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Why WWE Needs To Retire Ladder Matches

In 1972, Dan Kroffat was credited with the invention of the "ladder match." These wrestling matches involve two or more opponents who compete in order to retrieve an object that is suspended above a ladder. These matches are notoriously dangerous, having produced some of the most gnarly injuries in wrestling history. There has been a lot of heavy debate around whether or not these types of matches should even be allowed in WWE. It has become clear, however, that ladder matches need to be banned altogether.

Ladders are precarious. No matter how skilled a wrestler is in the ring, a tall extension ladder introduces an element of unpredictability and danger into a match. Accidents (as well as purposeful acts of malicious intent) are bound to happen. In only the fourth TLC (tables, ladders, chairs) event on WWE in 2002, Bubba Ray Dudley was thrown into a "bulldog" by Chris Jericho, concussing him so badly that he began to ask for his deceased mother.

In 2009, Jeff Hardy sustained two separate injuries due to falling from a ladder during Extreme Rules. The first of which was a result of a bump after both he and Edge attempted to simultaneously jump from one ladder to another. Additionally, he received a broken finger, which happened due to landing awkwardly on his hand after falling from a ladder.

The 2013 Money In The Bank ladder match is another that saw many injuries in one night. One such injury befell Seamus, also known as the Celtic Warrior, after he was knocked down (along with the ladder underneath him) by Rob Van Dam. The labrum in his shoulder was torn completely in half, and he was out of the game for almost half of a year (an eternity in the career of a WWE star). 

The height of a ladder isn't the only thing that makes it dangerous. Numerous injuries have been sustained when WWE stars have utilized ladders as weapons in the ring, whether accidentally or on purpose. In the aforementioned 2013 Money In The Bank ladder match, CM Punk was bashed repeatedly over the head with a ladder by Paul Heyman. Punk required 13 staples in order to fix the massive gash that Heyman left in his head. 

The most famous of all injuries that have been endured as a result of ladder matches is that of Joey Mercury. At the 2006 Armageddon PPV, Mercury was competing alongside Nitro for the Tag Team Championships. Jeff Hardy mistakenly swung a ladder directly into Mercury's face, completely shattering his nose. The injury was so gruesome that Mercury was forced to leave the match early to seek medical attention. Although this was not the last time he would be seen in the ring, this was definitely the beginning of the end for him.

Aside from the danger that can arise from the sheer velocity and mass that ladders bring to a WWE match, some say that these matches have lost their novelty with overuse. The shock value is only present after the first handful of times. After a certain point, the crowd becomes used to the gimmick and is ready to move on to something new. WWE is not meant to be boring, so when there are complaints of a certain aspect becoming overused, there will almost certainly be attempts to come up with a newer, more dangerous trend to follow up. While removing ladder matches from WWE does not necessarily solve this issue entirely, it does provide a jumping-off point for fans and critics alike to talk about the kinds of tricks, props, and effects that can pose a real threat to WWE stars' safety.

WWE has never been "safe," strictly speaking, and it would be ridiculous to expect the stars to suddenly begin to wear safety pads in the ring. However, even the most dangerous of sports come with rules and limitations in order to maintain some semblance of order. Professional wrestling should be no exception. 

Using Art To Improve Your Business's Social Media

Marketing through social media can be a great way to increase the visibility of your brand. One of the best aspects of social media is the opportunity to engage in two-way interactions with your audience. Another benefit is that anyone can get started on social media at any time. However, this also means that there is a lot of noise. Art can be a useful tool to help you cut through that noise.

The Value of Visuals on Social Channels

One of the biggest challenges on social channels is the sheer number of people participating. Brands ranging from single-person startups to massive, global corporations are all competing for attention. Plus, individuals interacting with brands and each other are also on social networks. The result is a lot of noise that your brand needs to cut through to get its signal noticed.

People on social channels tend to engage with graphics and videos more than written or audio-only content. In other words, people like to have something they can see. This will tend to get noticed much more easily than plain text.

Using artwork can be a great way to get noticed more easily. It should relate to your brand in some way. However, you can experiment with all sorts of techniques. The following are a few examples:

• A digital flyer for your upcoming event
• Artwork from a game or other software
• Art created by your community
• Art expressing an idea related to your brand or an initiative
• Photographs relating to your business (but more than just promotional shots)

Each of these examples can be more or less artistic depending on the needs of your business. If you incorporate a more creative and artistic side to your brand visuals, there is a good chance that people will engage with it more. Your audience has likely seen thousands of graphics for events. Something that is more expressive and interesting could help to get more attention.

