ester liquori design

May 2013 Wallpaper Calendar: NY Taxi Drivers

2013-04-30T00:04:00.000+02:00

Let's go back to NY to admire the lines of yellow taxi driving slowly in the traffic. It needs to try how great those men they are! Driving in Manhattan everyday along all the day without getting crazy is a miracle!

The wallpaper is available in several size as usual. Also for: iPhone, iPhone5 and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Download what fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1920 x 1080
1680 x 1050
1600 x 1200
1440 x 960
1280 x 1024
1280 x 960
1280 x 720
1024 x 768
1024 x 1024 iPad size
640 x 960 iPhone size
640 x 1136 iPhone5 size
720 x 1280 Samsung Galaxy S3 size

April 2013 Wallpaper Calendar: Washington Monument

2013-04-01T08:30:00.000+02:00

You can say that it's just an obelisk but as a matter of fact the Washington Monument is something that once there you will love to shot. It is so high that you always think "I'm quite there now" and you don't. The lovely park all around is the perfect frame for the pools which are made to best reflect it's beauty.

The wallpaper is available in several size as usual. Also for: iPhone, iPhone5 and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Download what fits best on your desktop!

March 2013 Wallpaper Calendar: Toronto, CN Tower

2013-03-01T08:30:00.000+01:00

The CN Tower is a high communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto (Ontario, Canada). The view from there in a sunny day is beautiful, you are on the top of the city and you have a 360° view on it.
In a windy day it becomes even better whit the fluffy clouds playing with light and shadows on the big Ontario Lake glass. The wallpaper is available in several size as usual. Also for: iPhone, iPhone5 and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Download what fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1920 x 1080
1680 x 1050
1600 x 1200
1440 x 960
1280 x 1024
1280 x 960
1280 x 720
1024 x 768
1024 x 1024 iPad size
640 x 960 iPhone size
640 x 1136 iPhone5 size
720 x 1280 Samsung Galaxy S3 size

February 2013 Wallpaper Calendar: Cape Neddick, Way to the Ocean

2013-02-01T08:00:00.000+01:00

If you have never been there I really suggest you Cape Neddick (Maine).
It is a small town not far from Portsmouth. It may be not so much different from any other small sea town but I've found it so charming! I've loved the lighthouse and the long empty shore. A way, point of connection between land, sky and ocean.
It is available in several size as usual. Also for: iphone, iphone5 and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Download what fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1920 x 1080
1680 x 1050
1600 x 1200
1440 x 960
1280 x 1024
1280 x 960
1280 x 720
1024 x 768
1024 x 1024 iPad size
640 x 960 iPhone size
640 x 1136 iPhone5 size
720 x 1280 Samsung Galaxy S3 size

GifTo: A nice place where to buy Turin’s Souvenirs

2013-01-07T22:16:00.001+01:00

Hi! Today I want to give the occasion to have more visibility to an interesting small but well equipped souvenir shop here in Turin, where I live.
The gifts shop name is GifTo (Gifts from Torino ^_^). Whether you're looking for gifts for friends or family, you won't be able to resist the nice product which are on offer there! Let’s have a tour!
I'm really pleased to present their work! GifTo shop is in via XX Settembre n. 28, not far from the city center. They have a large selection of T-shirts, for both men and women, kids’ T’s, mugs, magnets, key rings, postcards, pencils and a lot of things with the typical shape of the Mole Antonelliana.

Among their different and nice t-shirt designs they also have my watercolor drawing of the Mole Antonelliana! ^O^ I'm really happy of this cooperation since they are really kind people, they love their job and good taste for design >_^.

Another very representative object of the Turin icon, a part from the Mole, is the ‘Turet’.
In fact "Torino" means "young bull" and ‘Turet’ means the same in local idiom. The bull represents the heraldic emblem for the city. The Turet is a really common decoration in the city and many fountains have this typical shape. In the GifTo shop you can find the 1:1 representation of this fountain commonly spread overall the city.

