Today, MostPhotos.com has unveiled a radical new approach to the way traditional stock photo companies do business. MostPhotos.com is now allowing anyone, not just professional photographers, to submit photos. They have also added a democratic approach to stock photos. They are now letting the members and users decide which photos are good or otherwise. It's a democratic approach to a very old concept.
"With today's cameras, just about anyone can take a great picture that sells. All is needed is a camera and some imagination. Regular people have hundreds, sometimes thousands of photos stored on their hard drives. These photos are worth a lot of money. Our dream at MostPhotos.com is to help people understand this lucrative venture and introduce their work to photo buyers around the world," explained Arian Bharami, founder and CEO of MostPhotos.com.
"We use the latest technology to decide which photos will rank high and low, a bit like Google but with photo searching. Our system can also show users related images in the same category, giving buyers the fastest and easiest search possible," remarked Michael Lindfors, project manager.
There are currently 300,000 photos available at MostPhotos.com and they are growing at the rate of about 1000-1500 images a day. At this rate, the company will be within the top 10 largest stock photo sites very soon.
All photos are sold in high resolution. The minimum size is 4mpx but most of the photos are more than 10mpx. All images are royalty-free and cost 25€ each. The photographer can set the price for exclusive buyout of the image (the buyer owns exclusive rights to the photo).
Website: http://www.mostphotos.com/
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
A Minute a Day Can Improve Children’s Reading Skills
Back to school - it's a hectic time full of shopping, preparation and new routines. But just because children are headed back to school doesn't mean that parents should stop teaching their children. And just because life is hectic doesn't mean you can't make time to improve their literacy skills.
Sharon Darling, president & founder of the National Center for Family Literacy encourages parents to take a minute - literally - to engage their children in learning activities while they go about their daily routine.
"A minute buys enough time to complete a task, take a deep breath, or prepare a response to a child's question that caught you by surprise," Darling said. "But a minute also can be used to increase vocabulary, expand reading skills, and add an extra dose of fun to an otherwise routine day."
You may feel that there isn't enough time to add more activities to an already packed 24 hours. But these ideas take just a minute:
• Choose a letter of the day. Look for the chosen letter in any printed materials you see: the newspaper, labels at the grocery store, street signs, billboards, or advertisements on TV. Make up a silly sentence using only words beginning with the letter of the day (Cats can cuddle. Dogs don't drive. Amy always acts awake.)
• Singing songs is certainly a literacy activity. Try this twist: Sing short songs like Row, Row, Row Your Boat several times, leaving off the last word each time until there are no words left. This activity always produces giggles from children and parents alike.
• While you're waiting for the bagel to toast, have your child look for the letter B on any items on your kitchen counter or table. Count as many as possible before the toaster pops.
• Play "Guess Who." Describe a cartoon character, celebrity or historical figure. Allow a guess after each detail is disclosed. Expand your child's vocabulary by using unusual words, and then explain their meaning. Take turns. Listen carefully to your child's descriptions, especially his choice of vocabulary. Encourage him to paint a picture of the character with his words. At the end of the game, compliment him on any unusual or new words used.
• While stuck in traffic, describe the view from the car by taking "word turns." The activity is as easy as the name suggests. Parent and child each add a word until the scene is described. (A…yellow…convertible…with… a… golden… retriever… in… the… back… seat… is… next… to… our… car.) This activity works well on a walk around the block or while waiting in line at the check-out counter, too.
• Talk to your child about his day. Pretend to be a television reporter. Try questions like "what was the most surprising (curious, funny, eventful) thing that happened today?" Or gather news for the local paper. "If your day's activities were an article in the newspaper, what would the headline be?" You are giving your child opportunities to increase vocabulary, recall and reflect, and you are receiving a more detailed version of the time you spent apart. Be prepared to answer the same questions. You and your child will begin looking for events to report to each other.
"Children spent five times as much time outside of the classroom, so learning shouldn't be confined to the classroom," Darling said.
