7 Fun and Unique Beer Bottle Openers
May 20, 2013
Uhh…… no.
Did you know that for every bottle of beer that remains unopened, a perfectly healthy puppy dies? Do your research! But then you will find that’s not true; we just love our brewskies and alcoholic libations, if you haven’t noticed from previous posts on Oktoberbest and New Year’s cocktails. And while it’s easy to pick up a tacky bottle opener from your nearest souvenir stand, you risk advertising that you actually like crap and that you support bad-quality products made with the manual dexterity of a two-year-old and the visual accuracy of Stevie Wonder. Now who’s gonna share a full-bodied craft beer with the creepy guy with this butt bottle opener? (Someone might, but more out of pity than companionship!) Join us as we celebrate some of our favorite bottle openers out there, from the clever to the lavish!
1. Wallet Bottle Opener
Someone once told me that once you hit your 30s, you should not need a bottle opener to open a beer. Well, some of us never learned those cool bar tricks (see video below), so something like a Wallet Bottle Opener would do us just well. Thin, effective, looks like a credit card… yea, we’re good.
Wallet Bottle Opener
2. Ring Bottle Openers
Speaking of discreet, Ring Bottle Openers are about as unsuspecting as they come. Reminiscent of mullets, one half is just a normal ring, but turn it around and you get– surprise!– a bottle opener! The best part is, there’s such a large variety of these unique gifts, from wedding-looking rings to skull rings, finding one you love is inevitable. Plus, there’s that added impressive-benefit of opening a bottle with one hand! Here’s a couple of our favorites:
Mustaches are cooler than the brew which occupies your hand, and this Mustache Ring Opener is no exception.
A Pink Bling Ring displays that girly side without being too prim.
3. Psshh! Bottle Opener
Psshh Bottle Opener
Do we need to say more about this? Notice the bottom of the “p” is the opener. Psshh, how did you not see that?
4. Bite Me Bottle Opener
Bite Me Bottle Opener
Munch, munch, munch! The current vampire craze has even inspired this Bite Me Bottle Opener from one of our favorite design companies, Gama Go. This bottle opener also comes with a key ring, cleverly passing as cool as a cucumber in the day, only to emerge a drunken maniac at sundown. Oh no, wait, that’s you.
5. Retro Phone Bottle Opener
Retro Phone Bottle Opener
Hello?… Huh, no answer or dial tone. This Retro Phone Bottle Opener reminds us of the days when secret teenage conversations had to take place in closets or after hours away from parental ears. We just can’t get enough of the vintage charm in this wall-mounted bottle opener!
6. Drinking Buddy
Even the Drinking Buddy says yay for beer!
Drinking alone tonight, are we? Not anymore! A Drinking Buddy is always at your fingertips. The little guy doesn’t hesitate to open that beer bottle but never takes a sip. Hey, what are best friends for!
7. Cap Zappa
Cap Zappa
For some, they’re a hobby; for others, just a nuisance. Now, bottle caps can also be weapons of mass delight with a Cap Zappa! Though it looks like some weird obsolete item from the 80s, the plastic bottle opener pops off the cap from the bottle and uses it as ammunition with the power of your favorite Nerf toy from days of youth! Bottle caps launch up to 5 meters (or about 16 1/2 ft) away, but don’t get too pumped just yet: the Cap Zappa will be released sometime this month, date TBA.
If you think you’re up for going old school, try your skill at opening a bottle with a lighter. Check out this video and remember: practice makes perfect!
In the meantime, open those beer bottles with a little pride, be safe with designated drivers, and most of all, choose your drinks wisely: no one likes cheap, stale beer!
Duff Man opens his beer bottles with more style and quotable phrases than you could ever hope for.
Oh, Splendid Strawberry Season!
May 17, 2013
Sweet strawberries… luscious strawberries… delicious strawberries… how we love thee. Come closer so we can eat– uhh, meet you with open mouths– uhh, arms! Arms! Strawberry season is finally here after a winter full of no strawberries, and the time has come to celebrate the ruby red berry. Shall we begin by discovering interesting strawberry facts? Or maybe we should review tips on doin’ some strawberry picking ourselves! Or, maybe, just maybe, we can daydream and drool over delightful strawberry recipes… Wait, why do we need to choose? Let’s do all three– right now!
