearby (usually only a few miles) from where you live. The further you travel to get to a park or scenic location, the less likely you are to get great shots – especially if you're on a family vacation or other vacation.

A popular place to photograph fall foliage is The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, England. It contains plenty of woodlands and has views of the surrounding hills. Another good option is Joppa Flats in Maryland, which is surrounded by picturesque woodlands and farms. Try visiting these locations during golden hour for the best light conditions.

Brown also suggests visiting nearby small towns that have more scenic overlooks and are less crowded. Some of my favorites are Stone Mountain in Georgia and Pawtuckaway State Park in New Hampshire. Stone Mountain has a large, rocky outcropping covered in trees that gives a great view of the surrounding area. Pawtuckaway State Park has lots of open fields for fall foliage photos.

Another great idea for photographing fall foliage is to get off the beaten path and visit an out of the way park or local hiking trail. These places often have better views than popular spots like parks and trails in cities and other tourist destinations. Brown also suggests getting low and close to your foreground subjects. This can give your pictures a unique perspective and create a stronger composition. Make sure you watch out for distracting elements in the background when shooting. For example, if your subject is a tree, make sure there aren't other trees behind it taking up space in the frame.

"Show the subject in its environment."

Many photographers make the mistake of composing their shots in such a way that nothing interesting appears in the photo except the subject itself. A good example of this is the classic portrait of a person sitting in front of a beautiful mountain scene. When looking at this photo, all you can see are the person and the mountain, with nothing particularly interesting in the foreground. Brown suggests pointing the camera down slightly so that the subject is framed by the environment. This can make your photos more interesting and help draw attention to the subject.

Best camera setting to capture autumn foliage is Aperture Priority mode on a DSLR camera. This allows you to set your camera's aperture based on the type of shot you want to create and the lighting conditions in your scene. For example, Anne McKinnell suggests setting your camera to Aperture Priority mode, selecting an aperture of f/8 and a shutter speed of 1/500th second in bright lighting situations. This combination allows you to blur out the background and create an image with strong contrast between the subject and its background.

References

1. 10 Tips for Shooting Autumn Foliage (https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/tips-and-techniques/10-tips-for-shooting-autumn-foliage.html)

2. Photographing Fall Foliage: Prediction Maps, Locations, & Tips (https://enviragallery.com/photograph-fall-foliage/)

3. The 20 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the United States (https://www.marthastewart.com/2123839/best-destinations-fall-foliage-united-states)

4. Stone Mountain Park (https://discoveratlanta.com/things-to-do/outdoors/stone-mountain-park/)

5. 15 Tips for Photographing Fall Colors (https://www.maxfosterphotography.com/gallery/tips-for-photographing-fall-colors/)

6. How To Take Better Vacation Photos: 15 Composition Tips (https://www.travelawaits.com/2687170/how-to-take-better-vacation-pictures/)

7. Get Low and Aim High – How to Use Low-Angle Photography to Great Effect (https://digital-photography-school.com/get-low-and-aim-high-how-to-use-low-angle-photography-to-great-effect/)

8. Photographing Fall Foliage (https://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-fall-foliage/)

Reasons why I left Instagram for Flipboard and Vero

Instagram has been a huge part of my life for the past 10 or more years. I've been using it to capture moments and connect with friends and family. But recently, their changes have made it difficult for me to use the app how I want. So I decided to move over to another app called Vero, which offers more control and privacy than Instagram. It's also much more aesthetically pleasing. Plus, I like the fact that it now allows me to have multiple "stories" per day instead of just one. Now I can post photos, videos, articles, and even music! I also enjoy the fact that I can follow other accounts on Vero as well. Finally, I found an app that lets me share the things I'm passionate about without feeling like it's taking over my life!

When I signed up for an Instagram a long. I never thought it would one day become my main source of entertainment and information. It has allowed me to connect with others who share similar interests, but it's also introduced me to many new things that I would have never known about otherwise. It has allowed me to see the world through someone else's eyes, which is something I've never been able to do before.

But all of that is changing now thanks to recent changes to Instagram's policies. These have made it difficult for me to express my opinions and connect with people how I want to.

Endless algorithm updates, favouring short form over long-form content, constant changes to the interface, and increasing pressure to lean into short-form video content -
Long story short is I’m TIRED of it.

And now that I've discovered another app that allows me to post what I want without censoring my content, it feels like a breath of fresh air. I'm much happier now that I'm using Vero instead of Instagram!

