Pregnancy is a life experience like none other.

It literally engulfs your life and becomes YOU.

So, if you have an iPhone or iPod touch, of course you will want add pregnancy related apps to your collection.

For instance…

You might be on your way to a pregnancy massage and have a baby name idea… there is an app for that, you know.

Your girlfriends may call you about a baby shower gift… is there an app for that?

You may want to chat with other mommies-to-be in a pregnancy forum… you can make an app for that!

iPhone Apps for Mommies-To-Be

App #1 - Best Pregnancy Calendar

My choice is iPregnancy from Dr. Gregory P. Moore. It will help you keep track of your pregnancy right along with your doctor!

Once your due date is established and entered, the program will keep track of your current progress in pregnancy including your:

• Current gestational age in weeks and days (like doctors use)
• Current gestational age in lunar months
• Progress bar that will show you how far you have progressed
• Current Trimester Time remaining until your due date (in weeks and days)
• And more…

App #2 - Best Baby Game App

I really like playing with the app called Babyface. It is a “baby appearance predictor”. Meaning, it creates a full color graphic of what your baby may look like :).

Now, this is for fun so don’t be surprised if it isn’t accurate. The app has an amazingly scientific explanation behind the technology which is supposed to generate the babyface… despite that mumbojumbo, it is a lot of fun.

App #3 - Best Baby Naming App

NameShake is an app I really love. It has over 19,000 names and, the coolest part, you just set a few parameters, shake your iPhone and, voila, out pops a cool baby name you never would have thought of.  

My husband loves it too. We bought a few baby name books but this app is really all we needed.

Obviously, there are lots of apps on iTunes. These are just the 3 I played with the most.

I hope you like them too!

There is one component all people strive for when trying to make an online business successful and that is creating a steady flow of website traffic. If people don’t go to your site, it will hardly have any chance of generating any income at all. It takes money to maintain an income generating web site.

Ever wonder how successful, revenue earning online businesses succeed? Most of them are spending tons of money to increase traffic to their sites, investing in many advertising campaigns and researching different forms of marketing schemes.

You don’t have to do all the above to create revenue for your site if you don’t have the resources. There are many ways to generate low cost website traffic without having to spend what you don’t have or can’t afford. Many people have banked on high cost methods and have ended up losing everything they own over it.

Below are the top five ways to generate low cost website traffic that I believe can help your site become successful. Even if you only generate a small percentage of successful visitors to client ratio, you will still see revenue, especially if you get high website traffic.

Exchange Links

This is a sure and proven method in the online business world. Rarely would you see a site where there is no link to another site. Many webmasters are willing to exchange links with one another so that they could produce more public awareness about their sites. You’ll soon see and feel the sudden upsurge of the traffic coming in to your site from other sites when you start to use this method.

A major prerequisite in exchanging links with other sites, is having the same niche or content as the other site you are trying to exchange links with. Both sites should share a common subject so that there is continuity in providing service and information to what interests your target visitor.

Exchanging links also boosts your chances of getting a high ranking in search engine results. It is common knowledge that search engines ranks sites that have inbound theme-related links. With a good rank position in the search engines, you will generate more web traffic for your site without the high costs.

Traffic Exchange

This is similar to exchanging links, but on a different and higher level. This may cost a bit more than exchanging or trading links, but could be made cheaper because you have the chance to earn more revenue. Traffic exchange services is the idea of viewing another person’s site or page. This is done by the other person as well. This makes it so a site can use the contents of your site and vise-versa. This makes it so that you both benefit from each others efforts to generate web traffic. The other sites visitors can go to your pages and know more about your site as well as theirs. Once again the public awareness of your site’s existence is boosted.

Write and Submit Articles

There are many e-zines and online encyclopedias on the internet which provide free space for articles to be submitted. If you want to save costs, you can write the articles yourself or there are many freelance writers who are willing to write for you for a small fee. Although, if your aim is to save money, it is wise to write the articles for yourself.

