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How To Make Your Fall Photos Pop

On October 23, 2018

There’s something so charming and lovely about fall, and it’s not only the magical colors of the falling leaves or the beautiful and softly dimmed light coming from the sky. This season brings with it a cozy, welcoming feeling, and we’re sure you have felt it too.

Now that autumn is upon us, we bring you some useful advice to consider not only when shooting during the season, but also in post-production.

1. Mind the colors

Photography during the autumn season is all about color. Try to compose your images with fall’s rich hues in mind: That golden-reddish foliage is your ultimate goal, but contrast it with some lovely greenish-blue tints or neutral tones for a balanced touch.

2. Mind the weather

Shooting in rain or snow is a fantastic way of capturing photographs that will take your breath away. But proceed with caution as doing this can damage your camera. Carry an umbrella or a waterproof coat, or better yet, invest in weather-proofing gear.

3. Look for reflections

If you’re shooting in rain, try to look for some little ponds on the streets. These little windows are great for capturing reality in a whole different perspective. Don’t worry if you get your knees muddy—it will be worth it, trust us.

4. Cities are great…

If you’re still thinking about where to go for autumn, here’s some good news: you probably don’t have to travel too far. The great thing about autumn is that cities are immersed in a very beautiful light. Wander around the streets of your hometown and you’ll see how easy it can be to shoot beautiful autumnal photos.

5. But woods are even better

If cities are great during autumn, woods are the ultimate expression of fall. The forests will be perfect for all sorts of photo shoots you can imagine. Take the kids and let them have fun playing with the leaves on the forest floor, and shoot away!

6. Shoot RAW

We can’t say this one enough: Shoot RAW whenever you can. This is the best way to recover details and maintain the season’s beautiful colors on your photographs in post-production. While it’s true that RAW files are heavy and that they limit your storage, you should be able to work around it if you’re serious about photography. Put some thought into your shots, and you’ll eventually end up shooting fewer but better-looking photographs. Quality over quantity, always.

7. White balance is key

If you shoot RAW and understand the power behind white balance, then you’ll have the most fulfilling experience with photography. All you have to do is to import your RAW files through your favorite development software and play around with the temperature and tint values from the white balance section. By doing this, you’ll achieve virtually any mood you could imagine. Use it wisely, and you’ll be all set with your fall photographs.

8. Display your photos

During autumn, not every single day is perfect for going out, and that’s fine! What you can do is to display your fall photographs on a Nixplay frame in your home. This is a great way to keep yourself inspired motivated to take better photographs.

Federico Alegria

Federico is a documentary photographer, writer and educator based in El Salvador. Check out his photography portfolio.

https://federicoalegria.com/

What To Consider Before Buying A Digital Photo Frame

By Mars Salazar

On October 17, 2018

In From The Nixplay Team

If you’ve never bought a digital photo frame before, you’ve probably got a few questions which need answering. As our homes become more integrated with technology such as virtual home assistants (Amazon Alexa comes to mind) and light bulbs which can be controlled from your smartphone, digital photo frames find their place at the intersection of sophistication and simplicity–a subtle piece of digital décor that elevates your home to new heights with its versatility and class.

Below, we answer five frequently asked questions from readers who are thinking about getting (and eventually got!) a Nixplay Digital Frame for their home.

1. How can you update photos on a Nixplay Frame?

It’s incredibly easy! Using your smartphone or laptop, you simply need to install the Nixplay app–for free! You can use the app to easily upload new images onto your Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frame. It’s similarly easy for NIX Digital Frames: Just plug in a USB flash drive or a memory card loaded with your pictures, and you’re all set!

2. Can a Nixplay Frame play videos?

All Nixplay digital photo frames are able to play 15-second videos as well as display digital pictures, giving you endless digital opportunities to display your dearest memories.

3. What are the available Nixplay Frame sizes?

Nixplay Frames come in several sizes to suit different areas of your home, such as mantelpieces and bedside tables. Nixplay Frames range from 8” to 17” in diameter, and come in several colors and finishes to match your interiors.

4. Can Nixplay Frames be wall-mounted?

Some frames can be wall-mounted for your convenience and aesthetic pleasure. NIX Lux digital photo frames can be sold with custom wall mounts for the 8, 10, and 13-inch sizes. What’s more, the wall mounts come with built-in spirit levels, ensuring that your frame is perfectly aligned on your wall.

