GeekSugar

How to Look and Feel Good Behind a Camera

GeekSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:00:22 -0700

Looking good in front of the camera is an ongoing battle for most of us, but being behind the camera can be just as nerve wracking. If you don't follow someone around with a camera everyday - like cough cough Spencer Pratt - you might want to brush up on a few tips that will make your photo subjects look better and make you a more confident photographer.

Think about lighting and angles - If your subject is on the larger side do not take his or her picture from a low angle. This will only make them look bigger. Try to elevate your position and have your subject point their chin up toward you.

For additional tips, read more.

Twist and shout! - Have your subject twist sideways with their feet (if standing), or twist their legs (if sitting).
Take night photos - Experiment with your camera's ISO, Exposure and Aperture settings to take great night photos without your tripod.
Think about your setting - Birthdays, parties and events are prime photo opportunities because they offer the chance to take great action and group shots. Don't forget the money shots - like the birthday boy or girl blowing out candles or opening presents.
Don't be afraid to be creative - Photos of people spinning, running, jumping and dancing are always more exciting than the usual still photos. Getting good movement shots is usually easier than you think - it's just about timing.

Of course, once you've taken your pics, don't forget to make the best of your collection by sharing them with friends!

Pacific Coast News

How to Look Good in Front of the Camera

GeekSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:10:06 -0700

Whether we're headed on a wild Spring Break excursion, to our parents' house for a formal Easter dinner, or out to celebrate the first day of Spring, we all want to look our best on camera. Here are a few of my favorite tips for looking and feeling good on camera:

Pose like a celebrity! - Rihanna and Jenna Jameson love the over-the-shoulder pose because it flaunts your back and draws attention to detail of your gown if it's backless or really ornate. Not for you? Standing at an angle like Michelle Trachtenberg with one knee out (I call it the "cheerleader stance") makes you appear slimmer in pics. Cross your ankles to elongate your legs and make sure your shoulders are back and you're standing tall.

For some additional tips, read more.

Avoid blinking - Ask your photographer to try taking two or three photos so that your eyes can adapt to the flash. Most people blink from the anticipation and shock of the bright light in their eyes.
Does the camera really add 10 pounds? - Not really, it's usually just bad lighting. Still, there are ways to work around it. Consider casting from an angle and wear dark colors because they cast fewer shadows under lighting.
Still feel fat? - There are actually slimming cameras that will condense the image to make you look slimmer. It's not for everyone, but you can see a difference.

Tune in tomorrow for my tips to feel good behind the camera.

Source

Get Gadget-Ready For Spring Break!

GeekSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:00:19 -0700

For many University and college students, this week marks the beginning of Spring Break, a time when students head down south to partake in some serious fun in the sun action.
If you are one of the lucky ones escaping to the land of pure partying and freedom 21, aside from packing the usual sunscreen, flip-flops, and shades, I suggest throwing in a few gadget essentials!
To see my entire Spring Break gadgets and gadgets accessories list, click "start slideshow" below!

View Slideshow ›

What Should You Do With a Couples Website If You Break Up?

GeekSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:00:08 -0800

Another one bites the dust: Bachelorette Deanna Pappas and her fiancé Jesse Csincsak added to the long, long list of couples who broke up after The Bachelor and The Bachelorette (note to future contestants: It's not going to work out. I have a feeling.)

Here's the awkward tech part: They still have a website devoted to them as a couple, deannaandjesse.com. They're not the first couple to start a blog or website about their life together, and they're definitely not the first to break up.

So what do you do with the website? You can't divide it like a record collection, or burn it in a cathartic love token bonfire. It stays on the Internet, mocking you with past posts about how stoked you were to take a hike together last Spring.

I mean, you can take it down as an act of electronic breaking up (like changing your Facebook status back to single), or you could ignore it and not deal with it, letting it slip into Internet heaven, although it will still be there. Or you could take it, change the domain name to something clever like "myexsucks.com" and blog your breakup or recovery. Not highly recommended, but who's judging?

Has anyone gone through this? What would you do?

Do More With Your Cellphone With These Tricks and Apps

GeekSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:05:08 -0700

My phone is attached to my hip, and if I ever happen to lose it (knock on wood), I would be lost! Especially since I use my cell to do so many more than just make calls and send texts!

I use it to remember shopping lists, find out where I'm going, and wake my butt up after a late-night bender. It's amazing what our phones can do these days. Just to show you that the possibilities are endless, I've compiled my favorite uses for my cell phone - when I'm not using it as a phone of course.

Keeping my del.icio.us bookmarks handy is a definite perk to using Mobilicio.us. I can check them out on my phone's web browser!
Since I'm addicted to Netflix, and am constantly updating my queue, the iFlix app for my iPhone became a fast favorite. Log in, update, and browse the top 100 rentals right from your iPhone.