Write something that you have expertise on so that when people read your articles, they can feel your knowledge about the subject and will be eager to go to your site more and more. It is also a great idea to include a resource box at the end of your article that can link them to your site. Make sure you write a little about yourself and your site in the resource box. If you provide a light, information-laden and interesting article, they will go to your site for more which will create more web traffic and revenue for you.

Make a Newsletter

This may sound like hard work because of all the articles you may need to use to build a newsletter, but on the contrary, this is not the case. There are many writers and sites that are willing to provide free articles as long as they can get their name in your newsletter someplace. As your newsletter gets passed around, you can widen the public awareness of your website and maybe build an opt-in list for reader when your site becomes more successful.

Join Online Communities and Forums

This only requires your time and nothing else. This lets you share your knowledge and expertise with many online communities that are populated with people. You can also get free advertising when you visit forums that have the same subject or niche as your site. Make sure you share your two cents with everyone and let them see how knowledgeable you are with the subject. As you build your reputation, you also build the reputation of your website. Making it a reputable and honest business that could be frequented and trusted by many people.

Introduction

Over the years as I matured my bra size increased, particularly after having babies. Before that I was a size 34 bust, but after giving birth I went up in size. After menopause my bust size increased again and I found my normal bra did not fit me anymore. One day I took the plunge and went into my local underwear store and had myself properly fitted and measured. To my amazement I discovered I was no where near the size I thought I was. The statistics from research carried out suggests that 70% of women are wearing the wrong bra size and many of these women have never actually been measured at all and so simply buy what they assume to be their size.

What most women do not realise is that a badly fitting bra can affect their health and well being. If for instance the bra is the wrong size it might cause severe back and shoulder pain with the constant resistance to the pressure on those areas of the body. As in the example above, bust size and shape will alter with variations of weight and hormonal change. This in turn will require a change in bra size. Because a woman’s shape may be in a constant state of flux, regular fittings about every 6 months are highly recommended.

To Find the Correct Bra Size

The best way to check that you are wearing the correct size bra is to go to a shop or store that offers a professional bra fitting service. A specially trained fitter will measure you to work out your correct size. The technique used is to take a tape measure and place it underneath the bust and around the rib cage so that it feels secure but not uncomfortable. If the number measured in inches is an even number you add four, if it is an odd number you add five to give you your bra band size.

Once the band size is established the next measurement to find is the cup size. This is done by placing the tape measure over the fullest part of the bust and around the back all at the same level. Again this should be firm but not too tight. Your cup size is the difference between the two measurements. For example if your bust size is the same as your bra band size you are an A cup, a 1 inch difference = B cup, 2 inches = C cup, 3 inches = D cup and so on. All measurements taken are really only used as a guide to bra size because bras size can vary greatly from manufacturers to manufacturers. Sometimes a very experienced trained professional can judge your bra size by eye and will not need to use a tape measure. Because women vary so greatly in shape and size it is not only the size of bra that is important, but also the type of support required and distribution of weight. A professional fitter will be able to offer you advice on the correct type of bra to suit your needs.

If you are treating yourself to new clothes or outfits, it is especially important to be professionally measured, particularly with big bra fittings, to achieve that feminine silhouette.

Tips for ensuring correct bra fit:-

• If you find that your bra rides up your back it may be because it has stretched. Try tightening the bra with the hook and eye fastener or buying a smaller band size (32 instead of 34).
• If the opposite is happening and your bra is too tight try another band size up or even a bra that has a wider band fitting. You can also get extra hooks to fit on the end of your current bra that will ease the tightness under the bust.
• Bulging sides can be remedied by wearing a bra that offers more cup coverage or is one band size bigger. 
• If you find that your bust is bulging out of the cups then you will most likely need a larger cup or band size. (Unless of course that is the fashion statement you are aiming for!)
• For women who have larger busts, a bra with wider shoulder straps or even padded ones will give relief from sore shoulders.
• A sagging bust line can be overcome by choosing a bra that offers firmer support and avoiding stretchy fabrics. 
• An under-wired bra may give problems with soreness under the bust if not correctly fitted. In which some ladies prefer to wear a non-wired soft cup bra.
• Straps that slip usually mean they are too long so they can be adjusted to resolve the problem. Otherwise choose a bra style with wider straps that will not slip down or buy a bra clasp to hold the straps together at the back

The Prevalence of Cancer

According to Cancer Research UK, breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer in the UK and around 125 women a day are diagnosed with this particular form of cancer. Breast cancer rates have increased by 13% over the last ten years and one in nine women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. This may be due to the national screening programme, but early detection is vital for a good prognosis. Survival rates of 5 years or more after treatment is 80% and that means that there are a large number of women who require specialist bras especially after surgery.

