Hi everyone,
I just wanted to update you super quickly on my computer situation, because it is very exciting for me!
Basically I got a laptop when I was 12, which was great but it slowly started to deteriorate until it just stopped working last year. So for the past year I have been using my mum's laptop for work etc. but that was becoming increasingly tricky, as my mum needed it for work and my coursework was taking my longer as I progressed through sixth form. We spoke to a few photographers about the best computer to get, as I mainly use a computer to edit and blog etc. I knew at this point my plan to start a business and sell my photos and so I knew really I needed a decent computer for that.
Anyway, it was recommended to me that I get an iMac or a Macbook pro, and eventually after much debate I decided on the iMac, mainly because if I have a laptop I am tempted to wander and end up getting distracted easily. My parents said they would 'invest' in one for me, for my 18th birthday and christmas present, as they knew it would be useful to me. I was obviously, therefore, expecting to receive an iMac in April, when my birthday is. But, just last week they came home and presented me with my iMac. I am so grateful, it's absolutely brilliant. I downloaded photoshop elements, as that was all I could afford at the moment, but it's really good.
I am really thrilled with my computer. When I was looking for information about which computer to buy, I wanted as many opinions as possible. Now I have my iMac I am happy to answer any questions or help in anyway that I can if you are thinking about buying one. I am happy to do tutorials or advice blogs, so just let me know! Also if you want to find out why I chose an iMac over another computer, let me know.
Bye for Now
Becky
Monday, 11 February 2013
Business on a budget (2)...
Hello!
Welcome to the second post in my 'business on a budget' series. If you haven't read tip number one click this link http://becky-iblog-becky.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/business-on-budget-1.html and for all the rest of my 51 posts click here- http://becky-iblog-becky.blogspot.co.uk
So my parents said that as we have a spare room in our house, I can use it as an office. The only thing is I don't want to spend a huge amount of money at the moment, so it's really just going to be a spruce up. I obviously want it to look nice so I am working on accessories and decorative items that will look nice, be useful and be cheap!
The first thing I really wanted was a pretty little unit to store paper work and all the boring stuff, but without it looking messy and chaotic. When I helped to decorate my parent's café we found a lovely little storage unit in tk-maxx for £3.99 (I think). I know that £3.99 isn't a huge amount of money, but the costs soon add up so I decided to look for an alternative.
This is the tk-maxx one - pretty right?
I found this box in my house, that nobody was really using.
Welcome to the second post in my 'business on a budget' series. If you haven't read tip number one click this link http://becky-iblog-becky.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/business-on-budget-1.html and for all the rest of my 51 posts click here- http://becky-iblog-becky.blogspot.co.uk
So my parents said that as we have a spare room in our house, I can use it as an office. The only thing is I don't want to spend a huge amount of money at the moment, so it's really just going to be a spruce up. I obviously want it to look nice so I am working on accessories and decorative items that will look nice, be useful and be cheap!
The first thing I really wanted was a pretty little unit to store paper work and all the boring stuff, but without it looking messy and chaotic. When I helped to decorate my parent's café we found a lovely little storage unit in tk-maxx for £3.99 (I think). I know that £3.99 isn't a huge amount of money, but the costs soon add up so I decided to look for an alternative.
This is the tk-maxx one - pretty right?
I found this box in my house, that nobody was really using.
It was quite similar to the shape of the shop bought one, so i decided to give it a coat of paint.
I literally just wiped it, to get rid of dust and then started painting with white acrylic paint. It needed about 3 coats, but I left the tiniest bit of green to give it the shabby chic look.
Then I simply went onto Photoshop, typed in 'Becky's Files' and selected a font I liked. I printed it out and carefully cut out all of the letters, which took a while (might have been easier with a craft knife rather than scissors). The last step was gluing the letters on using PVA, and it was finished. I am thrilled with the results, it didn't cost me a penny. You could try painting any shelves, or boxes to spruce them up! This will look perfect in my office, and are really useful!
Bye for Now
P.s. the glue in the picture wasn't dry, but you get the idea...
Friday, 8 February 2013
Business on a budget (1) ...
Hi everyone! In my last post I mentioned a couple of things-
1) I am turning a spare room into an office
2) I might be getting an iMac
3) I am starting a business
Well i thought I would update you today as things are moving on nicely.