Strawberry Facts
Strawberries by Renoir, 1905
Did you know that strawberries are yummy? No? Well, they are. Did you also know:
- There’s a debate over whether strawberries count as being genuine berries. Other berries like blueberries have seeds on the inside of the fruit; strawberries have their seeds laid throughout its exterior.
- The strawberry plant is in the same genus family as the rose.
- People who enjoy strawberries tend to be intelligent and fun-loving (we would testify to that), while those who don’t lean towards weird, boring, or fussy eaters (which we would also testify to!).
- About 94% of Americans eat strawberries every year, so rest assured that only 6% of the population is boring and fussy.
- One cup of strawberries is only 43 to 55 calories! Eat up!
- There are roughly 200 seeds on a strawberry.
- Belguim has a museum that is all about– that’s right– strawberries, or fraises or aardbeien or Erdbeeren (French, Dutch, and German, respectively, the main languages of Belgium).
- Strawberries are much healthier for you when you pick them yourself; those from the grocery stores tend to still have insecticide and fungicide on them!
On that note…
Strawberry Picking: Tips and Resources
Pick your own strawberries? Yes, it’s a real activity, and strawberry picking is actually a healthy and fun outdoor idea. No need for fancy clothes, a lot of money, or even a lot of know-how: strawberry farms that are open to the public invite all types of harvesters. Plus, nothing is better than a reward for physical work being as sweet as strawberries. A little info never hurt anyone:
- Find a strawberry farm near you here.
- Be sure to call ahead and ask about the basics of the strawberry farm: hours of operation, if weather will allow it, if they provide containers for picking strawberries, pricing, etc.
- Come prepared: bring sunscreen, towels, maybe a small snack and something to drink, and containers (if the strawberry farm doesn’t supply them).
- When going down the strawberry rows, watch to not step on any plants near the row edges.
- Pull only strawberries that are completely red and ripe; unlike other fruits like bananas, they will not ripen once harvested.
- When you spot a good-looking red berry, grab the fruit in your hand and hold the stem with your fore finger and thumb like this:
Then twist the stem until it comes loose. You can hold up to four strawberries at a time with this method.
- Only pick as many strawberries as you will eat within the next few days (unless you plan on freezing them). They will rot pretty quickly once you bring them home (it’s just what happens).
- While you’re at it, pull rotting strawberries off the stems and toss them in between the rows. Doing so helps farmers and plants by keeping the rot or disease from infecting other plants.
- Take them home.
Ahh, yes, finally! Fresh strawberries picked by your own hands, and after a thorough washing, they are ready to be enjoyed, consumed, and dreamed about. Unless, of course, you wish to take them further… which you do, right?
Strawberry Recipes
Wait, it gets better? Strawberry recipes amplify the crisp, sweet taste of your fresh pick, so enough talk!
Move over, vanilla ice cream! Strawberries take center stage in a twist on the ice cream sundae with Balsamic Vinegar and Brown Sugar Grilled Strawberries! Don’t furrow that brow: you’d be surprised at how delectable these bold and contrasting flavors are! Balsamic vinegar and brown sugar mix to coat strawberries before cooking on a grill. Set the hot new creation atop a cloud of vanilla ice cream and enjoy the temperature and flavor combinations!
Cleanse your palate with even more divine strawberry with Strawberry Punch. The drink recipe calls for your fresh strawberries plus frozen limeade, pineapple juice, and lemon lime soda. In other words, it is the perfect summer drink, sweet and tarty and prime for alcoholic additions! (What? You know we can’t go a blog without mentioning a cocktail!)
If you’d like to try a twist on an ol’ favorite, how about a big bunch of Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries? Seems too heavenly to be accessible, right? The strawberry recipe is even more simple than you’d think, too! Mix cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract to fill hulled strawberries and top with a bit of crunchy graham crackers……. Sorry, that was us drooling. Use a Chef’n StemGem to easily hull strawberries, making this appetizer or snack recipe a cool, whipped breeze!
Armed with strawberry facts, strawberry picking tips, and strawberry recipes, heck, you’re as ready as they come for strawberry season! Though there’s no right way to enjoy strawberries (I like mine dipped in sugar), there’s plenty of ways to accentuate the full-bodied juiciness of the healthy berry. What’s your favorite way to eat strawberries? Tell us how you’ll be servin’ them up for strawberry season!