As a result of the increased rates of breast cancer and manufacturers looking to specialise in new markets, the range of stylish Mastectomy bras and lingerie has increased quite considerably, so having had breast surgery does not mean that you can’t have stylish designer lingerie any longer.

Mastectomy Bra

Choosing lingerie after surgery where the breast or part of a breast has been removed can sometimes be quite a challenge and there will naturally be a period of adjustment. Part of the rehabilitation will be to acquire a prosthesis to use in conjunction with a mastectomy Bra towards recovering the regular silhouette.

The amount of surgery you have had will decide the type of product you require. The prosthesis should match the natural remaining breast or if two are required they need to restore the natural outline. When going for a fitting for a mastectomy bra it is important to have the right prosthesis with you.

If you wear a full figure bra currently then it is a good idea to get measured or re-measured both before and after your surgery so you have a good idea of your correct size when shopping for your Mastectomy bra.

A Mastectomy bra is generally made from fabric that is designed to be more comfortable on sensitive and post-operative areas of skin, but this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or elegance, and a wide range of beautiful post-surgery lingerie is obtainable. These can be purchased as complete sets with matching bottoms. Apart from the different fabrics used, the main difference of a Mastectomy bra is that is has pockets to accommodate the prostheses and generally there will be a choice of a higher neckline and higher panels between cups. A Mastectomy bra will usually have adjustable straps for effective support. There is no need not to be stylish and feminine; bras with satin and lace trim also feature.

Where there is a bilateral mastectomy the bra will need to accommodate the natural breast in one cup and the prosthesis in the other. Ensure that you find a boutique with a qualified fitter to help you find exactly the correct size and fit to suit your shape. No prosthesis will look right if your bra does not fit properly and ideally the two should be fitted together.

Points to look out for when choosing the correct mastectomy bra for you are:-

• The prosthesis must fill the bra cup properly so that it doesn’t pucker or be over stretched
• The underarm section is the same on both sides
• The breasts are evenly aligned.

Where only part of the breast tissue has been removed (lumpectomy) then there is only a need for a breast enhancer. There are a range of styles and shapes for partial reconstruction usually made from silicone but another option is a bean prosthesis.

Polypropylene beans mould into the shape of the bra to give a really natural look and the beans allow air to circulate making it cool and comfortable.

There is also a range of swimsuits and bikinis designed with subtle modifications for the beach such as pockets for the prostheses, slightly higher necklines and closer underarm fitting with pre-formed cups to give natural contour to the figure. Again these come in every shape and size and don’t mean that you have to sacrifice new fashions.

Maternity Bras

When women become pregnant they outgrow their ordinary everyday bras very early on in pregnancy. The breasts become bigger and heavier in the first few weeks so a good support bra of the correct size is vital. As the pregnancy develops the breast size continues to change and fluctuate so regular measuring and fittings will help with comfort and health. Many midwives and retail outlets advise against purchasing an underwired bra during pregnancy and although there is no concrete evidence to show that underwires are harmful during this time, there does appear to be some potential risk. The reason for this advice is that the rigid wires found in underwired bras may interfere with the natural changes in the size and shape of the breast and restrict the increased blood flow to, and possibly hinder, the developing milk duct system. This in turn could cause major pain, discomfort and possibly mastitis during the feeding stage.

Shopping online can be a great way to find beautiful lingerie. Post operative bras are not necessarily all clinical or dull as you might expect and new styles and designs are being introduced all the time.