Tips for Better Art-Based Marketing

If you want to make the most of your art-based social media marketing, you’ll need a good strategy. The following tips will help.

1. Have Clear Goals: As with any other initiative, social media marketing campaigns should have strong goals. Try using the SMART framework to make specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and time-bound goals. Good goals will guide your approach and help you measure success.
2. Post Consistently: It is useful to keep a consistent schedule for posting. You should base this on your ability to create or curate content on a regular basis. Don’t post a lot of stuff all at once then have a large gap before your next post. It can be useful to use social content management systems to make sure your posts are published at the right time.
3. Understand the Benefits of Different Platforms: Different social networks have unique traits. For example, Instagram is entirely visually focused while Twitter is much more text-centric. Understanding the benefits of each will help you to get more from your social media posts.
4. Leverage A/B Testing: Trying different ideas and testing them as you go is a great way to get better results. Many social platforms make A/B testing relatively easy. Plus, you can always try different variations of the same concept to see what sticks and what doesn’t.
5. Have a Unique Voice: Finally, it is important to be unique on social channels. You are trying to cut through the noise. So, you can’t let your brand simply become part of the noise. Having a unique voice for your brand can help to achieve this. Furthermore, that voice should be consistent. Fortunately, using artwork is a great way to make your brand more unique.

Get Started With Social Media Art Today

Discover more about using art on social media channels to market your business. With the above information, you will be well-positioned to achieve results. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. So, get ready to experiment and explore.

7 Fun Facts About Tacoma, Washington

If you live in the Pacific Northwest or are hoping to visit the area soon, you should consider a stopover in Tacoma, Washington. This city offers so many unique opportunities for both work and play, so it's a great one to put on your list. Here are seven fun facts about Tacoma, Washington.

1. Artistic Pursuits Are Endless

Tacoma is a haven for art, music, and other creative pursuits. One of the coolest and most unique museums in the city to check out is the Museum of Glass, where you can watch artists do live glassmaking and you can even try it yourself. Also at the museum, you can enjoy looking at incredibly intricate works of art, all made of beautiful, eye-catching glass. There are also many opportunities to enjoy the performing arts, including at the three-theatre complex consisting of the Rialto, the Pantages, and Theatre on the Square. This city is truly an artist's paradise.

2. Business Opportunities Abound

In recent years, Tacoma has ranked as one of the best places to do business in the country. With strong job growth and a high average annual income, Tacoma is a great place to grow your business. Consider that hiring Tacoma court reporters is a great way for you to take care of many of your business needs, from transcription to preparing for legal proceedings. These and other professionals are available throughout the city, meaning you can take care of business while you visit.

3. Farmers' Markets Are Thriving

Any mention of the Pacific Northwest is bound to conjure thoughts of fresh produce including cherries, berries, vegetables, and leafy greens. After all, this region is where much of the United States' produce is grown and harvested. In Tacoma, there are unique opportunities to enjoy thriving, year-round farmers' markets so you can taste the local produce at its freshest. In fact, you can find a farmers' market open in this city on most days of the week. At the farmers' market, you'll be able to enjoy outdoor shopping and an opportunity to cook using healthy, local ingredients.

4. Exercise Is Easy

When it comes to opportunities for walking, jogging, biking, and hiking, Tacoma has it all. Consider venturing out on many of the local trails, including the beautiful two-mile Ruston Way trail, which offers views of the adjacent Commencement Bay. While on this spectacular trail, you can also take advantage of the many nearby piers and parks, which offer great sightseeing and opportunities to observe marine life. You might even get lucky and observe a whale in the distance.

5. Golfing Is Great

If you love to drive, chip, and put, you will enjoy golfing in Tacoma, Washington. Tacoma has mild, year-round weather, offering visitors and residents many opportunities to enjoy their favorite activity. One of the most famous courses is the Chambers Bay Golf Course, which was the site of the 2015 U.S. Open, but there are many others in the area. Other courses to check out include Allenmore Golf Course, Fircrest Golf Course, and Meadow Park Golf Course. 

