Tom Luxsox Coins

Perfect Detail

Composition is like chasing the holy grail or the mythical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It can be elusive and frustrating. Just when think you have it the illusion fades. Why is this? Is it really possible to get the perfect composition. The answer is yes. Here's how.

You will never take that perfect shot if you don't learn the basics of photographic composition. The fundamentals of photography need to be mastered, even if only to a limited degree, if you are going to stand a chance of taking that perfect shot. And, it is remarkably simple to do if you just implement the basics. The ground rules will take you to another level. Just try it and see. Here are some of my steps to that perfect photo.

1. Take a closer look

Don't just stand and shoot away. Before you even point you camera take a closer look at the subject, object or scene that you are planning to shoot. The operative word here is planning. By taking a closer look you begin your plan of action. Once you are aware of all the elements you want to include you can look through the viewfinder and start looking more closely at your composition. Knowing your subject, as with anything, will give you a distinct advantage over your peers.

2. Take your time

If you are going to progress to more than a 'point and shooter', take you time and think. When you think about it this is so logical. An artist does it, a carpenter, scientist and all other occupations do it as well. Ponder what you want to achieve before pressing the shutter. The time that you take will be reflected in the final image. Take your time and look at how the various elements, subject, colour, shape, angles and light affect each other. Do colours complement each other? Do objects distract the viewer from the main subject? If you take your time you'll notice these issues and make the necessary adjustments.

3. Look for detail

Most people look at the big picture but not the detail. By not getting closer you miss much of what a subject is all about. Of course, your wife or girlfriend might not want you to get in too close so be careful. By detail we mean look for the smaller patterns, texture and form. Using the macro feature on your compact camera or a macro lens on an SLR will get you in really close and bring out the detail of any subject. It's this detail, the pattern of a fabric, the links in a chain or the texture of a building's brickwork that adds an element of depth to your photography.

4. Make the most of the photo opportunity

Don't just shoot a few shots of your subject. Once you have analysed it, thought about it and looked at the detail, start shooting. Shoot from every conceivable angle you can think of. Change your perspective or vantage point. Get higher and then lower. Use your feet to move around the subject. Get in closer. Mover further away. Change the camera's angle by 45 degrees. Shoot in horizontal then vertical format. Hold the camera above your head. The key is to try shoot from every position you can think of. You want to exhaust all your options. Try things you have never done before. This is what creativity really is, trying new things that haven't been done before.

5. Evaluate and shoot again

Once you have finished shooting start evaluating. You can do this in the camera if you have a bigger enough LCD screen or leave it till you get home. What you want to do is go through all of the images and delete those that are really bad or below average. This is called chimping when doing it in camera. Once you have evaluated you'll see which photos are really great and which can be improved. Those that can be improved need to be shot again.  Once the whole process is over, evaluate again and choose the images you feel are the best.

Now, it's not guaranteed that you have taken the perfect shot but the chances are that you would have shot the perfect shot have increased exponentially. Why? Because you have implemented some basic techniques to improve. These steps practised on a regular basis are going ensure that your chances of shooting a perfect image increase every time. Practise makes perfect is what the old adage says, so keep practising.

Do you want to learn more about photography in a digital world? I've just completed a brand new e-course delivered by e-mail. Download it here for free: http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/ To learn how you can take your photography from ordinary to outstanding visit http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm

Wayne Turner has been teaching photography for 25 years and has written three books on photography.

Detail $10 Detail

In The Detail $11.49 In The Detail

The Perfect Nest $16.28 It's the perfect read-aloud A flustered cat is on the verge of crying fowl in a farmyard story that will crack kids up. Jack the cat is building the perfect nest. It's bound to attract the perfect chicken, who will lay the perfect egg, which will make the perfect omelet. And sure enough, a chicken shows up ("Caramba "), but so do a duck ("Sacre bleu ") and a goose ("Great balls of fire "). Feathers get ruffled -- and Jack gets much more than breakfast -- in a funny tale rich in detail with a sweet final twist.