Firstly, I did say in my last video i didn't want to go into too much detail about things, because I plan to make youtube videos, covering similar points but for now i am just updating on my blog, so I guess I can explain and if need be I will recap with some youtube videos at a later date...
Anyway, a week or so ago I decided that the first step in business and order myself some business cards. I don't have an official website or anything so I literally just put my name, email address and mobile phone number on the cards, with an explanation of who I am and where I am based. I picked a pretty design (in keeping with the colour scheme and 'style' of my business- more on that later) and ordered them. Now, I thought theses were going to be rather cheap, the website ( http://www.vistaprint.co.uk ) boasted free business cards, so I was obviously expecting them to be free, but as I began editing, and adding postage cost they ended up working out at just under £10, which isn't too bad. I was really excited when they arrived on my doorstep today, and I was really pleased with the outcome. They look really high quality and very professional, and i really did get loads, so I am not so disappointed with the price now.
This is roughly how many I got, give or take a few... pretty sure it was like 250 or 500 or something like that! Definitely enough for me at the moment.
1) I am turning a spare room into an office
2) I might be getting an iMac
3) I am starting a business
Well i thought I would update you today as things are moving on nicely.
Firstly, I did say in my last video i didn't want to go into too much detail about things, because I plan to make youtube videos, covering similar points but for now i am just updating on my blog, so I guess I can explain and if need be I will recap with some youtube videos at a later date...
Anyway, a week or so ago I decided that the first step in business and order myself some business cards. I don't have an official website or anything so I literally just put my name, email address and mobile phone number on the cards, with an explanation of who I am and where I am based. I picked a pretty design (in keeping with the colour scheme and 'style' of my business- more on that later) and ordered them. Now, I thought theses were going to be rather cheap, the website ( http://www.vistaprint.co.uk ) boasted free business cards, so I was obviously expecting them to be free, but as I began editing, and adding postage cost they ended up working out at just under £10, which isn't too bad. I was really excited when they arrived on my doorstep today, and I was really pleased with the outcome. They look really high quality and very professional, and i really did get loads, so I am not so disappointed with the price now.
This is roughly how many I got, give or take a few... pretty sure it was like 250 or 500 or something like that! Definitely enough for me at the moment.
These will be perfect for the wedding next week to give to anyone who asks for my details, quickly and professionally.
So my first business on a budget tip, is to get yourself some business cards! It really is a vital part of starting a successful business and getting your name out there.
I plan to pop these cards in envelopes when I post prints, leave them in shops, give them to friends and family etc. just so they know how to get in contact with me. If people have your details at their fingertips they are more likely to contact you for work, because they wont need to waste time searching for you when they need you!
Also, sign up to vista print and sometimes you get special offers and deals for cheap purchasing. I got a fab little booklet filled with coupons and vouchers for money off purchases, with my business cards, so I will definitely be making use of those.
(sorry they are back to front!)
Bye for now
Becky
P.s get ordering those business cards!
P.p.s. please don't judge me if you see any uncapitalised 'I' letters. Getting used to my new keyboard!
Monday, 4 February 2013
Gap year and business
Hello everyone! I think I will be updating fairly regularly now as I have a blogger app which makes it soooooo much easier to update.
Basically, yesterday I told you about the wedding I was photographing, and the first of my commissioned work, and this got me really excited about my gap year, and what I want to so. I don't know if I explained my situation, but I didn't really find a university I liked enough to commit to for three-four years. I really liked the course at Coventry, but I didn't like the accommodation really and the city was ok, but I wasn't really wowed, and I know that for the amount that university costs to attend now, I really needed to 100% love the places I applied to. So, I decided to take a year out, go to loads of open days, expand my portfolio and get some work experience, but as I kept thinking about it I sort of went off the idea of university at all, not sure why I just didn't think that for me personally, it was the best idea. So, I looked into the possibilities of starting a business. Now part of my business plan is to start making youtube videos, about photography, a-levels, gap years, university alternative options, etc. so I don't want to delve too much into all of that because I want to save some things for the videos.