To see other handy ways to use you cell phone, just read more.

After learning that snatching up every new gadget that hits the shelves isn't so kind to my piggy bank, I've incorporated Dime Tracker into my daily life. Not only can you keep track of what you are spending, but Dime Tracker alerts you of your budget to keep you in check.

And speaking of iPhone, you can compare prices for your must-have items with PrixTag. An iPhone app that lets you check online retail prices while you're standing in Best Buy about to fork over your cash, just to make sure you're getting the best deal.
Wasting a lot of time answering repeat wrong-number calls? Check out this easy way to make sure it stops.
Worried about handing out your number to hot guys you meet at the bar, cause you aren't sure if they are good catches? Set up a Grand Central number that allows you to screen the calls before you answer, even on your cell. Plus you can add on as many new numbers as you want to your current phone line, so he never has to have your real phone number. A girls gotta be safe, right?
All that partying over Spring Break left you with a little more extra baggage than you bargained for - and I'm not talking about the souvenirs. Get nutrition facts sent to your cell with Diet.com's on-the-go service. Just text what you're eating to DIET1, wait for the reply text, and decide whether or not you should step away from the Italian Sub.
I love using the white board during meetings, so when I have important info I want to remember from my sketches, I take a pic on my cell and send it to Qipit. It then gets magically transformed into a PDF that I can store online or print out. Oh, and it's free! How convenient.
If you're a takeout sort of gal, you'll get a lot of use out of CityMint. Using your smartphone, you can order takeout from your cell and have it delivered to your door in just 30 minutes. Ahh, technology never smelled so good.

Source

Seniors Have Some Swing Batter Batter Wii Fun

GeekSugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:00:31 -0700

The Riderwood retirement community in Silver Spring, Maryland is following in the footsteps of the Sedgebrook retirement home in Chicago, Illinois by hosting Wii game tournaments. A feel good story from Kotaku explained how the residents at Riderwood had a Wii Home Run Derby last week in honor of Barry Bonds record-breaking home run. They even had Doris Terry, a pitcher from the 1940's All-American Girls Baseball League participate in the Derby. Considering 47 percent of all casual game players are 50 or older, and nearly 20 percent are 60 or older, the Wii seems like a fun way for seniors to get some exercise, stimulate their minds, and have a jolly good ol' time!

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Get Your Game On: Summer Game Releases

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 07:00:55 -0700

In the midst of the usual summer gaming drought, I was able to come across a few games that are worthy of your precious time. If you are anything like me and love to soak up the sun, you probably don't want to spend all of your time indoors and chained to an involved role-playing game, but there are some fun, cool summer games you should consider. Everyone needs a break from all the beaches, pools and BBQs at some point, right?

**New Video Game Releases (Summer 2007)**
Why You'll Love It	Console/Price	Release Date
Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree - Entertainment while training your brain! You start with small, quick practice lessons and work up your confidence to take the big Brain test. The better your score, the heavier your brain. Which, of course is a good thing at the Academy. Fans include Nicole Kidman, who has signed on as the game's official spokesperson in Europe.	Wii, $49.99. Also available for Nintendo DS.	Out now. Purchase it online.
Odin Sphere - This game features an amazing 2D side scroller that is drawn entirely by hand. You know, like old school. Takes a bit to get the hang of, but once you do, it's a really fun button masher that will keep you indoors for far too long.	PS2, $39.99	Out now. Purchase it online
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary - Not many changes in the story from the 2007 version from the original, but you will appreciate the new actions, movements and amazing sound effects of the revamped favorite.	PS2, PC $29.99. Also available for PSP.	Out now. Purchase it online.
Sim City DS - The tiny DS version isn't all that great to look at, but the game itself - the music and the gratification of building a happy, flourishing city - make up for the visuals. But with only one save slot, you can't develop more than one city at a time. This would be a perfect lounging by the pool with a margarita game, if only you could see the screen in the sun! Doh!	DS, $29.99	Out now. Buy it online from online
Dirt - I am a racing game type of gal! Dirt is a great rally racer with a perfect mix of arcade and simulation driving. With amazing graphics, fun tracks and an impressive damage factor, Dirt stacks up to other recently released racers with superior game-play to boot.	Xbox 360, $59.99. Also available for Windows.	Out now. Get it online.
Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80's - Living in my fantasy world of being a rock star, this addition to my Guitar Hero collection is essential. Tracks by Ratt, Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, Skid Row, and so many more, this game will have me rocking out all night long. No autographs, please.	PS2, $49.99. Older Guitar Hero games available for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360.	Out July 24th online and in stores.

Want more games? Check out my Video Game Release Roundup for spring.