The Xperia Z1, Sony's flagship device, has been extremely popular overseas, so much so that it has made its way into the U.S. market as the Xperia Z1S, a modified version of the original. Known more commonly as the "waterproof smartphone," the Xperia Z1 packs one of the most powerful cameras on the market, with an impressive 20.7 megapixels. Since the device is only available for T-Mobile here in the States, unless you currently have that carrier, the chances of you getting your hands on Sony...
Facebook makes it easy to show how much you appreciate a funny status, great picture, or cool news article using their iconic "thumbs up" button, but what about those terrible jokes and annoying baby pictures? Where's the "thumbs down" for that crap?
NSA aside, Apple makes it difficult for users to extract and download text messages from their iPhones onto a computer. For whatever reason (legal, devious, neurotic, etc), we've all found a time where we'd like to save backups of certain meaningful, important, or perhaps incriminating conversations (including all MMS or iMessage pictures and videos). While there are a handful of third-party applications that can help with this process, the majority of them cost money and implement certain te...
Initially introduced as an Easter egg deep within Android's operating system, the Daydream screensaver feature turned official in the release of 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Now, it's been out for a few months, which means developers have already figured out how to take advantage of it in their own ways.
"We all want to escape our circumstances, don't we?" Benedict Cumberbatch may have been talking about acting, but the sentiment rings true for all of us at some point or another. Whether it's work, school, or just boredom at home—we all wish for an escape sometimes. If only.
Believe it or not, capturing a beautiful shot of a vehicle is more difficult than you think. Sure, you can just snap a photo, but capturing the design, detail, and essence of the car is a whole other story. Lighting, location, settings, and angles are play into how well the photographic representation turns out.
Want to prank a friend by making them look like a punk? Or get revenge by showing the picture to their parents? Or maybe you just want to see what you would look like wiht an eyebrow piercing yourself. Start with a photo of your subject, one with the eyebrow prominently shown, and then follow the steps in this tutorial to add a fake eyebrow piercing using the tools and techniques in Adobe Photoshop.
You want to look like the picture of perfection on your wedding day, right? But let's face it: Weddings are super expensive to hold, and that's not even taking into consideration your dress, hair, and makeup.
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a family photo album from digital photos. iPhoto from Apple has a ton of different options for you to make a great photo album. You can first start out with loading these on your computer and then creating them into a book. After this, you can choose the borders and text that you want to include in this, then drag the pictures in. After this, you can add in captions for each of the photos and then design the layouts of the different pages. After this, yo...
In this video, Daddy Troy teaches us how to star gaze with your kids. This can get your kids interested in space and teach them a thing or two, while still having a good time. First, Google offers a service called Google Earth, which will show your child the entire earth, moon, and mars. Kids can use these programs just like a video game. They can see real pictures as well as their own home or grandma's home. This is free and a lot of fun! Next, you can see satellites with your naked eye in t...
In this video, we learn how to draw two point perspective. Start off with a horizontal line on your paper. After this, draw a small point on the line where your drawing will focus to. From here, you will start to draw lines coming out of this. Next, you will design the rest of the picture around the main focal point you started out with. Add in lines to create lots of detail and make sure to use shading to show depth. Erase any background lines you don't need. Then when you are finished, you ...
Whether you are pursuing drawing as a professional or as a hobby or you are just a common person, we're pretty sure that you have drawn a tree somewhere in your lifetime. This video merely shows how to do the same in a better way. Though there is no narration (just background music) in this video, it is easy to understand the additive method of drawing. The artist starts off with a broad tree trunk and then starts adding thinner branches to the trunk that spread outwards. Then, even more thin...
The pressure underwater is undeniably strong. If you were to fill a balloon with water and take it underwater, it would not burst but would stay the same size because liquids are not compressed. The pressure is the same, inside and outside of the balloon. If you were to fill that same balloon with air instead, the lower it dives into water, the more it shrinks, until it eventually can't take the pressure anymore and bursts.
