Lessons Journal Entries

34 creative works found

• Everything
• Images
• T-Shirts
• Writing
• Journals

• Chinese & Amsterdam Storeys
  by Maxwell Edward

  “Good afternoon Gentlemen. Our delicious Chinese restaurant serves some of the greatest Chinese delicacies. Can I take your orders?” J…

  “Good afternoon Gentlemen. Our delicious Chinese restaurant serves some of the greatest Chinese delicacies. Can I take your orders?” Jermaine takes charge as usual. “I imagine you can sir. Well my friend will have special fried rice and I will have special sweet n sour chicken. Could you make sure it’s especially sweet n sour though? Thanks sir.” People love to eat Chinese. More often the meals though…for the appetisers may prove too fattening over time. Neville and Jermaine have definitely had their share of fattening up over time. Neville is said to eat more Chinese than most Chinese and as for Jermaine, he probably eats more of most things than most people. “Jerry, don’t you think it’s strange how he mentioned they serve some of the greatest Chinese delicacies?” Jermaine who finds nothing short of highly unusual strange, makes a joke from anything less of great importance. “_Why_? What did you expect in a Chinese Restaurant, Indian food?” Neville who hears these jokes more often than not (but still not in appreciation of them) seems to always be misunderstood. “No, I mean, we’re not Chinese. I can’t see anyone in here that is Chinese…In fact I would say that the only Chinese this restaurant ever sees is on the plates. So, they could get away with telling us that this restaurant actually serves the greatest Chinese delicacies. Why would they not?” Jermaine’s opinion always went back to philosophy. “Some wise advice I have for you Nev. Never question the Chinese.” Something about the way the duo talked, it was utter enjoyment. The puns continuously employed emphasised it. A certain kind of pleasure whenever they accompanied one another was unleashed. “Oh Jerry, you got to hear about what happened to my cousin. _You’ll never believe it_…So Ben was in Amsterdam for some time, on holiday or something. Well on the last week he jumped off the top of a three-storey apartment balcony.” Jermaine who believes most things reasonable, but also hesitates in jumping to conclusions always feels obliged to question the situation. “Why the hell would anyone do something like that?” Neville started blushing. He was never as outgoing as Jermaine, even being questioned made him feel slightly insecure. “Well Jerry, you know my cousin Benjamin. No one questions him.” A certain kind of tension was building somewhere between Nevilles growing timidity and Jermaine’s pursuing nerves. “I think anyone thinking about jumping off the third storey of an apartment should be prepared to answer a lot of questions.” There was an uncomfortable short-lived silence between the duos. Neville thought of it as his responsibility to protect his cousin’s reputation, yet his loyalty had previously shown to lead to misdemeanours. Neville decided to break his loyalty for what his reason was telling him was sensibility. “Yeah Jermaine, agreed. Benjamin sure must be a moron hey. Oh, which reminds me, did I tell you he is going to become a lawyer?” The Chinese waiter had brought back the dishes. This is possibly the fastest time a waiter had brought out dishes (which were supposed to be quality cuisines). Then again, Jermaine and his friends always had their doubts about Chinese restaurants. Over their many meals they had discussed many things ranging from the health issues to the political and economic consequences of the different restaurant franchises. The Chinese waiter did not talk this time. He had a chilling frown cast upon his face. Perhaps he had heard their talking? Perhaps it was just the all-round atmosphere of working in such a demanding service. Jermaine and Neville dug into their meals, each choosing their pick of chop sticks and spoon respectively although ironically not in quite a disorderly manner. It was only lucky that Neville chose a spoon for the fried rice to prevent any more mess (if more mess were possible). “So Nev, back to the story; now that you tell me Mr. Benjamin wants to be a lawyer…that makes much more sense; their all lying bastards. This is one big story to you in order to gain your sympathy or something. It can’t really be explained, except that he is behind it all…” “Not true. I saw his bandages and cuts and sores; everything. That can’t really be faked.” “I’m sure for a lawyer, anything can be faked. Any kind of falsehood can be created and unleashed by those guys!” “No seriously. Okay here’s the story, he said he went to a party. He got pretty drunk knowing it was his last week. Who knows maybe he even did…goddamn man it’s Amsterdam! I don’t have to mention the possibilities, their limitless! Anything could have happened. Well anyway, he woke up and that is when the nurse told him what had been reported to her.” “You know what this sounds like? Chinese whispers. She said this; he said that, you say this…” Sceptical Jermaine could never let any possibility go. “Okay whatever, whatever.” Neville had enough. This sort-of-debate had turned into a sort-of-argument. It was time for him to try and change the mannerism of things “Hey Jerry, this kind of talking is probably not good for eating, let’s just eat okay. I mean just the other day I saw the scars and bleeding…well you know.” Eating continued. Polite (enough) slurping of Chinese tea and rice among other things died down the sound of thought. Than Jermaine continued speaking, but not where they left off. “Hey Nev, I’ll be back in a minute. Just have to convenience myself!” Neville sat there. Five minutes boring his intellect- no one to talk to! Jermaine returned. Back to his meal; back to messy eating and the hope of more polite interesting talk. Before Neville had seen it, Jermaine had finished the rest of his special sweet n sour. “Hey Neville, are you still feeling hungry at all?” Before Neville had a chance to reply Jermaine had beckoned the waiter over and ordered “Special Chinese fortune cookies”. The cookies came in no time at all again. It made it seem like there was surely something efficiently magical about this restaurant. “Hey Nev, can you tell me about this story a bit more. So would you get this, I actually heard about a story similar to his; actually two stories, exactly like his…they both sort of were like these crazy stories where these things happened to guys in…well Chinese restaurants actually!” Neville was only half listening, except the information was still unconsciously processing into his mind. He opened his fortune cookie. “No I do not believe it! Coincidences of such do not occur! Madness unleashed!” Neville started shaking intensely, trembling, his usual steady figure rumbling in what looked like fear; his skin pale and pupils dilating and goose bumps on his skin forming. Than he shoved his hands over his head and continued his fearful actions half-hidden by the table. Jermaine grabbed the little slice of Chinese paper, it must be not so fortunate whatever the fortune be he thought! “You will suffer falling three-storeys tonight. Do not question the Chinese” They both sat there; Jermaine seemingly doing and thinking nothing except watching the actions of Neville. Neville with his behaviour turning more and more intense and shocking as seconds progressed and turned into minutes. “Neville!” Neville took no notice, for a moment, to only a moment later reply, “What? Don’t you fucking get this? Can’t you see what’s happening?” Jermaine looked at his watch. Five minutes. Long enough…longer would be dangerous perhaps. “My good friend Neville. I have a confession. I put that note in your cracker…it’s to teach you a lesson really. But it’s also quite a cracker now too to think of it! You should have seen the look on your face! And my friend, I’ll tell you the moral of the story…Question anything with suspicion, even the Chinese, otherwise who knows what will be unleashed!”

