Tips

It’s one of the most spectacular scenes in the world and for that reason alone, the Northern Lights constantly attracts photographers from all over the world. Even though they have been snapped hundreds of thousands of times (if not more), we all want a slice of the action so that we can proudly stare at them on the wall of our house.

Before you get to the photo printing stage, it stands to reason that you need to learn how to take a photo of something of such magnitude though. Suffice to say, this isn’t like a portrait or anything else which is so-called simple. Instead, this is one of the most complex types of photography out there, with the varying degrees of light just adding to the complexity.

Bearing this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best tips to photograph the Northern Lights.

Make sure you keep warm

This first suggestion is anything but technical, but it’s by far and away the most important step you will take.

In short, it’s absolutely freezing once you arrive at the Northern Lights. It’s the sort of cold where you won’t be able to feel your hands and it should go without saying at this point that this can be damaging to the quality of your photographs. You’ll struggle to keep still, your concentration levels will drop and overall, you will have spurned the perfect photo opportunity.

Your hands are naturally one of the main things you should be focusing on. As well as donning a thick pair of mitts, it’s advisable to wear some thinner silk ones underneath so that you can easily adjust your camera.

A tripod is essential

This next point is probably completely expected following the previous section. After all, if your body is cold and shaking, the chances of snapping a still image are pretty much zero.

This is where a tripod enters the equation. Sure, they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but on some occasions they do work very well and this can be one of them.

Furthermore, this is a scene which is notoriously dark. This means that you will need a slower shutter speed, with the upshot of this being that your camera is more susceptible to movement. Again, through a tripod, you can mitigate this risk and keep your image completely still.

It’s not just about the sky

One of the main mistakes a lot of people make when taking a photo of the Northern Lights is to only focus on the sky. In some ways, this is completely understandable, as it’s the vibrant lights that really capture everyone’s attention.

From a photography perspective, you can get more out of the scene though. Don’t just take the sky, take things around it. Bring some context into the photo; bring people standing and gazing into the sky, and all of the other factors of the landscape. This really brings your photo to life – and that should never be underestimated.

For many homeowners, certain pieces of furniture hold great sentimental value. Whether it’s a couch you inherited from your parents, or the first piece of furniture you ever bought, there comes a time when it succumbs to old age. Gary G Friedman believes that there is an ever-increasing number of people that are turning to restoration rather than buying new furniture. In addition to preserving the value of such pieces of furniture, there are plenty of other reasons why furniture restoration is so popular these days.

Preservation of Value

One of the greater benefits of furniture restoration is that you can choose to create a whole new style to suit your evolving tastes or restore your furniture to its original glory. Either way, you get to preserve the value of your furniture and give it new life in your home. You will be surprised at how an old piece of furniture can give your home a complete face-lift. For some people, being able to restore high-value memorable pieces matters more than monetary value.

Extended Useful Life

The ability to re-use old furniture through restoration is a benefit in itself. Everyone wants elegant and classy furniture. We meticulously choose the style and design of each piece of furniture because we want them to match the entire home décor. Restoration helps to give old furniture a new look and essence, getting rid of the notion that old pieces of art have no use anymore.

Increasing Value

It holds true that today’s furniture barely meets the high-quality standards of older pieces of furniture. Therefore, restoring old furniture adds to the preserved value of high-quality pieces of furniture that can last a lifetime. It provides a unique opportunity to ensure antique pieces and high-value furniture items maintain their structural integrity and increase in value.

Eco-Friendly

Research has it that furniture restoration reduces our carbon footprint. It is estimated that the process of making new furniture releases about 1000 times more carbon dioxide into the ecosystem than refinishing and restoring existing furniture. Restoring furniture generates no waste, unlike disposing of old furniture which is wasteful. By restoring your old sofa or dining room set, you could be doing your part to protect the environment.

Cost Savings

If you spare some time to check out the prices of new furniture in the market, you will be surprised at the high cost of new furniture. With furniture restoration, you get an opportunity to save money big. Even when the furniture you’re restoring is quite valuable, opting to restore rather than buy new can leave you with more money in your pockets, and who doesn’t want to save more in these tough economic times? This can give you the advantage of being able to restyle your home without having to get a bank loan or borrow from other sources.