GifTo http://www.gifto.it/
via XX Settembre n. 28
Opening: from Tuesday to Saturday 1.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Closed on Sunday and Monday

January 2013 Wallpaper Calendar: Empire State Building Sight-view at Sunset

2013-01-01T10:00:00.000+01:00

Hello to everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
With 2013 we start a new theme calendar inspired by one of my last travel: The U.S and Canada.
We will start with a very popular shot: Empire State Building Sight-view at Sunset. Obviously from New York City!
It is available in several size as usual. I've also added some new entry resolutions: iphone, iphone5 and Samsung Galaxy S3.
Download what fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1024 x 768
1024 x 1024 iPad size
640 x 960 iPhone size
640 x 1136 iPhone5 size
720 x 1280 Samsung Galaxy S3 size

Ready to Print 2013 Wallpaper Calendar: 12 Beautiful Photos

2012-12-23T19:01:00.002+01:00

The New Year is approaching! Do you already have your brand new Photo Wallpaper Calendar?
Not yet? That's perfect! You can now download my 2013 ready to print photographic calendar!

A twelve months calendar full of shots from my on the road trip from the U.S East Coast and South of Canada.
You can dowload and print the pdf in A4 size.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Download your 2013 Full 12 Months Calendar (20 Mb)

EASY HDR Photos plus Photomatix Pro Coupon Discount!

2012-12-13T13:59:00.001+01:00

The main point of this tutorial is helping photographer who want to approach the HDR (High Dynamic Range) Photography in understanding how to shot, compose and process their images. What is also important is that we make it EASY.
The last important point is that we will do it with images that ANYONE CAN SHOT! No wonderful camera (I just have a Canon 450D), no complicated camera settings etc. With this tutorial you will learn how to process potential HDR photos with PHOTOMATIX PRO, the most popular tone mapping software to create HDR.
To do that we need the software so you can download a free trial of Photomatix Pro or

You can buy it by using our Photomatix Pro Coupon Code ESTERLIQUORIDESIGN to get a 15% off discount!

It normally costs 99$ and with this discount it becomes even more interesting, isn’t it?
These are the starting images and then what we will obtain.
So, let’s start to see how great this software can be!

Few things to know in advance

HDR, High Dynamic Range imaging combines the dynamic range of multiple exposures into one image. If you are looking at a wonderful sunset on the Manhattan Bay from the Empire State Building top then you may have a great combination of blue sky, red, pink and violet and at the same time the city all around which is disappearing in the shadows and some lights which start to turn on. Your eye is able to see both, not the same for your camera which will capture the area on the basis of what you are exposing.
With HDR you can take different expositions of the same scene and combine to take out of them only the best. The magic is all about tone mapping.
You have to be care when you process HDR because the passage from a great photo to a surreal and improbable scene is slight and you may risk to over process the image.

Each shots is in the photographer’s mind

I’ve started saying that in the tutorial we will use images taken in a normal condition.
It must be said that what make the difference between somebody which has a camera and takes photos and who is a photographer is not the camera and the features but the shot. A photographer can visualize in his mind the final picture which he wants and is able to change camera settings, and then post-processing options, to obtain that result. The photo already exists in his mind.
Shooting for HDR is the same. You already know what you want to get so you set the camera with this idea in your mind. So to tell the truth and put you in the best conditions as possible there should be a few rules to follow.
To properly create a HDR image you will need:

Camera, best with RAW support and AEB (Auto Bracket Exposure)
Tripod (I usually do without but use it if you have one! Highly recommended! You will minimize the camera shaking)
A tone mapping software (as said my best choice is Photomatix Pro)
A RAW converter (I just use Camera RAW Converter which comes with Photoshop)
At least 3 differently exposed photos of the same scene.