Make a Spark frame ripper
In this video, we learn how to use extension tubes in place of a macro lens. First you will need to have your camera and a tube insert that will attach to your lens. Once you have this, you can attach it to the lens by screwing it on with your hands. Then, you can focus extremely close, much more than you would be able to do with a regular lens. After you have attached this, look through the camera and start taking shots close-up. Then, you will be able to see a better picture than you had be...
Want to create your own camera? The simplest one that you can create is a pinhole camera which can be constructed from everyday household items.
The original pin up girls from the '40s and '50s knew how to work the camera and were clearly drop dead gorgeous. Even when Photoshop hadn't been invented yet, and even without all the fancy studio lighting and airbrushing we have now, they were able to look like handmaids of Aphrodite.
In this tutorial, we learn how to make 2-layer stencils in GIMP. First, cut out the background before you begin. Now, right click on your main layer and then select "add alpha layer". After this, select the magic wand tool and delete all the white areas on the outside of the picture. Now duplicate the layer, then hide the top layer and select the bottom layer. Now, go back to threshold and move it all the way to the right to get an outline of the image. From here, go back up to the top layer ...
In this video, we learn how to use custom map or UVW map in 3D Studio Max. First, go to the material editor and add a custom map to it using a hardwood deck. Change the material to cedar fence, then change the size as you would like it. As you continue to edit the different surfaces in the picture, it will preview it for you in the main screen. You will be able to see it customized how you would like it to be as you edit it. The material editor can be changed in design and renamed to help you...
Wish there were an easy way to give your digital photos the appearance of an old Polaroid picture? Well, there is. And it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at TekZilla can present a complete overview of the process in just under two minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started applying a Polaroid effect to your own digital photos, take a look.
After watching Avatar, a lot of people went nuts over the world that James Cameron created, some even went as far as turning themselves into Na'Vi in Photoshop. Ever wondered how you could? In this great video series from ipaintgirls.com you will learn how to turn a picture of Jessica Alba (yeaaaaa) into a Na'Vi in no time!
In this video, we learn how to use the polygonal lasso tool in Photoshop. This will allow you to create a selection on your photo in a freehand style. First, select the tool from your toolbar, it's the third selection down. Once you select this, go to your picture and find the piece you want to cut out or copy. Press and hold the control and space bar, then highlight the area you want to. This is great to make a selection that has a straight edge. If you just click with it, it will have a dia...
A photographic effect blends the visual effect of creating different 'stills' of photographs and animates them in sequence; and then adds in an audio track to make it sound like the snapping of pictures. This tutorial shows you how to thread all the effects together to add a photographic style to your next intro using the Sony Vegas Pro video editing software.
When we first saw Lady Gaga donning this, well, gaga headpiece at the Grammy Awards, we were wondering what the Fortress of Solitude was doing on her head. The headpiece, composed of what look like stalactites crystalized with thousands of swavorski crystals, looked like an Abstract Expressionist sculpture, and made little sense.
Now that the "Avengers" movie and the "Captain America" movie starring Chris Evans have been confirmed, fanboy hype about Marvel heroes has officially reached fever pitch. Though shooting for "Captain America" has just begun, pictures of Evans wearing his Captain American costume have surfaced, showing a very body contouring costume and a very fit Evans.
In this video, we learn how to create a free Weebly website. First, type a title in that you want for your website. After this, you will be brought to a new page where you can change the elements and designs. The design can easily be changed until you find one that works for you. After this, you can start to customize the template that you have chose and add in new paragraphs, columns, pictures, and more. Next, you can change the pages and add in links and more information. Adjust the setting...
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to use the cross stitch 'n paint technique. It combines simple back stitching and water color painting. Most of the materials are found in your kitchen. You will need wax paper, paper towels, and a plate to use as your paint palette, some water colors and paint brushes. After choosing your design, back stitch the outline on the fabric. Place the white paper towel over the wax paper and spread the stitched fabric over it. Now you are read...
In this video, we learn how to create a web logo with Photoshop Elements. First, go into Photoshop and select the text tool to enter in your logo words. Now, put your picture logo underneath it and change the font and size that you want for your text. Change the colors as you prefer, then place the logo in the background of your image and create a new layer. Place the icon behind the text so that the text is what stands out the most. Now, use FTP to place this logo up onto your website and sa...