6. The Narrows Bridge Has an Interesting History

If you love history, architecture, or engineering, you should check out the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. You can learn all about the history of the original 1940 structure, the collapse of which was an important part of the area's history. You can also travel across the new bridge, which is one of the longest suspension bridges in the United States.

7. The Food Is Delicious

Last, but certainly not least, consider the amazing cuisine that Tacoma has to offer. With its location near the water, Tacoma residents and chefs have access to fresh seafood year-round. When you combine that with the abundance of local produce, you have a winning culinary combination.

Tacoma, Washington is a great place to visit, work, or live, so come see the amazing opportunities this city has to offer.

5 Smart Ways to Pay For a Vacation

Let's face it - taking a vacation can be expensive. Not only do you have to take time off work that you may not be paid for, but you have to pay for travel, lodging, food, and any other expenses that come up along the way. Many people will just opt to stay at home or stay local when they have time off because the costs are just too great to consider. But waiting until retirement to take a vacation doesn't have to be your reality. Here are a few creative ways for you to pay for your next vacation.

Use Your Savings

A big mistake many avid travelers make is paying for travel costs through their emergency fund. It might seem safe enough to do this when you're young and can't anticipate any big disasters happening. But all it takes is one trip to the emergency room to make that emergency fund really helpful, so you don't want to blow it all on a vacation. If you do have a savings account, that's what you should be pulling money from for a trip. For most people reading a list like this one, however, a savings account with enough money for a vacation isn't a reality. Whether you're paying off student loans or just keeping up with your bills, most people will need an extra stream of income to travel. 

Credit Card Rewards

For those who love to travel but lack the funds to do so, signing up for a credit card with good rewards (airline miles, hotel discounts, etc.) can be a great way to fund your next trip. While paying for vacations with a credit card is generally a bad idea, using your earned points can take huge chunks of the overall costs off of your trip. This approach requires some strategizing and research to succeed, but many people manage to fund entire vacations off their credit card rewards programs.

Layaway Programs

A unique way to make traveling affordable that not many people know about is by participating in layaway programs. A layaway program means that you'll be reserving your trip a while in advance and taking that long time to pay off the fees. For many of these programs, there's an initial fee, but as long as you get your payments done on time, the fee is removed. People who live paycheck to paycheck and can't afford to pay for vacations all at once may want to look into this plan for a longer-term approach to making payments.

Honeymoon Perks

If the trip you're planning is a getaway for you and you're loved one, you might want to look into signing up for one of the many websites that will alert you to special deals, packages, and discounts for honeymoon trips. There's also the possibility of making your honeymoon a part of your wedding registry, allowing friends and family to pay for your trip, rather than getting another kitchen utility you may not ever use. If travel is important to you and your partner, making it a priority is essential.

Travel Grants

For researchers, volunteers, students, and more, it's possible that you are eligible for a travel grant if your trip is for educational, research, or volunteer purposes. There are tons of programs out there that are willing to fund trips made for these reasons, and applying for them is less time-consuming than taking on a second or third job. You might be surprised by how lax the requirements are for qualifying, as well, so it's always worth a look. Check out websites like StudyAbroad.com for lists of possible grants you can apply for. 

Traveling is an exciting activity that everyone should have an opportunity to do at some point, and taking a vacation shouldn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Use these tips to make your dreams an affordable reality. 

How To Gain More Energy Through a Healthy Diet

Are you constantly in a sluggish and foggy state? Do you wish you could have more energy to do the things you have to get done? Your diet is a significant contributor to your energy levels, and rightfully so since food is your fuel. Take some of this advice to start to improve your diet and boost your drive.

Water Is Vital

It should go without saying, but water is life and a great boon to getting on track. Water is actually the world's best energy drink. It's inoffensive in odor and taste as well as calorie-free. Water works to deliver necessary nutrients to your body's cells and carries away waste products like lactic acid that cause fatigue.

Make sure you're drinking enough water by getting a water bottle that will help you monitor your water intake. Start the day off by drinking half a liter to a liter of water first thing, and note the energy-boosting effects.

Know Your Weak Spots

In a perfect world, everyone would start off with an ideal balance of nutrients and vitamins and only need to replenish these with a healthy diet. Alas, as individuals, people have various strengths and weaknesses. Pay close attention to your regular checkups for personal needs.