Sources: Strawberry Facts and Tips, Fun Facts about Strawberries, Strawberry Facts,
Gearing Up! May is National Bike Month
May 16, 2013
I know I’ve seen it, and chances are you have, too, because their numbers are growing like ants at a picnic: bicyclists are everywhere, especially for National Bike Month! They’re riding to work, to parks, across cities, across states, and for a number of reasons: charity, competition, health, recreation. All sizes, all shapes, from retro to Tour-De-France-ready, bicycling is back in a huge way, so it was impossible for us to ignore the growing trend. Not to mention that biking to work or school is a super-green way to travel and get in some exercise! Plus, one need not wear, ahem, revealing Lycra clothing; just some jeans and a comfortable shirt are enough to get you to thank yourself for not staying in to watch TV on such a gloriously beautiful day. Pedal up for biking accessories, finding bike routes, and a little safety info!
Biking Accessories
Let us take a quick lesson from Pee Wee: more is not necessarily better. In fact, more might attract the attention of a jealous neighbor who steals your bike and sends you on the adventure of a lifetime that later becomes a movie within a movie, making you a double-famous movie star. No, it’s not as great as it sounds, really, because then you’ll later get arrested for indecent exposure in Florida. See? It’s best to keep your biking accessories within a modest number– without sacrificing style, that is!
1. Reflective Biker Gear
Reflective Bike Gloves
Reflective Bike Socks
Both gloves and socks in action!
So you’ve decided to jump on that two-wheeler and pedal your way through National Bike Month. Kudos to you! Except you want to bike at night, you know, beat the heat, traffic, and other cyclists. Be sure to pair up Reflective Bike Gloves with matching Reflective Bike Socks. This unisex biking gear uses reflective patches with arrows, making you visible to motorists while also making your intentions visible. You do remember your bike hand signals, right?…… We’ll get to that.
2. Bike Horns
Make yourself even more visible to motorists and other cyclists with a Beat It Bike Horn. In all its retro glory, the bike horn has that classic look with a classic bike horn sound to match. What’s it sound like, you ask? Get ready to chuckle:
3. Bike Bells
Swell Hula Bell
Free Parking Bell
Burger Bike Bell
If you’re into adding a little more visual pizzazz to your bicycling, try a bike bell from Chubby’s Cruisers. Add a Swell Hula Bell to your beach cruiser. Make a simple, enviable statement with a Free Parking Bell. Or latch on a Burger Bike Bell when you cruise your Frankenstein bike down the boulevard:
Biking Routes and Safety
Great! Now that you’re ready to go bicycling… where are you headed? Not sure? Use MapMyRide (website or app) to 1) plan your bike route, 2) check the distance, 3) double check elevation and terrain, and 4) track your progress, and do it all by location. If you’re wanting to bike an official route, check Cyclopath for routes tested by other cyclists and based on skill and location.
Screenshot of the MapMyRide App
Be sure to be aware of good bicycling behavior; after a little research, I’ve found that the topic of road bicycling (those who ride on city streets) is one that easily boils the blood of motorists. Check out this article on “self-righteous cyclists” and play it safe by obeying the laws that apply to everyone on the road, regardless of vehicle:
- Even if you’re on a bike, you must stop at stop lights, stop signs, etc. All the laws that apply to motorists will apply to you.
- Use bike hand signals to communicate your intent to others:
- Though it might not be required to wear a helmet, you really should consider one, and it should fit over your forehead, not behind your hairline.
- Bike with traffic. Nothing is more irritating than a cyclist making up his/her own rules about the direction of traffic, putting him/herself and others in unnecessary danger.
- Use the bike lane when available, or ride as far to the right as safely possible. If you’re going to use a traffic lane, ride in the center along the line; drivers will give you your space, and it makes you more visible.
- Be aware of your surroundings! Road cycling doesn’t make you invincible, you know.
Check with your local DMV website, as bike laws vary from state to state.
So grab a mountain bike, a 10-speed, a beach cruiser, a unicycle, something! Get out there, feel the breeze on your face, and celebrate that you’re not having to bike because you don’t have a car!
Arrrgghh! Being arrested sucks! Happy National Bike Month!
Sources: Sharing the Road
Nothing is more rewarding that starting your own garden. Watching the whole process from a plant seed in a paper packet to a tiny sprout emerging from damp soil to a finished, glowing, and ready-to-pluck vegetable or herb. Moreover, that new plant doesn’t just look like you know what you’re doing, but your harvest makes for über-fresh ingredients for all dishes beyond just salad. Let’s take our thumbs off the remote and out to the yard, patio, or deck and see if we can’t make it a tad bit green this season!