In this video, we learn how to create a PowerPoint presentation. Start off by adding in the title and subtitle of the project. After you do this, you can start to change the fonts and colors, as well as add pictures to the background and add transitions to the next page. When you're done with this, go onto your next page and start to add in all the information you need to on the following pages. When you are finished, you will be able to save your project and then use it for a presentation. T...
In this video, we learn how to draw a fashion sketch. Start off by using a fine pen and drawing the silhouette of a woman. Draw on the outfit to the woman, adding in all the fine details. Draw in ruffles of the clothing as well as the prints of clothing you are going to use. Use a colored pencil to color in the picture so you know what colors you want the clothes to come out like. Shadow the model slightly to make it look more realistic, then finish up the details of the image. When finished,...
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a glue in and glaze jewelry ring. First, grab a blank ring that has a spot on the top to place a picture. It can have a jewel on it, just pop the jewel out. After this, choose an image from collage art papers, then cut it out. When done with this, place the image inside of the top of the ring and push it down with pliers. After this, place a clothing pin around the ring bottom to hold it in place, then grab you DG3 gel and add it to the top of the image....
In this clip, you'll learn how to adjust your privacy settings to prevent your friends from sharing your personal information on Facebook. Share pictures with your friends by making photo albums on Facebook. This clip will show you how it's done. Whether you're completely new to the Facebook's popular social networking site or simply require a small amount of clarification on how to perform a particular task on Facebook, you're sure to benefit from this helpful video guide. For more informati...
Want to enhance the a drab sky in one of your digital pictures? With Adobe Photoshop, it's easy! This clip will teach you what you need to know. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video guide.
In this tutorial, we learn how to draw Stewie Griffin from Family Guy with a pencil. Start off by drawing the ears, then the football shaped head around the ears. next, draw the arms with the shirt on it, and make the hands. Also, draw a rocket with Stewie holding it. Keep drawing downwards, making the arms around the rocket and the body with pants and a bib on top. Draw in the details of the face, giving the character large eyes and a triangle shaped nose. Give the character narrow eyebrows ...
In this tutorial, we learn how to draw Ironman. Start off by drawing the feet to Ironman, making sure to pay close attention to the detail that is on the outside suit. Make sure to include bolts and screws to make the picture more lifelike. Use shading on the outside of the sides to make it darker and more realistic. Continue working your way up on Ironman until you reach the torso and the rest of the upper body. Then, draw the head onto the top followed by the large mechanical arm and the he...
In this tutorial, we learn how to stretch the perfect canvas. First, measure the canvas. After this, center the canvas and make sure there are no wrinkles. Then cut the canvas and staple it to the frame. This will take several minutes, and you will work your way from the inside to the outer corners. After you are finished stapling hide the folds on all of the corners with the stapler gun. When you are finished with this step, you will be done and ready to paint on your new canvas! These steps...
In this video, we learn how to tie the basic knot design of a cargo net. First, tie a double overhand knot on a rope bent into two. After this, make cow hitching on the first loop that you created. Next, make a second double overhand knot followed by cow hitching the second loop. After you do this, you will be able to size up for use! To make this, you must have some prior knowledge of how to tie different knots. If you don't, you won't know how to make the shapes. Use a picture as a referenc...
In this tutorial, we learn how to use Nikon digiscopes. This means taking digital pictures with a digital camera through a lens. You can use two different versions of lenses with the Nikon Coolpix camera. You will need an eyepiece to use the camera with these lenses. You can get up to 75x magnification while using these, but risk of camera shake is greater. First, mount the camera on the triPod and apply the lens adapter, then the Coolpix camera. After this, use the view finder to see through...
If you are interested in tying knots just for show and are looking for a challenge, this next tutorial might be what you need.
In this video, we learn how to make a twist turn style card. The card will open with a neat pop out image on the front of the card! First, get an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 piece of card stock and then score it 2 and 3/4 inches from the left edge and 4 inches over from the left edge. Then, turn the card the other way and find the center, then score from the right end to the very first score line. Then flip the card over and score the rest of the center line up to the first line. Now, make a score line fro...
