If you are a professional photographer, you must have a set of filters in your camera equipment. Even if you are just an amateur, you probably have one or two filters. What are filters? Why do photographers buy different filters? How do they work?

Camera filters are transparent optical elements that change light properties entering the camera to improve the recorded image. Filters affect the different properties of an image such as sharpness, contrast, color, highlight flare, and light intensity. It can alter one or a combination of these properties, and can also create various special effects.

Camera filters are connected to the front of the lens. Aside from its features, it also protects the lens from elements such as salt air. Some cameras need lens adapters to be able to use filters.

Filters work the same whether you use them on a digital camera or film. There are just a few differences to be considered. Filters that can reduce excess contrast such as polarizers are helpful in a digital camera because digital is more inclined to blow out highlights. Digital cameras are also known to be less sensitive to ultraviolet light, thus, ordinary UV filters may not be needed. Also, infrared filters are easier to use in digital cameras.

Some Filter Types

There are different kinds of filters for a camera and each has its own purpose.

- Ultraviolet filters. As the name implies, this type of filter absorbs ultraviolet light. Cameras, especially ones that use film, have high sensitivity to the invisible light known as ultraviolet light. This is common in making outdoor shots, especially in highly elevated places where there is only a thin layer of atmosphere that absorbs the ultraviolet light.

Without UV filters, viewing far images can be difficult because UV causes a haze that diminishes details with farther distance. UV filters are available in various absorption levels measured by the percentage of transmission at 400 nanometers. A filter that transmits 0% is ideal for long distance and aerial shots. For normal situations, a UV filter with 29% transmission is generally good enough.

- Infra-Red filters. These filters are used to reduce visible light. Filters that can totally absorb visible light and transmit only infrared lights are useful for situations like recording heat effects and aerial haze penetration.

- Natural density (ND) filters. ND filters are used when light intensity is high and proper exposure needs to be attained or when a specific lens opening is required for sharpness purposes. This type of filter evenly absorbs light throughout the visible range which alters the exposure effectively without the need to change lens opening or do color shifts.

- Polarizing filters. Polar filters or polarizers enhance contrast, color and reflection control. It has a different optical principle compared to other filter types. Polarizing filters allows light to pass through in just one vibratory direction. Different alignment can produce different effects to the image. If the filter is aligned perpendicularly to the polarized reflected glare, the result would creat stronger colors because true-colored reflection will pass through.

Polarizers are increasingly being used for outdoor shots to improve contrast and color saturation. A blue sky can be darkened by a polarizing filter, but it has to be blue in the first place.

Polarizers can also minimize and control reflections from water or glass surfaces. To get the best results, an angle of 33 degrees incident to the surface is advisable. The effect can be seen by viewing through while the polarizer is rotated. An object in water can appear as an object out of water without having the reflection.

Optical filters can be a good investment for those who want to make a living out of photography. It allows for different kinds of shots with special effects. It also makes an image look more alive by the different features and effects these filters have to offer.

But even when taking pictures just as a hobby, having some of these filters will be necessary to get the image of clarity desired. Taking a shot without a filter is indeed different from a shot with one.

There are just some considerations that need to be thought about before buying filters. Different types of filters are obviously for different purposes. It is best to determine what the main purpose is and what type of situation is commonly encountered.
For more helpful information about digital photography don't miss

The more time people spend at your web site, the more time you'll have to persuade them to buy your product or service. Below are ten powerful ways to keep visitors at your web site longer.

1. Provide your web site visitors with content they can't read anywhere else. People will stay longer at your web site to read the original content.

2. Remind your web site visitors they can print out your content. They may browse around your online store while it's printing.

3. Offer your web site visitors a freebie if they take the time to fill out your online survey. They'll be at the site longer and might buy something afterwards.

4. Offer your visitors free software that they can download right from your web site. While they are waiting they might read your ad.

5. Provide a huge online directory of information that your visitors could search. The directory must contain information your visitors would want.

