Day: September 5, 2024

The Ultimate Guide To Phone Photography

Expert Shares Guide To Taking The Perfect Photo 

  • Social media marketing experts reveal six things to consider when taking the perfect photo
  • Finding the best spot is key, so embrace natural light, avoid harsh sources, and face the light at eye level to prevent unflattering shadows
  • Create a flattering photo by posing at a 45-degree angle, look up with the camera at eye level, and hold your arms slightly away from your body while creating triangles with your pose

With approximately five billion photos taken daily worldwide and a trend toward natural looks, many people are looking for ways to capture the perfect picture without relying on editing.

Social media marketing experts at Viralyft have identified six top methods for taking a flawless photo, so you can skip the filters and Photoshop.

Lighting

Step one is to find the perfect spot to take your picture and this means finding the best lighting. The are two key things to remember: one is to embrace natural light and steer clear from harsh lighting like computer screens, bright light bulbs or harsh sunlight. The second thing to remember is to make sure you face the light and adjust the camera until the light is hitting around eye-level; this is to avoid creating any unflattering shadows, such as dark circles under the eyes.

Strike a Pose

There are some simple adjustments you can make to your posing that can make all the difference when it comes to taking a flattering or an unflattering photo.

One is to position your body at a 45-degree angle to the camera as opposed to facing it fully; it is incredibly slimming and adds interest. 

Make sure you look up at the camera and a good rule of thumb is to make sure the bottom of your phone or camera is level with your eyes. A selfie stick can make this easier. 

A couple of other key tricks to striking a becoming pose are to hold your arms slightly away from your body and to create triangles with your body, such as putting your hand on your hip or playing with a strand of hair.

Backgrounds

You don’t have to be on an exotic beach or a snowy mountain top to create the perfect background. Intriguing backgrounds can be found anywhere, from your house to your local park. Choosing a lighter background with fewer distractions can lighten your features and makes sure your face stands out.

Make use of phone and camera features

While it’s easier to use your front camera for selfies, the camera on the back of your phone is much more powerful, creating a much higher quality and professional looking photo. And don’t forget to take advantage of features such as portrait mode which can often be used on both your front and rear-facing cameras, such as with the iPhone.

The grid that can be displayed on the camera screen of most smartphones is another great tool for creating aesthetically pleasing photos. This allows you to create pictures according to the classic composition technique of the rule of thirds, which states that your subject should be off-centre for a more engaging photo.

No digital zooming allowed

Optical zoom, which relies on the physical adjustment of lenses, preserves image quality when zooming in, resulting in sharp and detailed photos. However, digital zoom, which is the type of zoom a smartphone uses, is convenient but typically reduces quality by digitally enlarging the existing image. So, the best options are either moving closer to your subject or a camera with adjustable lenses.

Be careful using your flash

Flashes are far inferior to other forms of lighting such as natural light or a ring light as they are often situated too close to the lens to create flattering light and the bulb is an LED, which creates an unnatural blue tinge.

“These contribute to the red eyes, squinting eyes and harsh, bleached out effect that are regular consequences of flash taken photos. Some current-generation smartphones have significantly improved the multi-shot HDR capabilities, particularly Google Pixel phones which boast an impressive low-light feature known as Night Sight.

“If it’s dark and flash is the only option, play around with angles until you find one that works best for you, but your best bet is to just turn if off in most situations.  

Thomas Moore, Director of Viralyft, commented: “With photo-sharing and video-sharing apps like TikTok and Instagram having gained extreme popularity over the past few years, photoshopping has become so prevalent that the line between fiction and reality has become truly blurred.

“But with this rise in photoshopping has come an increase in expertise and knowledge, which has created edit investigators who can spot an altered photo when they see it. And there are now even fake image detectors, which can say whether an image has been changed.

“Therefore, a demand for the natural and unedited has also risen, and many celebrities have joined in the trend that promotes body positivity.”

Disruption expected as major works on the A8 commence this month

Roadworks (Getty)

The city council is to repair the road surfaces and drainage on the A8 at Glasgow Road and the Ingliston interchange to improve driving conditions and enhance road safety.

