Take Your Images to the Next Level

Improve Your Images

Improve your images, whether you’re just starting out on your creative journey or you’re looking to take your skills to the next level, there is so much information out there to help you improve your photography. It can sometimes be overwhelming, and gathering helpful tips from the not-so-helpful can be quite a task.

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One of the easiest ways of getting an all-around insight into the craft is to do one of the free online photography courses that are available. If you choose the right course (with an established reputation and with tutorials by well-known photographers) you’ll be able to learn a lot and start applying it to your own creative identity. But even before you enroll in one of the free online photography courses, if you begin implementing the following three tips, you’ll see an immediate improvement in your images.

Always Consider the Light

The quality of light is a hugely important aspect, and getting into the habit of considering that every time you intend to capture an image will stand you in very good stead. The three aspects you need to think about are the direction the light is coming from, its color, and its intensity. What we call warm light, which gives an image a kind of golden glow and is generally the most sought after and flattering, is that which appears at the times around sunset and sunrise (hence it’s known as ‘the golden hour’). In terms of its intensity, the more diffuse the light, the softer the effect, and the harsher the light, the stronger the shadows and contrast. improve-your-images2

To gain a thorough understanding of light quality, consider doing one of the free online photography courses that go in-depth on the topic.

Think Carefully About Composition

While there are times when the perfect composition simply presents itself within your viewfinder, if you take the time to consider the positioning and angle of your subject or the landscape before you shoot, your images will undoubtedly improve. The ‘rule of thirds’ is a superb starting point from which to arrange your composition: the premise of this rule is that you mentally divide your frame into thirds, both horizontally and vertically then ‘place’ elements of the scene along those lines, or their intersection (e.g., in a landscape you’d use the bottom two thirds for the landscape itself and the top for the sky). Another good compositional tip is to use converging lines to draw the viewer’s eye right into the scene.

Look for the Most Interesting Subjects

You might think this would go without saying, but finding the most interesting subjects often requires you to think outside the square and train yourself to see things with a more critical eye. Even the most ordinary of subjects can make for an extraordinary image when its contextual perception is altered. The wonderful thing about photography is that the potential to discover something very special is virtually unlimited if you open your mind to looking at things differently. Look for the images other people miss because they’re usually hidden in plain sight.  improve-your-photography-skills

Take Your Skills to the Next Level

While you can discover so much by simply getting out and capturing images and using experience as your teacher, if you want to fast-track things, the best idea is to learn from the experts. A great way to do this is to get started with one of the free online photography courses. If that whets your appetite, it may be time to take the next big step on the road to professionalism.

 

 

Equipment available here:

Unlock the Secrets of the Guitar

Consider the following four steps to learning to play the guitar as a beginner:

Step 1: Know the Parts of your Guitar

Once you have a guitar, you’ll want to learn the different parts. You can find a picture of a guitar and its features online or in an encyclopedia. A few of the features are:

  • The bridge  learn-to-play-guitar
  • The head
  • Frets
  • Body
  • Strings

 

 

The pickups, knobs, and switches found on guitars are also important. If your guitar doesn’t have some of these options, don’t worry about them. They aren’t a part of playing the guitar, but they change how it sounds. Make sure you know where each part is located on your guitar when you begin playing so that everything will be easy to identify later when needed.

Step 2: Learn the Correct Posture and How to Hold the Guitar

Once you know all the guitar parts, you need to know how and where to position your body while playing. You should be seated with your left foot flat on the ground and your right foot pointing slightly outward. Your shoulders and back should be relaxed, and you should have a slight arch in your lower back.

To hold the guitar correctly, rest its body on your right leg with your arm lax around it. Then, to position the neck of the guitar for playing, extend it towards you so that it is parallel to the floor.

Step 3: Learn to tune the guitar  guitar-lessons

Once you have learned the correct posture and how to hold your guitar, you are ready for the next step of learning how to play the guitar. Tuning your guitar is how you make it sound the way you want. If your guitar is not well-tuned, it will sound bad! Read on to learn the different ways of tuning a guitar:

  • Tuning your guitar with an electronic tuner

Below are the steps to follow when tuning your guitar using an electric tuner

  • Purchase the most common type of tuner, known as an “automated chromatic” or just a “chromatic” tuner. These are relatively inexpensive and easy to use and allow you to tune any guitar. The most common place to find one is in a music shop, but if you don’t have a local music shop nearby, they can also be found online at websites such as Amazon.
  • Turn the tuner on and connect it to your guitar by either clipping it onto the headstock or plugging it into your instrument jack. Automatic tuners come with directions on doing this; if you’re unsure what to do, check them out!
  • Begin playing each string on your guitar (in order from the first string down through the sixth) until the correct note appears on the screen. Adjust each string accordingly until your guitar is tuned correctly
  • Tuning by ear using another instrument

Here is how you tune a guitar using another instrument:

  • Find an electric piano or other well-tuned instruments that play specific notes when keys are pressed (as opposed to instruments like electric organs, which may play chords when keys are pressed). A piano works best for this method, but any well-tuned instrument will work fine.
  • Hold down the lowest note on the piano—the A key—and strum the fifth (A) string on your guitar at once to hear both notes at once. If they sound similar enough that you believe them to be almost identical in tone quality, then move to the next step; if not, continue adjusting the fifth string until both tones seem similar enough.
  • To adjust the string’s tone using a tuning peg: turn counterclockwise for sharp/higher pitch; turn clockwise for flat/lower pitch.