But what this blog post is really about is my gap year, I got really excited about my small 'jobs'. (I got paid so technically they are jobs, but I guess it's not regular work at the moment). I haven't even left school and I've already had two paid jobs, which is exciting for me because I'm gonna be honest here, these jobs were sort of handed to me, I didn't go out searching for them, but I feel regardless I have made my way into the photography ladder, baby steps at a time.
I plan to get an iMac for my 18th birthday, and my parents said I could have a spare room in our house for an office, so I can spruce if up and give it a lick of paint in about two weeks time, when I am on holiday. I ordered business cards yesterday, and I am getting very over excited as I keep saying. I have huuggeee plans.
The point to this post really, is just to say that I will be setting up a business, selling prints and personalised work, but there will be detailed posts and links available to view soon, and I will blog about my new office and the redecoration process. Hopefully about the wedding, the iMac and any progress I make with my business. I will try and keep you all informed of the process, and will update as often as possible.
A after all that, expect we posts, possible videos and a website! Eeekk! Exciting stuff :)
Bye for now
Becky
Basically, yesterday I told you about the wedding I was photographing, and the first of my commissioned work, and this got me really excited about my gap year, and what I want to so. I don't know if I explained my situation, but I didn't really find a university I liked enough to commit to for three-four years. I really liked the course at Coventry, but I didn't like the accommodation really and the city was ok, but I wasn't really wowed, and I know that for the amount that university costs to attend now, I really needed to 100% love the places I applied to. So, I decided to take a year out, go to loads of open days, expand my portfolio and get some work experience, but as I kept thinking about it I sort of went off the idea of university at all, not sure why I just didn't think that for me personally, it was the best idea. So, I looked into the possibilities of starting a business. Now part of my business plan is to start making youtube videos, about photography, a-levels, gap years, university alternative options, etc. so I don't want to delve too much into all of that because I want to save some things for the videos.
But what this blog post is really about is my gap year, I got really excited about my small 'jobs'. (I got paid so technically they are jobs, but I guess it's not regular work at the moment). I haven't even left school and I've already had two paid jobs, which is exciting for me because I'm gonna be honest here, these jobs were sort of handed to me, I didn't go out searching for them, but I feel regardless I have made my way into the photography ladder, baby steps at a time.
I plan to get an iMac for my 18th birthday, and my parents said I could have a spare room in our house for an office, so I can spruce if up and give it a lick of paint in about two weeks time, when I am on holiday. I ordered business cards yesterday, and I am getting very over excited as I keep saying. I have huuggeee plans.
The point to this post really, is just to say that I will be setting up a business, selling prints and personalised work, but there will be detailed posts and links available to view soon, and I will blog about my new office and the redecoration process. Hopefully about the wedding, the iMac and any progress I make with my business. I will try and keep you all informed of the process, and will update as often as possible.
A after all that, expect we posts, possible videos and a website! Eeekk! Exciting stuff :)
Bye for now
Becky
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Apps
I know I briefly mentioned apps, in my Christmas Day post but I wanted to give you a quick list of my favourite photography apps. I can't arrange my photo order on here so I will put the apps in the same order as the photos at the bottom enjoy...
Firstly, Instagram! I love love love Instagram. Please feel free to read my previous post where I explain my reasons for this, I don't want to repeat myself. My Instagram is @beckyweale if you want to follow, I will follow back! I'd love to hear from you if you followed me after reading this, so leave a comment on one a photo, telling me if you followed me after reading this and ill give you a shout out! I'd love to hear from you. ;)
Second- pad gram, similar to Instagram but specifically designed for the iPad rather than the iPhone or iPod touch. I really like pad gram as you can easily view a large selection of photos, and you can quickly see likes and comments on each photo, but I think I still prefer Instagram. I find it easier to navigate personally.
Third- pic joiner! I love this app! It does what it says on the tin, it joins your pictures which can be super useful if you have more than one photo you want to upload or you just think particular photos look better as a series etc. if I am cooking I like using this app because I can take photos of the process, and the end result and I don't have to upload 4 different photos. I also like combining photos when I have been with my friends and I want to 'summarise' (if that is the right word) all the photos from our day. Whatever you want to use it for, I'm sure you'll find something it's great!
Fourth- fat booth, which isn't really a photography app, but it's really fun and especially for children it can be a right laugh! (This list isn't in order by the way or this app would be a bit further down).