You may obtain good results also with one RAW image only! This is not covered with this tutorial but stay tuned! In one of my following tutorial I’ll show how you can use just a single shot to reach good HDR photo results.
Almost all DSLR cameras are able to shoot in RAW and most of them have AEB.
AEB is Auto Bracket Exposure that means the camera will automatically bracket the exposures for you. It will drop the exposure compensation down 2 stops, and then up 2 stops.

STEP 1: Taking the photos

Set your camera on AV mode to so that only the shutter speed varies between the exposures (by setting TV the camera will compensate varying the depth of field and this have to be avoid)
Set the ISO as lower as possible (to avoid too much noise)
Set the camera to AEB with the exposure increment to +/- 2 for optimal exposure range. Some cameras allow even more exposures but with a total of three (-2, 0 and +2) you already get the result.
Mount it on a tripod and set self-timer to avoid shaking

Depending on your camera and the light conditions you may want to take even more exposures. If you can’t bear in mind that is always better overexpose than underexpose. That because by underexposing you introduce even more noise in your image, also loosing information data.
When you shot AEB depending on your camera (mine is a 450D) you also need to set Continuous shooting otherwise the camera will only take one shot each time.

STEP 2: Start the fun! Tone mapping process tutorial

Each image is different from one another. This means that this is a starting point to make you falling in love with HDR photography but then you will need to practice and develop your own sensitivity about that. I’m a recent user and I’ve still thousand things to understand and discover. Like everyone has to. J
As said, and to put everybody in the same conditions I’ve decided of set up my tutorial on photos which have not been taken with the HDR intent. In my example the scene is an image of the Senanque Monastery in Provence (France), very popular for its beautiful lavender fields all around. These are my three images:

This to show that good results can be reached anyway. By studying and experimenting your picture will be GREAT!
So this are my starting images, Ev-1, 0, +1 (so not the optimal), without tripod, camera set in manual mode. From now we will use Photomatix Pro 4.2, the best tool that I’ve found to process HDR images.
To do that we need the software so you can download a free trial of Photomatix Pro or

You can buy it by using our Photomatix Pro Coupon Code ESTERLIQUORIDESIGN to get a 15% off discount!

STEP 3: Load Images

Run Photomatix Pro. It automatically supports RAW coming from many camera models. Check if yours is included on the Photomatix website. If not you can always open your images with your favorite RAW converter and export them in TIFF without compression mode.
Open your three bracketed images by dragging and dropping the files into Photomatix Pro
OR
Click Load Bracketed Photos and browse for location of the files.
Click OK to pre-process the files.

A new dialog window will open with a few options to select.

STEP 4: First Window Configurations

Keep the Align source images and Crop aligned images checked. The first corrects slight misalignment the second crops borders which come from images alignment operation. Since, as said my images have been shot without a tripod I select by matching features option which will check more carefully for similar shapes to align. For the same reasons I want to remove ghost area. Lavender flowers can be moved from the wind so I select for my example Automatic detection.
Check the Reduce noise option, this processes source photos with high-quality noise reduction and is recommended when processing RAW files directly in Photomatix.
Reduce chromatic aberration may be useful to remove color fringe.
Choose your color space. I’ve set Color primaries based on AdobeRGB since I would like to print it later. If you want to use your image for screen view only then chose accordingly.
Click Ok The software will elaborate the images for a bit then will show you the image to tone mapping with a new window and a lot of options to manage.

STEP 5: Photomatix Pro 4.2 main window

Presets

Photomatix Pro also suggests a bunch of presets which covers some needs. Usually they don’t match your needs however they may be a good starting point.

Here below the default settings result.

As you can see it looks washed out. On the other hand if, for example, I click Surreal preset the image will result over processed.

This is also a result which I want to avoid. I think that HDR should help to capture the best of a scene and re-built a natural effect on it. Have you ever seen a landscape such this with your eyes? I don’t. This means that we have to understand better handles and options available to reach what we want.. ^_^
In my example I’ll start from Enhanced preset. Here below the starting image to work with and the pre-configured values setting. This method use Tone Mapping Details Enhancer option sets.
The differences between Exposure Fusion and HDR/Tone mapping are really technical and I suggest reading it explained from the Photomatix FAQ page.