6. Make sure all your web pages load fast or your visitors will leave fast. Time is precious; they won't waste it waiting for your site to load.

7. Tell your visitors what's offered at your web site at the very beginning. If people are confused about what's being offered they may leave too early.

8. Publish your web site professionally. People will get turned off and leave if they see a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes.

9. Make your site text easy to read. Most people won't strain their eyes trying to read text that is too small, light or bright.

10. Use headlines and sub headlines all over your your web site that will grab visitors attention. It will attract them to explore your web site longer.

Do you remember your first day as a business owner? You were probably just like the rest of us... pretty darned happy and bit on the proud side. Yeah, back then we thought we could conquer the world. Now we're too busy conquering our own little corner of the world to pay a lot of attention to the rest of the world... unless it's to learn a few tips from successful marketers just like us who have made it big. Tips just like these... that will apply to every market - regardless of the product or service - and are great motivators to try something new. Yeah, you never know when the next idea will be worth a million pounds!

1. Create a Special Offer

A special offer is exactly that... an offer that is special. Normally, customers would not be able to purchase this product or combination of products, and once the products are gone... sorry!

You don't have to go out and order a bunch of new products to put together a special offer. It don't take a whole lot... just use what you've got. Grab a few items that are related, group them together, discount the price, and your customers will be excited to be getting a good deal. Think about it from your standpoint... you've sold three or four items rather than one. Yeah, combination offers are winning deals for everyone!

2. Address the Small Customer Groups

Niche markets are everywhere, right under your nose! Within the customer audience that you serve right now are groups of people who share common traits. Think about it... maybe you have a group who speaks Spanish, a group of teens, and a group of middle class family men and women.

Evaluate these classes of people, and discover the unique needs and desires they share. That will set you up to customize your advertising campaign directly to them. It’s not hard to take your current ads, and make a few changes to adjust to the niches. They’ll be impressed that you understand THEM, and the increase in your profits will be the best thanks you can get.

3. Set Up a Winning Referral Program

Successful marketers develop the ability to turn their customers into advocates. Often, they don't even have to directly ask customers to refer them to others. Their willingness to go the extra wins customer loyalty and support. Naturally, satisfied customers refer their friends and family to the place that will take good care of them.

Quality service and is the first step toward referrals, but you can easily take it one step further. Studies show that every satisfied customer tells three people about you. What would happen with a little incentive added to the picture? Yeah, a lot more. Give customers who refer friends a thank you - whether it's a discount, special gift item, or a simple thank you card - and watch the referrals spiral!

You can get two birds with one stone by implementing customer surveys. A few quick questions about what the customer does and doesn't like about your product, followed by a request for the names and addresses of friends and family who would benefit from the product, and you're all set to go with the contact information of a prospective customer!

The ideal of being your own boss is very attractive and casually asked most people would say, "yes to be my own boss would be great."

However, it needs to go farther than being the ideal. Having your own business is super. But what is it that you are really setting out to achieve?

1. Is it.

Freedom from employment?

Freedom from 9-5?

Freedom from boredom?

Freedom in general?

2. Or are you wanting

To be rich?

A better lifestyle?

More time with your family and friends?

More time for sports and recreation?

3. Or do you need to

Fulfil a long held ambition?

Create a product from your world beating idea?

Create something which will be your legacy to - your family, your community, mankind?

Express your creative talents?

Create income?

These questions have been pulled out of the air to illustrate a vital issue for consideration in your thinking and motivation when starting your own business. There are probably others that you may need to apply directly to your situation.

What matters is that as you decide to make the leap into the exciting business of becoming independent you must be clear on your motives. Your motives, their priority and your honest understanding of them will have a direct bearing on your chances of success.

The points listed under section 1 are understandable but no real foundation for starting a business. If you want to escape you will need to be very clear on what you are escaping from and where you are escaping to, you do not want to start a business only to find that you are not really suited to it?