Gardening Basics
No need for a girly apron or a funny-looking hat (though you can get those if you want– we’re not judging). First, you need to figure out how much room you’ve got to plant a garden. Don’t think you need to have something like those pictures in Better Homes and Gardens. With the right tools, a thoughtful choice of plants, and some TLC, starting a garden won’t be nearly as time-consuming or daunting as you might think.
- First, consider how much space you’ve got. Even a small outdoor space like a balcony can provide enough room to grow something, and plants in containers tend to yield more than plants grown over a large space. If you’ve got the room to plant in the ground, there’s a bit more planning to do (but also more options).
- Figure if your ground soil is even appropriate for starting a garden, and check things like drainage, sunlight, and even your climate zone. Prepare your soil to feed new plants: grab some fertilizer and give your soil some organic matter like old twigs, leaves, and even food scraps like vegetables.
- While you’re at the gardening store, be sure to grab some basics like soil (duh), a watering can (if a hose won’t reach), a small trowel, and some shears.
And now for the fun part: choosing what to grow!
What to Plant
Nothing is more exciting than perusing the seed packet aisle and gazing at what could be a fruit of your labor. It’s also easy to forget that you have to invest some time and care into each plant. Yes, kind of a buzz kill, but it’s not as difficult as growing a new life might seem.
Think about what you want your garden to do: is it just a space-filler? Do you want to eat more greens? Or are you looking for small herbs to enlighten meals? Pick up a packet and read the care instructions. Now think back to what you realized about your potential garden area– sunlight, space, and that sort. Would what you’re holding accommodate it? What about the amount of water it would need? Any frequent fertilization? Is it an annual (lives only for a season or two) or a perennial (grows back every year)? It helps to have an idea of how much effort you’d like to invest before hand. I bought a super-fragrant gardenia plant recently only to find out it needs to be fertilized every two weeks and requires morning sunlight only, and even with both, it still might not bloom. And it doesn’t, dang it.
If you’re still not sure what to plant in your garden, check out these easy-to-grow novice-friendly vegetables and herbs:
- Carrots
Harvest every few weeks by cutting one inch above the soil, and it will keep coming back for more.
- Gourmet Lettuce (like baby spring lettuce)
- Chives
- Fennel
- Garlic (yes, you can use the cloves themselves!)
- Mint (mojitos, anyone?)
- Oregano
- Radishes
- Cilantro
- Thyme (my favorite, and ridiculously easy to grow)
- Parsley
Or you could cheat and just get something like a Magic Flower Pansy Plant, which, unlike planting and gardening, would require only one thing from you: water it. I personally love pansies, and though mine currently look like they belong on skid row, they make an attractive and colorful border plant and a very festive annual. Plant them in larger pots as they outgrow the included can, and enjoy their beauty all season long!
The magic is the flower grows without much help from you.
Once you’ve chosen your mix, start growing! Use old egg cartons or toilet paper rolls as seed starters, and move them onto containers or ground soil when they’re bigger. Note: if you’re prone to over-watering, try a soil mix like Miracle Gro Moisture Control, or just touch the top of the soil of your garden. If it’s dry and the first inch is also dry, it’s time for some H2O.
As your outdoor garden begins to spread, make sure to pay attention to weed growth: pull them by hand for container plants and small gardens, or use a hoe in larger gardens. Note any growing number of insects as well. If you see black dots, you’ve likely got spider mites, and they suck– and they multiply faster than a grade school math whiz. Plant pests can damage your crop or flowers and easily travel from one plant to the next, so fast containment is essential.
Harvesting From Your Garden
So, your plant has bloomed, there’s clearly something recognizable hanging off the branches, and it’s all looking good. When do you know when to harvest? If it looks like it’s ready, it probably is. Take red tomatoes, for example. If they’re green, they’re probably not ready for you. It ain’t rocket science; it’s a patio plant. Don’t fear about over-picking your garden bundle, either: the more you pick from your plant, the more it will give. Let’s say, however, that you forgot to grab fresh vegetables from your little bundle of joy and now they’re looking like they belong in a trash bin. Well, they probably do, and it’s best to pluck those energy-suckers away from the stem so that the plant can invest more energy into new blooms and hence remain healthy.