Fifth- vintage cam. I like this app because you can put loads filters on your photos, like Instagram filter which I love, but without needing Instagram. They make dull photos look really creative and 'vintage'! ;)
Sixth- group photo. Now, I was sceptical about this app, but it is rather clever actually, and much quicker than sig photoshop which I used to have to do before. Lets say you've taken two photos, of the same people, in the same place but you look good in only one, and your friend looks good in the other one. Problem right? Nope! This app allows you to swap your head! Haha sounds crazy I know, but you can literally switch your beautiful face with your slightly less beautiful face to create a perfect image of two perfect faces ;) I love this app, because I always blink in photos.
Seventh- iPhoto! My favourite app by far!! I think is app is like £2-3.00 but is really worth it. It's one of the apps that comes with an iMac if you have one, so I've heard. There is a great tutorial on this app on youtube, http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3HKgK6iupls . It has some really quick and easy editing options, filters etc. you can adjust colour, remove spots, brighten and darken areas, remove redeye etc. every basic thing you need to do to a photo. It's not particularly advanced, you wouldn't replace your desktop photoshop with it, but for a cheap app it's extremely good!
Eighth- photoshop! I have photoshop touch, and photoshop express. Photoshop express was free I think, and touch was £6.99. I was expecting great things from photoshop touch and as far as apps go it didn't disappoint. You loose a lot from the full desktop version, but you can still add layers, you've got filters, selection tools, clone stamp, blurs etc. everything you need for basic editing. So it's pretty good. Having said that though, sadly for seven pounds I open iPhoto more than I open photoshop.
Finally- mega photo. Which is just plain fun. There are hundreds of filters and effects to make you laugh! You can upgrade for like £2 if you want more. It's just a laugh really nothing too technical ;)
Unless mentioned, these are free so enjoy! These are just my personal favourites, let me know what you like and don't like!
Bye for now
Becky
Firstly, Instagram! I love love love Instagram. Please feel free to read my previous post where I explain my reasons for this, I don't want to repeat myself. My Instagram is @beckyweale if you want to follow, I will follow back! I'd love to hear from you if you followed me after reading this, so leave a comment on one a photo, telling me if you followed me after reading this and ill give you a shout out! I'd love to hear from you. ;)
Second- pad gram, similar to Instagram but specifically designed for the iPad rather than the iPhone or iPod touch. I really like pad gram as you can easily view a large selection of photos, and you can quickly see likes and comments on each photo, but I think I still prefer Instagram. I find it easier to navigate personally.
Third- pic joiner! I love this app! It does what it says on the tin, it joins your pictures which can be super useful if you have more than one photo you want to upload or you just think particular photos look better as a series etc. if I am cooking I like using this app because I can take photos of the process, and the end result and I don't have to upload 4 different photos. I also like combining photos when I have been with my friends and I want to 'summarise' (if that is the right word) all the photos from our day. Whatever you want to use it for, I'm sure you'll find something it's great!
Fourth- fat booth, which isn't really a photography app, but it's really fun and especially for children it can be a right laugh! (This list isn't in order by the way or this app would be a bit further down).
Fifth- vintage cam. I like this app because you can put loads filters on your photos, like Instagram filter which I love, but without needing Instagram. They make dull photos look really creative and 'vintage'! ;)
Sixth- group photo. Now, I was sceptical about this app, but it is rather clever actually, and much quicker than sig photoshop which I used to have to do before. Lets say you've taken two photos, of the same people, in the same place but you look good in only one, and your friend looks good in the other one. Problem right? Nope! This app allows you to swap your head! Haha sounds crazy I know, but you can literally switch your beautiful face with your slightly less beautiful face to create a perfect image of two perfect faces ;) I love this app, because I always blink in photos.
Seventh- iPhoto! My favourite app by far!! I think is app is like £2-3.00 but is really worth it. It's one of the apps that comes with an iMac if you have one, so I've heard. There is a great tutorial on this app on youtube, http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3HKgK6iupls . It has some really quick and easy editing options, filters etc. you can adjust colour, remove spots, brighten and darken areas, remove redeye etc. every basic thing you need to do to a photo. It's not particularly advanced, you wouldn't replace your desktop photoshop with it, but for a cheap app it's extremely good!