Work will start on Monday 16 September and is expected to finish in March 2025.

Each phase of work will be split into two parts:

  • Drainage improvement work. This will take place between Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am – 3.30pm.
  • Road resurfacing work. This will take place overnight between Mondays and Fridays from 7.30pm – 6.30am.

Phase 1: 16 September 2024 – 25 October 2024
A8 Eastbound – from Ingliston Interchange North West slip-road To Gogar Roundabout.

Phase 2: 28 October 2024 – 15 November 2024
Glasgow Road – From Gogar Roundabout to Maybury Road.

Phase 3: 18 November 2024 – 29 November 2024
Ingliston Interchange North East slip road.

Phase 4: 6 January 2025 – March 2025
Ingliston Interchange dumbbells and remaining slip roads.

Work will temporarily stop between 30 November and 5 January to minimise disruption during the busy festive period.

Full details are available on the council website.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “We’re committed to keeping Edinburgh moving and making sure our roads are properly maintained and serviced. This is why we’re carrying out this major work on the A8 through the autumn and into the New Year.

“Whilst there may be some disruption whilst work is ongoing, this is a key arterial road and it’s essential that we make these repairs.

“I’d like to thank all road users for their patience during this time.

“I’m also conscious that this was one of the key issues raised by our residents in the recent Budget Engagement Consultation. We’re listening and fixing the roads.”

Gravity Active launches incredible new deals, just in time for Autumn

Set to launch from September 3rd, Gravity Active is excited to introduce two brand new offers, set to provide families with unforgettable experiences this Autumn. Enjoy both the Family Tickets and Gravity Rocks offers and get ready to make exhilarating memories!

Whether bouncing on trampolines, tackling an obstacle course, or climbing to new heights, Family Tickets offer the perfect opportunity for families to bond and stay active together.

Designed for groups of four, five, or six, these tickets offer families incredible value for money, with tickets starting at just £40.95 for a family of four. Available all day Monday to Thursday, and after 4pm on weekends, Family Tickets make it easy to enjoy quality time together, no matter how busy your schedule.

Check out yours here: Gravity Active Deals | Gravity Active Family Discount (gravity global.com)

And the fun doesn’t stop there! Gravity Rocks climbing sessions are now available at Gravity Rocks Climbing | Thrills and Fun for All (gravity-global.com).

These one hour sessions, priced at £12.50 per person during term time, offer a fun and challenging activity for climbers of all ages. Whether as an after-school treat or a weekend adventure, Gravity Rocks is the perfect way to stay active and have fun.

Harvey Jenkinson, Co-Founder and CEO of Gravity, commented: “We are thrilled to continue to introduce new and exciting offers to our Gravity Active sites.

“The Family Tickets offer provides incredible value, making it easier than ever for families to bond, stay active, and enjoy quality time together. And with the launch of Gravity Rocks, there are even more opportunities for families to challenge themselves and create lasting memories.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors to Gravity Active for an unforgettable experience this Autumn.”

For more information or to book your visit, head to Gravity Active’s website: Active (gravity-global.com)

BBC ALBA explores male suicide in Scotland

One in 100 deaths worldwide are connected to suicide. In Scotland, that accounts for over 700 people a year and three-quarters of these are men.

A new BBC ALBA Trusadh documentary, Big Boys Don’t Cry, will air during National Suicide Awareness Week on Monday 9 September at 9pm with presenter Derek ‘Pluto’ Murray meeting people whose lives have been affected by mental health struggles and suicide.

Professor Rory O’Connor from the University of Glasgow, is Professor of Health Psychology, Director of the ‘Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory’, and leads research into suicide and self-harm.

Discussing the support available, Professor O’Connor says: “We did some work recently looking at trying to understand male suicide specifically and one of the messages that came back time and time again was that the services and support out there are not tailored to their needs.