Perfect Wisdom $23.53 Perfect Wisdom relates the story of a manas final days on this earth, and the astonishing spiritual events that he and his family witnessed before and during his illness. Heavenly inspired wonders that were actually experienced are described in detail. A mysterious rush of wind, the veil that covers manas natural eyes and the sound of angelic choirs blended in perfect harmony, not visible to the naked eye, are some of the remarkable scenes included in the aDivine Gracea portion of the book. Renae Jones shows the reader how the magnificent wisdom of a loving God works on our behalf, as He wisely orchestrates the events of our lives. You will be mesmerized as the author experiences the incredible grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, as He pours streams of consolations into her life during the painful cycle of her fatheras death. aThe circumstances in our lives are pieces of a larger scheme of the puzzle of life, and in His Perfect Wisdom, the pieces fit.a

The Final Detail $3.95 His heart is broken. His partner is in jail. And someone is trying to kill him. Then Myron Bolitar gets some really bad news.... For sports agent Myron Bolitar, it seemed like the perfect vacation. A tropical beach. A warm breeze. A little uncomplicated passion with a woman he barely knows. Myron is almost in heaven when his friend Win shows up with a message that blasts him back to reality: Esperanza is in trouble. It's time to come home. Now Myron is back in New York, determined to help Esperanza, his best friend and partner, who's been accused of killing one of their clients. But Esperanza isn't talking. Neither is her lawyer. And to prove his friend's innocence, Myron must trace the rise and fall of the victim, a pitcher who had been making a comeback with the Yankees. Suddenly the investigation is leading Myron to places he'd rather not go: into a family's agony, through the city's sexual underground, and to a moment buried on the dark side of a brilliant sports career.... Twelve years ago a young agent named Bolitar tried to help an up-and-coming athlete. It was a fatal mistake-- and now Myron will have to pay the price....

The Perfect Machine $12.99 Almost a half-century after is completion, the 200-inch Palomar telescope remains an unparalleled combination of vast scale and microscope detail. As huge as the Pantheon of Rome and as heavy as the Statue of Liberty, this magnificent instrument is so precisely built that its seventeen-foot mirror was hand-polished to a tolerance of 2/1,000,000 of an inch. The telescope's construction drove some to the brink of madness, made others fearful that mortals might glimpse heaven, and transfixed an entire nation. Ronald Florence weaves into his account of the creation of "the perfect machine" a stirring chronicle of the birth of Big Science and a poignant rendering of an America mired in the depression yet reaching for the stars.

The Perfect Punter $12.99 Like millions of other sports-mad gamblers around the world, Dave Farrar loved taking on the bookies. But when the girl that he loved walked out on him without explaining why, it all went wrong and he embarked on an ill-disciplined six-month losing streak that made him decide that he was done with punting forever. As he started to get over the fact that the girl wasn't coming back, he resolved not to give up without a fight. But this time, he was going to do it properly, making sure that he did enough research to take on the bookmakers and win. In The Perfect Punter , Farrar delves into the detail of every sporting event he'd lost money on in that bad run to make sure that, whenever he placed a bet in the future, he would know more about it than anyone else. He travels around the world following the sporting calendar, meeting experts who help him get to the bottom of each event so he can try to win back every penny that he lost. From snooker at the Crucible and racing at Cheltenham, to tennis at Roland Garros, golf's Ryder Cup and the US Superbowl, The Perfect Punter is the engrossing story of one man's journey to overcome the odds.

Chinese Coin - RED with Gold Detail - Perfect for All of Your Routines. $10.35 High quality imitation Chinese coin perfect for all of your routines. Highly-polished finish with raised Chinese characters on one side and an exotic dragon on the other. This is NOT a cheaply stamped and painted washer - it is a custom-made coin crafted with the magician in mind. The same size as a US half dollar this coin works well for manipulation matrix routines Charming Chinese Challenge Spellbound and Three Fly - nearly any coin effect.

The Perfect Fit $40.51 Image Consulting has been identified as one of the top home-based professions for the new millennium. This is the first book that outlines in detail how to design an image consulting business, the training you will need and how to market and promote your services. Also included is a section on resources, sample documents, media lists and consulting tools and training. This is a MUST HAVE if you want to start a successful image business.