Step 4: Learn a few chords and scales  play-the-guitar

The beauty of learning to play the guitar is that it is not as complicated as many other instruments. However, there’re still some things you need to learn to play the instrument well. After knowing how to tune your guitar, the next step is to start the actual playing. You can start by learning the basic chords and scales.

Chords provide harmony, and the scales provide the melody for a song. You will learn various types of scales, and depending on your preference, you can practice with any scale you want. The most popular scale used in popular music is called the major scale, consisting of 7 notes, but there are also minor scales consisting of 6 notes.

Once you master this step, you’re well on your way to becoming the prolific guitarist you want to be. Now you only have to build up your speed by learning new songs!

 

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Battery for…

Have you ever wondered how to pick out the best battery(s) for your solar panel system (or off-grid energy system)? Or have you wondered what makes one deep-cycle battery better than another? If so, this article will answer these questions and give you specific things to check on before buying your new battery (to ensure you get the most bang for your buck)! solar-system

When choosing a battery (or batteries) for your solar panel system, there are three categories of batteries that work best. So, in this article, we will:

Part 1) Quickly compare the three main types of solar batteries (lead-acid, saltwater, and lithium).

Part 2) Compare the components of batteries, such as depth of discharge, capacity and power, efficiency, battery life, and manufacturer.

By the end of this article, you will know exactly how to pick out the best battery for your solar panel system! So let’s get started…

Part 1) The Three Best Types of Batteries for Solar Panel Systems: The best type of battery for your solar panel system will depend on what you’re looking for. Three battery types work exceptionally well; however, each battery type has pros and cons. So the first decision to make is the type of battery that will fit your system.

Lead Acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries are the most commonly used rechargeable battery in the world. They’re also among the longest-used and most reliable batteries in existence. Compared to the other batteries we’ll discuss in this report; they are the cheapest option but you trade cost for some battery life and depth of discharge. But for homeowners needing lots of storage for a lower cost, or if you are just making the move to a solar panel system, lead-acid batteries may be a very good option. They’re the type of battery we use in most of the battery banks in our solar panel systems.

Another great thing about lead-acid batteries is that you can use the maintenance and reconditioning methods we teach you in the EZ Battery Reconditioning program to greatly extend lead-acid battery’s life span.

Saltwater Batteries

Saltwater batteries are more expensive than lead-acid batteries, but also have a greater lifespan. Unlike lead-acid batteries, saltwater batteries are essentially brand new to the market and remain both somewhat untested and harder to come across. Of the three types of batteries, saltwater has the greatest depth of discharge, so you’ll get the most output per charge before needing to recharge. solar-battery-pack

Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are the most expensive and longest-lasting of the three types of solar batteries. Their depth of discharge is less than that of a saltwater battery, but more than that of a lead-acid battery. Comparing all three options, the lithium battery is probably the highest-rated, but also the most expensive. An example of a lithium battery is the Tesla Powerwall.

Part 2) Compare the components of batteries Once you’ve picked the best battery type for your solar panel or off-grid system (that meets your system’s needs), there are components to explore to find the ideal battery for your system.

Cost

Cost is probably one of the more obvious components. But the old saying, “you get what you pay for” holds when buying batteries as well. In some instances though, certain batteries may be overkill for your system so the most expensive battery may not be the best choice always.

Battery Life and Warranty

For most systems, a battery will cycle daily, meaning it will charge and drain regularly. With each cycle, the battery’s ability to hold the same charge lessens slightly. So, one component to consider is the warranty on the battery that guarantees a certain number of cycles of useful life. But keep in mind that if you use the maintenance and reconditioning methods, we teach you in the EZ Battery Reconditioning program, you can extend the life of your batteries.

Depth of Discharge

The depth of discharge is how much you can drain the battery down before needing to recharge the battery without harming its life. Certain solar batteries can be depleted further than others, allowing for more use between charging. Essentially, a battery with a 90% depth of discharge per cycle will provide more battery power per charge than a battery with less.

Capacity and Power

Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), capacity is the amount of energy a battery can store over time. The more capacity a battery has, the more power it can store.

Power is how much energy a battery can provide at a given moment. A battery with both a high capacity and high power can run a large system for several hours; a battery with low capacity and high power can run a large system but only for a short time.

Efficiency

Efficiency is the amount of energy used compared to the amount of energy it took to store energy. Batteries require power to charge and efficiency compares the energy taken to charge a battery with the amount of energy that the charged battery produces. The higher the efficiency, the more cost-effective the battery.

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Manufacturer

This may not be a component most would consider, but it is something to pay attention to. As with other technology, there are both trusted brands and start-up brands. A trusted brand comes with known flaws and benefits; a start-up brand can perhaps have better technology, but can also have yet unknown technological issues.

Depending on your system needs, you may decide to go with a well-reviewed company or one that is brand new to the solar market.

Part 3) What happens when your solar batteries start to die?

But your new solar batteries won’t last forever. So, what can you do? …and what can you do when your batteries actually die Well, that’s where our battery reconditioning course comes in! You can use it to bring nearly any type of dead battery back to life again – including solar batteries, marine batteries, car batteries, forklift batteries, plus many other types.

 

If you follow this article, you should be able to compare batteries and pick out the best battery for your solar panel system’s needs.

Enjoy Paddle Boarding with These Tips

Have you been contemplating your paddle board adventure for a long time but without taking things forward? Make Paddle Boarding Enjoyable! If yes then you need to act right away so that you could claim your share of fun paddle boarding. First, invest in a good stand-up paddle board.

Once you have the paddle board then it is a matter of planning your paddle board experience. Take your time to review as many paddle boarding stores as possible and purchase from the most trusted store because the quality of your paddle boarding experience will depend greatly on the quality of the paddle board.