Adjustments Configurations

The screenshot here below shows how I’ve set for process my HDR image.

Let’s see the options in detail.

Basic panel

I set Strength to 90. This controls the strength of the contrast enhancements. When you see halos around objects placed against bright backgrounds. To reduce it you have to go down with the Strength and/or increasing the value of Smooth Highlights.
I set Color Saturation to 55. This controls the saturation in the colors of image. If you increase it too much the result will look a fake.
Luminosity is useful to control the global luminosity level. Experiment with values to give a more natural appearance to the image.
These are the settings and that is what I’ve obtained.

More Options Panel

I’ve set Smooth Highlights as 10. This reduces the contrast in the highlights and, as previously said, can be useful to reduce halos around objects.
This is the histogram image which I’ve got.

If I increase the Smooth Highlights value what happens is a flattening of the histogram and an increase of the global light as is shown here below:

Black Point has opposite effects of White Point and affects the image shadows strength.

I prefer do not exceed so I’ve chosen a low Black Point value.

Gamma acts on the mid-tones making them brighter or darker. I’ve slightly increased Gamma for more light. I’ve not varied the color Temperature. You may vary it to have your image’s color warmer or colder, as usual this just depends on your feelings.
Let’s move on the next panel, Advanced Options.

Advanced Options Panel

Micro-smoothing is really helpful to reduce noise excess. This is not the case of this image since it has been shot in full daylight with a low ISO but it is worthy to know. Avoid to excess here otherwise your image will look too flat.

Also find the proper balance between Saturation Highlights and Shadow Highlights. These handles adjust the color saturation of highlights and shadows.

Here below my result:

Shadows Smoothness reduces the contrast enhancements in the shadows however in my image this option is not relevant.
Shadow Clipping affects the shadows clip, useful to cut out noise in the dark area of a photo taken in a low-light situation. This is not a problem with my example image since it has been shot in full daylight. Exceeding with that will mean as shown here below.

I prefer a softer effect such this one:

STEP 6: Ghosts removal

Photomatix Pro embeds a powerful automatic Ghosts remover that you run at the beginning. However some areas may still need your hands. In my example the area where people were walking is confused.

1. Tick on the top of the window the Selection Mode checkbox and chose the tool which you prefer.

Polygonal lasso is ideal for areas with straight sides.
Normal lasso is good for small areas
Magnetic lasso to more accurately follow borders and shape, such as of a building.

You can draw an approximated border than select the Attach to Edges checkbox to better match the edges. The selection path is then redrawn along the edge.

No complicated edges in my example so I’ve just drawn with the Polygonal lasso.
2. Right-click within the selection. A contextual menu appears. If you loaded bracketed photos, the menu let you choice which one you want have as source exposure.

We have almost finished. Click PROCESS button.

STEP 7: Finishing Touch Window

After processing the processed image and a new panel, named Finishing Touch, appear. Photomatix Pro provides you with a few tools to give to your image some last retouches such as contrast, color or sharpening. Obviously all of them can be also performed later, for example in Photoshop.

Click Save As in the main menu.
Choose the name, the type of file you want.
Also check Save Tone Mapping checkbox if you want to save the set of options you have used to process your HDR and Open Saved Image with if you want finish the retouch with another program (Photoshop in my example).

STEP 8: Refine with Photoshop

If you are satisfied with your HDR image you just have finished. HOURRA! \^O^/
If you want you can continue your image improvement of Photoshop.

Removing Distractions

In my example I just want to remove the small sky angle on the top right of the image, so I open the tone mapped image in Photoshop, duplicate the layer and, with the Clone Stamp Tool, I just copy a bit of trees in the angle.

Giving Depth of Field

I also want to decrease the depth field which I find here distracting.

Duplicate the layer again and rename it “Blur”.
Go to Filter> Blur> Lens Blur. A new widow opens.