• A lesson this week....
  by Wendy Slee KMA

  “ I think my Daddy’s going to die” she said. I had found her standing by herself staring out the glass door at the back of my house, m…

  “ I think my Daddy’s going to die” she said. I had found her standing by herself staring out the glass door at the back of my house, maybe watching the trees, maybe not really seeing anything. “I know, sweety” I said. “Your Daddy is very sick, and he might die, but they are trying to fix him at the hospital” / I did not know what else to say. Her big brown eyes fixed on mine, unblinking. / “It’s because of the alcohol, he drinks too much alcohol”. Stunned, I did not know what to say. For a child so young, she had seen too many things, and had worked out a lot for herself. “Two drinks is okay” she said, wisely nodding to herself “but more than that makes you sick. It’s not good to have more than that.” My heart broke for her. Yet she did not seem sad. Somehow, that was what made it worse. She was totally accepting of the situation, it was like it was an everyday experience to be taken on, worked though and discarded. For me, the whole situation had shocked me and filled me with grief. / I had followed the ambulance from town, on my way home from work. The sight of an ambulance, lights flashing, on its way along the highway towards my farm home, was an unusual one, and it filled me with dread. / “Please turn off. Please don’t be someone in my family” I silently prayed as I drove behind it. There were not many homes along that stretch of road, as it was mainly farmland. I felt ashamed for hoping it was someone other than my family. Then the ambulance turned into my neighbour’s driveway. / My heart thumped. A young couple with young kids – not a good sign; worse still, a man who had succumbed to depression after losing his mother, his grandmother and a friend in the past year, and more recently having lost his job and dealing with relationship troubles. I had felt his pain before and it was vast. These were people I cared about, I so desired to help, yet it seemed impossible to know where to begin. Sometimes friendship seems such a small and helpless thing against the demons that haunt people’s lives Neighbours were running across the paddock at the sight of the ambulance. The son stood at the door, white face, showing the ambos in and leading them to…… A man, OD’d on the bedroom floor. Purple… foaming at the mouth ………… dying. The fourteen year old boy, traumatized, quivering in shock, tells me had been at home with his little sister and the phone had rung. He had taken it up to his stepdad’s room to give him the call, and found him like that. His eyes were haunted, the tears quivered right there, he all but broke down and I prepared myself to hug him, but then something hauled him back and he blocked it. His Mum was home now, it would be all right. “Help me get your little sister’s clothes and school things” I said to him, “and she can come home with me for the night. I will take care of her and get her to school tomorrow. That will make it easier for your Mum”. The little girl was wandering around the house totally oblivious to the drama unfolding, telling everyone who would listen / “My daddy hurt himself. He had an accident.” The boy handed me a school bag and one pair of pants. He could not focus, could not think. He did not know what to do. I told him I would take care of it, give his sister my own daughter’s clothes….it would be okay. I asked if he would like to come with us, but he said no. He wanted to stay with his Mum. I wanted to hug him, but he had a barrier up that seemed to preclude anyone coming close to comfort him. I plucked up the courage and walked back up to the bedroom. I did not look down. I tried to block the sight of the ambulance officers, working on the body on the floor. I caught the eye of the woman, my friend and neighbour, and just said “I am taking your daughter home with me, to help you out…..” But she did not hear, her face white and distressed staring blankly across the room at me. So the little girl happily got in my car as if it was the greatest adventure ever. She was the same age as my daughter and they were school friends. All she could think about was staying with Maya. It was going to be fun. I was amazed at the resilience of small children, how they could seemingly shed the horror of things they had witnessed and just play. What a blessing it was that they could “just play”. I was holding back tears and shock at what had just taken place in that home, yet this little girl could only think about what fun she was going to have. But now, a few hours later, she had played for a while, the novelty was over, and reality had set in. She had wandered to a place by herself as her little mind tried to come to terms with what was happening. “I think my Daddy’s going to die”.