“We have this traditional model of expecting men to go to clinical services; well, that might work for some people, but what about actually going to places that men are? Why don’t we go to places like football clubs, rugby clubs, the shinty club, whatever it might be, and use that as a mechanism of support?”

This is particularly important in a rural context. Professor O’Connor continues:

“We’re trying to make sense of why the suicide rates are particularly high there. Part of that is linked to access to services, and part of that is linked to the fact that if you live in rural communities, the likelihood of being socially isolated is increased.

“There’s also this idea people talk about of ‘living in a fish bowl’, that you’re less likely to talk about your emotions, your feelings, or if there’s problems going on in your life because you’re concerned about what your neighbours or friends might think.

“Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, it’s not a sign of weakness, so we need to engrain that in our young people. But we also need to ensure that the services and support out there is tailored to these men.”

Patrick Mullery from the ‘James Support Group’ explains: “We offer support – monthly meetings in various locations. There’s 10 actually, all the way from Thurso down to Fort William, across to Elgin, Inverness and lots of places in between.

“It’s a group setting, it’s specifically for people who are bereaved by a suicide but also for people who have suicidal thoughts. We bring those two types of people together for mutual support and understanding – the hope is that people who have suicidal thoughts will see the devastation that is left behind in an attempt to give them another barrier to stop them going that extra step.

“To actually just make them stay with us and realise that they are loved and they would be missed.

“We’ve all got emotions and we have to break the stigma around poor mental health and about suicide. Boys can cry and the best thing to do for yourself, if you’re in a bad place, is talk about it. Unfortunately, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”

In Glasgow, Derek visits Drumchapel-based charity ‘Men Matter Scotland’ to find out more about their approach to offering support and how they have created a safe place for men to visit. 

From street outreach to the facilities available at the welcoming hub, the team hope to build a self-sustaining and secure model that can be shared with other parts of Scotland.

Vice chair D I Brown says: “What is most important is that people talk. If people don’t start to speak about this, it will be hidden and more men will die from suicide. I’d say that people need to open up and be open.”

Professor O’Connor adds: “People sadly still believe that if you ask somebody about suicide, or if you talk about suicide, that you make it more likely that you’ll plant the idea in somebody’s head. There’s no evidence for that. Indeed, the evidence is for the opposite – suicide prevention is everyone’s business – and I mean that sincerely.

“We all have a role that we can play in preventing suicide. Anything we can do, no matter how big or small – a WhatsApp message, a text message, a phone call – anything that reaches out to someone who might be struggling, that sense of connection could be potentially lifesaving.

“I would encourage everybody and anybody, if you’re concerned about a loved one, a friend, a colleague, please reach out… That sense of human connection could save a life.”

Filmed and produced by Stornoway-based MacTV, Big Boys Don’t Cry premieres on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayeron Monday 9 September at 9pm (in Gaelic with English subtitles).

Watch live or on demand: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0022vyn

Getting you fit and healthy at Leith Primary School

GETTING YOU FIT AND HEALTHY AT LEITH PRIMARY SCHOOL

10 week term, starting from 23rd September

A silhouette of a person stretching Description automatically generated

Monday 18.30-20.30 – Tai Chi : International Yang Style

Tuesday and Thursday 18.15-19.15 : Gentle Exercise

Tuesday and Thursday 19.30-20.30 : Fitness Bootcamp style to get you fit

Wednesday 18.15-19.15: Zumba Dance and Zumba Gold

Wednesday 19.30-20.30: Latin Dance

For the 10 week term, starting from 23rd September

Standard Fee: £50.40 Concession Fee: £25.50 Reduced Fee: £20.00

Ring 0131 556 7978 to book a place

Or online https://adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/

Start the active habit early

Encourage your pre-school child to get active from an early age by signing them up for Play & Try coached activities.

As the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, Edinburgh Leisure is well-placed to encourage your child to reach their full potential, help them build confidence, learn skills, and meet friends at the city’s largest sports and leisure provider.