If you happen to sacrifice on quality when ordering your first paddle board then you would regret your choice for life. The first step then to make your paddle boarding experience enjoyable is to select the best paddle boards available in the market.

Whenever you are going out on an adventure with your inflatable stand up paddle boards you need to ensure that you have all the required paddle board accessories. You need to have the right costumes for the adventure because all these contribute towards your overall experience.

When ordering your inflatable paddle board itself you need to pay attention to details and check what is included in the box. Does the paddle board come with all the required accessories? Does it come with the safety leash and is the pump included in the kit? Is there an inflatable sup board repair kit in the box? If all these are not already included you need to source them separately.

paddle-board-enjoyable

Make a checklist of items before you start packing. This will save you from forgetting important things and end up in a foul mood on the day of your paddle board adventure. More to that, planning your paddle board adventure on a sunny day is important so that you are not stopped in the last minute by the rain or thundershowers.

There couldn’t be anything more disappointing than not being able to paddle board because of rains. When planning without fail check the weather.

As we talk about planning your adventure on a sunny day, do not forget to pack your sunscreen so that you do not come back with sunburns all over your body. All these little things make the difference. When you forget all these little things then you would be ruining your entire experience.

If you pay close attention to the above things, you would notice that all these are factors that are very much within your control. Therefore, it is vital that you invest enough time in planning and in putting together your adventure.

It would be fun if you could join your friends or if you could invite some friends for the adventure.  lake-paddleboarding

 

 

It is more fun if you are a group instead of paddle boarding alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filter blue light produced by digital devices and other sources with Foster Grant® blue light glasses.

Inflatable Stand up Paddle Board

Chess for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Chess is a game that is universally known as an ideal platform for practicing critical thinking skills. The board game centers around 6 distinct pieces and a playing board of 64 squares of alternating colors, typically black and white. While competing, players will engage in a tension-filled tension and reaction to determine the next best move for the road to triumph. Even though this game has been played by medieval monarchs for over a thousand years, many beginners may require assistance to navigate the game. Read on for our concise step-by-step guide on how to teach yourself how to play chess.

How To Teach Yourself to Play Chess

  • Set up your chessboard chess-board-pegusas

The game is equipped with a board consisting of a series of horizontal rows, which are numerically labeled 1-8 against vertical columns marked as A-H. Altogether, there are 64 squares on the boards and when placed in the proper coordination each side of the board will have a white square on the bottom right.

Following that, players should familiarize themselves with the arrangement of the chess pieces on the board. Each chess piece signifies a unique role and should be placed on the designated square as stated below:

  • Pawns: Set all your Pawns on the second row.

  • Rooks (the castles): Place these pieces on the farther left and right of the board.

  • Knights (the horses): These pieces should be placed right next to the Rooks moving towards the center of the board.

  • Bishop: Place the Bishops right next to the Knights.

  • King: The King piece should be placed on the middle square that contrasts its color, for example, a white King on a black square.

  • Queen: The Queen piece should be in the middle square that matches its color, quite the opposite of the King piece.

  • Learn how to move the chess pieces.  chess-figures

Like assigned roles to castle members, each distinct piece has special movements owing to their separate hierarchy. Many players are intimidated by the seemingly complex rules of the movement of the chess pieces, but with a little help as shown below, you will get familiarized with it in no time.

  • Pawn: On the first move, Pawns are granted the ability to move 2 spaces forward. Otherwise, from then on, they can only move 1 space forward and capture another piece diagonally. When a Pawn successfully gets to the end of the opposite board, you get to switch it to another piece except for the King.

  • Rook: The Rooks can move horizontally or vertically as many spaces are available.

  • Knight: These pieces move in an ‘L’ shape either with two spaces vertically or horizontally and the other one space in an opposite direction in a 90° manner. It allows Knight pieces to jump over pieces of both colors in the space where it settles.

  • Bishop: Bishops can only move diagonally on similar colored squares in an unlimited amount of spaces per direction.

  • Queen: Queens have a wide range of movement including horizontal, vertical, and diagonal in any direction or number of spaces, and captures similarly.

  • King: The King piece is the most valuable but only moves one space each turn in any direction and captures in this orientation too.

  • Understand the special moves or terms of chess.  haha moment playing chess

You have heard the term “castling” so many times in chess. But, what is it? Under this segment, you will be further introduced to some chess terms you have heard before but may not understand.

Pawn promotion

If you manage to move a pawn to the opposite side of the board, you may then switch it to your desired choice of Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight piece. Simply remove the pawn piece from the board and convert it to the chess piece of your choice. Naturally, the Queen piece is a popular option for its high versatility.

En passant

“En passant”, or French for “in passing” applies only to pawn pieces. If a pawn, on its first move where it’s specifically granted 2 space movements, lands on the side of an opponent’s pawn, the latter has the option to capture the opponent pawn in a diagonal direction.

Castling

This move allows players to move their King and a Rook on a similar turn, where the King has moved 2 squares towards a Rook followed by placing the Rock next to the King on either side of the board. Castling is only allowed where both the Rook and King have no prior movement in the game with no pieces between them. Another situational circumstance that may apply to this rule is that it can’t be performed if the King is in check.

  • Decide how to win the game.

The game will end either through a checkmate, a draw, or the resignation of the opponent.

Checkmate

The primary objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s King when a King is in check and is unable to escape it. A King piece may escape a check by moving out of it, blocking the check, or capturing the threatening piece. The game is over after a checkmate is declared.