• Hair that's good enough to eat
  by Jo O'Brien

  Look at what thickblackoutline...

  Look at what thickblackoutline taught me to do during a brief but yummy visit to bubble HQ OK, it took me like, 50 tries to get it right, so I’m totally allowed to be proud.

• Photoshop for my mum. Lesson One. Portraits; goals, light, and DOF.
  by Samantha Van Stralendorff

  how cool. My mum wants to learn PS. It’s going to have to be mostly distance-so I may as well share the tips! One-the goal Know you…

  how cool. My mum wants to learn PS. It’s going to have to be mostly distance-so I may as well share the tips! One-the goal Know your goal / Make a plan / Stick to the plan / If the plan doesn’t achieve the goal, make a new plan / Achieve the goal. Two-the goal Natural or nurture? Portraits Let’s pick natural first. Why do we like natural? It’s easy to relate to, we feel close to it, we’re familiar, we feel comfortable. If an image is ‘natural’, we accept it. Anything unnatural stand out. We jump on it. When using PS, less is usually more. Like film photography- Aim to get the best results in camera. That means good light, good subject and good angles. Because; What you see is what you get. What you see through the lens is what you end up with. Exception: the camera’s eye is not as good as our own. Light-It sees less when it gets dark, flashes drown out backgrounds and artificial light is, surprise! artificial (either yellow or green usually). example of different light (see dif angles/light-walking around the subject (Lara) in sunlight Exception-Depth of Field (DOF) this how much of the foreground/background is in focus. For portraits, its best to have just the face in focus. The background is distracting, unless it adds info about the subject being photographed. With an automatic camera, it depends on how much light. More light will mean more in focus. As it gets darker, the camera might not focus on anything, or it may too close to the subject. In PS, to get rid of distracting background, blur it. There is a blur tool. Remembering, less is best-use it subtly, and logically. Heavy handed blurring can detract. I suggest 50% to begin with. go look at portraits on the net and find ones that use varying DOF. Notice there are very few tips on PS here! That’s because the same thing can be achieved using the camera first, so get familar with the goals first! Then go on to lesson 2

• I believe the journey of the artist …
  by C.C. Arshagra

  I believe the journey of the artist … / A RedBubble Journal Entry by C.C. Arshagra I believe the journey of the artist, or the jou…