With a little personal research, you can discern many of your deficiencies yourself. Using apps to input your daily diet can help you see your actual intake levels. Tests and kits can be ordered to see what your body may be lacking. More and more people have become homebodies, depriving themselves of valuable sunlight. A reliable vitamin D test can determine if your levels are low and help you decide what supplements are best to remedy it.

Eat More Complex Carbs

The battle over carbohydrates and what kind to eat is perpetual. Still, science has born out that carbs are a necessary part of a balanced diet and that the best ones to eat are complex carbs. The reason is that simple carbs (like refined sugars and sugar-filled drinks) are quickly digested and converted into energy. That's the proverbial sugar rush. Of course, this leads to sluggishness in a rapid crash. Then there is the added downside: since the calories aren't typically all burned off, the excess is converted into fat, increasing the waistline and further lowering energy levels.

Complex carbs are more filling and take longer to digest, providing a slower, steady supply of energy to the body throughout the day. The calories are burned as needed, and this helps to regulate glucose levels. To get those complex carbs, shun the white bread, sodas, sweet snacks, and fruit juices that are cheap and easy to pick up. Reach for whole grains, starches, and oats.

Make a goal to replace at least one simple carb option with a complex carb alternative. For instance, replace your sugary brand-name breakfast cereal with oatmeal sweetened with fruit and a little organic maple syrup.

Use Caffeine Wisely

Caffeine has proven to be a safe stimulant that occurs naturally in a wide variety of foods and beverages. While there is nothing wrong with relying on that regular cup of morning joe, be alert to how you're using coffee and when. Pay attention if you start to experience harmful side effects like crashing regularly after taking in caffeine. 

It's best to get your caffeine from natural sources like coffee, tea, and yerba mate instead of sodas and energy drinks that are loaded with sugar. If you do choose to use energy drinks for a jump-start, check the label.

Diet Is Not the Only Factor

While correcting dietary deficiencies and improving your eating schedule is important, don't expect it to be a cure-all. If your sleep hygiene is poor and you live a sedentary life, even the perfect diet will not do much for your vigor. Be sure to incorporate a sensible diet into an overall balanced lifestyle to get the full benefits.

Everyone can benefit from more energy. Apply these suggestions to see a quick increase in your vitality and regain a new zest for life!

What is Data Sharing and Why Do Companies Do It?

Data sharing is when a company chooses to make the data they’ve collected available at a broader level. The sharing of information is a practice that has been done in the academic field for a long time, but it is also a widely-used practice in non-academic areas, like retail.

How Is Data Shared?

Data-sharing consists of four main parts: data collection, data preparation, and data analysis. 

Collection

Data collection can be completed using interviews, questionnaires, polls, visual observations, tests, records and documents, and surveys, among other things. Some of these forms allow you to collect data more quickly than others. For example, standardized test responses are recorded using a computer or using a Scantron. Both of these enable the data to be collected and organized almost instantaneously. On the other hand, visual observations require you to extract the data you feel is relevant and input it manually. 

Preparation

Once data has been collected and entered into a data management system, it is time to prepare it. Data preparation “prepares” data for analysis by cleaning up and structuring it in a way that makes it usable. Data is entered into the system and cleaned during this step, which involves removing any empty responses, correcting any errors, and reformatting. 

Analysis

Data analysis is the process of taking prepared data and interpreting it, making that data usable. During data analysis, analysts inspect data, highlight trends, make predictions, and translate the data into usable information.

What Is the Purpose of Sharing Your Data?

There are many reasons why an organization would choose to share its data. The three main reasons are collaboration, education, and the sharing of resources.

Collaboration

Using data to create partnerships with other companies or organizations can lead to better product development. For example, if a popular restaurant chain chooses to collaborate with a supermarket, that restaurant chain can use its market trends to expand its business into retail. This type of collaboration means both companies will profit in the end. The restaurant chain will see increased revenue through the grocery store chain, and the grocery store will be able to wield the restaurant’s popularity to boost their own profits.

Transparency

Sharing data can also allow companies to show complete transparency concerning their business practices, revenues, and spending. Transparency can increase consumer confidence in the company and appease shareholders who hold a financial stake in the company.

Sharing of Resources

The sharing of data and research is essential to many industries because it can increase the overall value of the data.