Edinburgh Leisure is offering a taster week from 13th – 19th September where new and existing customers can come and try coached activities for under 5s for £3.00 per session.  Tailored for little ones, from babies to pre-schoolers, these fun and engaging sessions are all about having a blast while exploring the first steps into various sports.

Classes include Gym and Jump, Gym Nippers, Swim Baby, Swim Nippers, Swim Toddler, Pre-School Dry Dive Gym, Jump Into Sport, Football Mini Kickers and Kick Starters. Sessions will be offered at Ainslie Park, Drumbrae, Gracemount, Kirkliston and the Royal Commonwealth Pool and are suitable for babies and toddlers.

For those that loved the taster sessions, parents can sign up their child/children for a coaching course at the venue on the same day, with the September fee waived.*

Wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure is here to help the people of Edinburgh enjoy a healthier, happier, and more active life. And it’s never too early to start.

Book your spot today for just £3.00 per session.

Play and Try Sports Tasters for Under 5s – Edinburgh Leisure

Review of Creative Scotland announced

ARTS FUNDING CRISIS OVER – FOR NOW

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has announced a review of Creative Scotland to ensure its operations and structure are optimal to the needs of the culture sector, as part of this year’s Programme for Government.

The review, which will be the first since the public body’s establishment in 2010, will examine Creative Scotland’s remit and functions as a funding body, and how the overall impact of planned increases in levels of public funding can be maximised to support sustainability in the sector and in participation in the arts.

Full details of the review and its process will be set out to parliament in the near future, and will include seeking views from individuals and organisations from all parts of Scotland’s culture sector.

The Culture Secretary also confirmed that following a period of necessary due diligence, Creative Scotland had now received funding previously allocated to it in the 2024/25 Scottish budget, including £1.8 million for youth music, and £6.6 million that will allow its Open Fund to be re-opened.

Mr Robertson said: “Scotland’s culture is world-renowned and it remains integral to our nation and our economy. Over the past 14 years, Creative Scotland has had a significant role in supporting that role, distributing £65 million of public funding in the last year alone.

“With the sector having faced a number of new and enduring challenges since then, the time is now right for us to ensure Creative Scotland’s remit and functions remain relevant, in line with our commitments to invest at least £100 million more annually in the arts and culture by 2028-29, and to continuous improvement across all our public bodies.

“It is routine for public bodies to undergo reviews throughout their lifetime, and while that process is ongoing we are clear that we expect the organisations involved to take forward their business as usual.

“Creative Scotland is no different and they will be carrying on with their important work throughout.

 “In the meantime I’m pleased to confirm release of £1.8 million to Creative Scotland for youth music, and another £6.6 million, which includes £3 million towards its Open Fund and £1 million for Screen Scotland.” 

Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “Creative Scotland notes the intention to review the way the sector is supported, as announced by the First Minister in the Programme for Government, and we look forward to hearing more details.  

“We welcome the continued commitment to provide an additional £100m in funding for Culture and will work with the Scottish Government on the effective allocation of that funding, to the benefit of culture and creativity in Scotland.

“We also welcome today’s confirmation of £6.6m, originally committed to Creative Scotland by the Scottish Government at the start of this financial year, reinstating budget removed in the previous year.

“We continue to see unprecedented levels of demand for the Open Fund for Individuals and will process the high volume of applications we have received. With the budget now confirmed, we will work to re-open this fund.

“We are sure today’s confirmation of the release of this funding will be welcomed by the creative community of Scotland.”

Social Bite to join The Pitt in Granton with dessert pop-up

  • Social Bite’s first pop-up food venture will focus on custard and desserts
  • Social Bite customers will be able to pay it forward and donate towards the charity’s work providing food, homes, jobs and support to people affected by homelessness
  • Social Bite is the third vendor to be announced for the market’s opening in Granton later this year
  • Social Bite joins British Street Food Champions Choola, and the legendary Buffalo Truck with more to be announced

Leading homelessness charity Social Bite today announced their dessert pop-up as the newest addition to an exciting line up of local food businesses at The Pitt, Granton. The partnership between Social Bite and The Pitt will bring sweet treats to customers.