Sooo…. is that it? Is it really that easy? Yes, it really is. Starting a garden is a small effort with a big reward, and if you take care of it, it will take care of you. And stay away from gardenia!
Moodier than my mom in menopause!
Sources: Planning Your First Vegetable Garden, 13 Easy-To-Grow Vegetables and Herbs, Easy-To-Grow Herbs, Easy-Care Perennials
Because we want to save you from yourself.
It’s no secret by now that we’re big on organizers, large and small. Alas, the time has come to focus on the smaller things, those negligible daily nuisances that could use a little revamping and some attention. Think of wearing earphones, dancing to the perfect beat but to silence to everyone else, and moving around your house. Though we’re sure you like the length of that cord, it just always seems to get stuck on something: a knob, handle, or belt buckle. Or how about that mouse? Yes, we also love being able to move that little guy freely along the desk surface. But when it becomes difficult to maneuver it around to where you have to pull it and then something just falls off the desk but you don’t see what it is because there’s just too much crap on your desk… Grrr! We hate those moments!!! So much so that we just had to retouch the topic of home organization again, this time to elaborate on small solutions to small problems with a big annoyance factor.
1. BLOCK Letter Rack
Nice rack! The BLOCK Letter Rack is just a tiny colorful square, one wire spun around itself to keep you from doing the same. The mail organizer easily keeps mail upright so there’s no shuffling between loose stacks on the kitchen table, which thus far has become your catch-all for junk mail and bills combined. Rather than hold on to junk mail, use this letter holder to keep bills in order: try placing them in the order received or by due date, and throw junk mail out as soon as you realize it’s junk– why would you need to keep it around? Don’t forget to shred or cut up anything with sensitive information on it, like bank statements or credit card offers!
2. Leaf Keepers Cable Ties
In keeping with the lush foliage of the season underway, Leaf Keepers Cable Ties use a bit of greenery to contain loose cables like a trellis taming ivy. Each cable tie tames those terrible desktop cables we mentioned earlier. If you can peer behind your desktop computer and witness a myriad of cables and wires that reminds you of the time-traveling scene from Bill and Ted, we think you can safely say you’ve got a problem and it’s okay to address it lightly. Leaf Keepers have a bit of playfulness to them but don’t look too solemn or serious like basic white cable ties do.
“Whoa, look at that mess, dude!”
3. Plug Out Organizers
Speaking of cable organization, we might speculate you’ve also got a little trouble hanging around some certain outlets in your home… *Gasp* You do?!? Here’s your small organization solution: a Plug Out Organizer. Rather than just keep each plug loose on the floor or nearby surface, use this plug holder which sticks to a wall and keep them plugs within reach. Plus, appliances that are plugged in and not in use actually still consume energy– in other words, they cost you even when you’re not using them. Not good, right? The Plug Out Organizer was also the winner of “A Better World by Design” DCE Consumer Product Challenge. Good, right?
4. <<REW Wire Spooler
Ahh, yes, another one of our pet peeves regarding personal electronics: that double-edged sword called a long earphone or headphone cable. My, how we loathe and need it at the same time. The <<REW Wire Spooler aims to collect the loose wires with a bit of retro flair. An inner spool keeps those wires close to you instead of close to something that might yank that sweet Pandora mix right out of your ears! So you might also argue that the <<REW Wire Spooler keeps you from destroying your other belongings out of anger, yes?
5. SleekStor Pinch + Pour Bowls
And how could we forget the kitchen? It’s just too easy to create instant clutter during prep. I often use an old pie pan to hold cooking prep items, but it just doesn’t quite have the decency (or the function!) as these SleekStor Pinch + Pour Bowls. Nesting measurement bowls are clearly labeled with measurements but with an extra kicker: each prep bowl has a unique design that allows you, oh master chef, to pinch the sides to pour its contents neatly and, might we add, completely into your pan or pot. Now you get the name of this kitchen prep tool, yes?
So, you see, small items need not be noticed only when they go awry or cause some dysfunction to your normal routine. Rather, they deserve– nay, need– attention to keep organized, just like in other areas of your life and rooms in your house. So fret not over small nuisances like cables and a growing mail bomb, and don’t accept it as another daily inconvenience like traffic or people who don’t cover their mouths when they sneeze. We– you and us– can control these small messes, so why aren’t we? Let’s do this!