In for-profit industries, data from one company might be shared with another field to increase profits. For example, data mining from search engines can allow companies to target advertising and increase revenue. 

Sharing data can increase innovation in the academic or science fields by widening the pool of experts studying the data. For example, when one pharmaceutical company develops a medication or vaccine, they might share their data and research with other agencies. Sharing in this way can also allow medications to be made available to broader swaths of the world. 

How Can You Share Your Data?

Sell or Auction It

Selling or auctioning data to other companies is one way to share data. For example, when a person visits a website, their activity can be sent to advertisers, who will then decide whether or not they want to make a bid to show that person targeted advertising. 

Provide Access To Affiliates or Subsidiaries

When one company hires another company to perform a service, that service provider then gains access to all of the company’s data. For example, if a website collects the DNA of users to reveal their heritage, that company will typically use a privately owned DNA laboratory to test the samples. When data is sent from the collection company to the testing company in the form of customer information, two organizations now have access to that set of data.

Data sharing can have many uses, making it essential for companies to understand how and why it should be shared. Being able to broaden the scope of research, identify cross-market trends, and combine resources can benefit all parties involved.

5 Ways To Keep Your Information Safe Online

In today's digital age, keeping your personal information secure is absolutely essential. Here's how you can protect your personal information and eliminate various cyber threats.

1. Think Before You Click

Did you know that 83% of organizations experienced a phishing attack in 2017, but only 3% of individuals can actually identify a scam? Phishing is one of the most common methods that hackers use to gain access to personal information. By disguising themselves as trustworthy individuals, they can persuade others to disclose sensitive information. This can lead to a type of cyberattack called credential stuffing, in which cybercriminals use stolen usernames and passwords to log in to other websites, in the hopes of being able to gain access to an individual's many accounts.

To avoid falling victim to a phishing attack, don't click on email links from people you don't know. As a general rule, you also shouldn't enter personal information online unless you see an icon of a padlock in the address bar and a URL that starts with "https" as opposed to "http." These features indicate an encrypted connection, and they're commonly seen on websites that require you to enter sensitive data, such as baking or e-commerce sites.

2. Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Considering that compromised passwords are responsible for over 80% of security breaches, you can see why approaching the login process differently can strengthen security. As the name suggests, multi-factor authentication is a security enhancement that requires at least two methods of authentication to gain access to an account. For example, after entering your username and password, you may receive a PIN number to your mobile device that you must enter to gain entry to your account.

By adding an extra layer of security, multi-factor authentication makes it more difficult for hackers to break into your account and compromise your data. Although stealing your password may not be that complicated, gaining access to your mobile device or tablet is much more complex.

3. Update Your Devices Regularly

Although many people ignore updates to their computers or phones, these upgrades are often essential to protecting your sensitive information. Cybercriminals are skilled in taking advantage of errors in software to gain access to your personal data, which is why it's so important to patch up these flaws as soon as possible.

Many browsers make this process easy for you by providing you with the option to automatically update whenever a new version becomes available to the public. Keeping your devices up to date can protect you from:

• Viruses
• Trojans
• Spyware
• Identity theft
• Phishing

Not only can updating your devices protect your personal information, but it can also provide you with a more streamlined browsing experience.

4. Stay Away From Public Wi-Fi

While public Wi-Fi can be convenient when you're trying to respond to emails in a coffee shop, connecting to a public network can give hackers the opportunity to access your private information. If you're in a situation where using public Wi-Fi is necessary, be sure to not enter any private information such as Social Security or credit card numbers. You can also use a VPN to keep your data anonymous.

5. Create Strong Passwords

Formulating strong passwords is another effective way to prevent cybercriminals from stealing your data. Although it's easier to remember a simple password that you use for all of your accounts, this can do you more harm than good in the long run. This is because if a hacker figures out your password, they now have access to all of your accounts.

When creating a password, be sure to create a unique one that contains a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. You should also use a different password for each website. Passwords should be longer than eight characters for maximum security.

Keeping your sensitive information safe from hackers is essential. Following these five tips can help protect you from cyber threats.

Tips to Help You Get Better Sleep While on Vacation

Between your daily routine and natural sleep cycle, your body is used to falling asleep and waking up at certain times of the day. Travel can disrupt your sleep by throwing off your usual schedule from time zone differences and long days out having fun.