5. Where’s the best area to place a Nixplay Frame?

Anywhere you want, as long as it’s indoors! Nixplay Frames are sized to various dimensions and finishes, providing you with numerous options for displaying your photos proudly. The smaller 8” Nixplay Frames are ideal for bedside cabinets and desks, whereas the 13” NIX Lux frames can be mounted onto walls, giving you endless decorating options around your house. The 17″ Frames, meanwhile, will make a lovely centerpiece for your mantelpiece.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

Why You Shouldn’t Scrimp On Home Décor

By Mars Salazar

On October 16, 2018

In Lifestyle

When you move into a new home (or you renovate your existing one) you’re presented with a unique opportunity to design a space which is exactly suited to your tastes. However, decorating usually entails a lot of spending. Worse, it usually comes at the same time as a move or a renovation, two things which are not known for being easy on the wallet.

Nonetheless, we’re here to tell you that, while you should always strive to decorate your abode within your budget, there’s still no harm in splurging on particularly exquisite pieces every now and then. You shouldn’t scrimp on home décor, and here’s why!

Happiness

Above all else, your home should be your own space – a space which makes you happy. As a result, you should aim to buy things that truly make you feel comfortable and “at home.” The devil is in the details when it comes to home décor, and spending a few extra dollars on a piece you love instead of going for a cheaper option could spell the difference between feeling content and feeling like something’s missing.

For example, if you’re putting up posters in a room, you shouldn’t feel bad about spending a couple of dollars more to have them framed. This small move instantly elevates your home décor and makes your walls look classier. Worth the splurge, don’t you think?

Quality

You get what you pay for, and this applies to your décor too. If you’re looking for high-class furnishings which will stand the test of time and still be usable in a decade, then you’re going to have to spend some decent money. Of course, there’s a balance which you need to strike between price and quality. We’re not suggesting that you go from IKEA to an Eames Lounge and a Fabergé Egg, but you should feel free to invest in some nice objects which last for a long time without breaking or looking tired.

That “Wow” Factor

If you’re like most people, you’ll be “house proud” to some degree, looking to show off your digs to any visitors. Investing in decent home décor helps give your home a “wow” factor that can be so important in making you feel proud of your home.

One great way to do this is by investing in a digital photo frame. Rather than print a bunch of regular pictures and have them gathering dust on the mantelpiece, why not have a couple of Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frames displaying photos of your loved ones? A home décor investment such as this makes for a great conversation piece, giving your home brilliant talking points and an undeniable “wow” factor which will impress friends and family alike. Get a Nixplay Frame now!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

4 Easy Ways to Instantly Improve Your Mental Health

By Mars Salazar

On October 10, 2018

In Lifestyle

There’s some stigma attached to mental health problems, but the fact remains that these are issues which a surprisingly large portion of the global population deal with. Fortunately, it’s a topic that is garnering more and more attention in recent years, and for good reason.

Although serious problems require professional help, these four easy ways to instantly improve your mental health should help brighten your spirits in times of woe. Read on.

1. Exercise

Exercise is a natural endorphin-releasing activity, and although you may not always feel like going to the gym or doing strenuous exercise, you’ll naturally feel much better after doing so. Generally speaking, the better your body’s health is, the better your mind’s health becomes. Exercise for at least 20 minutes a day and track your progress to make it a part of your daily routine.

2. Take pictures

If you’re looking for a hobby that is relatively easy to pick up, photography is always a great choice. Whether you’re taking snaps on your smartphone or capturing long-exposure shots with a high-end DSLR camera, producing and retouching photos is one of the most calming hobbies out there, especially if you’re in a beautiful natural environment. You could even display your images on your Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frame to remind you of your favorite memories. Your Nixplay Frame can also serve as a portfolio of sorts, helping you gain pride in your accomplishments.

3. Don’t be shy to ask for help

Whether you need serious help or you just need to get some problems off your chest, suffering in silence is sure to lead down a slippery slope if you’re not careful. When you feel like you’re not coping well with life, it’s best to talk to someone who can help you. It doesn’t have to be a psychologist–a close friend or family member whom you can confide in can still do wonders for your mental health.