Social Bite’s first pop-up will celebrate all things custard, with delicious desserts including crumble made with seasonal fruit and a choice of toppings served with hot or cold fresh custard. Social Bite will be a permanent trader and exclusive provider of desserts for visitors to the popular street food market at its new home in Granton.

Whilst Social Bite has a history of coffee shops in Edinburgh city centre, the charity is no stranger to the Granton Waterfront. The Pitt is located opposite Social Bite’s village, which opened in 2018 and has since supported 100 people out of homelessness.

The Pitt, owned and operated by not-for-profit community interest company, Granton Project CIC, is on a mission to create positive change in North Edinburgh and will open year-round this winter.

Mel Swan, Commercial Operations Director at Social Bite, said: “We’re excited to bring the Social Bite brand and our new dessert concept to The Pitt. There’s a lot of synergy between us – as well as our love of good food, we share their ethos of creating a supportive, community environment where people can flourish.

“They’ve welcomed us an established business with a new idea. We chose custard because it’s great hot, cold or frozen, and it works on its own, baked in a dessert, or as a side. We’ve got loads of great ideas that we can’t wait to bring to The Pitt’s devoted foodies, whether you pop along for pudding or want to pay it forward.”

Hal Prescott, Chief Executive of The Pitt, said: “With a number of exciting traders already confirmed, it’s amazing to welcome Social Bite, such a well-established social enterprise, to  the project.

“They’ve already made such a huge contribution to end homelessness and we firmly believe that this innovative collaboration will make a significant impact.

“And how exciting to have Britain’s first dedicated custard stall at The Pitt on the shores of Granton!”

Rethink Dementia campaign launched

Supporting people to stay well for longer

A new campaign challenging people to Rethink Dementia has been launched by the Scottish Government in partnership with COSLA.

To help address the stigma around the illness, people are being encouraged to continue doing everyday activities with friends or relatives diagnosed with dementia.

Research shows that making this effort to include people in social activities can help them stay well for longer as well as alleviate symptoms such as depression, anxiety and apathy.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray said: “When a friend or relative is diagnosed with dementia it’s natural not to know what to do. It can be an upsetting and daunting time, but it’s important for all of us to play a supportive role in helping our friends and family.  

“One of the key elements in the Rethink Dementia campaign is asking us to think differently about a dementia diagnosis. There are many practical steps we can take to help the people closest to us to lead fulfilling lives and stay well for longer.” 

COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson Counsellor Paul Kelly said: “This new campaign is a clear call to us all to think differently about dementia and those with a diagnosis.

“It highlights very clearly the simple ways that we can support people with dementia to stay connected to their local communities.”

Dr Tom Russ, an NHS Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist and Researcher at The University of Edinburgh said: “Over the past 20 years I’ve engaged with hundreds of people who have been diagnosed with dementia, and often they will withdraw from social activities, which can have a negative impact on their overall wellbeing.

“For anyone with friends or relatives who have been diagnosed with dementia, it’s vital to stay in touch to help them maintain their usual social activities, or even try something new together.”

Dementia affects an estimated 90,000 people in Scotland, 3,000 of whom are under the age of 65. 

For more information on supporting someone with a dementia diagnosis, please visit: ReThink Dementia | NHS inform

You can view our campaign film here https://youtu.be/82cLVZaoskI

Funding boost for ground-breaking cancer and Parkinson’s research team

Researchers at the University of Dundee to receive a government funding boost to continue their vital work for a further 5 years

  • Vital work by Dundee-based cell biology researchers, who have already developed a drug to treat skin cancer and attracted £60 million in private investment, to continue thanks to further government backing
  • Almost £30 million in government funding could potentially unlock new treatments for conditions, from motor neurone disease to Crohn’s, by supporting research into how signals are transmitted within the body’s cells. 
  • Science and Technology Secretary will announce funding at the Universities UK conference as he sets out his vision for harnessing the power of higher education to boost innovation and economic growth across the country.