You can find me here https://vero.co/marcosecchi

I am also dedicating more time to Flipboard that I have been using for quite a few years and that I love and find brilliant

Flipboard is a unique social networking app that allows users to combine content from various sources into personalised magazines. The app is incredibly user-friendly and offers a variety of features that make it an ideal platform for staying up to-date on current events and staying informed on topics of interest. Here are four reasons why I love using Flipboard (in no particular order):

1. Access content from a wide variety of sources - Flipboard has partnerships with thousands of publishers and news organizations, allowing its users to access articles from virtually any source they choose. This includes traditional media outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, Fox News, etc., as well as popular blogs and websites such as ESPN, the Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, and Reddit. And because the app is cloud-based, you can access your content from virtually anywhere at any time.

2. Easily access the content you care about - In addition to accessing content from a wide variety of sources, Flipboard allows you to organize your articles based on various categories. This way, you can quickly access all of the articles that interest you without browsing through many irrelevant articles and ads. This allows you to tailor your experience to suit your specific needs and interests.

3. Follow interesting people and read their content - Because you can follow interesting people and subscribe to their publications, Flipboard makes it easy to stay up to date on their favourite topics and posts. You can scan your newsfeed for headlines that pique your interest and click through to read the full article when you find something you like. This saves you time and effort compared to reading countless news articles to find something that catches your eye.

4. Share your reading experience with your community - Flipboard has a social component that allows you to share your reading experiences with other community members. For example, you can post links to your favourite articles and share them with your friends and family on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Similarly, you can comment on other people's posts and share your thoughts on topics that interest you. This provides an excellent opportunity to connect with other like-minded people and share your opinions with others who are interested in the same issues as you are. This enables you to expand your social circle and engage with other members of the community who share the same interests as you.

You can find me here https://flipboard.com/@msecchi

Acqua di San Giovanni

This is my acqua di San Giovanni (water of Saint John) made on the night between the 23rd and 24th of June.

The name Saint John is applied as the saint’s day is June 24, but the occasion is ancient, pre-Christian may be Celtic. The tradition is based on the observation of the summer solstice, and the belief that plants at that time hold their greatest energy and fecundity. These elements are thought to be charged with powerful protective powers that will ward off any ill spirits and misadventure.

At sunset on the evening of June 23, tradition says that you must wander the fields and gather up wildflowers, many herbs, grasses, plants aplenty, and of every sort, with special focus on those with perfume. The little harvest must be covered with water and put to soak outdoors overnight, ensuring that the dew of the night of Saint John enters the water. The next day upon awakening, everyone in the family must wash their hands and faces with the acqua di San Giovanni. Babies can be immersed in it.

Where to get unique Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a genus of thorny ornamental vines, bushes, and trees with flower-like spring leaves near its flowers. Different authors accept between four and 18 species in the genus. The name comes from Louis Antoine de Bougainville, an admiral who discovered the plant in Brazil in 1768.

Due to their ease of care and propagation, as well as their tolerance for drought, bougainvillaea are a very popular landscaping plant in subtropical and tropical climates but will survive brief drops below freezing. For example, Locarno in Switzerland has displayed two large specimens outside the Villa Mairea (Alvar Aalto) since 1950. They are now about 25 m high and have been pollarded to form a tree.

The plants are relatively pest free, have no major disease problems, and tolerate light frost with little damage to the plant. Their high salt tolerance makes them ideal for planting around coastal areas. In the landscape, it makes an excellent hot season plant, and its drought tolerance makes it ideal for warm climates year-

I fell in love with this plant a few years back but I noticed it is not easy to find unique varieties, finally I found a fantastic place that stocks some unique variety and they are very good in shipping in Europe

Lots of photos and nice descriptions of the flowers

My favourite bougainvillaea is white, but they have also other colours.

www.bougainvilleawebshop.com

“This is NOT a sponsored blog post, and all opinions are my own”:

How to spot fake photos online

Sometimes the internet is full of so much information that it can be hard to know what is real and what isn’t.

This is particularly true in delicate times like the present days.

When it comes to news stories, sometimes they are just not true. However, sometimes photos can be used manipulated to make it look as though a story is real, even when it isn’t. Today we are going to look at some tips you can use to spot fake photos online in seconds.

A picture that is currently widely shared and that made me write this post is the following one

As photojournalist, I have quite few brave colleagues at the moment in Ukraine documenting the war, when I saw this image so many things did not feel right. so the result is that

it was not taken in these recent days. This picture was part of a photoshoot for the Ukrainian army celebrating 27 years.