  I believe the journey of the artist … / A RedBubble Journal Entry by C.C. Arshagra I believe the journey of the artist, or the journey of life and soul’s becoming is as honest as each moment admits the whole truth of all you do and do not know with bliss. It is not the pain of failures seen in self or others. It is every moment of ” ... aaah” (Not, oh-me oh-my). So to here accept the gift is now I see who I was. And now I see who I may be. These fallings (And not pain or failures—so to speak) are lessons. Soul lessons that will mold the constant choices you are and will be. And this may be all that is true. True through all you do, think, feel, say and create. I honestly feel this to be each living beings living karma. It is the listening you give to life is within you are receiving it. And it is within the creating of you are now life’s giving in return. And this true are you to all life from this instant to every next one. I believe this is to understand and live here. These falling moments are as important as success, if not more so. I believe they happen more and not less as time goes onward toward becoming the soul understanding of self. To become you are peace of mind here. Now residing presently within the core of your intelligent emotional soul being. I believe those who live to soul control others, keep and own greed, and lie to wield all painful kingdoms of sorrow are children. And all they destroy in their wake will be their becoming death’s wait for they truly do not know what they’re not. The frequency of these fallings may increase and not decrease in this same change of time to time. This may continue so until the frequency is constant. Until your soul and art form of living is constantly here and true throughout your time, And through all the art you lived to create when this life of being form ends. I believe the journey of the artist, or the journey of life and soul’s becoming is honesty, patience, humility, and all that it means to parent life, feel joy, and laugh no matter how silently you do. And oh to understand the moving of alive that transpires when a tear becomes a happy one. Falling. C.C. Arshagra—January 22nd. 2008 / publicly posted on-line @ http://www.redbubble.com/people/ccapoet © Copyright 2008 C.C. Arshagra

• The Death of "Common Sense" by Lori Borgman
  by Nathan Johnson

  Obituary of the late Mr. “Common Sense” Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, “Common Sense”, who has been with …

  Obituary of the late Mr. “Common Sense” Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, “Common Sense”, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair; and Maybe it was my fault. “Common Sense” lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 -year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. “Common Sense” lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. “Common Sense” lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. “Common Sense” took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. “Common Sense” finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. “Common Sense” was preceded in death by his parents, “Truth” and “Trust”; his wife, “Discretion”; his daughter, “Responsibility”; and his son, “Reason”. He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; “I Know My Rights”, “Someone Else Is To Blame”, and “I’m A Victim”. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

• LESSONS IN LOVE
  by Jan Landers

  if anyone is looking for inspiration today, please check out this article about a young man in India who is spreading the word of Love & ...

  if anyone is looking for inspiration today, please check out this article about a young man in India who is spreading the word of Love & Peace & Tolerance…...it is well worth your time and will leave you feeling hopeful and uplifted….at least it did that for me….. i do not know how to add a link, (though i would love it if someone would teach me) here is the address of the article online: http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/51/lessons-in-love peace, love & harmony to us all, / jan

• Working with what you have - a bit of a rant
  by Lachlan Kent

  Something I’ve come to realise from my photography is that although a good tool (camera) can help the workman (photographer), the most im…

  Something I’ve come to realise from my photography is that although a good tool (camera) can help the workman (photographer), the most important thing is that you get the most out of the camera you have. I haven’t previously stated what sort of camera I use for my digital photos. This is partly because I think that people may judge my images differently if they new what I used. But I’ve decided to speak a bit more about what I use and how I use it. Nearly all my digital images are shot on a point-and-shoot 6-megapixel Canon A540. There are many advantages of shooting with a cheap, compact digital. For a start they’re cheap! Mine cost $300 with a 1GB SD card and case. The newer version of mine with an image stabiliser can be bought for pretty much the same price. / They can also produce quality images in classically good photography conditions (ie. soft, ambient light) as long as you use the lowest ISO and a tripod when a slower shutter speed is needed. You learn to work within different boundaries. For example, you quickly realise that to take acceptable photos of architecture you have to choose from limited viewpoints otherwise you’ll have curved lines that should be straight all over the place. / And they’re so small. / You can stick it in your pocket, and there you have it… the equivalent of a 35mm 35-135mm lens and it weighs next to nothing. You don’t need to think twice about slinging it round your shoulder, so you catch those moments where you wish you had your camera. There are definately advantages for getting a “better” camera (such as an SLR). They are much more versatile in terms of the conditions in which you’re able to take good quality photos, and there’s something very satisfying about looking through the lense rather than off a live LCD. Personally, I have a 3 film SLRs and a rangefinder. The one I have begun to use predominantly is a Fujica ST705W with some really sharp fujinon and SMC Takumar lenses. I am pretty happy with what I have. I have the advantages of digital with my point and shoot, and advantages of film with my SLRs. One thing that I think that everyone should experience from using film is the need to make every photo count. With digital, you can tend towards shooting and then looking, whereas with film you must and do look, at everything, before you shoot. I think it has taught me to be thoughtful. So what’s the point of all this? Well…. I’ve kind lost it a little bit, but basically it was to say that if you don’t have the money for a Hasselblad, fear not! The camera you have is probably better for learning on anyway as long as you expore its potential. And if you do try to use it to its fullest potential you’re likely to produce some fine work in the process.