The National Center for Family Literacy, the worldwide leader in family literacy, has raised more than $115 million for literacy efforts since its founding in 1989. More than 1 million families have made positive educational and economic gains as a result of NCFL's work, which includes training more than 150,000 teachers and thousands of volunteers. For more information, contact 1-877-FAMLIT-1 or visit http://www.famlit.org.
Sharon Darling, president & founder of the National Center for Family Literacy encourages parents to take a minute - literally - to engage their children in learning activities while they go about their daily routine.
"A minute buys enough time to complete a task, take a deep breath, or prepare a response to a child's question that caught you by surprise," Darling said. "But a minute also can be used to increase vocabulary, expand reading skills, and add an extra dose of fun to an otherwise routine day."
You may feel that there isn't enough time to add more activities to an already packed 24 hours. But these ideas take just a minute:
• Choose a letter of the day. Look for the chosen letter in any printed materials you see: the newspaper, labels at the grocery store, street signs, billboards, or advertisements on TV. Make up a silly sentence using only words beginning with the letter of the day (Cats can cuddle. Dogs don't drive. Amy always acts awake.)
• Singing songs is certainly a literacy activity. Try this twist: Sing short songs like Row, Row, Row Your Boat several times, leaving off the last word each time until there are no words left. This activity always produces giggles from children and parents alike.
• While you're waiting for the bagel to toast, have your child look for the letter B on any items on your kitchen counter or table. Count as many as possible before the toaster pops.
• Play "Guess Who." Describe a cartoon character, celebrity or historical figure. Allow a guess after each detail is disclosed. Expand your child's vocabulary by using unusual words, and then explain their meaning. Take turns. Listen carefully to your child's descriptions, especially his choice of vocabulary. Encourage him to paint a picture of the character with his words. At the end of the game, compliment him on any unusual or new words used.
• While stuck in traffic, describe the view from the car by taking "word turns." The activity is as easy as the name suggests. Parent and child each add a word until the scene is described. (A…yellow…convertible…with… a… golden… retriever… in… the… back… seat… is… next… to… our… car.) This activity works well on a walk around the block or while waiting in line at the check-out counter, too.
• Talk to your child about his day. Pretend to be a television reporter. Try questions like "what was the most surprising (curious, funny, eventful) thing that happened today?" Or gather news for the local paper. "If your day's activities were an article in the newspaper, what would the headline be?" You are giving your child opportunities to increase vocabulary, recall and reflect, and you are receiving a more detailed version of the time you spent apart. Be prepared to answer the same questions. You and your child will begin looking for events to report to each other.
"Children spent five times as much time outside of the classroom, so learning shouldn't be confined to the classroom," Darling said.
The National Center for Family Literacy, the worldwide leader in family literacy, has raised more than $115 million for literacy efforts since its founding in 1989. More than 1 million families have made positive educational and economic gains as a result of NCFL's work, which includes training more than 150,000 teachers and thousands of volunteers. For more information, contact 1-877-FAMLIT-1 or visit http://www.famlit.org.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Famed Photojournalist Stanley Tretick's Iconic Photographs Go Online
More than 8,000 images of major American figures -- Presidents, movie stars, athletes, artists -- go online at http://www.stanleytretick.com/.
Stanley Tretick, an award-winning photojournalist, died in 1999, and left his photo archive to the writer Kitty Kelley. As legal representative for the estate, Kelley has worked with Victoria Rehberg of ArtVision Exhibitions to set up the Web site for historians, librarians, photo researchers, publishers, and collectors.
Tretick worked for LIFE, Look, NBC, People, and UPI and he covered every President from Harry S. Truman through Ronald Reagan. On Capitol Hill, he photographed the Senate Rackets Committee hearings in 1957 and so angered the gangster Johnny Dio that the mobster took a swing at him. A photo showing Tretick ducking accompanied an article he wrote for the New York Herald Tribune (March 15, 1958) entitled "I Shoot the Big Shots."
In 1973, Tretick covered the Senate Watergate hearings, Tretick's work also encompassed special stills for various films, including "All The President's Men," "Reds," "The Candidate," "The Natural," "Urban Cowboy," "The Electric Horseman," "Year of the Dragon," "The Witness" and "Barbarosa."