3. Play with the values a bit. The image now is blurred and out of focus

4. Keep the “Blur” layer selected and click the Add layer mask button. A new layer mask appears on the layer.

5. Select a big and smooth brush set down the opacity and start to paint with black those areas that you want to sharp. The mask will reveal the layer beneath by covering the blurred one.

Final touch!

A grunge frame to give boundaries to the image and focus the sight to the monastery.

Conclusions

I think that HDR photography can be used to improve some images. As in a thousand of things it is important not to exceed by over retouching. Fake images can look interesting such as a surreal paint one, two, three times. A balanced use of all photo retouching techniques is always strongly recommended.

Now is up to you!

You can try by yourself by downloading the free trial version of Photomatix Pro 4.2 or you can buy it for $99.

You can buy it by using our Photomatix Pro Coupon Code ESTERLIQUORIDESIGN to get a 15% off discount!

Comment and share here your results!

December 2012 Wallpaper Calendar: Merry Christmas from London Eye

2012-12-02T09:45:00.000+01:00

Hello to everyone! Here we are with the new monthly calendar: Merry Christmas from London Eye.
This is a shot that I've taken from the top of the London Eye creating a kind of tilt-shift effect on the bus driving through the street.
It is available in several size as usual, download what it fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1024 x 1024 (iPad size!)

1024 x 768

B-Grip Belt Camera Holder Review

2012-11-05T08:30:00.000+01:00

Intro

After many searches to find something which allows me going around for hours with my DSLR camera without suffering pain to my neck I’ve finally found a possible solution: a B-Grip.
B-Grip is an item which allows you carry your DSLR camera on a belt and it is a valid alternative to the classic camera neck strap. The camera stays on your hip against your body and is easily accessible leaving your hands, and particularly your neck, completely free.
I recently had the chance of acquiring a B-Grip item and decided to test it during one important outdoor event: the Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk. You can find PRO and CONS in its use as in every other object. Here below an analysis of my personal experience with it.

B-Grip Technical Description

Box Content

The item is designed by CPTech, an Italian company.
The box just contains the belt and the camera holder support.

Additional tool: the B-Grip Hand Strap

The B-Grip Hand Strap is made of soft rubber-like material with memory foam to hold its shape. It adds support when shooting with your DSLR camera.
Its quick-release plate contains a standard 1/4-20 tripod screw, thus making it compatible with most common tripod.

Vendor Promises

From CPTech website we read:

CPTech's b-grip belt holder is a unique innovative alternative to the camera neck strap. Safe, durable, ergonomic and simple to use, b-grip allows the photographer to carry their camera everywhere and for long periods without neck strain. So now it's easy to avoid the inconvenience of a dangling camera swinging around your neck, while keeping your hands and body completely free.

WDS (weight discharge system)" a smart idea for a surprising performance.
CPtech exclusive patent ensures the distribution of the weight across the thigh providing a perceived weight reduction of 50%. Camera swings are reduced to zero.
B-grip completely removes the hassles associated with a camera neck strap, allowing comfortable use of the camera previously unthinkable

From the B&H website description we can read:

Easy-to-use safety thumb lock that prevents an accidental release of the baseplate

Quick-release plate fits most standard DIN 4503-2 tripod heads

The quick-release plate's flip-out piece creates a larger support base, for stability when you set down the camera

The CPTech ensure a safe use of the B-Grip up to 8 Kilos however their laboratory tests have been run up to 32 Kilos without problem.

MY B-Grip Experience

The Real Estate: First Test

The B-Grip Durethan plastic resin compound with glass fiber is solid as promised.
The main lock in place is solid and releasing camera from the grip is easy.
It does require 2-hand operation to remove the camera but is very quick once you get the hang of it.
- Right hand flips the red safety lever, then grips camera.
- Left hand lifts release lever.
I've walked all around shooting and hanging the camera continuously for a full afternoon during the annual Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk here in Turin, which I've lead, and everything has worked properly.
The camera weight has not been a problem and even more improbable shooting posture has been satisfied.