It is probably a real picture but staged and edited.

The photographer Dmitry Muravsky was dismissed by the Ukraine Defence Minister in 2016 over staged photographs.

It is being shared as a current photo on Twitter and other Social Media outlets.

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This is another image went viral in these hype times.

• The picture is nearly 2 years old

• The gun is a toy (see label)

• Image was staged

How to spot fake photos online

You can spot fake photos online in seconds if you know what to look for. The majority of the time, fake photos are used for a comedic effect. However, sometimes people will use fake photos to prove a point that is not true and make it appear as though it is true.

The first thing you should always do when you come across a photo that looks suspicious is doing a reverse Google image search. This allows you to see where the image has been used before and will often show you if it is real or fake. If you manage check for the Metatada.

• Google : https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en

• Yandex : https://yandex.com/images/

While it is easy for people to create fake images today, there are also ways you can spot them. Here are some tips you can use to spot fake photos on the internet:

1. The first thing you are going to want to do is to look at the image itself. Images that have a resolution that looks too high, or too low can be a sign of a fake photo.

2. The next thing you are going to want to look at is the background. If it looks too ‘perfect’, this could be a sign that something is wrong with the photo.

3. Now we are going to look at the foreground of the image. Look for things that might not look right or objects that might have been copied and pasted into the image in order to make it seem more interesting.

4. Now we are going to look at any text in the image, do they look like they were added by a human or was there some sort of text generator used? If it looks like the text was added in an unprofessional way, then this is most likely a sign that the image has been faked.

5. If you see an image that has things such as lens flare or other special effects in them, see if they seem too perfect or not real enough to be true, sometimes these effects can be manipulated online using software, so if it doesn’t look quite right, then it’s probably fake!

6. Look for shadows and reflections, do the match? Is there continuity??

Finally think from a photojournalistic and news point of view. If is to perfect and it looks staged it is probably staged.

NFTs for Photographers I

The world of photography is rapidly changing. When you think about it, a photo is really just a bunch of information—a ton of metadata. And that means it can be tokenized and sold in new ways.

The power of the blockchain means that photographers, in theory, can take control of their images and make them into NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. It means they can set the rules for their photos, including how many times they're allowed to be licensed, how much money they're worth in real-time, how long each license lasts, and so on.

More importantly, it means that photographers can finally say goodbye to the big platforms and agencies that've been taking huge cuts from sales for years.

Now, with the Ethereum blockchain, there's no gatekeeper to pay off. All the profits can stay in your pocket—and all the power stays in your hands.

Imagine what could happen if a photography startup built a blockchain-based marketplace? Photography lovers could buy, sell, protect and track their photos.

What are NTTs

Non-fungible tokens (NFT) are a digital representation of a single, unique asset. It can be a collectable, like a CryptoKitty, or ownership in a house or artwork. The great thing about NFT is that they are cryptographically secure and easy to use.

Projects like CryptoPunks have created the first wave of NFT assets, and we've seen them proliferate across games like CryptoKitties. This is just the beginning of what this new asset class will allow us to do online.

NFTs redefine digital art as something unique and irreplaceable, like a photographic print or a painting. Now there is the greater reason to own artwork as an NFT; digital media is no longer just a source of entertainment or stimulus, but a repository of value and an object of scarcity. For the artist, this means more money to be made from each piece of art produced, and vastly increased viability for digital art as a business or career.

Wallets

There are 3 main types of crypto wallets: hot wallets, cold storage, and hardware wallets. For this post we will concentrate on Hot Wallet

Creating a wallet is easy. It can be as simple as installing a browser plug-in. Creating and securing your wallets (including backups) is the responsibility of each user. If you lose your private key, you lose your bitcoins. So be sure to keep it secret and secure, and don't share it with anyone.

The following wallets can be used on multiple platforms and devices, including iOS and Android systems:

• Coinbase Wallet – Best for Beginners.

• Electrum – Best for Bitcoin.

• Mycelium – Best for Mobile.

• Ledger Nano X – Best Offline Crypto Wallet.

• Exodus – Best for Desktop.

• Metamask (Is the one I use regularly) and Being both a browser and mobile-based wallet, is hugely popular among crypto admirers.

Here are some of the best NFT marketplaces right now.