Eighth- photoshop! I have photoshop touch, and photoshop express. Photoshop express was free I think, and touch was £6.99. I was expecting great things from photoshop touch and as far as apps go it didn't disappoint. You loose a lot from the full desktop version, but you can still add layers, you've got filters, selection tools, clone stamp, blurs etc. everything you need for basic editing. So it's pretty good. Having said that though, sadly for seven pounds I open iPhoto more than I open photoshop.
Finally- mega photo. Which is just plain fun. There are hundreds of filters and effects to make you laugh! You can upgrade for like £2 if you want more. It's just a laugh really nothing too technical ;)
Unless mentioned, these are free so enjoy! These are just my personal favourites, let me know what you like and don't like!
Bye for now
Becky
I am feeling in a blogging mood this afternoon, so prepare yourself to be spammed with my blog posts, hopefully you will find them interesting as I have a few A number of things to talk about.
So up next, Instagram.
Until I got an iPad, I had no interest in ever having Instagram, I didn't understand it, didn't see the point iron it but it was one of those free apps I decided to trial one afternoon. I have to say, almost a month on it has become an addiction of mine, I am forever instagrammimg (or instaspamming as I have renamed it), and it really didn't take me long to get the hang of it.
So what is Instagram?
Basically it's a photo sharing application that allows you to post photos, view photos, search photos and like photos. You can follow people, and people follow you. The key to Instagram is the humble #.
So lets say you have a glass of peach juice (which I just so happened to have the other day), and you are very happy that you have this glass of delicious peach juice. You upload it to Instagram, whack a filter on it and hashtag it! Simple as. The filters make the dullest photos look really quite artistic, and the hashtags allow your picture to be found. Kind of like trends on twitter.
I hash tagged my picture with things like 'peach' 'drink' 'love' now anyone who searches for these will find your Image, can like it and follow you. Easy as that! Top tip, words like #love #friends #swag and #follow are apparently highly searched, so me as the addict I am, include them in most. Tags ;) haha!
I hope that all makes sense :/
Why use Instagram?
This year I am king the 2013 happiness challenge. If you haven't heard of it, it's basically where you write something positive that has happened each day and on New Year's Eve at the end of 2013, you sit and you read them, remembering everything wonderful that happened in your year. This challenge has really helped me to look for the smallest things that make me happy in my day, and really appreciate them, a compliment a lovely meal a joke an evening out, a cuddle with my dogs etc etc. little things that make me smile. So I jot those down everyday, but how does that relate to Instagram? Well, I find myself photographing all these little things that make me happy, for example, the peach juice or pretty frost on my car window. I know it sounds so pathetic and twee when I try to explain it, but these little things that might brighten up my day a tiny bit, are permanently recorded, photographically and I can go back and view the things that have made me smile. That was a terrible explanation, but I hope I got my point across.
Photographically it helps you get your work viewed, and you can view other photographers work, but if you are uploading serious shots, I'd recommend putting a watermark on them, just in case. Put a link to your twitter on Instagram and your website, vice versa and keep connected constantly, it's free!
I honestly can't speak more highly of it, I love instagram!
Happy Instagramming people!
Bye for now
Becky
So up next, Instagram.
Until I got an iPad, I had no interest in ever having Instagram, I didn't understand it, didn't see the point iron it but it was one of those free apps I decided to trial one afternoon. I have to say, almost a month on it has become an addiction of mine, I am forever instagrammimg (or instaspamming as I have renamed it), and it really didn't take me long to get the hang of it.
So what is Instagram?
Basically it's a photo sharing application that allows you to post photos, view photos, search photos and like photos. You can follow people, and people follow you. The key to Instagram is the humble #.
So lets say you have a glass of peach juice (which I just so happened to have the other day), and you are very happy that you have this glass of delicious peach juice. You upload it to Instagram, whack a filter on it and hashtag it! Simple as. The filters make the dullest photos look really quite artistic, and the hashtags allow your picture to be found. Kind of like trends on twitter.
I hash tagged my picture with things like 'peach' 'drink' 'love' now anyone who searches for these will find your Image, can like it and follow you. Easy as that! Top tip, words like #love #friends #swag and #follow are apparently highly searched, so me as the addict I am, include them in most. Tags ;) haha!