The points made in sections 2 and 3 are more positive. Giving them and any others specific to your circumstances close consideration and priority ranking will lead to an understanding of why you want to make the change in your life. What is your motivation and what goals you are setting for yourself?

How exciting! Changing your life. It's important so let's do it properly. Clearly understand what is motivating your desire for change, when you understand that you can start to work out what type of business you are best suited to and how to go about creating

Saree Dress The charm of saree has allured not only in the Indian woman but also the women abroad. It’s a traditional apparel of the Asian Indian woman which is long unstitched cloth measuring about 5 to 9 yards in length available in different colors, fabrics and designs. The changing fashion trends have led to a sea change in the wardrobe of the modern Indian woman. Today’s woman whether she belongs to the corporate world or is a homemaker, is far more conscious of her appearance than ever before. Now willing to experiment with her clothes, she wants to be traditional yet fashionable, sari being the best option. Saree has two borders running along its length and has a pallu, which is a 1 to 3 foot section at the other end, which continues and elaborates the length wise decoration. A saree is worn over a petticoat with a blouse.

Sarees are available in a wide range of colours using different fabrics. In the yesteryears they were hand woven and were made of fabrics like cotton, silk, but over the years the technical advancement has led to the emergence of mechanical looms on which artificial fibres are increasingly being used to manufacture saree fabrics like nylon, rayon, polyester. Some other saree fabrics are georgette, crepe, chiffon, organza, satin, organdie and so on.

Saree, the most versatile garment originated due to the sub continent weather conditions. Every region in India has a distinct style of saree, which has developed over the centuries and is worn by women of all age groups. These sarees differ from one another on the basis of fabrics, drapping style, motifs.

All about Saree Six yards of cloth. That is all there is to the saree. Yet, this dress worn by millions of Indian women is, by far, the most elegant. It is not merely an outfit but an ornament, lending both grace and glamour to the wearer. Click here to view more Blouse Petticoat A petticoat is an undergarment; it is a skirt waist to floor length, with a string to tie, which holds the saree in place. A blouse also known as a ‘choli’, is tightly fitted piece of garment worn under a saree. Click here to view more Buy Saree Tips A perfect saree can make your personality but wrong fabric and wrong choice of saree can equally ruin your personality. Buying a correct fabric and color for your self is must. Click here to view more Cheap Sarees Due to the all types of customers, online stores now also offers cheap low price sarees befitting the budgets and pockets of all type pf customers. These sarees are mostly in prints and also proves best for daily wear. Click here to view more Designer sarees Designer sarees are perfect for today’s women who wants to go trendy. Designer wear means exclusive cuts, designs, colors embellished with beads, zardosi, crystals, kundans and a variety of other works. Click here to view more Saree Fabrics Sarees are available in number of fabrics like georgette, cotton, chiffon, crepe, silk, lazer, faux and pure for different seasons and different occasions. One can easily choose from these fabrics for different occasions. Click here to view more Block Printing Sarees Block printing, a craft handed down through generations is in the forefront of the fashion scene today. The earliest records mention the printing centers in the south, the craft seems to prevalent all over India Click here to view more Designer Blouses A designer blouse may have a sequins and beads work. A designer blouses may also have an embroidery work in gold and bronze threads. With dofferent cuts and styles designer blouses gives a perfect look. Click here to view more Dyeing Sarees The process of applying color to fiber stock, yarn or fabric is called dyeing. There may or may not be thorough penetration of the colorant into the fibers or yarns. Sarees are dyed in different colors. Click here to view more Indian Textiles India has a diverse and rich textile tradition. India’s textiles both woven and printed that have dazzled the world have their own fabulous stories to tell. Indian textile fabrics are used in making beautiful sarees. Click here to view more Printing Sarees The process of decorating textile fabrics by applying pigments dyes or other related material in the form of patterns is called Printing. Printing enhances the look and appeal of saree and makes it a perfect look. Click here to view more Saree Articles Women have always been a subject of beauty and curiosity. The more they shroud themselves behind the fabric the more they arouse the element of curiosity. Saree articles help them to know what’s in fashion. Click here to view more Saree Attire One of the most sensuous of Indian attire- the sari, adorns a woman to become modest and attractive in it. It is not cumbersome but a great antique that suits to any occasion for that perfect killer looks. Click here to view more Saree Fashion Saris have always been women’s attractions. It has retained its beauty over centuries. Fashion comes and goes but saris are same though they have nder gone a change with the changing eras and period. Click here to view more Saree Glossary Saree glossary helps to know more terms related to Indian sarees and attires. You get to know maximum terms related to Indian attires. You can go through this for knowing fashion terms in a better way. Click here to view more Saree Maintenance Wrapping a sari is an art but maintaining the attire is something that require more attention. There are few suggestions to maintain your saris. Different fabrics have different characteristics. Click here to view more Saree Occasion There are different dresses for different occasions. Saree is most popular among them which can be worn at many occasions. Each saree is worn according to the different occasions. Click here to view more Saree Shop / Saree Gallery Shopping is a pleasure especially for those who have the knack for bargaining. Important centers of shopping are Jaipur, south India, lucknow where all types of sarees are made. Click here to view more