Ahh, that’s more like it. Don’t worry: you’ll get to this point someday.
Modern Maps and Globes for the 21st Century
May 13, 2013
GPS systems, Google Maps, smart phone apps, and satellites have all but made physical maps obsolete. Just take a minute to think about what happened to Thomas Guides. When I was a kid, there was always one in the car and my dad would always refer to it for directions. Nowadays, I’d be surprised if I found one in someone’s garage. People rely more heavily on digital maps and their iPhones to get from point A to point B. But not all maps have gone digital, and we’re here to show you what maps of the 21st century look like.
Contemporary Maps
Maps of today don’t have to be made on paper. No, they can be printed on just about anything, including stainless steel! Suck UK presents a New York Subway Pocket Map that displays all the subway routes of New York with photographically etched lines for a sleek, precise display. It’s small and convenient to carry around, and it doubles as a pocket mirror. You can also find a London Underground Map for any London travelers out there too!
Scratch Map Personalized World Map
Here’s a world map with a surprise. It has two layers for interactivity. The top layer is gold foil that can be scratched off to reveal a colorful layer underneath. Scratch off places you’ve visited and boast about your travels without a word, or be reminded that you need to get out more!
We talked about how maps aren’t limited to paper anymore, and with this Crumpled City Map designed by Noted, even paper maps can be new and innovative. Distinctly different from traditional maps, this one is printed on flexible yet durable material. You can whip this waterproof baby out in the rain or crumple it up in your pocket with no worries.
Tube Map Mirror – London Underground
Mirror mirror on the wall…is that really a map I see?! Why yes, yes it is! Say “How do you do?” to your reflection when you take a look at this larger version of the London pocket map from Suck UK. Perfectly sized for a bedroom mirror, this London Underground map has all the routes and destinations available in a metallic gold print on top of mirrored glass.
There’s a trend we’ve been noticing when it comes to geography and maps. Folks are turning these informational representations into art. Here’s a modern graphic interpretation of the Amsterdam transit system. It is part of a series of Line Posters that feature artwork based on maps of the entire subway and tram systems of different cities around the world. Find yours today!
Neighborwoods are fun maps etched into wood (hence their name). They’re inspired by the early hand-drawn and hand-lettered work on vintage maps. You can get maps of major cities from Atlanta to Toronto. Every map is unique, just like your treasured stories from your neighborhood!
Victoria Camp Map Necklace on Vintage Heart Locket
Nowadays you can wear maps if you’d like, on beautiful lockets, for instance. Like a pioneer exploring new lands, use this handcrafted map as your guide as you navigate your daily commute around detours, broken sidewalks, and cyclists. This necklace features a vintage brass locket from the ’70s and is big enough to tuck away a little note or photograph inside!
Modern Globes
Since the earth isn’t flat, we had to cover globes of the 21st century too. See how you can enjoy these spherical maps and still be in with the times.
Full Circle Appearance World Globe
Danish modern design meets state-of-the-art digital cartography in this contemporary, silver ocean world globe. Its aluminum base adds a modern look to the whole piece, and the cartography is based on current satellite data. You probably won’t be finding this in anyone’s 8th grade classroom!
Here are the cutest globes around. Globees feature exclusively illustrated city maps, from the romantic river banks of Paris to the brash lights of Las Vegas. Each Globee is designed to evoke the best memories of that special visit, and it even comes with a 16 page booklet packed with interesting facts about each city and the tourist sites depicted on the globe!
For hundreds of years people watched the stars to find their way or to measure time. Now, you can admire the constellations in the comfort of your home with this Celestial Globe. It’s a standard full-color globe during the day, but as the sky darkens, an advanced optical sensor prompts the display of a magical celestial sphere, a map of the stars and constellation names. If only the ancient Greeks could see this!
And last but not least, here we have a detailed globe of the world that transforms into an ethereal work of art when the lights get dim. It revolves on an elegant base and lights up the cities of our world using a special patented induction system. See planet Earth in a whole new light!
While we’re all for using the maps on our digital devices, nothing can really replace the feeling of actually touching and seeing a physical map in whatever form in front of you.
Tell us which maps (and/or globes) you liked most!
Flash and Expose: It’s National Photography Month!