I've also mounted my 55-250 lenses and no problem occurred. I felt it so comfortable that I've gone to the dinner with the belt and the camera held it on and I completely forgot to have it there.
If you don’t have extra hands the grip is helpful to change your lenses in an easy way. Just hang the camera upside down and it will stay steady and gripped whilst you unlock the old lens and lock the new one.
I used to hold my camera diagonally on my shoulder, bringing it ahead when I wanted to shoot.

You can see how uncomfortable this way was!

I think that B-grip has really improved the comfort in my photography experience.
I've already tried it during other walks…
…and again in not comfortable situations (yes, I love what I call “snail’s perspective” ?)

No problem at all, or at my neck or with the camera access.
I've also passed through an outdoor crowd fruits market and the protection to my camera was quite easy to do.

Not enough! Second Test

I've tested it again a couple of days ago at Lucca Comics and Games. I ensure you that the small city was absolutely so full of people that it was hard even walk!
Again I walked along all the day without neck pain and without problem when I had to pass through flows of people.
I've reached a nice point of view and climbed a wall to take the picture of the landscape from Lucca’s ancient fortified wall. While climbing could be tricky with the camera swinging around your neck, with the B-grip on my hip climbing was easy and safe:

Final shot!

B-Grip Evaluation

Pro

The B-Grip grants you freedom of movement, the camera stays along your body and you can go around without stressing your neck.
It is resistant and safely holds the DSLR camera as promised in the promo.
It’s a help when you need to change lenses.
B-GRIP Hand Strap is comfortable enough to pick the camera up from your hip and shooting fast. The rubber and the design are good allowing an ergonomic safety grip on your camera.

Cons

Changing the battery in a quick way is not easy once you have equipped the camera with the B-Grip head. You need to dismount it to access the battery housing. It is true that you can unscrew it with a coin however you have to spend time in that. Perhaps this is a no-problem for those who have the battery grip but I can’t say since I haven’t it yet.
Ads say that the B-GRIP Hand Strap is fully adjustable to fit most hand size. Perhaps it is but not enough for my hands that are REALLY small ?
It is not compatible with my Manfrotto Tripod. This means that I should remove the whole plate if I want to mount my camera on it. CPTech is aware of that that’s why on the product technical specs is available a list of the compatible tripods. The risk is that you are going to spend a lot of time in mounting and dismounting heads. If you are the kind of photographer which use the tripod a lot it may be better buying another add-on accessory, the B-Grip TA, a universal tripod adapter available separately.

To sum up

The camera weight is distributed well and the WDS (weight discharge system) works greatly for any kind of photographer. Particularly if you love travel photography you will find the B-Grip a device that you won’t do without.

I’ll recommend it to a friend?

I own a Canon EOS 450D and I’ve felt me perfect with the B-Grip belt and just right with the B-Grip Hand Strap. I’m quite sure that people with hands bigger than mine will find it a great solution for them. I’ll recommend it use to a friend just considering all Pro and Cons that I’ve listed here before.

Other resources: where you can find it

B&H Store
Amazon

November 2012 Wallpaper Calendar: Big Ben

2012-10-31T23:23:00.000+01:00

Hello to everyone! Here we are with the new monthly calendar: Big Ben.
It is available in several size as usual, download what it fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1024 x 1024 (iPad size!)

1024 x 768

Worldwide Photo Walk Turin 2012 - Personal digest

2012-10-23T23:32:00.000+02:00

Scott Kelby's 5th Worldwide Photo Walk is over and now we are just waiting for the winners of the various competitions related to the event.
The picture here above is from the Turin group. Thank you to all of you mates!
Here below my personal digest.

