Tag Archives: B&Q

5 Ways to Take Stunning Photos

February 6, 2017 By in Blogging Tips Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 38 Comments

I fell hopelessly in love with photography when I started blogging in 2012. I knew I had to make Fashion and Style Police stand out, and I knew one way to stand out was to take stunning photos. Photos are usually the first thing blog readers notice, so I knew I had to brush my photography skills up.

 

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I have come a long way from the girl with the Fujifilm point and shoot camera to where I am today. I am not quite where I want to be as far as my blog photos are concerned but I am gradually getting to that sweet spot. It has taken a lot of practice, many trials and errors, many props and lighting and many cameras to get to where I am now in 2017. So I thought to share some tips and tricks I picked up along the way. And some photography tools that help create these photos.

 

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Camera

I currently use a Canon EOS 1200D, and it is the best camera I have ever used. It is my first Canon, and first DSLR. I got an extra 50mm lens to go with it, and together we are magical. I really couldn’t ask for a better camera.

The camera plays a major role in how the photos look in the end, so pay attention when selecting one. I would strongly recommend a Canon DSLR above all others because my experience with mine has been amazing. The fact that I can take stunning photos regardless of the time of the day with no flash, says it all.

Pro Tip: Go for a DSLR and get a 50mm Lens.

 

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Lightning

I recently got these 2 Continuous Lighting Kit 50 x70cm Softbox Photo Studio Set Light Bulbs Lamp 500K from Amazon, and it has literally changed my photography game. I can take photos any time in the day, even at night, which is amazing especially for this winter season with darkness starting at 3pm sometimes.

They brighten my photos leaving room for little or no editing. They are a must-have photography tool for every blogger.

Pro Tip: Get a Lightning Kit.

 

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Natural Lighting

Natural lighting is the best if you have enough of it. I get all my outfit photos taken outside, I think they would appear best with natural lighting.

Pro Tip: Take as many photos as you can take in the natural light especially the outfit photos.

 

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Location/Props

The right location/props could make the photos very beautiful. I am not as adventurous as I should be with my outfit photos. I just take my photos when and where is convenient. I am hoping to step it up a little this year, and go fishing for amazing locations around me.

As for my photo props, I have a few wall paper samples I go from B&Q, and a white fluffy rug from IKEA that does the trick. I also make use of magazine pages, worktops, regular tables, and the couch sometimes. It all depends on what I am photographing and where I am.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to the location and props you use.

 

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Editing

For my photo editing, I make use of Lightroom and Photoshop. I do minimal editing, so I may play around with the exposure, contrast, vibrance and saturation of the photo on Lightroom. I usually just crop and save on Photoshop. I am currently taking an online Lightroom course too. I am learning so much and I am enjoying it.

Pro Tip: The more amazing the photos are, the less editing you have to do. Pay attention to the photographing.

 

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Do you have any photography tips or tricks to share?

 

 

5 Gadgets Every Blogger Needs

October 2, 2016 By in Blogging Tips Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 55 Comments

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Blogging is one of the cheapest businesses to set off. You don’t need much really; a domain and a minimal theme and you are good to go. But there are some gadgets you would be needing if you plan on taking your blog to another level. You won’t need to spend a lot of money because you may already a few of these gadgets already.

Here are the top 5 gadgets every blogger may need:

Laptop/iPad

Having a laptop and iPad is essential to blogging for me. I do most of my blogging work on my laptop, but I use my iPad a lot when I am on the move or when I am too lazy to go on my laptop. Because I take my Laptop and iPad everywhere I go, so I can work, I like to have it protected. I use a cool custom-made skin made by the lovely people at CaseApp, and I will be telling you guys all about the fab skin in the next few days. I will also be giving away a discount code, so lookout for that post.

Back to the gadgets, I have always had a laptop and iPad so I didn’t buy them specially for blogging, but now that I blog and work from home fulltime, they have become even more useful. I would be lost without them and it would be very hard to blog without having at least 1 of them.

 

Camera

I had a point and shoot Fujifilm camera before I started blogging. So it automatically became my first blogging camera. I used it for a few months before upgrading to another Fujifilm point and shoot camera, which was a better model. I finally got a Canon DSLR about a year ago, and it is the best. I would strongly advise any blogger especially Fashion and Beauty Bloggers, to go for a DSLR straight away. The difference in the quality of pictures is gobsmaking, trust me.

 

Memory Card

If you take a lot of photos like I do, then you will be needing a memory card with a huge storage. It is better to have just 1 big memory card, than to have 3/4 memory cards with tiny storage.

 

iPhone

I finally joined the iPhone family this year, since I decided I have had enough of having a Blackberry and that was a fab decision for my blogging career. Having an iPhone means I can update my Instagram a lot quicker and it means I can take better photos on my phone. The quality of the camera on my iPhone 6s is unreal. I think it is the best mobile phone camera I have ever had. I know it sounds vain but I can take more discreet photos of my meals or anything I choose to photograph, when I am out and about.

 

Tripod, Selfie Stick & Photo Props

I blogged successfully for over 3 years without a Tripod but having one has made my life a lot easier. It is so easy to take a photo when I am alone now.

I have just bought myself a Selfie Stick and I think it is definitely another gadget worth having as a blogger.

Photo props are essentials for me because I like to make my photos pretty as much as I can. I got a mini white fluffy carpet from IKEA some months ago and I have found it very useful so far. I also have a few wall papers and tiles I use as photo props. I got them free as samples at Wilkinson and B&Q, so it is worth checking your local home stores to see what you can get.

 

What gadgets can you not live without as a blogger?

Product Review: Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner

September 30, 2015 By in Beauty, Product Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 15 Comments

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When I got an email offering me a chance to review the Rug Doctor’s latest product – Portable Spot Cleaner, I took the offer with both hands. We regularly rent the Rug Doctor Machine to deep clean the carpets every now and again, so this was a golden opportunity. We have a cream carpets all over the house, and with two busy toddlers and a blogger that is forever testing various samples and staining the carpets, we cannot afford not to clean our carpets regularly. So you can imagine how excited I was to try out this new machine.

The Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner was sent along with the following products:

Rug Doctor Portable Machine Spot Cleaner

High Foot Traffic Cleaner

Rug Doctor Oxy Cleaner

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Here is what Rug Doctor had to say about the new machine:

RUG DOCTOR – The Next Generation Clean.

x2 Suction* compared to leading portable carpet cleaners
The ONLY Portable Spot Cleaner with a handheld motorised brush for deep down cleaning
No more carrying. Comes with wheels and a new retractable handle that allows you to effortlessly wheel the machine to the stain… and back! Size of machine allows easy storage.

Before the clean

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Work In Progress

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After the clean

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Here are my thoughts:

PROS

  1. It does the job. Most of stains and spots on our carpets are gone.
  2. It is very portable; the luggage style handle and carpet friendly wheels means it is quite easy to move around, this is particularly great when cleaning the staircases.
  3. The machine is readily available to buy from Rug Doctor, Tesco, Morrisons, Argos, B&Q, and other stores.
  4. It is cheaper and more convenient than hiring professionals to do the clean. You can grab yours at £154.99.

Before the clean

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After the clean

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CONS

  1. We couldn’t clean the carpets in an upright position, like how you would vacuum, we had to bend down all through the cleaning.

Overall, I will recommend the Rug Doctor Portable Spot Removal Cleaner to anyone whose carpet is needing a bit of TLC, and a good clean. It is perfect for busy families with children and pets. It is a handy machine to have around.

*PR Samples included.

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