Draw

A draw can happen under several circumstances in the game. For instance, in a stalemate, a player’s King manages to run out of legitimate moves but is not in check. Other situations include insufficient pieces on board to achieve a checkmate or both players agreeing to stop playing.

  • Start playing and practicing

Now that you are familiar with the orientation and roles of the elements of the game, it is time to take these theories into practice. Remember, the first player is always the one with white pieces. While playing, bear in mind that the goal is to achieve a checkmate so protect your king at all cost. As you keep playing, you will eventually get better at the game.

The saying ‘practice makes perfect is especially true when it comes to chess. In time, you will learn that one of the attractive points of the game is its simplicity, which can be enjoyed by both grandmasters and players at all skill levels.

If you want to go beyond being just a beginner at this or any other skill, and work toward developing a real mastery, then you are going to need a deeper and more powerful strategy. What you need is a way to hack your brain so you can develop a winning mindset.

A winning mindset is a state of mind that allows you to enter a flow state at will. You do this by programming your subconscious mind.

Believe it or not, most of what you do throughout an average day is NOT freely chosen by your normal waking consciousness even though it may seem that way. The truth is that most of what you do on a day-to-day basis is done on “autopilot”.

An example of this would be when you’re driving your car and as you do so you get bored and begin daydreaming. Before you know it, you find yourself several miles further down the road with absolutely NO memory of having driven those last several miles.

The Ultimate Daypack for Your Everyday Needs

Fundamentally, anything with strap shoulder straps is classified as a “backpack”. Therefore, a backpack is a kind of pack, too. However, not all backpacks are backpacks. Know about the Daypacks.

A backpack is a big version of a typical lightweight backpack, but not always a full-sized pack. The major difference between a backpack and a normal backpack is the shoulder straps and the size of the pack. A normal backpack has no shoulder straps at all, while a backpack typically does. In addition, most backpacks are much larger than the smaller daypacks that you see people carrying around campus, the grocery store, or even on long-distance trips.  daypacks_for_seniors

Because of the way that daypacks are constructed, they can carry all sorts of stuff, both for protection and convenience. Backpacks are usually larger than normal daypacks because of their added shoulder strap, and the fact that they carry so much weight. For example, a regular backpack would not fit on a plane, while a backpack would! But the good thing about backpacks is that they have enough space for everything you need, so you won’t have to keep finding an extra bag when you run out of something important.

The main reason why people wear backpacks is for comfort, but they also carry them in a variety of situations, including hiking, camping, sport, and even recreational pursuits. Backpacks are also used for storage. Some backpackers even carry their laptop computers and other equipment with them while on the go! This makes carrying your laptop and other essential information easy and helps save space, too!

Daypacks can be one or more shoulder straps, a waist belt, or a bottom pocket. Some come with built-in storage compartments, while others come with their own side pockets. Some daypack styles have the ability to open up for storage. This is great for people who travel a lot, since they can store all of their things in one place, instead of having to find a separate bag every time they need to take a few small items for a short trip.

Many people choose to buy one daypack, so they can easily carry more than one item. like snacks, drinks, water, toiletries, and more. If you’re like most backpackers, you may carry multiple backpacks because you don’t want to deal with carrying two or three different items at once.

Although there are some drawbacks to backpacks, they still play a vital role in our everyday lives. For instance, backpacks can make it easier to go through airport security. Since you don’t have to stand in line to check your items, you can easily walk through the process without being stopped. On top of that, if you do happen to have a large amount of luggage that needs to be checked, carrying your bags through security is also a lot easier, since you can put everything in one bag. As a bonus, the ability to quickly load and unload bags is one of the reasons why many travelers choose to fly. day_packing

Overall, backpacks have been around for centuries. They’re a versatile item that’s found use everywhere from hiking, camping, hunting, to just going on a nice hike through nature.

There are many different styles of daypacks available. There are the ones that are more traditional like the backpacks that were made for women. Then there are the backpacks that are more modern like the backpacks that are created for men. The difference between these two styles is mainly based on the way that the backpacks fit the individual.

One of the most popular backpacks is the military backpack. These days, there are military style packs that you can purchase that can be used for a variety of different things, such as hunting, as well as military-style bags that are designed for carrying equipment like guns and ammunition.

These military-style or daypacks are lightweight, which is good for carrying your belongings like clothes and more. They can also be used to carry a gun in a backpack form, or a water bottle, or other type of liquid like water bottle. They can even be used to carry other personal items like books and other materials that may not necessarily need to be carried by hand.

 

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Essential Survival Techniques

survival skillsBasic Survival Skills

We live in a world marked by modern conveniences, which is great. Modern technologies allow us to find our way, stay warm, find shelter, and even get the food and water our bodies need.

While this is fine, have you ever thought of uncertainties that nature may present?

What if a heavy storm knocks power out?

What if your phone battery dies in the middle of nowhere?

You need a few skills to survive these inevitable life moments.

There are plenty of basic survival skills that everyone needs to know and practice. While most of them look less important to learn, they can potentially save your life, depending on the situation. This post will cover some of the basic survival skills you need to learn.

Of importance, until you get out into the field and practice any survival skills, all you have is a false sense of security.

 

Survival skills everyone should try and master:

To prepare yourself for whatever might befall you, here are basic skills you can learn on your own to prepare yourself to handle most survival situations:

  • Finding water

When it comes to surviving, water is often the first thing that people look for. After all, nothing is more critical to survival than clean, drinking water.

Finding food and water is a skill that people used daily for survival that has since been forgotten. While there is no guaranteed way to look for water, it is obvious that streams are found downhill or in crevasses where hills meet. If you can’t find a water source, you will need to explore the area further. Lush areas with green vegetation and animals are likely to have water.

