Are you a city person? Or do you prefer a more quiet life?
Word of the Day: stupendous
This word has appeared in 38 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?
10 Reasons Why You Should Become a Photographer
The world of photography is constantly expanding. In today’s world with millions of pictures being shared and captured every day, there is no better time to .
Whether you’ve always loved the idea of being a professional photographer or just want to take your camera skills to the next level, here are the 10 reasons to give you that final push to photography success.
1. See the beauty in the everyday
The everyday occurrences might seem mundane and boring, however, through a camera lens, it’s a whole different view. From the streets, you walk every day, to the vast open rural landscapes, or even the food on your plate!
Photography lets you see the world in a whole new light, appreciate the details and the beauty in your surroundings. Explore the world !
2. Meet new people
Be it meeting local residents when you travel to a new place, or run-into fellow like-minded people as you travel, you are bound to make new friends when you are a photographer.
Photography lets you get to know people in different ways through the lenses and also lets you learn from people and see the world through their perspective.
3. Capture a moment
There are hundreds of famous moments in history captured in a second but tells us a whole story.
Photography gives you that opportunity to say a thousand different things and .
4. Challenge yourself
The beauty of photography is that there’s always something new. If it’s new equipment, you need to learn how to use it. If you need to go to a new location for a photo shoot, that might put you out of your comfort zone.
There are always challenges in photography, pushing you to achieve your best. You’ll not only about photography but about yourself as you explore your more creative side!
5. Live in the present
The fast-paced, technology-driven world we live in can sometimes mean we miss out on the present and those everyday moments.
Photography will encourage you to live in the moment and appreciate life’s little beauties as you pay attention to the detail in the everyday.
6. Share your perspective
Photography is an amazing creative outlet that lets you . It allows you to share your passion and views with the world.
With so many platforms available today you can share your pictures instantaneously. Who knows you might be able to photograph your favourite band one day!
7. A great mental outlet
While photography is an amazing outlet to share your passion with the world, it can also be a great mental outlet.
In a hectic and pressurised world, photography helps you to relax and enjoy. By immersing yourself in photography, you can forget about the daily and strains.
8. Explore new places
Whether it’s a whole new country and culture, or just a different part of town you’ve never been to before, photography opens your eyes to the differences in the world around you.
The beauty of a camera (well most of them) is that they are small and compact that you can easily pick them up and take them with you wherever you go. The best way to is through practice, being able to take one with you wherever you go is always helpful.
9. The camera itself!
There so many different types of cameras and camera gears that there’s always something new and exciting to learn and explore. With different lenses, dials and shutters to try and test out, learning about the cameras are really fun.
Not to mention the endlessly creative ways you can , photography will always have something new, exciting and different to try.
Lastly and most importantly ….
10. Enjoy and relive those captured moments
Photography gives you the ability to have and relive amazing moments in your life.
Whether it was a beautiful sunset or your child’s first steps, you’ll have these moments captured to always look back on and cherish. That’s the beauty of photography – the ability to to have a remember forever.
Ignite your passion and take your photography skills to the next level with Alison’s beginner to advanced level photography courses.
The 5 Fun Types Of Photographers – Which One Are You?
Are you a budding photographer at heart and want to take your first big step into the art? Before jumping into , it’s important to discover what type of photographer you are.
By identifying your interests, you will focus on the particular type that you’d like to specialise. Here are the 5 fun types of photographers to help you find which type you belong in.
1. The Animal Lover
Do you prefer watching cute dog videos online? Or being home cuddling your cat rather going with your friends? You certainly belong to this category!
Animal Lover + Passion for Photography = Perfect blend for !
From the cutest pet photography to the most challenging wildlife – there are so many avenues to follow!
2. The Daring
You lovvveeee adventure! Travelling is your passion. You are excited. But, like, the most excited. Besides loving the adventure, you like also challenges and put yourself in situations that will test your skills.
When it comes to photography, your go-to choices are stunning landscapes, varied personalities, and challenging conditions. Being “The Daring” not only gives you but also nurtures the adventurist in you.
From photojournalists and paparazzi, to ghosts/paranormal photographers – your options are endless!
3. The Skywalker
You will those perfect clouds while in an aeroplane. You know how to turn a cloudy day into something beautiful.
You love to see the world from above and your Instagram is filled with these stunning aerial shots!
Oh also, being a Star Wars fan is an additional plus. 
4. The Romantic
To you, love is celebrated with the perfect shot!
Romance is a very hard thing to capture in photography, but you enjoy the challenge.
From couple shoots to wedding photography, .
5. The Globetrotter
Do you love to travel? Do you enjoy capturing those beautiful moments of travel? Seems like you are a Globetrotter!
You know that the world is more colourful aside from what your eyes could see. Even your social media is full of images with the hashtag #traveldiaries, creating perfect photographic stories.
Among the many options, food, culture, and street photography are some of the most popular ones.
Have you found what type of photographer you are? Then charge up your camera, ready your viewfinder and polish your lenses – it’s time to learn to take great shots in an easy way!
Get guided with the basic techniques of digital photography with our beginner to advanced level courses.
5 Ways to Change Your Life Today
Not entirely happy with the path your life is taking? It’s never too late to shake things up and change the direction your life is going in. Here are our top 5 tips to getting the life you really want.
1. Change Your Thinking – Change Your Life
It’s easy to see life’s challenges as problems. But life is one big challenge, and so if we view every challenge in that way, life becomes, well, one big problem. Successful and positive people see problems as challenges waiting to be solved. Switching your brain from the ‘can’t do’ attitude to the ‘can do’ immediately energises you, makes you more productive and ultimately, happier.
Identify what areas are lacking and come up with a plan to bring your life into balance.