When planning for furniture restoration, experts in furniture restoration can provide valuable advice. Seeking expert help and opinion can help you to save the environment, keep our existing furniture in use for longer and save you money.

If you’re highly interested in taking the plunge and investing a small portion of your long-term savings into Bitcoin, it’s well worth learning how to invest in Bitcoin, the smart way. After all, as a new investor, there are a wide variety of traps to look out for, in order to make a decent profit on your investment!

How to invest in Bitcoin: The smart way

1. Choose to make your investments through an online broker, rather than visiting a Bitcoin marketplace

If you’re relatively new to investing, you may find that it’s a far wiser move to purchase your Bitcoin through an accredited online broker, rather than trying your luck at a Bitcoin marketplace. As if you purchase Bitcoin through a website which specializes in buying and selling Bitcoin, you’re almost guaranteed to purchase Bitcoin at a fair rate.

Whereas if you try to negotiate your own deal, directly with a Bitcoin seller, whom you find through a Bitcoin marketplace, you may end up paying a price which is far higher than you’d pay through a Bitcoin broker. Worse yet, there are a lot of cowboy sellers who prey on new investors, who browse Bitcoin marketplaces in the hopes of scoring an incredible deal.

2. Choose to purchase Bitcoin on a regular basis

Contrary to popular belief you don’t have to invest thousands of dollars into Bitcoin, in one go. Instead, if you’re looking to decrease your perceived level of risk you may want to invest a small amount of a few hundred dollars into Bitcoin on a bimonthly basis. If you set yourself a goal of investing in Bitcoin on a bi-monthly basis, you’ll also be surprised at just how quickly your investment will grow.

3. Don’t be put off or alarmed if Bitcoin’s share price drops

If you’re going to invest in Bitcoin, you have to be comfortable with seeing the share price of your Bitcoins drop slightly, from time to time. While you may be tempted to cut your losses and sell all of your Bitcoin as fast as you can, you’ll only sell yourself short and disappoint yourself as in 9 years Bitcoin’s share price has always recovered after taking a slight dip. After all, in order to make money as an investor, it’s crucial to be able to sit tight and wait out a slight drop in market price.

In fact, investment experts predict that Bitcoin will continue to rise in price for a minimum period of two years.

4. If you choose to purchase Bitcoin through a broker, make sure that you’re comfortable with their fees

Most online websites which specialize in brokering Bitcoin feature fees, which you’ll need to factor into the price of your Bitcoin. If possible, try to opt for an accredited, well-established site which offers minimal fees and will allow you to make regular Bitcoin investments on a monthly basis, without having to pay an exorbitant amount in fees.

So if you’re ready to invest in Bitcoin, the smart way, simply remember to keep the 4 tips listed above in mind!

If you or your partner has been experiencing an intimate health problem, it can be tempting to bury your head in the sand. Let’s face it, dealing with these issues can be awkward and embarrassing. However, there’s no reason why you should have to put up with it. Let’s take a look at three wellbeing woes and what you can do about them.

1. Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to the inability to get or maintain an erection, and while it can be an embarrassing problem to have to deal with, it’s vital that you do something about it. ED can be the first sign of a much more serious health condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or even heart disease, or it could be linked to a psychological issue like anxiety or depression. So, instead of ignoring your ED in the hope that it will go away by itself, it’s crucial that you speak up.

Firstly, you should book an appointment to see your doctor. ED is usually treated by tackling the root of the problem first, so they may suggest making some lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or giving up smoking. Your doctor may also recommend that you try a targeted treatment, such as tadalafil. This medicine works by temporarily increasing blood flow to the penis to enable an erection. To find out more about tadalafil and the other treatment options available to you, you should speak to your doctor or you could carry out your own research online.

2. Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness is a common problem among women, especially those who are going through the menopause, but it can happen at just about any age. This health issue is also common in women who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding. It can be an extremely uncomfortable problem to experience, especially during sex. But, while you may feel awkward, it’s important to note that you don’t have to put up with it.