• Tell Me About Your Country!
  by Lina

  So I’m giving a lesson on Australia on Thursday! I would like to know if you guys could help me out. What do you guys like to do for fun?...

  So I’m giving a lesson on Australia on Thursday! I would like to know if you guys could help me out. What do you guys like to do for fun? What kind of outdoor activities do you guys do? p.s. are there any coral reefs near you guys? Thanks a bunch! / Lina

• Photoshop for my mum. Lesson Three: subject, consent and comfortable
  by Samantha Van Stralendorff

  I mentioned in the goals of natural portraits, you should have good light, good angles and a good subject. What is a good subject? / ...

  I mentioned in the goals of natural portraits, you should have good light, good angles and a good subject. What is a good subject? Very SUBJECTive! I suggest begining photographing (and living life by doing) what you love. In my case, it’s people. Esp the little people. I like hanging out, I like their naturalness and they usually like their own image too. Unlike adults, who often don’t like themselves, they always like their children, indiscriminantly. If only we loved ourselves like children! Enuf said. Little children have a variety of expression. They are pre ‘smile’-trained. Even from around 2, they can begin doing ‘CHEEESSSSE’ and it all goes awry. The key is, to hang out, let them play and let them be comfortable just snapping away without expectation. Using digital media is ideal- no cost involved, just a big memory card needed! You need to increase the amount of photo’s you take. In general, if you want to improve your photos, take more. The more you do it, look at your results, discuss them, the more you see, the more you get. Like anything. So with little kids, you want to follow them doing what they do, with good natural light. To get a good angle, I usually sit or lie on the floor with them. Photo’s from ‘adult’ height don’t usually work for me, because you don’t get the same amount of respect conveyed. Get? Sorry, give (respect). Besides, if they are engaging in their activity, they are looking down. Another tip, open the lens a bit, so if they move, and you click, you can still catch them. (That means, have more image in the picture). Also, by doing this, you can take you eye away from behind the camera to keep talking to the small fry. They prefer YOUR attention, to the camera. Another good fun thing to do, is to still be playing with them or get the to be engaging with their sibling. Eg, I got the kids to go to outside, and we were playing chasings. That was quite fun, running with a camera. Keeping a very small one who thought me chasing them away from the road was the funny part for her-remember safety is number one at all times! It does add to the job description-so do try to make it easy for yourself; bear in mind age vs responsibility. (You know this!) The other thing with photographing kids is consent. Parents are the ones who need to be asked, and usually love it if you take their chidren’s photos. Parents are very wary of what happens with the end result though, with good cause. ( My naivity changed after talking to Michelle-I guess once you’ve worked in a prison, you have a different POV) So I generally take photos above the waist of nudie kids, even if the parent doesn’t mind, or get them strategically modest. If you are using film, you don’t know what happens to the photos while out of your sight and if digitally online, who knows what happens. It’s sad, and disappointing because it takes the innocence away. I’ve taken so many gorgeous photos that I’d love to share, but don’t want to taint the positivity. The other thing is, parents own the copyright to the children’s photo, so it’s not legal to use their kids image. Not sure how it works exactly. Not something you (mum) need to worry about-but other people may have more knowledge on that subject. It’s a pretty personal topic. Getting back to it, taking photo’s for the happy snapper grandmother…on a then and there issue-subject should be comfortable. As a 2yo isn’t usually concerned with the above, but more, being warm, fed and happy. Recap-give them something to play with or do, make it less about ‘performing’ and posing, look at them as much as possible, so you don’t disappear behind the camera. Again-PS tips?! Watch for miscellaneous background objects. If they appear, after being more focused on the subject, blur them, rubber stamp them, or change the colour. More on that next lesson!

• Just a quick wee Joke :O)
  by adgray

  Just goes to show, manners aren’t always everything!!! :O) During one of her daily classes, a teacher trying to teach good manner…

  Just goes to show, manners aren’t always everything!!! :O) During one of her daily classes, a teacher trying to teach good manners, asked her students the following question: ‘Michael, if you were on a date having dinner with a nice young lady, how would you tell her that you have to go to the bathroom?’ Michael said, ‘Just a minute I have to go pee.’ The teacher responded by saying, ‘That would be rude and impolite.’ then turned to another student / ‘What about you Sherman, how would you say it?’ Sherman said, ‘I am sorry, but I really need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.’ ‘That’s better, but it’s still not very nice to say the word bathroom at the dinner table.’ / the teacher then asked a third student ‘And you, little Edward, can you use your brain for once and show us your good manners?’ / ‘I would say: Darling, may I please be excused for a moment? I have to shake hands with a very dear friend of mine, whom I hope to introduce you to after dinner.’ The teacher fainted…