Rain, snow, and dew are other reliable sources of clean water you can collect. In extreme conditions, you can squeeze water from vines and thistles.

Most importantly, don’t drink any water you find. Make an effort to purify or boil it. This takes us to the next survival skill.

  • Starting and tending to a fire campfire for food

Even if you find a flowing stream with what seems to be clean water, make an effort to make it safer for drinking. In the wilderness, you will need to know how to start a fire to boil your water. Fire will also give you life-saving warmth, help you cook, scare predators away, and even other people notice your location.

While starting a fire with a lighter can be easy and quick, you need to learn how to start a fire from scratch, which requires practice and patience. One of the techniques is making a flint that can generate sparks. You can also short-circuit your battery to create sparks.

The most important thing is to practice and master how you can start a fire in different weather conditions. There are a whole lot of effective techniques to create fire by friction.

  • Foraging for food

While you can survive for a few weeks without food, as long as you have clean, clean drinking water, having the skill to hunt and forage for food is critical.

There are lots of edible wild plants that you can eat while in the wilderness. However, you need to be super keen; otherwise, you may find yourself feasting on poisonous fruits.

You will also need to learn and master hunting, trapping, fishing, and any other technique you can use to get food.

  • Building a shelter  survival today

Once you have water and food, the next most obvious basic thing you want is to find somewhere you can hide from the elements. The type of shelter you can build and how to build it depends entirely on where you are, how long you will stay there, and the available resources.

The basic requirements are branches for poles plus some clothing, a tent, or leaves to cover the finished structure. There are a lot of factors to consider as well. For instance, walking distance to water source and chances of immediate surroundings catching fire.

  • Basic First Aid

First Aid Only 298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Emergency Kit

 

There are times when it is difficult for emergency services to reach you when you are sick or injured. Being able to administer first aid may save a life at such critical moments.

Apart from knowing how to use a first aid kit, you should be able to come up with creative ways to offer first aid using what is readily available. For instance, creating a brace with tree branches and harvesting natural medicine.

 

winter-landscape-camping

Final thoughts

Learning basic survival skills is a great way to prepare yourself for uncertainties. Practicing and mastering these skills can bring you closer to nature and help you save your life should things go wrong.

If you want to go beyond being just a beginner at this or any other skill, and work toward developing a real mastery, then you are going to need a deeper and more powerful strategy.

 

 

What you need is a way to hack your brain so you can develop a winning mindset.

 

 

A winning “mindset” is a “state of mind” that allows you to enter a “flow state” at will. You do this by programming your subconscious mind.

 

 

Believe it or not, most of what you do throughout an average day is NOT freely chosen by your normal waking consciousness even though it may seem that way. The truth is that most of what you do on a day-to-day basis is done on autopilot. 

Be Safe wherever you Go!

 

Learn to Fish: A Step-by-Step Guide

Teach Yourself How to Fish3There are more anglers today in the United States. Of these, millions fish every day, and the simple truth for doing so is that it’s a lot of fun. Casting your line and catching fish is an integral part of American culture.

Many people itch to go outdoors and fish but it’s not as simple as it seems.

Like most things in life, you need to learn and acquire knowledge and skills. Want to know how to fish?

Follow us as we help explain this craft.

 

  • Gather the Right Fishing Gear

Before you even step close to a lake or river, you’ve got to get the right fishing gear. You don’t have to buy expensive gear to learn fishing but if you can afford it, well and good. The most important things a beginner needs are a rod, line, and reel.

When shopping for fishing gear, choose a very good line. This will make learning a lot easier. We recommend the 300 to 400 yards spool as they hold high-quality monofilament. Avoid the 1,000-yard spools as they hold lower-quality mono. Teach Yourself How to Fish

Other important things to purchase include:

  • Rain jacket
  • Waders and boots
  • Leaders
  • 4-to-12-pound monofilament fishing line
  • Fishing hooks (number/size 6 to 10)
  • Cork or plastic bobber

You’ll also need a selection of fishing lures or live bait.

  • Get a License

Get the current fishing license for the state you’ll be fishing in. You can get a license online or in convenience stores and fishing stores around the area. The license is fairly inexpensive but it costs more for non-residents.

If you want a better bang for your buck, we recommend that you get an annual license. It usually goes for about $30 to $200. You can use the annual license to fish throughout the year instead of getting a license every time you head out to fish.

  • Set Up Your Hook, Line, and Sinker

Tie the casting plug on your line. To do so, use the improved clinch knot. Start by passing the line through the hook eye then tag the end. Make five turns around the standing line then insert the loose end of the line between the first loop and the eye. Pass the tag end through the second loop and finally tighten the knot slowly.

Attach two sinkers at least six to twelve inches above the hook. The weight of the sinkers will keep the lure and bait down in the water. Attach the bobber to the fishing line with the spring clip. This allows the bobber to move up and down the line with ease. So, when fish nibbles at the bait, the bobber lets you know when it moves up and down.

  • Learn to Cast

The most challenging part of fishing is casting. Poor casting translates to missed opportunities. In normal fishing, people usually cast with the weight of the sinker, lure, or bait but in fly fishing, people cast with the weight of the line. This makes a weightless fly which is best for fly fishing.

It’s important to know the right place to cast. Before you cast, allow six inches of the line at the end of your fishing rod. Next, keep the reel below your hand. Now, flip the bail on your spinning reel. This helps to keep your line in place

To cast, hold the rod with a little tension. To put the cast in the back from the front, start slow then speed up as the rod goes back. Aim towards where you want to cast then move your line in one swift stroke. Now, stop your hand sharply and your line will go where you want to cast it. Once your lure hits the water, flip the bail back. Now, start reeling to attract fish to your bait.

fly fishing

Keep practicing to master the steps above. Once you do so, it will be a lot easier for you to fish.