May 10, 2013
Ah, yes, the perfectly timed photo, one that either captures our awe or makes us guffaw, and just one of many types of photos that is celebrated during the month of May, otherwise known as National Photography Month. And it couldn’t come at a more opportune time. Think about it: with programs like Photoshop and apps like Instagram, every person has a chance to play Ansel Adams– or at least Joe Schmoe who happened to be in the right place at the right time, like above. Being able to achieve all those cool photography effects– fisheye, filters, saturation– all come so easily so that even the most mundane items have new life and seem more interesting (just use #foodporn and you’ll see what we mean). Moreover, high quality (and might we add, very stylish) point-and-shoot (AKA digital cameras) and 35mm cameras are much more affordable and accessible, making out-of-focus, bland, or otherwise simple photography a thing of the past. So let’s focus that lens and all that energy into getting those awesome photos with those modern cameras we mentioned!
1. Diana F+ Camera with Flash
Diana F+ Camera Photo Samples
We’ve featured Lomography Cameras in previous blogs such as our Christmas gift guide for hipsters, and the Diana F+ Camera is one we just can’t get our minds off of. That famous saturated look for photography was popularized by mid-century cameras and revived with the variety of filters via Instagram. The Diana F+ offers a huge assortment of options for your photography needs, be it amateur or not: color filters, pinhole option, long exposure (for night shots), multiple exposure (so more than one picture can be taken on the same frame), and panoramic pictures. The 120 film camera also includes a really awesome cube flash and a really awesome retro design to complement those photos.
Even with a great camera, a shaky hand or bad lighting can ruin a potentially great shot. Try some of these DIY photograhing techniques to help keep the focus on the Diana F+ photos and not your bad photo job:
- If you lack a tripod, try using some string wrapped under your feet and secured with a hook attached to where a tripod would go:
- Use black and white film with your Diana F+ for high contrast photos with a lot of drama.
- Make a light reflector with wood and white paint to bring sunlight up toward your subject.
Check out Lomography’s website for more tips on using this medium format camera!
2. Paint Can Camera
Paint Can Camera Sample
Moving from a retro gem like the Diana F+ to something like a Paint Can Camera, we can’t help but wonder why on earth something with this weird bulky shape would be suitable as a pinhole camera. But it works! Being a pinhole camera, the Paint Can Camera is about as simple as cameras come, with just a light-proof container (the can), the pinhole, and film (supplied by you). Because of the low exposure from a pinhole (versus the larger lens of a digital camera that you might be used to), the canned camera can just sit in one place for a very long time (hence, the can exterior), producing flat and totally in-focus images. Good things come to those who wait, after all!
Here’s some tricks to try when using a Paint Can Camera or other pinhole camera:
- Solargraphics: leave your pinhole camera somewhere for a really long time– we’re thinking months– and it will capture all the movement and light over that duration.
Or try making a solargraph camera yourself!
- Multiple Pinhole Photos: A pinhole camera can be modified by wrapping the film around a cylinder and poking more pinholes in the surface, creating photos that overlap each other with artsy vignettes and a whole ton of depth.
3. Lomography Fisheye Camera
Fisheye Camera Photo Samples
Perhaps most recognizable from skate videos, a fisheye camera uses an oversized bubble lens to get super-wide photographs. The Fisheye Camera, also a Lomography brand camera, uses a 170-degree lens for that characteristic depth. Like the Diana F+, this 35mm camera also allows for long exposure time as well as multiple exposures on the single frame, providing lots of options for photographic effects.
Not sure how to maximize the fisheye lens effect? Try some of these photographic techniques out:
- Try tilting your Fisheye Camera at an angle or holding it overhead. The move will give your photo a different perspective and help emphasize the fisheye.
- Keep it simple: because a fisheye lens captures so much in its field of view, it can get messy pretty quickly. Simple shots, especially ones that use the lines between earth and sky, actually generate more interest.
- Remember that the fisheye lens is known for its rounded edges, so subjects in your field of view should be close to the camera and toward those edges.
Be sure to check out some of the different fisheye photography taken with a Lomography Fisheye Camera!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about those that leave you speechless? Or those that don’t seem to have words for them at all but just make you smile, laugh, or admire? You’ll never know what might happen on any given day, so carry a camera around with you and never miss a moment. You never know what you might capture, something stunning like this…
something eyebrow-raising and interesting like this…
or this.
(Be sure to check out Bored Panda for more optical illusions and perfectly timed photos, and spread the word about National Photography Month!)