• Online Photography Course
  by Patricia L. Ballard

  Found this site last week. It’s a great refresher. I’ve just started reading my way through the beginning pages, but I’m going to keep at…

  Found this site last week. It’s a great refresher. I’ve just started reading my way through the beginning pages, but I’m going to keep at it. Need to fill in the gaps in my photography knowledge. Thought you all might be interested in checking it out. Pat http://photographycourse.net/

• Will Pay For Photo Shop Lessons
  by Kathryn Potempski

  Hi My Redbubble Friends, / I am looking for someone in the Werribee Area or close by to give me Photo Shop Lessens on a regular basis at t…

  Hi My Redbubble Friends, / I am looking for someone in the Werribee Area or close by to give me Photo Shop Lessens on a regular basis at the moment I only have P/H Elements 2 and do not wish to purchase anything better until I know I can master the beast. / If you can help out please Bubble Mail me. / Kind regards / Kathryn

• Make the most out of your work
  by Al Neaimi

  Hi Friends i know so many of you would like to learn more about art and photography please visit / ECGardner...

  Hi Friends i know so many of you would like to learn more about art and photography please visit / ECGardner / under her journals and writings you will find tons of useful Info. Hope this helps , thank you very much Erin for being you.

• Sleeping Beauty - Further Ideas
  by WanderingAuthor

  Since I’d like this to help as many of you as possible, I thought I’d point out a few more things you can learn from this, and respond to…

  Since I’d like this to help as many of you as possible, I thought I’d point out a few more things you can learn from this, and respond to an interesting idea brought up in the comments to the first journal entry. First of all, some of you thought it would be interesting to see how the different versions would come out if you tried editing the original story. I’ve thought about it, and I think we can do that. As far as I understand Copyright, the original story and any edited versions I write remain my own. Anyone else’s edits would be a violation of Copyright – unless I gave permission for you to collaborate with me in this way. If I give one of you (or several) permission, the results would be legally the same as any other collaboration – neither of us could publish the work without the permission of the other; we’d share rights. I think by doing this, we weaken the salability of any version of the story, but I’m willing to risk that. The whole point of this, after all, was to help those who wanted to learn to edit their work. There is the possibility, if we can work out the details, of self-publishing a collection of all versions, with an explanation, on LuLu or somewhere similar. It could even be used as a “writing skills” book. That’s something we’ll see about later, if it happens at all, but I did want to mention the idea. So, I will give permission, in the comments here to each of you who wants to participate. If you’ve already said so, once I finish this entry I will add a comment or two giving you permission. If you are reading about this for the first time, leave a comment asking me for permission. When I get it, I’ll leave one in reply granting you permission. Other Lessons I wanted to point out the other things you can learn from this. First of all, even if you aren’t trying to reach an exact word count, editing your story can make it much more powerful. It can make a long story succeed, since the reader will grow much less bored with ‘tight’ prose. Even if you’re writing a novel, this is a useful skill to have, to help you tighten up your scenes, to help you fit as many scenes as you need into your book without running over the word count a publisher will accept (huge, when compared to 250 words, but still there, and not so large when you think of all the scenes you need to fit in). There is only one thing to keep in mind when writing a novel; you don’t want all your scenes to be as tight and taut as possible. That will wear your reader out. You need to include some slower paced scenes, to develop character, for example. The final point is exactly the opposite of what began this lesson. The first draft can be edited to make it shorter, yes, but it could also be expanded to make a longer story. That expanded story should still be edited, of course, but I could show Stan hearing the legend for the first time, becoming fascinated by it, perhaps researching the history and learning a little about the feud. Then, I’d build suspense by having him search the whole valley before discovering the tower, I’d heighten the sense of desolation by having him discover no other buildings that were not ruins, and when he finally entered “beauty’s” chamber, he’d spend more time noticing details to develop her character – but without understanding how she’d react if he woke her. It would never make a novel, but it could be a good short story of a few thousand words. If any of you want to try that as an exercise, mention it in the comments. I’ll write that story up myself, I think, to post here. One other thing intrigues and amuses me: no one has yet noticed and commented on the much larger story implicit in this one. A story that could perhaps become a novel, in fact. What happens once she is awake and has killed Stan? Where will she go, what will she do? She is isolated from her own time and everyone she knew…

• Assistance required!
  by Lauren O'Keefe

  I don’t have the money to pay for a photography course (saving for a trip overseas in September) so I’m putting out the request to see if…