The best Saree Picture ever! Saree at the temple

This is the best Saree sari picture ever!

This is so magnificent. The temple is amazing and a saree clad woman in the middle gives it a scale and splendor.

She looks like she has been transported from future and placed in 2nd century BCE in front of the temple.

Meena’s blue saree

I encountered this wall paper and found it kind of interesting; I didn’t realize the humor in it till I noticed the instructions on the bottom left.

For pixel challenged viewers, it says “pull” and just in case you are not sure, it even gives you a direction to pull.

Simplicity never goes out of style. Chicknkari Embroidery on a white saree

I don’t particularly like it when people refer to ChicknKari embroidery as just “chicken” - e.g., oh, thats a nice chicken saree!

Doesn’t evoke the right picture in your mind! Can you imagine chickens running around with white sarees on them!

It should have been called NoorJahan embroidery, or embroidery of prophets.

Traditionally Chicknkari is the white thread embroidery done on the white muslin or mulmul. The word chikan comes from the Persian word Chakeen meaning making delicate patterns on the fabric.

The art is said to be introduced by Noorjahan the beautiful queen of Emperor Jahangir. She is said to be an expert in embroidery and inspired by the Turkish embroidery. According to Megasthenes, the chikan originated in East Bengal. He mentions chikan, the florals on fine muslins in 3rd century BC. The craftsmen believe that the origin goes back to the time of Prophet. It is believed that while he was passing through a village in Uttar Pradesh, he requested a villager for water. On being offered that, he gave the art of Chikankari to the poor villager as an art that will never let him go hungry.

Anyway, back to the white chicken saree, oh, I mean, white chickankari embroidered saree.

Its hard to see how pretty the embroidery is in the pictures. The details don’t really show up well. But I do know that it can be very intricate, very luxurious, very simple and very proper.

I remember a friend of mine ( Hi T!) entered a beauty pageant a while ago and while others were busy matching the color of the blouse with the color of the jewelry, she waltz in there with a white saree with minimal make up and minimal jewelry and she looked so stunning that judges had no choice but to pick her!

unusual saree blouse combination that barely works

I would not have expected this combination to work, but somehow it is not as bad as one might have imagined.

Namitha in sexy yellow saree.

Thanks to Idlebrain for these pictures.

I love the bejewled border on this saree and the short choli adds to the appeal of the saree making Namitha look as sexy as she can be; certainly a lot more sexier looking in saree than in one of those capri pants.

Priyanka Chopra in a Bandhej-Bandhini saree

Is it just me or I am noticing more and more of the Bhandej sarees with Bandhini designs these days.

I have a special liking for Bandhini designs; it reminds me of beautiful, simple and charming gujarati folks, I love the bright color and I love the techniques of making the design.

So I am a little biased when a genre that I like is updated and made popular again.