During the Kennedy White House years, Tretick was given special access to the family, and he shot some of his most enduring images. One of his most famous is the picture of three-year-old John Kennedy, Jr. playing under his father's desk in the Oval Office. The photo was taken a month before President Kennedy was assassinated.
During World War II, Tretick was trained as a photographer in the Marine Corps and he served in the South Pacific. After a stint as a copyboy for The Washington Post, he joined Acme Newspictures and photographed the fighting in the Korean War. His image of a soldier in South Korea with his head buried in his hands, his helmet on the ground, was selected by the Military Times Publishing Company as one of The 100 Greatest Military Photographs.
He also published three books of photographs: "A Very Special President" with Laura Berquist; "A Portrait of All The President's Men" with Jack Hirshberg and "They Could Not Trust the King" with William V. Shannon.
Stanley Tretick, an award-winning photojournalist, died in 1999, and left his photo archive to the writer Kitty Kelley. As legal representative for the estate, Kelley has worked with Victoria Rehberg of ArtVision Exhibitions to set up the Web site for historians, librarians, photo researchers, publishers, and collectors.
Tretick worked for LIFE, Look, NBC, People, and UPI and he covered every President from Harry S. Truman through Ronald Reagan. On Capitol Hill, he photographed the Senate Rackets Committee hearings in 1957 and so angered the gangster Johnny Dio that the mobster took a swing at him. A photo showing Tretick ducking accompanied an article he wrote for the New York Herald Tribune (March 15, 1958) entitled "I Shoot the Big Shots."
In 1973, Tretick covered the Senate Watergate hearings, Tretick's work also encompassed special stills for various films, including "All The President's Men," "Reds," "The Candidate," "The Natural," "Urban Cowboy," "The Electric Horseman," "Year of the Dragon," "The Witness" and "Barbarosa."
During the Kennedy White House years, Tretick was given special access to the family, and he shot some of his most enduring images. One of his most famous is the picture of three-year-old John Kennedy, Jr. playing under his father's desk in the Oval Office. The photo was taken a month before President Kennedy was assassinated.
During World War II, Tretick was trained as a photographer in the Marine Corps and he served in the South Pacific. After a stint as a copyboy for The Washington Post, he joined Acme Newspictures and photographed the fighting in the Korean War. His image of a soldier in South Korea with his head buried in his hands, his helmet on the ground, was selected by the Military Times Publishing Company as one of The 100 Greatest Military Photographs.
He also published three books of photographs: "A Very Special President" with Laura Berquist; "A Portrait of All The President's Men" with Jack Hirshberg and "They Could Not Trust the King" with William V. Shannon.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The 14th annual Society of American Travel Writers' Institute for Travel Writing & Photography
The 14th annual Society of American Travel Writers' Institute for Travel Writing & Photography will take place January 9-11, 2009, in Orlando, Florida, with a faculty that includes leading North American travel writers and photographers. New faculty members this year will include award-winning broadcast journalist and website producer-publisher Bea Broda, and Florida expert Sandra Friend, author of some 20 books, 12 of which cover Florida travel and the outdoors.
They join established faculty members who include USA Today Deputy Managing Editor for Travel Veronica Stoddart; online travel journalism pioneer Lee Foster; self-publishing authority M. Timothy O'Keefe; award-winning guidebook expert Christopher P. Baker, and University Press of Florida Editor-in-Chief John W. Byram, among others.
Open to beginners and experienced professionals alike, the Institute is considered North America's foremost program dedicated to assisting aspiring travel writers and photographers launch successful careers, while providing established professionals with the latest tools, insights, and tips for greater success in today's unpredictable media times.
"From the beginning, the Institute has emphasized the career aspects of travel writing and photography," says Institute chair Herb Hiller, author of two top-prize books and past contributor to The Atlantic, National Geographic Traveler and The Washington Post.
"It's all about guiding the ship, not getting rocked by the boat."
Faculty members will teach classes on marketing, working with editors and publishers, self-publishing, developing Internet opportunities, negotiating contracts, selling photography and travel video production.