To make sure you are wearing the best supporting bra a professional measuring and fitting service is a must during pregnancy. It is important that you are measured every six to eight weeks so that your specially trained fitter can assess your changing shape and fit you accordingly. When you are looking for a maternity bra it is important that it offers you great support with wide straps and side panels. A wide under bust band and a deep centre at the front will also enhance this support.

A lot of pregnant women find that they feel very hot during pregnancy and a bra that is mainly cotton will help let the skin breathe. Look for a bra that has at least 4 rows of hooks and eyes so that your bra can grow through your pregnancy with you. Make sure that the bra fits without the breast spilling over the top and that the cups fit comfortably. As with your everyday bra make sure that the centre front is lying snugly on your breastbone, and if it’s within the first few weeks of pregnancy remember that your rib cage will expand so fit your bra on the smallest fastenings so that you have plenty of room for expansion later in your pregnancy. The opposite will apply for maternity bras purchased later in pregnancy of course, fit on the loosest hook and eye so that when your rib cage shrinks after birth, you can tighten your bra accordingly.

Conclusion

During the early stages of a woman’s life she will need appropriate bras to suit each stage. During the early teenage years a more modest non wired bra is the most suitable.

Later in adolescence where appearance is a serious business, a more fashionable good fitting bra to create a feminine silhouette can be worn.

In pregnancy a comfortable good supportive bra which has expanding fastenings allows for changes during that period without restriction and damage. Following the birth, a good nursing bra to allow for easy access needs to still support the breast as it fluctuates hourly during the day.

If women undertake vigorous exercise then it is doubly important she wears a good sports bra to reduce bounce as that stretches the pectoral muscles.

As a woman ages the breasts mature and so will need a good supportive structure that helps prevent sagging and yet retains a good outline. After menopause many women loose the full breast shape and at that point it is more important to find an appropriate type of bra that will help them feel good about themselves.

Many women have been unfortunate enough to have had a full or partial mastectomy in which case correct prosthesis and mastectomy bras are an essential part of the recovery programme.

Many women spend a great deal of time and money on hairdo’s, makeup and face pampering, yet often they neglect their greatest assets. Maybe it’s time we women start to think differently about the way we look after our bosoms’ and make sure they are clothed in comfortable, supportive and good looking items.

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So, you’ve been searching the web trying to find the best ways to make some extra cash online, and you’ve no doubt heard countless mention of ClickBank?

Why ClickBank? ClickBank is an always attractive avenue for those looking to make some extra money or indeed, even fully replace their day job.

Anyone can set up an account in just a few minutes and ClickBank have one of the strongest reputations in the business. In all the years ClickBank have been online, they have never missed a single payment to any of their members. And they pay out millions of dollars in commissions every single month.

Check out this great site that gives unbiased reviews on some of the top make money with clickbank programs available. After testing they came to the conclusion that the top 3 are:

1: Commission Blueprint

2: Google Snatch 2

3: Google Wealth Wizard 2

Click on the hyperlink above to see how the came to this conclusion.

Also check out this link if you want to learn about the excellent course from Andrew Fox, dominating clickbank.

Andrew’s video course will show you how you can take a simple resale rights product and using the power of clickbanks affiliate base turn that one product into thousande of dollars in literally just a few days. He shows you the exact process he used to acomplish this, step-by-step.

And if you’re not interested in doing whats required to make money with clickbank, then why not learn how to entertain and amaze your friends with some cool card magic tricks

Visa Prepaid Gift Cards

Although giving cash as a gift is a wonderful way to let the recipient spend your gift in whatever way they choose, there are certainly drawbacks to giving cash. For instance, sometimes cash doesn’t feel like that much of a gift in the sense that it’s easy for people to just put it in their wallets and spend it incrementally on inconsequential things. In addition, if cash is stolen or lost, it’s gone forever. Luckily there are alternatives to cash gifts.

Visa prepaid gift cards provide all the flexibility of cash presents, with many added benefits. While gift recipients spend the money as they wish, they don’t have to worry about cash getting stolen or used up without them noticing - which means your gift,present stands a better chance of being remembered. If the gift card gets lost or stolen, the owner can report it stolen and obtain another card with the remainder of the money on the card.