I hope that all makes sense :/
Why use Instagram?
This year I am king the 2013 happiness challenge. If you haven't heard of it, it's basically where you write something positive that has happened each day and on New Year's Eve at the end of 2013, you sit and you read them, remembering everything wonderful that happened in your year. This challenge has really helped me to look for the smallest things that make me happy in my day, and really appreciate them, a compliment a lovely meal a joke an evening out, a cuddle with my dogs etc etc. little things that make me smile. So I jot those down everyday, but how does that relate to Instagram? Well, I find myself photographing all these little things that make me happy, for example, the peach juice or pretty frost on my car window. I know it sounds so pathetic and twee when I try to explain it, but these little things that might brighten up my day a tiny bit, are permanently recorded, photographically and I can go back and view the things that have made me smile. That was a terrible explanation, but I hope I got my point across.
Photographically it helps you get your work viewed, and you can view other photographers work, but if you are uploading serious shots, I'd recommend putting a watermark on them, just in case. Put a link to your twitter on Instagram and your website, vice versa and keep connected constantly, it's free!
I honestly can't speak more highly of it, I love instagram!
Happy Instagramming people!
Bye for now
Becky
Exciting new things that have happened...
I know I haven't posted anything since Christmas Day, but trust me I really have been busy! I thought I'd give you a quick update, because two very exciting things have happened for me in the last month.
1- I have been asked to photograph a wedding! This is huge for me, I am not even 18 and I'm doing my first wedding. It's very exciting for me, and I hope it will be a fantastic experience and a chance for me to really learn and progress with my photography skills, so this is great news! It's on the 15th of February, which is coming round rather quickly, and I am super nervous so please keep me in your prayers on the 15th ;) thanks! P.s. I wonder if any of you could share any tips and tricks for wedding photography as its my first time?
2- I have literally just picked up my first piece of commissioned work. It is a poster for a local orchestra, and it was very exciting that I got asked to make them a poster to advertise their concert. I am going to upload some of my graphics work on here at some point, because it is available to buy but I am waiting for my website to go live. Basically I digitally paint photographs using a very slow, careful and complex technique, which I have learnt myself. I did make it up as I was using photoshop, but I have no idea if someone has done it before me, I've never seem any work like it. I will inform you when these personalised art pieces are available to buy and tell you more about them when I do. :) so this poster was using this technique and photos that I had taken a few months ago. It's so amazing for me, to get paid for something that was just a hobby, I really feel like I'm beginning on a fantastic journey and I haven't even left school yet.
This new technique particularly is a big break through for me, and I have already been asked to make paintings for friends and family and for my school, for posters and advertisement, I can't wait to share it wi you all on my website.
Bye for now... New posts coming in a few minutes
Becky
1- I have been asked to photograph a wedding! This is huge for me, I am not even 18 and I'm doing my first wedding. It's very exciting for me, and I hope it will be a fantastic experience and a chance for me to really learn and progress with my photography skills, so this is great news! It's on the 15th of February, which is coming round rather quickly, and I am super nervous so please keep me in your prayers on the 15th ;) thanks! P.s. I wonder if any of you could share any tips and tricks for wedding photography as its my first time?
2- I have literally just picked up my first piece of commissioned work. It is a poster for a local orchestra, and it was very exciting that I got asked to make them a poster to advertise their concert. I am going to upload some of my graphics work on here at some point, because it is available to buy but I am waiting for my website to go live. Basically I digitally paint photographs using a very slow, careful and complex technique, which I have learnt myself. I did make it up as I was using photoshop, but I have no idea if someone has done it before me, I've never seem any work like it. I will inform you when these personalised art pieces are available to buy and tell you more about them when I do. :) so this poster was using this technique and photos that I had taken a few months ago. It's so amazing for me, to get paid for something that was just a hobby, I really feel like I'm beginning on a fantastic journey and I haven't even left school yet.
This new technique particularly is a big break through for me, and I have already been asked to make paintings for friends and family and for my school, for posters and advertisement, I can't wait to share it wi you all on my website.
Bye for now... New posts coming in a few minutes
Becky
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