  • Find the Right Place to Fish

Knowing where and when to fish influences the outcome. The where and when varies with your target species. Whether you prefer to fish from the shore of a stream, pond, river, or by the dockside, understanding the target species helps you determine the type of gear and line.

 

Since you’re a beginner, we recommend fishing with a friend by the shore of a river or stream. Other water bodies make perfect fishing spots in your local area. From lakes to oceans, you’ve plenty of options.

  • Baiting Your Hook

Now that you know how to cast, the next step is to learn how to bait your hook. There are different things you can use as bait. Some people prefer using 4 to 5 kernels of corn while others use ¼ slices of hotdog, especially on a #4 baitholder.

While all these are good options, we highly recommend using a small piece of Nightcrawler. They usually come in counts of 12 to 24 available at Walmart or your local tackle shop. You can also dig for smaller worms in the garden. To do so, find moist areas under rocks or leaves.

If you’re not comfortable using worms, then use the aforementioned items. To bait your hook with your worm, use your thumbnail and pinch off a small 1-to-2-inch section of the worm. Then pierce one end of the worm and thread to the barbs of your hook. Next, piece the worm on the other end and secure it to the bar. Make sure it covers the point of the hook.

Cast your line into the water and once your bait is in the water, your hard work should start paying off. If using a bobber, you should see it halfway submerged. However, if the bobber is completely submerged without a bait, then you added too much weight to your sinker. Or, the bobber is too small. Replace with the correct bobber.

Castaroud Telescopic Fishing Rod KitIf you follow the steps above, you should land your first fish in minutes. Remember, be patient and keep practicing to hone your skills.

If you want to go beyond being just a beginner at this or any other skill, and work toward developing a real mastery, then you are going to need a deeper and more powerful strategy. What you need is a way to hack your brain so you can develop a winning mindset.

A winning mindset is a state of mind that allows you to enter a flow state at will. You do this by programming your subconscious mind.

Believe it or not, most of what you do throughout an average day is NOT freely chosen by your normal waking consciousness even though it may seem that way. The truth is that most of what you do on a day-to-day basis is done on autopilot.

An example of this would be when you’re driving your car and as you do so you get bored and begin daydreaming. Before you know it, you find yourself several miles further down the road with absolutely NO memory of having driven those last several miles. So, who exactly was driving while your waking consciousness was in la-la land, and how exactly did you manage to avoid an accident?

Your subconscious mind was in control. You already spent years programming your subconscious with how to deal with a broad range of possible driving scenarios and thus it had no trouble taking the wheel while your waking consciousness took a little break. In other words, you were able to take effective actions without having to THINK about them.

 

Cooking for the Campsite: Meal Planning for a Fun…

Plan Meals for Camping

Cooking

Planning out a week’s worth of meals at home is hard enough; it seems nearly impossible if you plan out all of the meals for a week-long camping trip. After all, you won’t have those easy fallback options of going out to eat or making a grilled cheese sandwich. The only food you will have is the food that you bring with you, so it’s important that you plan out your meals carefully and ensure that you have everything you need.

This article will give you a few tips on planning a menu for your camping trip so that you don’t end up scavenging for berries at the end of your trip.  family_camping

Plan around the Cooking

You want to take as few cooking tools with you as possible when you go camping, so you should try to plan meals that all use the same outdoor cooking equipment in Alpharetta. So, if you have a recipe for Dutch oven biscuits, try not to also have barbecued chicken on the menu.

This would require you to have both the Dutch oven and access to a grill on your trip. Unless you know the campsite already has barbecues available for your use, this can make packing extremely troublesome.

If you really want to make things easy, plan as many meals as possible that require no cooking equipment. This can include things like tinfoil dinners, hot dogs, and other foods that can be cooked directly over the fire. Depending on how long your trip is, you may be able to plan a menu that doesn’t require you to pack any cooking equipment at all. However, if you’re going to be camping more than a few days, you’ll probably want some variety and will want to bring some equipment along so you can cook different meals.

Non-Perishable Foods

As easy as it is to serve everyone cereal and milk in the morning, keeping milk cold during a week of camping is quite difficult. Instead, you’ll have to plan meals that use non-perishable foods, like canned goods, rice, and pasta.

If you do have a few meals that use perishable food items, plan your menu out so that you will eat those items within the first few days. This will allow you to have those meals before the ingredients are in danger of going bad.

Advanced Preparation

Wherever possible, do as much cooking preparation in advance as you can. This can include things like chopping up the chicken and potatoes for your tinfoil dinners, or rolling up some breakfast burritos so they just need to be heated up over the fire. Whatever preparation you can do at home will save you a lot of time and hassle while you’re camping. After all, it’s much easier to chop up chicken on your clean countertop than to try to do it on a cutting board sitting on a log.

people camping

Divide and Conquer

If you’re going on a camping trip with multiple people, make sure that you divide up the duties for food. Put each person or group in charge of one meal or one day’s worth of meals and make them responsible for providing and preparing the food for that meal or on that day. This will lessen the load for you.

 

 

 

Plan meals for camping – Just make sure that you communicate with one another when you’re planning out the meals, you’re responsible for. Otherwise, you might end up having hot dogs every day.