Perfect CV $14.3 A must-have for any job hunter, this insightful resource offers tried-and-tested tips towards creating a flawless resume. Every detail of compiling your resume is addressed, from the layout to the proper use of language and punctuation, and sample resumes are provided for comparison. Information on what qualities companies desire as well as instructions on how to discover and emphasize your individual potential within your resume is also included alongside a variety of invaluable checklists that will ensure all vital details are addressed. Whether you are just starting out or looking to climb the next rung in the work force, this guidebook will make it all possible.

The Perfect Storm $3.95 In October 1991, three weather systems collided off the coast of Nova Scotia to create a storm of singular fury, boasting waves over one hundred feet high. Among its victims was the Gloucester, Massachusetts-based swordfishing boat the Andrea Gail, which vanished with all six crew members aboard. "Drifting down on swimmers is standard rescue procedure, but the seas are so violent that Buschor keeps getting flung out of reach. There are times when he's thirty feet higher than the men trying to rescue him. . . . I]f the boat's not going to Buschor, Buschor's going to have to go to it. SWIM they scream over the rail. SWIM Buschor rips off his gloves and hood and starts swimming for his life." It was the storm of the century, boasting waves over one hundred feet high a tempest created by so rare a combination of factors that meteorologists deemed it "the perfect storm." When it struck in October 1991, there was virtually no warning. "She's comin' on, boys, and she's comin' on strong," radioed Captain Billy Tyne of the Andrea Gail off the coast of Nova Scotia, and soon afterward the boat and its crew of six disappeared without a trace. In a book taut with the fury of the elements, Sebastian Junger takes us deep into the heart of the storm, depicting with vivid detail the courage, terror, and awe that surface in such a gale. Junger illuminates a world of swordfishermen consumed by the dangerous but lucrative trade of offshore fishing, "a young man's game, a single man's game," and gives us a glimpse of their lives in the tough fishing port of Gloucester, Massachusetts; he recreates the last moments of the Andrea Gail crew and recounts the daring high-seas rescues that made heroes of some and victims of others; and he weaves together the history of the fishing industry, the science of storms, and the candid accounts of the people whose lives the storm touched, to produce a rich and informed narrative. The Perfect Storm is a real-life thriller that will leave readers with the taste of salt air on their tongues and a sense of terror of the deep.

Picture Perfect $20.63 Cassie Barrett, a world-renowned anthropologist, wakes up in a graveyard and doesn't know who she is. Taken in for a few days by William Flying Horse, a Native American police officer, she waits for her life to re-appear. When Hollywood heartthrob Alex Rivers shows up to claim her as his wife, she is stunned but still doesn't remember anything. After she returns to her fairytale existence as Alex Rivers' wife, fragments of memory come back but she senses there is a side to her husband that she can't remember. When she finds a positive pregnancy test hidden in her bathroom, dark memories return, allowing her to piece together her past. Frightened, she runs to the only person she trusts to keep her hidden: Will. Jodi Picoult's story is a tapestry rich in detail and emotion, a beautifully written novel that will deeply reward, and perhaps inspire, its listeners.

Nineteenth-Century Fashion in Detail $32.57 Now in paperback with a new cover, this volume celebrates 19th-century fashion in lavishly illustrated detail. From the delicate embroidery on ballgowns to the vibrant synthetic colors of crinolines, the major themes of 19th-century fashion are explored as never before in this exquisite book. Featuring specially commissioned color photographs of garments from the V&A's superb collection and many close-up details, alongside accurate line drawings of each garment's underlying structure, the book's 150 pieces capture the opulence and variety of this fascinating era. " Perfect for those who want an authentic take on the latest Victorian trend." -"In Style"

The Perfect Pant by Antigua $29.95 46% polyester/46% cotton/8% spandex track pant with elastic waistband, lace up detailing, contrast stripe detail down sides.