  I don’t have the money to pay for a photography course (saving for a trip overseas in September) so I’m putting out the request to see if there are any generous souls with some time on their hands who can teach me the technical aspects of photography. I have an Olympus E500 DSLR that I essentially know nothing about. I’ve worked out some stuff on my own and have been helped out by John and Steph but I figure what I really need is someone who’s willing to spend some time with me and thoroughly explain how my camera works and what all the bits and bobs actually do. It feels to me that the majority of my photos have been created by sheer luck and a lot of standing around taking numerous photos of the same thing. I could read the manual but I’ve noticed that I seem to learn much more quickly if I’m interacting with someone and can ask really dumb questions. I’ve noticed manuals don’t tend to talk that much. I don’t have any cash to pay the person who’s generous and patient enough but I can cook some things rather well (if I do say so myself) so there will be food rewards! And wine. Always got room for wine. And my undying gratitude.

• If you were in one of my classes, during those 37 years, you
  by Ozcloggie

  ...may have been someone who posed or at least were asked to draw a fellow-pupil, at least twice or more during the year. / .. / I always …

  ...may have been someone who posed or at least were asked to draw a fellow-pupil, at least twice or more during the year. / .. / I always got one of the pupils to pose, on a desk, with hands on hips, feet a little apart and talked about how many heads there were in the whole body of the model. / About the spaces between the body and the elbows betwen the legs. Etc. / Later the finer details. Eyes, nose, mouth, hair, fingers, etc.. / ... / This must have been a later lesson. I even spuspect it was when we had clubs and the children could nominate a club (activity) that they wanted to join. / ... / I always sketched also and usually gave the finihed product to the child(ren) who posed. / Don’t know why I still have this one. / ... /

• Art Forum
  by 1stAngel

  Talk Art forum is picking up new members weekly now which is awesome. We aim to have a complete working knowledge base of most things gr…

  Talk Art forum is picking up new members weekly now which is awesome. We aim to have a complete working knowledge base of most things graphical so, if interested in helping us build this up, or wanting to learn more, pop over to http://1stangel.co.uk/art/forum all free. Andy, if you read this, we are also now in talks about the international exhibition so for everyone now is the time to join if interested in this and wanting to be kept up to date with what’s happening :) 1st news will go in soon That’s all for now :)

• Valuable lesson
  by bribiedamo

  Sometimes I could whack myself in the head with a hammer, lol, just got up before sunrise, been raining a bit here last night and showers…

  Sometimes I could whack myself in the head with a hammer, lol, just got up before sunrise, been raining a bit here last night and showers this morning, thought ‘go do some shots’, gathered my stuff, hauled myself down to the beach, saw a lovely sunrise and thought I got some good shots, strolled back here, check images, der they look a little funny, der did I reset my settings from last night, der no, der shots not real good. Oh well, do it once and learn, it would be a worry if I did it again but it was not all wasted as I got to see the sunrise and on the way back a couple of beautiful rainbows and it started raining again. The vaulable lesson here really is not what I lost by not getting the shots but by what I gained from being there anyway. Ciao Damien.

• A lesson in Marketing
  by cozmist

  I just had to tell you all about my awe at this artist I found … let me start at the beginning… Yesterday I was waiting in the out…

  I just had to tell you all about my awe at this artist I found … let me start at the beginning… Yesterday I was waiting in the out the door line at the postoffice to hopefully pick up another rb order (STILL waiting for my t’shirt order that are christmas presents) ... and you know how they always stragetically place the for sales along the line for you to impulse buy on the way thru…well there is this stand of cards, kids books, reference animal books, calenders etc of this artist from queensland his website and details are written on the back of every single item and it all looks fantastic what got me is the volume of work and the range of different types of work from books to cards… take a look at his website and see how it should be done..lol… its amazing he is even selling screensavers ohhh if only I thought of it first …one day I will Steve Parish

• The Wrong Lens
  by Dave Pearson

  Don’t you just hate it when you realise that you’re carrying the wrong lens?

  Don’t you just hate it when you realise that you’re carrying the wrong lens?