CampStove_Complete_Cook_Kit_front

BIoLite Campstove 2

Durable Camping Gear

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Purchase great outdoor camping gear

Camping gear is required for the outdoor adventure that lots of people have delighted in from the time they were children.

It is something that is done by families, with friends, or alone to clear your head. There is absolutely nothing like being out in the open, living a bit like we made use of, before the days of computer systems and smartphones. Visit our camping store for camping accessories and the best products to keep you safe on your adventures.

However, simply because it may want to be simple and take your mind off of things, you must not attempt to obtain away with bad, old, or damaged camping equipment. Not only will you have a bad time with bad gear, but you might even be risking your life in some cases.

Camping gear comes in numerous kinds, influences, sizes, kinds, and brand names. From outdoor tents to sleeping bags to camp stoves to footwear and beyond, the list is very long. While you do not need everything on that list for each outdoor camping journey, you must know what pieces are necessary.

Start by finding out what kind of camping you’ll be doing then go from there. You may want to truly invest in the crucial pieces off of that list once you have that figured out.

Yes, it’s a financial investment and will cost a little money. A financial investment is expected to provide returns over time, and great outdoor camping gear will most certainly provide those returns after each use.Waterproof Camping Tarp, Hammock Rain Fly Tent Tarp

First, simply the expense per use of each product. If you buy something that is of greater quality that might cost a bit more, you will likely get a lot, even more, use out of it than if you purchased an economical, low-quality piece.

Think about your buying a $60 sleeping bag at an outlet store since you go camping a couple of times each year. Let’s say you get 20 and makes use of it before it begins tearing, disintegrating, or the zipper breaks past all repair work. The cost per use of that sleeping bag is $3.00.

Now, let’s say you buy a $200 sleeping bag online and go camping several times each year. Assuming the bag lasts you years, which excellent sleeping bags often do, we can assume that you get 100 uses out of it before you start looking for a brand-new one. The cost per use of the pricier sleeping bag is $2.00.

Even though you invest more upfront, you get much more out of it.

The second way to see the value of investing in the right gear is the general comfort or convenience that a good quality product gives you.

Roughing it is and expecting to leave some creature comforts behind is something, however, oversleeping in a leaky camping tent with a sleeping bag that does not keep you warm if the temperature level drops below 50 is not fun.

Take into consideration your shoes and clothes. You may be okay with normal clothing and shoes when it pertains to car outdoor camping however the 2nd you get on that path or trip that mountain, you’re putting yourself in hazard if you don’t have good shoes and garments. If you slip since your hiking boots are rubbish, are not using the proper safety layers, and wind up hurting yourself and needing to await assistance, your opportunity of surviving is much higher if you have all the right equipment.

Camping should be enjoyable, it must be relaxing, and it should be hassle-free. Getting the right equipment before you take a camping break is necessary if you desire to get the very best value for your dollar and have a good, safe time.

Now think about when you buy a $50 sleeping bag at a department store because you go camping a couple of times each year. Let’s say you get 20 uses out of it before it starts tearing, degenerating, or the zipper breaking beyond all repair work. Now, let’s state you buy a $200 sleeping bag online and go camping a couple of times each year. Presuming the bag lasts you lots of years, which great sleeping bags often tend to do, we can assume that you get 100 makes use of out of it before you begin looking for a new one.

You might be fine with regular clothing and shoes when it comes to outdoor camping but the second you get on that trail or trip that mountain, you’re putting yourself in danger “if ” you do not have great shoes and clothing.

tent-camping3

Outdoor Camping Gear

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Outdoor camping gear

Camping is an adventure that lots of people have delighted in from the time they were children. It is something that is done by families, with friends, or alone to clear your head. There is absolutely nothing like being out in the open, living a bit like we made use of, before the days of computer systems and smartphones.

However, simply because it may want to be simple and take your mind off of things, you must not attempt to obtain away with bad, old, or damaged campingpeople camping equipment. Not only will you have a bad time with bad gear, but you might even be risking your life in some cases.

Camping gear comes in numerous kinds, influences, sizes, kinds, and brand names. From outdoor tents to sleeping bags to camp stoves to footwear and beyond, the list is very long. While you do not need everything on that list for each outdoor camping journey, you must know what pieces are necessary.

Start by finding out what kind of camping you’ll be doing then go from there. You may want to truly invest in the crucial pieces off of that list once you have that figured out.

Yes, it’s a financial investment and will cost a little money. A financial investment is expected to provide returns over time, and great outdoor camping gear will most certainly provide those returns after each use.

First, simply the expense per use of each product. If you buy something that is of greater quality that might cost a bit more, you will likely get a lot e, even more,se out of it than if you purchased an economical, low-quality piece.

Envision yoyourselfuy a $60 sleeping bag at an outlet store since you go camping a couple of times each year. Let’s say you get 20 makes use ou it before it begins tearing, disintegrating, or the zipper breaks past all repair work. The cost per use of that sleeping bag is $3.00.

Now, let’s say you buy a $200 sleeping bag online and go camping several times each year. Assuming the bag lasts you years, which excellent sleeping bags often do, we can assume that you get 100 uses out of it before you start looking for a brand-new one. The cost per use of the pricier sleeping bag is $2.00. Gear Doctors Ultralight 17oz Apollo-Air Sleeping pad

Even though you invest more upfront, you get much more out of it.

The second way to see the value of investing in the right gear is the general comfort or convenience that a good quality product gives you.

Roughing it is and expecting to leave some creature comforts behind is something, however sleeping in a leaky camping tent with a sleeping bag that does not keep you warm if the temperature level drops below 50 is not fun.