A keynote speaker still to be announced will open the Institute, whose supporters include the Orlando Downtown Development Board and Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Recent speakers have included Arthur Frommer and National Geographic Traveler Editor-in-Chief Keith Bellows.
Registration costs $395 and includes most meals. Sessions take place at the Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Downtown
For further information, visit the Institute's website at http://www.satwinstitute.org/, or contact Hiller at hiller@funport.net, or 386/467-8223.
They join established faculty members who include USA Today Deputy Managing Editor for Travel Veronica Stoddart; online travel journalism pioneer Lee Foster; self-publishing authority M. Timothy O'Keefe; award-winning guidebook expert Christopher P. Baker, and University Press of Florida Editor-in-Chief John W. Byram, among others.
Open to beginners and experienced professionals alike, the Institute is considered North America's foremost program dedicated to assisting aspiring travel writers and photographers launch successful careers, while providing established professionals with the latest tools, insights, and tips for greater success in today's unpredictable media times.
"From the beginning, the Institute has emphasized the career aspects of travel writing and photography," says Institute chair Herb Hiller, author of two top-prize books and past contributor to The Atlantic, National Geographic Traveler and The Washington Post.
"It's all about guiding the ship, not getting rocked by the boat."
Faculty members will teach classes on marketing, working with editors and publishers, self-publishing, developing Internet opportunities, negotiating contracts, selling photography and travel video production.
A keynote speaker still to be announced will open the Institute, whose supporters include the Orlando Downtown Development Board and Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Recent speakers have included Arthur Frommer and National Geographic Traveler Editor-in-Chief Keith Bellows.
Registration costs $395 and includes most meals. Sessions take place at the Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Downtown
For further information, visit the Institute's website at http://www.satwinstitute.org/, or contact Hiller at hiller@funport.net, or 386/467-8223.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
AOL Launches Photo Gallery Site PIXCETERA
AOL has launched PIXCETERA, http://www.pixcetera.com/, a new site focused exclusively on top-quality photography. The site features thousands of professional images and galleries from across the AOL Network for users to browse, rate and review. In addition, AOL's photo editors blog on trends in photography, as well as ways that readers can take better pictures.In addition to featuring subjects as diverse as fashion, astronomy, sports, nature and celebrities, the PIXCETERA site includes a weekly showcase of the best professional photos from all categories, including photos from our content partners such as the Associated Press, Reuters, and other major photo providers.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
How to Take Stunning Fireworks Photographs
Just in time for the 4th of July, world-class photographer Jim Zuckerman offers specific tips for exactly how to take terrific fireworks photos during this week's free "7 Photography Questions" Podcast. In this interview with podcast host Dr. Audri Lanford, Zuckerman explains how capturing fireworks is easy if you follow some easy, specific advice.
"You don't need years of photographic experience or very pricey camera gear to capture exceptional fireworks photos," says Zuckerman, who in the past 35 years has taught photography in many prestigious photography schools online and offline, contributed to countless books and magazines, and is the author of 12 photography books. "Even if your previous shots have all been disappointing, it's really not that hard to take dramatic pictures of fireworks if you follow a few simple steps."
In this interview, you'll discover:
* The single biggest mistake shutterbugs make that leads to poor fireworks photos;
* Why a light meter is useless when photographing fireworks;
* What exposure to use to get perfect fireworks pictures;
* How to assure brilliant colors in your pictures of fireworks;
* The one accessory you absolutely must use to capture fireworks.
Towards the end of the podcast, Zuckerman shares some of his photographs and explains the stories behind them at http://www.7photographyquestions.com/audio-podcast/
"You don't need years of photographic experience or very pricey camera gear to capture exceptional fireworks photos," says Zuckerman, who in the past 35 years has taught photography in many prestigious photography schools online and offline, contributed to countless books and magazines, and is the author of 12 photography books. "Even if your previous shots have all been disappointing, it's really not that hard to take dramatic pictures of fireworks if you follow a few simple steps."