2. Do a Life audit
Take an honest, reflective look at your life. Do you like what you see? What areas are you happy with? What could do with some work? In life, we have many areas that need to be in balance for us to be happy. There’s work life, family life, personal and social life, spiritual life, finances, among many more. By identifying what areas are lacking in your own life, you can come up with a plan to bring your life into balance. For instance, if your home life is great and your social life is super, but you feel you’re stuck in your career, make a promise to yourself (and a plan) to improve that area of your life.
3. Rethink your Free Time
If free time to you means lounging around on the couch watching TV, you might want to rethink how you spend the couple of free hours you have at home every evening. Everyone needs some downtime to unwind and relax, especially after a long day. If you can reduce that downtime to a half-hour, or one, you could be spending time on doing something that’s going to benefit you and your life. Imagine instead if you spent one or two of those hours learning about something you’re interested in or discovering new interests. It could open up a whole new and exciting world of learning, or even a new career!
Your outlook will become more positive and your energy levels will soar.
4. Get Fit to Jumpstart Your Life
Exercise. We know, you’ve heard it before, but this is one of the best things you could do for your life and your future. Exercising works on so many levels and creates a domino effect in other areas of your life. Not only will you feel better physically, your outlook will become more positive and your energy levels will soar. This will give you the enthusiasm to make the changes you need to make to get the life you want.
5. Push Yourself Every Day
Seek out challenges each and every day. Join that photography class you’ve been thinking about for ages, learn a new language, speak more in public. The more you throw yourself into life, the more life will throw great things your way.
Now, go for it!…
International Stress Awareness Week
It’s holiday season and ideally, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a season that brings guests, travel (if you’re lucky), shopping, sleep-ins, and time with friends and family. But planning for the holiday season isn’t as idyllic or carefree as we want it to be. In many cases, it comes with anxiety, depression, feelings of loneliness, pressure, and financial stresses, to name a few. we’ve put together a guide to help you get through the upcoming holiday season, starting this International Stress Awareness Week.
International Stress Awareness Week
International Stress Awareness Week (7-11 November) was established in 2018 to highlight the need for stress awareness and its management. Building resilience and reducing stress are this year’s topics to engage in conversation between individuals and businesses. The hope is that through these dialogues, the stigma around stress and mental health will be heard and resources made more accessible to all who need it.
But with stress so rampant and affecting everyone at home and at work, how to manage stress can be lifesaving. Here are a few practical ways to get you through the holidays with as little stress as possible.
Effects of Holiday Stress
Work, family, health, and finances are all factors that can lead to our stress levels being heightened. Stress affects everyone differently. Thus, it’s important for us to minimize chronic stress due to its effects on one’s overall health.
- Headaches
- Weight gain
- Hypertension
- Body aches
- Reduces cognitive and learning abilities
Practical Guide to Stress Management over the Holidays
Unfortunately, for some, the holiday season can have an emotional toll. And at the height of the stress levels and situations, it can be difficult to stop, center yourself and find help.
Self-check-in
If you struggle with stress and mental health, it’s important that you learn your triggers. Your inner emotions and personal struggles are highlighted during the season because in many ways, life “quietens down”. Know when you need to take time to be alone. Discover what helps you get back to “yourself”. Do more of what make you happy.
Plan ahead
This means planning your holiday travel ahead of time. Book your flight tickets, travel dates, and itinerary as well as your possible can. Planning also relates to your finances. Decide how much you have to spend for food, clothes, gifts, and travel. Swiping your card and spending more than you have can cause financial stress. Create a budget and stick as close to it as possible and make room for unexpected costs.
- Homemade gifts or secret Santa gifting on a budget
- Book tickets ahead of time (more affordable)
- Buy one new outfit and not a new closet
- Buy what you will eat, need, and use.
Have help at hand
The holiday season can make some individuals feel lonely and isolated, even when they’re with people. Sometimes it’s those closest to us who can trigger our mental health and add to the stress the season brings. During this time, you can feel isolated and without anyone to love and support you. But it’s important to know where to get help when you feel low.
- Join an online support group
- Seek out a community
- Find a contact if your therapist isn’t available
- Volunteer at a home or center
- Broaden your friendship circle
When the need arises, pick up the phone and call.
Say no
Saying “no” is not as easy for some people as it is for others. But it’s a very necessary skill to learn. “Unfestive” as it may seem to others, it’s as good a time to learn how to say no as any. You’ll be relieved to know that the world will not stop if you say no and although some may be upset for a minute, people very quickly move on and make alternative plans. Saying no is a great way to establish your boundaries and ensures that others do as much work as you do.
Maintain your healthy habits
It’s easy to get lost in the spirit of the season and the festivities that you let go off the healthy habits you built so hard over the year. When this happens, the loss of routine and structure can result in you feeling lost and overwhelmed by everything that’s happening.
- Keep up your exercise routine. Or start one.
- Try maintaining your healthy diet.
- Keep as close to your sleep schedule as possible.
Overindulging can add to your stress, guilt, and anxiety. Avoid excess and reduce the time you spend on things that drain your energy. Instead, have fun. Create memories. Be aware of your triggers and make use of the support resources around you and put them into action before the downward spiral.
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another,” William James. With the right planning, the holidays can be enjoyed and not just endured.
How Much Do You Know About Malaysia?
Can you find Malaysia on a map? What else do you know about this Southeast Asian nation with about 31 million people?
How Do You Make Hard Decisions?
Some decisions are more difficult than others. What path do you choose when there isn’t a clear best choice?
Word of the Day: poignant
This word has appeared in 411 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?
What’s Going On in This Picture? | Nov. 7, 2022
Look closely at this image, stripped of its caption, and join the moderated conversation about what you and other students see.