Prepaid VISA gift cards are an great gift for all kinds of occasions, givers, and recipients. Just think of any affair where it’s common to give cash gifts - weddings and graduations spring to mind - and consider that a gift card is so much more safe than actual cash. But don’t be limited to only these kinds of occasions. Gift cards that aren’t designated for a particular store are also great gifts for birthday presents, anniversary presents (although probably not between wives and husbands, who would like something a little more personal and long-lasting), and many more. They’re also an excellent option for employers to use to give their employees as end-of-year gifts, and you can buy gift cards in quantity, making them convenient for the giver as well.

These gift cards are also great substitutes for prepaid gas cards. They can be used at any gas station that accepts VISA so they make great presents for people going on a car trip or for family who used their precious gas money to come visit you.

A stress disorder can creep up on you without any warning. First of all, you may be wondering what a stress disorder is? A stress disorder is a condition where you feel that you cannot cope with any of the problems life throws at you. Everything seems exaggeratedly difficult and you will even start to display physical symptoms. Once you are able to identify these signs you will know whether you are indeed dealing with stress or not.

Some of the warning signs that you are beginning to develop a stress disorder will be highlighted in this article. Probably one of the first symptoms you will notice is a change in your appetite. You may realize that you have lost a large amount of weight in a short space of time, and you cannot understand why? Alternatively, you may find that you are gaining weight inexplicably. Stress can affect people’s appetites differently. Some people may lose their appetite completely, whilst others may just be hungry all the time.

Another warning sign of stress is nagging exhaustion and anxiety. You will find yourself tired all the time, and the smallest issue or problem will make you feel tired. You may even want to sleep all the time. This can be very depressing and can even cause sleep problems.

Physical aches and pains in the body can be a very clear symptom of a stress problem developing. Constant headaches or back pain can indicate your body is not coping with the problems of daily life.

Once you start to notice these signs in yourself, it is good to take the necessary measures to reduce your stress levels. Managing stress is easy with the right information and attitude.

*Disclaimer: This posting is based on information freely available in the popular press and medical journals that deal with anxiety. Nothing herein is intended to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice the reader should consult with his or her physician or other medical specialist.

Q: Do cats respond to training?

A: Yes, cat training is not as tough as the majority of owners think it is. Kitties are not as amenable to training as Spot or Champ are but they can be trained. Food rewards given as positive reinforcement is most likely the best way to train a cat.

Q: Why and how do kittens purr?

A: Adult kitties purr because they are happy and contented and to manipulate humans — Who can ignore a purring cat? Kittens purr in answer to their mother cat’s purr to help bond them. It is mostly believed that the purring is a vibration of the voice box as air is pushed though it. It is also believed that purring is a voluntary action.

Q: What makes some people are allergic to cats?

A: Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in cat dander generated from the cat’s saliva. The dander dries and becomes airborne. People with cat allergies develop an allergic reaction because their immune system is beginning to attack the alien protein and creates histamines.

Q: How do you break undesirable cat behavior like nipping?

A: The best way to curtail bad cat behavior is the same way the mother cat controls an errant kitten. This is by scuffing the cat. You firmly but gently grasp the cat by the scruff of the neck and hold it down until it calms down. You should do this at the time of the undesirable behavior.

Q: How do you litter train a cat?

A: You really shouldn’t have to do any training for a cat to make use of a litter pan, but if your adult cat has begun to avoid the litter pan you need to figure out why. The cat may have a urinary tract infection in which case you need to visit the vet. If it is just too dirty you need to keep it cleaner. If you have started using litter you may have to change back or sprinkle a little catnip in the litter to attract the cat to the new litter.

Q: How do you keep cats off the kitchen counter?

A: This is the most asked about cat behavior issues and can be a difficult one. Cats like high spots and they often find food or food aromas on tables and counters. It is best to keep the surfaces clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the tables.

What is personal breakdown cover, and why might you need it? There is vehicle based cover and then personal UK breakdown cover.

These are the two basic types of breakdown cover offered, and one or the other may apply to you, depending on your situation. What is personal breakdown cover, and when should you choose it over vehicle UK breakdown cover?