1. OpenSea. OpenSea is the leader in NFT sales. ...

2. Axie Marketplace. Axie Marketplace is the online shop for the video game Axie Infinity. ...

3. Larva Labs/CryptoPunks.

4. NBA Top Shot Marketplace.

5. Rarible.

6. SuperRare

7. Foundation.

8. Nifty Gateway.

How To Create Moody Monochrome Landscapes

Moody monochrome landscape photography is an art. With just a change in how you see the landscape, through your eyes and through the camera lens, you could get some great black and white photos of the outdoors. This article will give you tips on how to capture those magical moments for making the best out of all kinds of outdoor photography. We will look at techniques, equipment, and other important factors for creating timeless masterpieces in monochrome.

Monochrome photography is one of the more challenging types of photography to master. Even with the right gear, it can be difficult to get the proper depth of field that helps create a moody and compelling image. In this blog post, I'll share my tips and tricks for shooting in monochrome, so you can learn how to create your own moody landscapes in no time.

Monochrome photography can be a great niche for your e-commerce photography business. It's not very common to see monochrome product photography, and people often have a hard time imagining what it looks like. But monochrome is a versatile and interesting style that lends itself to a variety of photographic applications.

The most striking thing about monochrome images is their simplicity. There's no color to distract you from the subject. Whether it's a person or an object, all you see is black and white, which makes it easy to imagine the subject as it really is — something quite different from the way you perceive it in colour.

Monochrome pictures tend to be gloomy and serious, but they can also be quite cheerful. In fact, one of the benefits of shooting in monochrome is that you don't have to choose between warm tones and cool tones, because there are no warm tones at all. Any colour tone in the scene will look good with black and white, so you don't have to worry about "matching" one tone with another.

Black and White is an effective strategy to create your own style. When shooting in monochrome, the composition is the most important aspect of a photo. It's not about whether you use colour or not, it's about how you see the world as a photographer and how you capture that vision with your camera.

Tone and mood are very important when shooting in black and white because it changes the way people perceive a scene. For example, if your goal is to create a dark and moody atmosphere, then different elements need to be emphasized within your frame.

Below are some tips to achieve this particular look:

Forecasts that include the proportion of cloud and rain, the wind speed and direction, and the temperature become crucial. A forecast indicating a 50% chance of rain and a wind speed of 15 to 20 miles per hour can be encouraging. Essentially, seek out sunny spells punctuated by periodic showers.

Clearing (or approaching) storm clouds against a deep blue sky with dark patchy shadows scudding across the terrain are photographers' dreams, yet such dramatic settings come at a cost. By definition of desiring storm clouds, the likelihood is that you may become wet, chilled, hit by hailstones, or perhaps snowed on, but trust me on this one, it will be worth it.

Days with fog, low clouds, rain or snow could be perfect for Black and White photography

The more contrast on an image, the darker it looks. If you have a lot of light areas in your photo, then it will tend to look brighter than if there aren't any bright spots in the image at all. Shadows can add a lot of contrast to an image, so if there aren't any shadows present in your scene, try adding them with artificial light sources or reflectors.

Because brightness values are inverted when converting from colour to black and white, you can use your camera's exposure compensation function (often found under the "manual" mode setting) to make scenes brighter or darker in post-processing.

Creating moody images is about creating drama, and you can do this with filters such as gradients. When you're shooting in monochrome, you can use these filters to darken a scene, by introducing more shadow. You can also use them to brighten a scene if you want more light contrast. One of the most popular monochrome filters is a three-stop graduated neutral density (GND) filter: these come in a circular shape and darken skies evenly. A six-stop GND filter is also available, which allows you to darken skies even more. Another popular filter for landscapes is an 81B warm-up filter; this adds warmth to the sky, which can be useful when shooting in overcast conditions or at twilight.

Possibly the best-known software for creating black & white images is the superb Nik Silver Efex Pro. It is a very creative and powerful program with many presets but it too has its limitations. It can be a very aggressive piece of software so you need to check your images carefully for any deficiencies and imperfections that it may create.

Taking a B&W photo means choosing which colours are important enough to preserve and which ones to discard. This isn't hard if you're taking a picture of something like a red barn with a blue sky behind it. The blue sky is irrelevant and the red barn becomes the subject of the photo. But take a landscape photo where every detail is equally important — for example, an image shot in soft light with a lot of subtle colours — and you'll have a lot more decisions to make about what stays and what goes.

Black and white photos appear timeless because they work with the viewer’s imagination. You see the value of a black and white photo very quickly and easily, while color often distracts us. The fact that no one has created the same image before you will free you up to create your own vision.