In this interview, you'll discover:
* The single biggest mistake shutterbugs make that leads to poor fireworks photos;
* Why a light meter is useless when photographing fireworks;
* What exposure to use to get perfect fireworks pictures;
* How to assure brilliant colors in your pictures of fireworks;
* The one accessory you absolutely must use to capture fireworks.
Towards the end of the podcast, Zuckerman shares some of his photographs and explains the stories behind them at http://www.7photographyquestions.com/audio-podcast/
The World of Underwater Images Photography Competition Seeking Entries
The World of Underwater Images photography competition will be held for the fourth year, this year, from the 10th to 15th of November, 2008 at the Isrotel Yam Suf Hotel in Eilat, Israel. New categories will be added this year, such as: The Best 5 Images, The Best Color Print, Humour, Ecology & Nature Care, Wrecks, Video Clip and a Beginners’ category.
The Eilat competition is open for all underwater photographers, both amateur and professional. This year we have more than $80,000 in prizes, diving trips to exotic dive sites around the world and cash money prizes. The first prize this year is $10,000, and a trip for two to Papua New Guinea. Among the other prizes: 1000 bottles of MACABEE beer, Seacam housing ($7,000 worth), the Mayor of Eilat's reward $2,000, Padi Prize $5000 and more.
The Eilat event combines the Hi Tech world with photography, tourism, diving and recreational activities. According to the event's management, the added competition categories, increased value prizes and the assistance of the Israel Ministry of Tourism will bring participants from all over the world, including Egypt and Jordan.
The Media Category
This year another category has been added: the Media category: 10 different representatives from 10 different diving magazines worldwide will compete on a very special reward: "winning & donating". The winner will donate his prize - $5,000 for the conservation of extinct shark species.
Since April, 2008 an online competition has been running in the countries listed below. Each month one photographer will be chosen as the "photographer of the month”, and in September, all the winners will compete to receive the winning prize: Flight tickets, accommodation and diving at the Eilat event.
10 Participating countries:
Germany - sponsored by Unterwasser Magazine
France - by Plongeeonline.com, and Salon De La Plongee Sous Marine
USA, by Sport Diver Magazine, and PADI
UK, by Diver magazine
Italy, by ScubaFoto.it, and ScubaPortal.it
Nederland's & Belgium, by Duiken Magazine.
Sweden, by Dyk Magazine
Denmark by Dyk Magazine
Russia, by Octopus, and Golden Dolphin
And Israel, by YAM Magazine.
For more information visit http://www.sandiskredsea.com/
The Eilat competition is open for all underwater photographers, both amateur and professional. This year we have more than $80,000 in prizes, diving trips to exotic dive sites around the world and cash money prizes. The first prize this year is $10,000, and a trip for two to Papua New Guinea. Among the other prizes: 1000 bottles of MACABEE beer, Seacam housing ($7,000 worth), the Mayor of Eilat's reward $2,000, Padi Prize $5000 and more.
The Eilat event combines the Hi Tech world with photography, tourism, diving and recreational activities. According to the event's management, the added competition categories, increased value prizes and the assistance of the Israel Ministry of Tourism will bring participants from all over the world, including Egypt and Jordan.
The Media Category
This year another category has been added: the Media category: 10 different representatives from 10 different diving magazines worldwide will compete on a very special reward: "winning & donating". The winner will donate his prize - $5,000 for the conservation of extinct shark species.
Since April, 2008 an online competition has been running in the countries listed below. Each month one photographer will be chosen as the "photographer of the month”, and in September, all the winners will compete to receive the winning prize: Flight tickets, accommodation and diving at the Eilat event.
10 Participating countries:
Germany - sponsored by Unterwasser Magazine
France - by Plongeeonline.com, and Salon De La Plongee Sous Marine
USA, by Sport Diver Magazine, and PADI
UK, by Diver magazine
Italy, by ScubaFoto.it, and ScubaPortal.it
Nederland's & Belgium, by Duiken Magazine.
Sweden, by Dyk Magazine
Denmark by Dyk Magazine
Russia, by Octopus, and Golden Dolphin
And Israel, by YAM Magazine.
For more information visit http://www.sandiskredsea.com/
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