Take it an action further and think of your shoes and clothes. You may be okay with normal clothing and shoes when it pertains to car outdoor camping however the 2nd you get on that path or trip that mountain, you’re putting yourself in hazard if you don’t have good shoes and garments. If you slip since your hiking boots are rubbish, are not using the proper safety layers, and wind up hurting yourself and needing to await assistance, your opportunity of surviving is much higher if you have all the right equipment.

Camping should be enjoyable, it must be relaxing, and it should be hassle-free. Getting the right equipment before taking a camping break is necessary if you desire to get the very best value for your dollar and a good, safe time.

Now think about buying a $50 sleeping bag at a department store and you go camping a couple of times each year. Let’s say you get 20 uses out of it before it starts, degenerating, or the zipper breaks beyond all repair work. Now, let’s state you buy a $200 sleeping bag online and go camping a couple of times each year. Presuming the bag lasts you lots of years, which great sleeping bags often tend to do, we can assume that you get 100 uses out of it before beginning to look for a new one.

You might be fine with regular clothing and shoes when it comes to automobile outdoor camping but the second you get on that trail or trip that mountain, you’re putting yourself in danger if you do not have great shoes and clothing.

 

Be sure you have a first-aid kit with you.

Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit

Illuminate Your Camping Trip: The Best Headlamps for Your…

Choosing the Best Headlamp for Camping

Victoper Rechargeable HeadlampWow, there are a lot of headlamps for camping on the market today, and for good reason, but choosing the right one can be a little frustrating. These versatile lighting tools give you the ability to perform tasks completely hands-free in darkness and they are one of the most important pieces of gear you can have in your backpack.

Among the many headlamp choices, there is no one perfect light, although let me share with you my #1 choice and why.

Choosing the right headlight should be based on your specific needs and uses.

The best headlamp for camping should have a few key features and the brightest is not always the best choice or the most useful.

Manufacturers rate their led headlamps by the maximum brightness in lumen. A beam throw of a 100 lumen headlamp flashlight is more than adequate for a long range distance beam to help you see paths and trail markers. The best headlamp for camping also needs to be lightweight, comfortable to wear, balanced and typically a one size fits all is best.

Being that your headlamp would be exposed to the harsh outdoor elements, it needs to be long lasting, rugged and mostly water and shock resistant.

Another important feature is the lamp itself needs to be adjustable and tilt at least to 90 degrees in order for you to direct the beam where you want it.

Being an avid camping and hiking outdoors man, I’ve owned and compared several variations of these head lights.

Looking at all the different features available, I ultimately came up with a short list of must have features for the best camping headlamp.

Features You Need in A Good Headlamp

• Comfortable, stylish and cool looking of course

• Multiple lighting modes & easy on/off buttons

• Bright white LED lights…minimum 400 lumen

• Lightweight, rugged and water resistant

• Sturdy constructed tilting lamp head…90 degrees

• Short- & long-range beam with an emergency flashing mode

• Standard batteries…long life…easy access & easy change

The Winning Headlamp

After reviewing, comparing and owning a variety of led headlamps, choosing a winner was based on style, function and features.

The chosen headlamp was simple, yet practical and contained all the features you read above.

The led super bright headlamp packs the punch with its 100 lumen of bright light and the aluminum shell makes it stylish and rugged.

To learn more information about this cool little headlamp and all its features you can visit LED Super Bright Headlamp here.

 

 

The Most Durable Camping Tent for Your Outdoor Getaways

Your best Camping Tent

Make sure your tent is best for camping

Whether you camp alone, with a large group of friends, or with your family, this fun activity can become even more enjoyable if you pick the right kind of tent. You can find different types of tents for camping in the market. And this can put you in a state of confusion. Well to avoid this, here are some essential tips and guidelines that will assist you in making the best choice of a camping tent.

Take a look.

Check for the seasonality of the tent

my tent

If you are new to camping and will not choose the winter season for camping, then a simple three-season camping tent will serve your needs. This one can manage all weather conditions during spring, summer, and autumn. The three-season tent is light in weight providing good ventilation to keep out the summer heat. For keeping away rain, this tent type is equipped with a canopy.

However, if you happen to be an avid camper and enjoy camping in the snow too, opting for a four-season camp is worth it. The ventilation can be easily closed in this type of tent. The material used for its fabrication can withstand extreme wind and snow.

Check for the type of camping you often go on

If you often drive to campsites with your family, then a family tent would be a great choice for you. You can google “camping near me” to find campgrounds or RV parks.  You can opt for a family tent that provides adequate space, or can go with the one having multiple rooms offering both comfort and privacy. Although such family tents are quite heavy, since you would be driving to the campsite, it is always a good option.

However, if you will be camping while hiking or walking on long treks, then a small 2-person tent is a great choice. It can shelter just one or two people at a time and is made of good quality materials.

Check for the shape and capacity of the tent

Consider the number of people who will be tent camping with you and also how long you will be camping. Make sure that the tent that you choose offers a space of 30 square feet per person.

If you don’t want to spend a huge amount on tents for camping, then you may go with a simple A-frame tent. This kind of tent is less costly as well as lighter. But it offers limited space and cannot withstand harsh weather conditions.

You can also go for a dome shape tent for a decent amount of headroom and because this tent type is much more stable than A-frames.

Check if the tent can be easily set up

Camping provides you the opportunity to spend quality time with nature if camping alone or an enjoyable time when camping with the family. You would certainly not want to waste it on setting up the tent. Therefore, you must choose pop-up tents or instant opening tents that can be set up easily and quickly. Don’t forget your blanket!

These were a few tips that can help you figure out the best outdoor camping tents for you – Have Fun!

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