The good news is, there are a number of things you can try to relieve your symptoms. For example, you could use a lubricant or vaginal moisturiser. These can be purchased from your local pharmacy. If this doesn’t help, you should speak to your doctor. They will be able to assess your symptoms and suggest further treatment.

3. Premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) refers to when a man ejaculates too quickly during sex. While there are no rules around how long sex should last for a couple, it can be an upsetting problem to experience. It’s important to note that the odd episode of PE is perfectly normal, but if it you’ve noticed that it’s happening regularly, it’s worth doing something about it. The truth is, PE can be linked to a range of health concerns, such as prostate problems and thyroid issues. It can also be related to stress, anxiety and depression.

There are a number of different ways you can tackle this problem. For example, if your PE is being caused by another health issue, you could resolve it by treating this first. Alternatively, you could try using a treatment such as a numbing cream that is applied to the penis to minimise sensitivity. For more help and advice about the treatment options that are available to you, you should discuss your situation with your doctor.

Your health and wellbeing is important, so regardless of the issue you’re dealing with, it’s worth knowing that there is help available.

You probably know that buying a home is likely to be the biggest purchase you will ever make. Sure, you may upscale over the years as your income grows and you need space for a family, but that first-time buy can feel like a leap into the unknown.

It doesn’t have to be like that though. It may be nerve-wracking as you move through the buying process, but you can do a lot to make things easier for yourself. The main thing to do is research what has to be done, take advice from friends or acquaintances who have done this before, and listen to impartial professional guidance.

Here are a few tips to help you on the way to your ideal home purchase.

Save early

In the end, it’s all about the money. Sure, the legal side of things is extremely important as well, but without the money and the right mortgage, you’re stuck. So, prepare for your future and save as much as you can for putting a down payment on the table when you’re looking for a mortgage.

It all depends on the lender, and that’s why you need to look into your borrowing options right from the start. Some may want you to put down up to 20% of the price agreed, but you could find a program that will let you, as a first-time buyer, put down a much lower percentage.

Remember that the more you can put down at the beginning the better, because it means that the repayment amounts you’ll be making will be lower. You should also look for a lender offering a low-interest rate, but you should also be aware that a higher rate might kick in after an introductory period ends.

The advice is: always read the small print! Don’t enter into a binding agreement without fully understanding what you are committing yourself to. It’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of your first home purchase but put your business head on and ensure that you are comfortable with what your financial circumstances are going to be in the years ahead.

Know what you can realistically afford

Use an online calculator so you know what you can sensibly afford. Again, it’s easy to get carried away, but you need to know how much you can safely spend. Try to avoid the mindset of “it’ll all work out fine” because if it doesn’t then you could be in real danger of losing your home. Be practical and realistic and draw up a budget for all your income and expenditure. Factor this into your repayment schedule, and you will have put yourself in control.

Don’t rush

You may be desperate to get the particular property you’ve set your heart on but step back a moment and look carefully at your options. Is it relatively close to your work? Are there stores and malls at a convenient distance? If you already have or plan to have a family, where are the nearest schools? Take the time to explore your options and then make a considered judgment as to whether it is right for you and your circumstances.

After all, there are plenty more choices out there.

Consider home warranty options

When you’ve made your decision and are going ahead with your purchase, you should consider what insurance you may need for the future. It’s pretty much essential to insure your home, both the building and the contents. As with everything in life you never know what’s going to happen so suitable insurance is a way of bringing peace of mind just in case something does go wrong.

You should always explore a range of insurance options, and once again it’s essential to read the small print, so you know exactly what you’re buying and what level of protection you will have. You can consider home warranty coverage, an insurance that can give you many possibilities for cover, but when it comes down to a specific, you should always check to see if it’s covered. It could be machine breakdown, accidental damage, heating or air con problems, so make sure you know and understand what a home warranty offers you.

Keep your options open

Nothing’s done until you’ve signed the papers so keep all your options open until you find everything works for you. Examine the financial side, look at the neighborhood, find out about the condition of your proposed home and how much you might have to spend to get it to where you want it to be.

Above all, be happy with your final choice and make your first home the place you genuinely want to be. Happy moving and enjoy your first home, you deserve it!