4. Make time for yourself

We all need a little time to ourselves, no matter how much we love the people whom we surround ourselves with. Whether its 30 minutes in a nice bath or a couple of hours on Netflix, it’s important to unwind by yourself from time to time. This simple act of self-care goes a long way in keeping your mental health and stability in check.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

Claire Procter blog-main image-nixplay digital photo frame

Preserving Photographic Memories

By Claire

On October 4, 2018

In Customer Testimonials

So the end of summer is now upon us. We’ve been away on two holidays to Spain and Edinburgh, plus had plenty of fun days out.

Throughout it all, I’ve been snapping happy memories with my phone. I always upload my pictures to my computer, but what happens after? A few get shared on Facebook or Instagram. Some get chosen to be made into Christmas cards or fridge magnets, to be sent to other family members. And of course, I have my own selection tacked on my fridge, along with our photo table mats and mugs. I even used to have a fab photo phone case, but haven’t gotten around to ordering a new one since it wore out.

What about the rest of the images that did not make the cut? Will these photographic memories never get the chance to see the light of day again, languishing on the hard drive or a USB stick? You might have a lovely picture of little Johnny at school sports day, but you couldn’t share it on Facebook for relatives to see because there are other kids in the picture, what with all the privacy rules.

So I was delighted to be contacted by Nixplay, which offered me the opportunity to review one of their digital photo frames for free. This could be just the answer.

Nixplay sent me one of their Seed frames and it arrived in just four days. I was pleased to see that it comes in a sturdy box, and that it is available in a choice of 4 colors and 4 sizes.

I received the 8-inch blue frame. It comes with an attached USB cable, a remote control, and a two-part power plug that allows the user to switch between UK 3-pin or European 2-pin.

However once I started the set-up process, the frame kept switching off at inconvenient moments. In the end, I put the USB cable into a different plug which worked perfectly, so the plug must have been faulty. Luckily, I encountered no such issues with the frame itself. The instructions were simple to follow, with the main points being to give it access to my Wi-Fi and to set up a Nixplay account to link my frame to.

I’ve only tested it with a few photos so far, most of which were downloaded from my computer. I also tried downloading one directly from my phone using the Nixplay app. I soon realized it was better to keep portrait and landscape photos in separate playlists so as to fill the entire frame. The frame is easily turned between portrait and landscape as it only uses the cable for balance, no additional back support required.

Aside from the infrared sensor between the frame and the remote, the frame also has a motion sensor that enables it to switch off when nobody is in the room. You can set the time-lag on this, as well as the time periods. I set it off between 23:00 and 07:00 hrs. I couldn’t see any details on the instructions regarding the type of battery in the remote or how to replace that when necessary.

The best part is the frame’s scope. A single playlist can contain up to 1,000 photos. You can link multiple frames to one account, so you could buy frames for other family members like your grandparents. Think of the benefit of a frame like this if someone were away from home for a long period, like when one of my sons was an in-patient at the hospital back in 2013 after his leukemia diagnosis. Everything can be managed remotely, so all they have to do is watch. It’s great for keeping them up to date with the children’s progress, especially when they don’t tend to see them very often.

I could even use it for long-term projects, like scanning my old pre-digital photos before the colors deteriorate further and loading those into playlists. It would be nice to show the boys some of the countries we visited on holiday before they were born.

Also, when I was a child, my Dad took all his photos on slides, but he has now gotten rid of his projector and large screen, which we used for viewing his images. So another long-term project could be to send those slides somewhere to be converted into a digital format and saved onto a memory stick. I can then upload these into playlists, which I can display on my Nixplay frame. There are lots of photographic memories that my parents would like to see again. We’ve even got some old family photos from the 1800s—just imagine watching those on a Nixplay frame!

The Nixplay Seed 8-Inch Frame currently retails at £129.99/$139.99. It comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, a 1-year warranty, and free shipping. A great way to view your memories, in my opinion, as well as a fabulous gift idea!

Now, I just have to work out what other functionalities it has. I’ll try uploading videos onto my frame next. I’ve even heard that you can ask Alexa to manage your frame, too. Wow!

You may see more details about Nixplay on their website. The Nixplay digital photo frame range is available to purchase from their online shop or from Amazon.

I’d love to hear what you do with your favorite photographs!

Disclosure: This post is a review of a product I was sent for free. All opinions are my own.

Claire

I’m a working mummy of two young boys.
My hobbies are comping, reading, craft, cooking & genealogy. I mainly blog about parenting, lifestyle & food at blogmumjd.wordpress.com.

https://blogmumjd.wordpress.com/