Too little sleep can interrupt your vacation and have you dragging through the day instead of enjoying it. Thankfully, there are ways that you can prepare in advance so you can rest easy on your vacation and avoid feeling tired and sluggish.

Adjust Your Schedule in Advance

Several days before you leave for your vacation, start to gradually adjust your current sleep schedule so it won't be as much of a shock to your system when you arrive at your destination. Each night, move your bedtime forward or backward by one hour. This prepares your body and prevents your circadian rhythm from being fully interrupted.

Minimize Stress

Stress can do a number on your sleeping habits. If you are anxious about your trip or worried about your job then you may have difficulty falling or staying asleep. Spend some time preparing for your trip before you leave to alleviate any stress you may be feeling.

Do your research and have your accommodations and itinerary confirmed before you leave. Your Disneyland planning will allow you to relax and even make sure you and your family are able to book tickets for everything you want to do, instead of taking your chances on something being sold out. 

Wrap up any big projects you have going on at work. Designate the tasks that can't wait for your return to another employee or inform your supervisor so they can provide coverage.

In the event that you tend to get anxious away from home, have a strategy planned to handle moments of high stress. You may want to look into a breathing technique to calm you down or even look into a natural supplement that you can add to your daily routine that will soothe you.

Feed Your Body Healthy Foods

It's tempting to overindulge in unhealthy foods when you are on a much-deserved vacation, but this can make you feel more tired and lack the energy you need to enjoy your days. While it's completely okay to sample the local delicacies and treat yourself once in a while, try to balance your diet with plenty of wholesome choices. 

Get Your Exercise

As with your diet, your body is used to the exercise regime that you maintain at hope. There's no harm in taking a break from strenuous exercise to relax, but you should still aim to get in some physical activity. Try a walking tour instead of seeing the local highlights by bus. Book a hotel that has a gym, or do a short yoga flow each day. 

The continued movement will keep you strong and energized, so you can participate in all the adventures you have planned. 

Prepare for a Comfortable Night

One of the most challenging parts of getting good sleep while on vacation is being comfortable in a strange bed and unfamiliar room. Take care to make reservations at a hotel that has the amenities you need to relax.

Check out the pictures on the website and contact the reservations department to ask any questions that you have. You can also bring a few things from home to make your temporary sleeping quarters cozier. If you have a favorite pillow or blanket, pack it in your suitcase.

You might also benefit from using a white noise machine or wearing earplugs to block out unfamiliar sounds of a busy hotel or street noise. Adjust the temperature to your liking as well. All these little things may seem unimportant, but together they can have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep. 

A good night's rest is always important, but especially so when you have sightseeing and fun activities to take part in. With a little planning, you can get the most out of your vacation so you can enjoy each day to the fullest. 

3 Tips for New Photographers

Photography can be a fantastic creative outlet for hobbyists and professionals. When you first get started, it can be daunting to make sure you get everything right. Know that as an artistic medium, that there is no right and wrong when learning how to shoot photographs. Learn what you can as you expose yourself to more situations and consider the following tips to grow as a new shooter. 

1. Equipment Is Not Everything

While there are certain tools available that will be extremely useful like a check stub maker or camera harness, the key to growing as a photographer is in learning to work with the equipment that you already have. There are certain groups of photographers who look at themselves as "gearheads," but when first starting out, the basics are good enough. Something like a versatile DSLR or mirrorless body, one or two lenses, an SD card, a tripod, and a bag to carry it all will be just fine while you learn the core concepts of photography. Do not let yourself get overwhelmed or intimidated by someone's kit because it only takes money to buy new gear, not skill. You can have the nicest camera in the world and still shoot horrible photographs because you do not know how to use it.  

2. Learn Basic Concepts

Learning foundational concepts of photography will give you a base set of skills to build upon as you develop your own style. The Rule of Thirds is one of the first concepts that you should add to your arsenal of photography knowledge. The Rule of Thirds is when you break an image into nine equal quadrants and place the focus of the image in specific spots as dictated by the quadrants. By placing the subject of the image on either one of the two horizontal grid lines or one of the vertical lines, you can create a balanced photograph. Another way to do this is to place the elements on one of the four intersections. 