• photoshop for my mum. Lesson Two-framing, cropping and angles in portraits
  by Samantha Van Stralendorff

  Framing the photo. As said in lesson one, how the image looks in the view finder or display screen in what you get. Once the image is…

  Framing the photo. As said in lesson one, how the image looks in the view finder or display screen in what you get. Once the image is on the computer, you can play. One thing you can do afterwards is FRAME the photo. Also known as cropping. Of course, best done in camera first, because zooming in afterwards loses pixels, and information which makes the image sharp. But if you’ve already cropped, it’s hard to go back! Being digital, I take a few at varying distances, when able. How to crop Portraits. the general advice is; / neck up/shoulders up for close ups on face / waist up / whole body. Note on hands and feet-chopping off hands and feet can look really strange, even arms midlength. Hands and feet can be extra, distracting detail. Note what they are doing in the image, and use your own judgement. Another tip-don’t rely on funny angles to make an image more interesting. It’s a fun thing to play with when beginning. The most important thing is the essence, so as long as it compliments the subject, rather than relies on it as device. Back to cropping. Full length images can be interesting if you push the cropping. In fashion, fill the frame with head and feet right to the edges can make a person look very tall, or imposing. Leaving lots of space around them can make them smaller. Angles / Again, see ‘walking around the subject’ (lara) to see different light-it’s a good tip, to walk around the subject. Getting a person to tilt their head down, and look up with their eyes is a common ‘demure’ look. Face tilted up catches the light in peoples eyes, and disguises double chins. Half turning the shoulders, face more towards the camera is a common position for portraits. (see school photos!). Looking down on a subject makes a person seem soft, more vulnerable and in politics, weak. John Howard complained about ABC doco camera crew doing that to him. Whereas looking up to a subject makes them more monumental, strong and in command. Beware of ‘shooting up the nose’. Again, very little PS here! You get my drift about most of the good stuff being done in camera. It makes sense to do it well before, rather than spend hours in PS ‘(cringe) polishing a turd’. I hate the expression-and yet, so accurate. Get the gold before, as much as you can.

• For our Leaders, Our Environment is a quiet lesson plan to respect!
  by Dave Sandersfeld

  Red Bubblers, ISLAM, Jewish and Christian traditions all accept and respect the Old Testaments of a King David and his Psalms written aro…

  Red Bubblers, ISLAM, Jewish and Christian traditions all accept and respect the Old Testaments of a King David and his Psalms written around 2000 B.C. How our World leadership has become corrupt today defies logic? / However, our human & environmental concerns will never be a priority until our governmental leaders respect the fact – they did not make this world; so they have no right to exploit it – at everyone’s expense! These people do not see tigers or leopards – they see fashion fur profits? / I am glad they don’t sell human skin lampshades! They don’t right? I seriously doubt the Creator appreciates their self-supporting abuses of “Creation”! Psalm 19: / The Lord’s Law Is Perfect / Psalm 19 / God’s Glory in Creation and the Law To the leader. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling the glory of God; / and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. / Day to day pours forth speech, / and night to night declares knowledge. / There is no speech, nor are there words; / their voice is not heard; / yet their voice goes out through all the earth, / and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, / which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, / and like a strong man runs its course with joy. / Its rising is from the end of the heavens, / and its circuit to the end of them; / and nothing is hid from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, / reviving the soul; / the decrees of the LORD are sure, / making wise the simple; / the precepts of the LORD are right, / rejoicing the heart; / the commandment of the LORD is clear, / enlightening the eyes; / the fear of the LORD is pure, / enduring forever; / the ordinances of the LORD are true / and righteous altogether. / More to be desired are they than gold, / even much fine gold; / sweeter also than honey, / and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; / in keeping them there is great reward. / But who can detect their errors? / Clear me from hidden faults. / Keep back your servant also from the insolent; / do not let them have dominion over me. / Then I shall be blameless, / and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart / be acceptable to you, / O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

• Lesson Learned
  by shelleynite

  Went for an indoor photo shoot today. Sat waiting for other photographers to show up to discuss the shoot while the ‘models’ had make-up…

  Went for an indoor photo shoot today. Sat waiting for other photographers to show up to discuss the shoot while the ‘models’ had make-up done. They showed up, the ‘models’ looked great , all seemed to going well….............................then came the ‘Model Release’ forms. The other photographers had their generic version and I had mine own version. One of the ‘models’ didn’t like a particular clause in the others Release so they just said ‘cross it out and we’ll just initial it’.......no problem I guess if that’s what you want to do. She also didn’t like a similar clause in mine, the problem was that I wasn’t prepared to ‘cross it out’ soooooo she wouldn’t sign it, soooooo I didn’t take any photos ad left the shoot !!! / What have I taken away from this, apart from nil images? 1. meet with your ‘clients’ well before the shoot to discuss things like Model Release. 2. Don’t pay anything to anyone until the details have been discussed and agreed upon (this little effort cost me room hire, train and taxi fare $105 in total excluding my time). 3. Stick to your guns, if you want something specific in your Release to protect your future interests, you have the right to do that BUT also be prepared to walk away if the other party cannot accept it. 4. Stick to landscapes and waterfalls!