Palazzo dei Draghi - Detail

Another Liberty Style Building in Turin

Casa Fenoglio - La Fleur: Liberty Balcony

Hidden Court

Vintage gas cooker

Via Schina: Liberty Style Entrance

Via Schina: Winding staircase

Worldwide Photo Walk - Torino Saturday 13 October 2012

2012-10-08T22:11:00.002+02:00

I'm pleased and excited of announcing that this year I’ll be leading the 5th Annual Scot Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk in Turin (Italy).
The event is scheduled on Saturday 13th October.
The meeting point for all of them which want to join us is in Corso Francia, 23 at Palazzo della Vittoria (aka Palazzo dei Draghi) at 4 p.m.
For more information, visit http://worldwidephotowalk.com/walk/torino-piedmont-italy/, where you can also sign up to participate in the Photo Walk.

The Photo Walk is free and open to anyone who owns a camera – even disposable cameras! More Photo Walk details are available at: : http://worldwidephotowalk.com/ or visit the Scott Kelby Photo Walk G+ page.

October 2012 Wallpaper Calendar: Buckingham Garden

2012-10-01T08:30:00.000+02:00

Hello to everyone! Here we are with the new monthly calendar: the swans' pool in Buckingham Palace garden.
It is available in several size as usual, download what it fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1024 x 1024 (iPad size!)

1024 x 768

September 2012 Wallpaper Calendar: U.K. Telephone Cabin

2012-09-02T22:29:00.001+02:00

Hello to everyone! Here we are with the new monthly calendar: a typical U.K. phone cabin.
It is available in several size as usual, download what it fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1024 x 1024 (iPad size!)

1024 x 768

August 2012 Wallpaper Calendar: London National Gallery

2012-08-03T21:54:00.002+02:00

Hello to everyone! Here we are with the new monthly calendar: National Gallery.
It is available in several size as usual, download what it fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1920 x 1280
1920 x 1080
1680 x 1050
1600 x 1200
1440 x 960
1280 x 1024
1280 x 960
1280 x 720
1024 x 1024 (iPad size!)
1024 x 768

Rules for effective Note-taking in a “designer to client” meeting

2012-07-08T09:17:00.002+02:00

I'm glad to announce a new cooperation in writing focused article graphic and design related. Please go and read one of my most recent articles on DevGarage.
Here below a quick overview of the contents:

Part of the good communication between a designer and his client includes listening and understanding requests and taking effective notes during the meeting to build up an effective briefing later. Writing reliable notes is a skill that can be learnt and that can take advantage of several useful tools. It can make the difference, during the design process, between a successful project and a big mess.

In this article we will see what note-taking is, how to improve your design process with it and a range of useful tools to help you in that practice.

Go to DevGarage to read the whole article >>

July 2012 Wallpaper Calendar: Trafalgar Square Olympics

2012-07-01T10:10:00.002+02:00

Hello to everyone! Here we are with the new monthly calendar: Trafalgar Square Olympics
The Eagle eye well represents the challenge.
It is available in several size as usual, download what it fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1920 x 1280
1920 x 1080
1680 x 1050
1600 x 1200
1440 x 960
1280 x 1024
1280 x 960
1280 x 720
1024 x 1024 (iPad size!)
1024 x 768

June 2012 Wallpaper Calendar: St. Paul's Cathedral

2012-06-01T08:00:00.000+02:00

Hello to everyone! Here we are with the new monthly calendar: St. Paul's Cathedral.
I really love this image taken at sunset. The colors are so wonderful!
It is available in several size as usual, download what it fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1920 x 1280
1920 x 1080
1680 x 1050
1600 x 1200
1440 x 960
1280 x 1024
1280 x 960
1280 x 720
1024 x 1024 (iPad size!)
1024 x 768

May 2012 Wallpaper Calendar: British Museum

2012-05-01T08:30:00.000+02:00

Hello to everyone! Here we are with the new monthly calendar: British Museum.
It is available in several size as usual, download what it fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1920 x 1280
1920 x 1080
1680 x 1050
1600 x 1200
1440 x 960
1280 x 1024
1280 x 960
1280 x 720
1024 x 1024 (iPad size!)
1024 x 768

Market Vegetables

2012-04-25T22:35:00.000+02:00

I've found this interesting photo of vegetables on a market shelf and I thought it could be useful to share it with you.