You should also learn how your camera works. Understand how to control your depth of field by altering your aperture, the size of the hole you shoot through, or how to convey movement by slowing down or speeding up your shutter speed. Some may recommend using your automatic features when you first start, but to really understand the mechanisms of your camera, attempt to shoot in manual as much as you can. This will hone your ability to decide will and will not make a good photograph based on the capabilities of your equipment and the light situation. Once you feel comfortable shooting in manual mode, you can have fun discovering what different automatic settings you have available on your camera. These settings typically provide presets for different situations like aperture priority, shutter priority, portrait, and macro. 

3. Shoot Everything All the Time

When you start your photography journey, bring your camera with you everywhere. This will give you endless opportunities in many different settings to capture your surroundings. When you are first beginning, you will want to try your hand at all different types of subjects. If you are going to a friend's sports game, this would be a great opportunity to learn how to shoot fast-moving subjects. If you go on a hike, this will allow you to create interesting landscapes. Even being around the house can build on your ability in capturing still life. You want to practice as much as you can so you truly hone your ability to get great images and not rely purely on editing to make your images. You will be surprised by the moments that you catch when you are constantly prepared.

Growing as a photographer relies on your enthusiasm to become better. Don't get too caught up in the advanced concepts or expensive equipment, and you can grow as a producer as quickly as you want. Stick with it and you'll eventually be shooting your goal images. 

Ideas for Photographing Interesting and Creative Self-portraits

Even the most talented photographers have trouble capturing the perfect self-portrait. As someone who is often critical about your artistic skills, photographing yourself combines that with any insecurities you may have about your appearance or affect in an image. How can you make sure your ideas come across in your work when you’re both in front of and behind the camera? Here are some ideas for creating the perfect self-portrait for your purpose.

Experiment With Close-ups

Do you have a feature you’d like to feature? Try getting closer to the camera and highlighting a definite part of your face that you want viewers to notice. If you want to focus on your mouth and chin, apply some medicated lip balm and start snapping photos.

Show Your Real Life in Your Portrait

You could snap yourself staring into the camera lens with a pensive look on your face, or you could capture a true portrait of yourself doing the things that make up your daily existence. Tell the story of who you really are by shooting yourself playing with your child, reading a book or preparing a meal.

Include Your Pet

When you want to see who people really are, watch them interact with the animals they love. If you want an honest and authentic portrait, invite your dog to sit in with you. You may not get a perfect or serious shot because you’ll be distracted by your squirmy best friend’s antics, but you’ll probably get some great shots of your playful, loving and laughing faces.

Avoid Busy Backgrounds

If the point of a self-portrait is to capture your own essence, then you want to be the focus of the photo. Therefore, you’ll want to avoid backgrounds with distracting shapes or contrasting colors that can take the emphasis away from the focal point. Consider clean, solid backdrops so you can put the attention where it should be—on you!

Embrace Multiple Interpretations

You are a complex, multidimensional being and as such, you may have trouble deciding which portrait of yourself to share with the world. Luckily, you aren’t limited to just one photo. You can create collages to help you tell your story, where also have the freedom to explore different angles, framing and lighting choices.

Use a Tripod

A self-portrait is different from a selfie. For a quick social media post, it may be okay to snap a shot with your arms stretched out in front of you in the frame. However, for a professional-grade quality photo, you should consider setting your DSLR up on a tripod so you can bring your hands back into the story.

If you don’t have a tripod, you can create a makeshift one by propping your camera up on a table or some books stacked to the desired height.

Invest in a Flip Screen Camera

As both the subject and the photographer, it can be tedious to go back and forth trying to set up the perfect shot. If you don’t have any tether tools, it’s frustrating when you can’t see what’s happening in real-time. To capture the image you want in a timely manner, you can utilize a camera with a flip screen. Which allows you to view the shots as you would if you were snapping a different model.

Capture Your Reflection

If you want an unconventional self-portrait to show off your beauty as well as your mad camera skills, try shooting your reflection. Don’t just aim the lens at your bathroom mirror, though. While you can have a lot of fun playing with mirror imaging techniques in photography, you can also get really creative by looking for other reflective surfaces like windows or puddles to add a bit of drama and mystery to your piece.

Don’t let your anxiety about shooting yourself prevent you from creating beautiful images as well as memories. Whatever your vision for your self-portrait, using these tips can help you achieve it and grow as an artist.