Perfect Zip-Up Hoodie $56 Alpinestars Perfect Zip-Up Hoodie Cotton/polyester 330 gm/m2 fleece Zip front hooded silhouette Kangaroo pocket detail, with rib cuffs and waistband Astar logo zipper pull and drawcord, with dyed-to-match Astar logo embroidery shoulder patch Two color plastisol print with contrast Astar logo embroidery

Craft Detail Scissors 4 in. each $2.73 Ideal for very detailed, precise paper cutting, the Armada Craft Detail Scissors are manufactured to cut effectively and precisely with ease through a range of materials, including paper, fabric, leather, and cardboard. The scissors' ambidextrous grip is perfect for right- and left-handed crafters.A great addition to any crafter's toolbox

Detail craft scissors - Pack of 48 $54.43 This pair of detail craft scissors are made of high quality stainless steel with sharp blades for smooth cutting. Perfect for cross stitch, needle point, hand work, embroidery, smocking, knitting, quilting and crochet. Comes packaged on a hanging card. Scissors measure 3 1/4". Dimensions:. Length: 8. Height: 8. Width: 8

Detail craft scissors - Pack of 24 $36.29 This pair of detail craft scissors are made of high quality stainless steel with sharp blades for smooth cutting. Perfect for cross stitch, needle point, hand work, embroidery, smocking, knitting, quilting and crochet. Comes packaged on a hanging card. Scissors measure 3 1/4". Dimensions:. Length: 6. Height: 6. Width: 6

Detail craft scissors - Pack of 72 $66.34 This pair of detail craft scissors are made of high quality stainless steel with sharp blades for smooth cutting. Perfect for cross stitch, needle point, hand work, embroidery, smocking, knitting, quilting and crochet. Comes packaged on a hanging card. Scissors measure 3 1/4". Dimensions:. Length: 9. Height: 9. Width: 9

Detail craft scissors - Pack of 96 $88.45 This pair of detail craft scissors are made of high quality stainless steel with sharp blades for smooth cutting. Perfect for cross stitch, needle point, hand work, embroidery, smocking, knitting, quilting and crochet. Comes packaged on a hanging card. Scissors measure 3 1/4". Dimensions:. Length: 10. Height: 10. Width: 10

Detail craft scissors Pack of 24 $46.66 This pair of detail craft scissors are made of high quality stainless steel with sharp blades for smooth cutting. Perfect for cross stitch needle point hand work embroidery smocking knitting quilting and crochet. Comes packaged on a hanging card. Scissors measure 3 1/4 . Dimensions:. Length: 6. Height: 6. Width: 6

Detail craft scissors Pack of 48 $69.98 This pair of detail craft scissors are made of high quality stainless steel with sharp blades for smooth cutting. Perfect for cross stitch needle point hand work embroidery smocking knitting quilting and crochet. Comes packaged on a hanging card. Scissors measure 3 1/4 . Dimensions:. Length: 8. Height: 8. Width: 8

Detail craft scissors Pack of 72 $85.29 This pair of detail craft scissors are made of high quality stainless steel with sharp blades for smooth cutting. Perfect for cross stitch needle point hand work embroidery smocking knitting quilting and crochet. Comes packaged on a hanging card. Scissors measure 3 1/4 . Dimensions:. Length: 9. Height: 9. Width: 9

Detail craft scissors Pack of 96 $113.72 This pair of detail craft scissors are made of high quality stainless steel with sharp blades for smooth cutting. Perfect for cross stitch needle point hand work embroidery smocking knitting quilting and crochet. Comes packaged on a hanging card. Scissors measure 3 1/4 . Dimensions:. Length: 10. Height: 10. Width: 10

Savoir Embellished Detail Shrug $4.99 Stay in style this season with this modern shrug by Savoir The gorgeous colour, partnered with the embellishment to the shoulders creates a shrug that will gain attention for all the right reasons Ideal for casual wear, this is the perfect layering piece Partner with scoop neck t-shirt, jeans and heels for a fashionable look Shrug comes in slub jersey fabric Material Contents: Viscose Garment Care: Machine washable

Reading For Detail - 3.5-5.0 $15.13 Students will truly understand what they read with the help of these easy-to-use reading comprehension cards! Students read paragraphs then answer questions about details. Perfect for center activities, homework and filling down-time between lessons. Students read paragraphs then answer questions about details. A great review for testing! Each pack has 52, 3½ x 5½" self-checking question cards and two instruction cards.

Reading For Detail - 2.0-3.5 $15.13 Students will truly understand what they read with the help of these easy-to-use reading comprehension cards! Students read paragraphs then answer questions about details. Perfect for center activities, homework and filling down-time between lessons. Students read paragraphs then answer questions about details. A great review for testing! Each pack has 52, 3½ x 5½" self-checking question cards and two instruction cards.