Dundee-based researchers with a track record of devising treatments for deadly diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s – whose work has crowded in £60 million in investment to date – are receiving further backing from the government to continue their vital work for a further 5 years, Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle will announce today (Thursday 5 September). 

The Medical Research Council’s Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU) will receive nearly £30 million of funding allocated from UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) to bolster its cell biology research centre as it continues its vital work over the next 5 years. 

Currently, the 200-strong scientific community of staff and students based at the University of Dundee are using cutting-edge technology and biochemistry to explore how signals transmitted within the body’s cells are disrupted.

Working closely with industry, Dundee’s unit has been a fundamental part of the development and clinical approval of over 40 drugs that are now widely used to treat patients, attracting almost £60 million in private investment.

It is just one example cementing Scotland’s place at the forefront of the UK government’s plans to make Britain a powerhouse for life sciences that attracts international investment and drives forward the deployment of discoveries that grow the economy, create prosperity across the country and improve lives and public services.

Improving our understanding of the processes within cells could be the key to unlocking the scientific basis of innovative treatments for a range of diseases – from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to Crohn’s and coeliac disease.  Their work has already delivered a drug that is now widely used to treat skin cancer.

The new funding comes ahead of the Science and Technology Secretary addressing higher education representatives at the Universities UK conference at the University of Reading, where he will reflect on his personal experience in higher education and will give his full-throated backing to the sector as a vehicle for much-needed economic growth.  

He will also outline his vision for DSIT, and the crucial role universities can play in this, harnessing discoveries and innovations for novel therapies and technologies, like those developed in Dundee, that could transform patients’ lives and drive economic growth.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “I went to university later in life than most, but when I did it changed everything for me. It was the first time in my life that people saw potential in me that I never knew I had, and gave me the support and focus I needed to build something from it.

“The value of our universities, to the economy and to the whole of society, cannot be overstated. 

“As we embark on a decade of national renewal, the higher education sector has a profound role to play in every piece of work we’ll need to do, to build a Britain that delivers for working people: from seizing the potential of clean energy to rebuilding the NHS. I will always champion our universities.

“They are society’s most powerful engines for innovation, aspiration, economic growth and the creation of better lives for all – which is why investing in their work, like this £30m in funding, is so important.” 

Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “The work at the University of Dundee, which we are announcing support for today, is proof of how deep expertise, effective links with industry, and the power of curiosity can deliver meaningful improvements to people’s lives, while also driving economic growth across the UK.

“This funding puts the unit on track to strive for still more health breakthroughs, that could help more patients live longer and healthier lives.” 

Working with other companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, the team was central to developing a drug now widely used to treat melanoma, and a promising new drug for Parkinson’s disease is in clinical trials as a result of the team’s globally recognise work, investigating the condition to discover potential causes and treatments. 

Universities are vital to the government’s mission to boost our economy and transform healthcare services with world-class science and research. They are at the heart of our research strengths, underpinning key sectors including life sciences.

Backing university-based researchers, like the team at the University of Dundee, will ensure that they can continue unlocking the technologies and therapies that could be life-changing to patients, and which drive economic growth and productivity. 

Professor Dario Alessi, Director of the MRC PPU said: “We are incredibly grateful for the long-term support that our Unit has received from the MRC over the last 34 years.

“This has enabled our researchers to tackle the most important questions and greatly contributed to our understanding of how derailment of biological pathways causes human diseases including neurodegeneration, diabetes, cancer, and immune dysfunction.  

“Our mission for the next 5 years will be to work with leading research centres, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies to translate our discoveries into clinical progress and accelerate drug discovery.

“Whilst doing this research we aim to provide our staff with a unique training opportunity working in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment paying attention to improving culture and development best practices.” 

Professor Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council, said:  “The MRC are proud to be investing for a further 5 years in the exceptional research of the MRC PPU in Dundee.

They are leaders in conducting rigorous fundamental research and then working with industry to translate those breakthroughs for patient benefit. The MRC PPU have an outstanding culture of collaboration and sharing their leading research expertise, products and techniques with the wider scientific community.”