Notice that other than the variation is color, the saree is pretty simple, unlike the saree that Celina Jaitly is wearing. There is some embellishment in the blouse but not so much that it detract from the ‘down to earth” character of the saree.

Mangalsutra she is wearing is a nice touch too; but then she is trying to put sindoor in her part to convey devotion to her husband, so it all makes sense.

ethnic cotton saree - as glamorous as the trendy sarees

I have a special liking for mixing green and red; they don’t always look very sophisticated together, but sometimes that’s exactly what you are looking for.

Interesting southern drape

I am not convinced that this drape is very flattering. But it is an interesting saree and blouse goes rather well with the saree design.

Neha Pendse in a beautiful yellow saree with crystal work

Neha Pendse: I especially like the lavender and dark blue border matched with lavender blouse.

Priscilla solanki - net saree and beautiful armlet

The saree is nice, but I like the armlet really looks great. Mainly because it has its space and is uncluttered.

Most of the times, when the armlet is non-descript, it is because the rest of the outfits and accessories are very busy.

Here is another view of the saree

Poona Bajwa in a floral print saree

I don’t remember a time when the florals were completely out of favor! This one is interesting because it shows orange roses with stems and leaves being rose colored; this is the oldest trick in the book. Change the colors so that the there is a transference of colors from one element to the other and it gives it just a tad excitement.

Black saree with large gold border

Haven’t made up my mind about this one yet.

I think the picture is too busy, she has flowers, jewelry and then a very ornate pallu; the combo doesn’t look so good in picture.

However, with flowers, one has to give a benefit of the doubt because in person, the flowers don’t interfere with the look as much as the ornate and gaudy jewelry does.

Don’t you EVER do this! don’t show that plastic bra strap with a saree!

If I had a category called “un-sexy” or even “anti-sexy”; I would file this in that folder.

If you can’t handle strapless, don’t try to fake it!

She puts on a nice silk saree and ruins it all by showing plastic straps. She puts on a gold armlet and gold dangling earrings and ruins it all with those plastic scraps.

Even the straps are in some dirty orange color with kiddish floral designs on it - waste of electrons to take even a digital picture of something this bad!

She would have looked so glabrous and so pretty and so sophesticated if she had just chosen to wear a spaghetti strap or a thin strap with crystals or zari on it.

Sigh…

If she wasn’t so pretty, I would get really mad at her!

If you haven’t figured, this is Karishma in a saree

Saree in Jute arts and crafts

Click for a better view.

Scene depicts a story from Maha Bharat where Duryodhan tried to remove Draupadi’s saree and lord krishna continued to replenish it.

Aarthi in a fitted saree.

Beautiful saree, nicely draped.

Namitha in a bejeweled saree

Love the bejeweled border on this saree and the star sequined add glamour to the saree.

The blouse seems to have matching zari work and the overall look is classy and glamorous - any way, thats how it looks, right!

Except, that is Namitha:

Same saree, more detail.

Totally transformed a classy saree in to a sexy saree; not that both of these qualities can not co-exist.

Thanks to Shaum for pointing this out and to Idlebrain.com for the pics.

Karishma Kotak in Polka Dot

Can’t tell if this is Satya Paul Polka collection saree or one inspired from it or one created independently.

It is a pleasant saree though and she wears it will. The colors make her look festive and happy.

Here is Fuchsia Polka Saree of Aishwaraya (satya paul design, 2004, if memory serves me correctly)

Aishwarya’s blouse design looks a lot hipper and I think the secondary color of Aishwarya’s saree is also a bit more contrasting then simple cream or white.

katarina shevchenko in a sexy blouseless saree

Not sure if she really knows how to wear a saree and she might just be using a saree as a prop or if this is an attempt to show saree in a different mood.

She is a Nepali model, so perhaps it is a combination of both.

But as I have said before; blouse is only 150 yrs old, saree has been around even before the pyramids were built, so attempt to wear a saree without the blouse doesn’t surprise or bother me.