The use of the image is free but it would be nice if you can give it credit with a link to this page.

Thank you!

April 2012 Wallpaper Calendar: London Eye

2012-04-01T08:00:00.000+02:00

Hello to everyone! Here we are with the new monthly calendar: London Eye.
It is available in several size as usual, download what it fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1920 x 1280
1920 x 1080
1600 x 1200
1440 x 960
1280 x 1024
1280 x 960
1280 x 720
1024 x 1024 (iPad size!)
1024 x 768

300 MOO Business Cards Giveaway!

2012-03-13T08:30:00.000+01:00

I'm so excited to have MOO provide me with 3 sets of 100 business cards for three of my readers. If you already know MOO and their products lucky you! If you have not come across MOO before you absolutely have to. (go to Moo.com)

At MOO they love to print beautiful perfect-crafted and creative Business Cards, MiniCards, Postcards, Greeting cards, StickerBooks and more!

When you have a new business activity you can’t do without business cards to introduce yourself, they represents the very first impression that you give about yourself. This is a key point for any industries and support yourself with the right products is important to build up the right business image. Moo Cards are perfect for any kind of business. You can select Classic (premium as they say IS a standard for them >_^), 350gsm matte laminate and reflective. or Green, 352gsm non-reflective and 100% recycling. Their Printfinity method allows to choosing a different design or photo for each single business card. Anything better than this for we graphic designers, photographers or artist in general to show up our portfolio in a pocket size format that we can always have with us.

Double side and full color. Can you ask more? Yes!

You don’t have your own professional design to use? They have it! You can choose from a selection of free design created by their professional team and personalize them with your own details.

Do you need a small size to use as label for your products? They have it! Never heard about MiniCards? Check them all!

Even more? I know, I know, we designers are exigent and we want only the best. They have it. Have you already tried their brand new product? Luxe Business Cards. Absolutely gorgeous. 600gsm finest paper, triple of other standard services. Check it. I’ve found it absolutely perfect for the organic industry. The feel which that paper gives is an experience which sums up elegance, nature and quality in a single touch.

Here is the point for you: the giveaway!

THREE sets of MOO 100 business cards (three winners, one set per winner) vouchers for both uk.moo.com and us.moo.com, so there are no competition restrictions geographically.
Leave a comment on this post between Tuesday March 13th and Monday March 19th at 11pm Eastern standard time (one entry per person, no anonymous comments)
In order to enter the competition you must answer the following question: which useful and creative do you think about looking at the new Luxe Business Cards?

3. leave a a valid email address because the winners will be contacted through email.
The winners will be picked randomly Monday night and announced Tuesday 20th.
Good luck!

*********************** UPDATE ***********************
The contest is officially closed. I want to thank you all participants ^_^
Lucky winners of a the sets are:

Mohsen Almudalal
Steve Smith
Jojo

Please write me back through the contact form to verify your e-mail.
Thank you!

March 2012 Wallpaper Calendar: Tower Bridge

2012-03-01T08:30:00.000+01:00

Hello to everyone! Here we are with the new monthly calendar: Tower Bridge.
It is available in several size as usual, download what it fits best on your desktop!

Resolutions:

1920 x 1280
1920 x 1080
1600 x 1200
1440 x 960
1280 x 1024
1280 x 960
1280 x 720
1024 x 1024 (iPad size!)

Free Wallpaper Calendar - February 2012 - Natural History Museum

2012-02-01T08:30:00.000+01:00

This months calendar, taken out from my Free London 2012 Full 12 Months Calendar, is dedicated to The Natural History Museum in London. Enjoy your size!

1920 x 1280, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1440 x 960, 1280 x 1024, 1280 x 960, 1280 x 720, 1024 x 1024 (iPad size!), 1024 x 768