A Look at Personal Breakdown Cover

What is personal breakdown cover and why might it be necessary for you? Personal breakdown cover covers you, not your vehicle, so that you are covered no matter the vehicle you are riding in or driving. This is a great option for you if you drive more than one vehicle on a regular basis.

More Expensive, but Sometimes Better Cover, too

Vehicle breakdown cover is a perfect and less expensive solution then personal breakdown cover if you only drive one vehicle. However, personal breakdown cover is a better option for you if you drive or ride in more than one vehicle often.

It’s true that you’ll pay more for personal UK breakdown cover than you will for vehicle breakdown cover, but it’s worth what you pay for it if your situation fits. That is, personal breakdown cover covers every vehicle you drive, not just one vehicle.

That’s why it’s more expensive, but it also provides you protection no matter what vehicle you are driving. Chossing the type of cover you need will depend on what your needs are, for instance: If you only drive one vehicle, then vehicle cover only will do you. If you have access to more than one vehicle, get personal cover.

Talk about growth industries! The rain water tank industry is really taking hold among consumers who are now more conscious than ever about conserving the most precious resource of all, water. If you are looking to acquire a water tank of some sort then you need to do your home work as there are many different types of tanks available.

In Australia, particularly on the east coast, there is Coastline Plastics. The benefits of dealing with this company is that they are not only sellers of tanks, they actually make their own. What can be the benefits of buying from a manufacturer? Well, there are plenty, but the main benefits from this are that generally speaking, the tanks will be cheaper and there will be far more quality control over the tanks in their construction.

Coastline have one of the most enviable records there is in rain water tank construction. No tank they have ever built in their entire history has had to be replaced. It is little wonder with this fantastic quality of tank that they continue to be the premier water tank company on the east coast of Australia. You name it, slimline tanks, poly tanks, wall liner water tanks, in fact any type of tank at all, they will ensure that you get the best quality tank available.   

The key with water tanks is obviously in the construction. coastline’s tanks can be up to 18mm thick, over 20 types and sizes to choose from, a full 20 year warranty, direct to the customer - no middle man which means a cheaper tank. Add to that more advantages to customres like, straight wall design, dome top, a wide choice of colours and fast and reliable delivery times and you just can’t go past Costline Plastics as the water tank company to purchase your next tank from.

The other great benefit to the consumer is the various Government rebates that are avialable in each state of Australia. For example, in NSW the rebates can result in major savings to the consumer. A 2,000-3,999 litre tank can result in savings of up to $1,100, while a 4,000-6,999 litre tank can result in up to a $1,400 saving. Over 7,000 litres and the savings on a tank can be up to $1,500. So as you can see, the benefits are many and varied to the consumer.

So, next time you are looking to buy a rain water tank, you should strongly consider Coastline Plastics. You will be getting the best quality tank available. Remember, in 33 years they haven’t had to replace a water tank. There is no company with a better record.

Well if I had a pound for every offer to hold my camera bag, reflector or tripod, I wouldn’t be writing this article.

As a developing freelance photographer over the last 2 years the author had worked in marketing for 16 years now. Producing everything from brochures, to web sites, to videos and conferences.

The corporate straight jacket required a Harry Houdini manoeuvre if some sanity was to be retained. So, the passion for photography, which had always been there, brought the author from buying in professionals, to retraining as one.

In photographing many types of subjects, seeing what appealed and looking for a style of my own - which is still being sort, I did think that glamour photography might appeal as an extension to my love of fashion, so with an open mind I gave it a go. But how do you approach photographing glamour models? Well this is where all the laddish behaviour has to be left firmly outside of the studio, else that’s where you’ll be very quickly. I attended a small workshop style shoot with 3 other photographers at Blue Moon studios on Dudley, West Midlands. I’ll admit that I was a little nervous of what they day might bring.

We had plenty of scope to work with. The studio offered a wide range of photography services meaning it had various themed areas or “sets” and of course provided a professional model. Blue louvered blinds gave scope for a more creative lighting set up as well.

The day was much more challenging than I imagined - I found my creativity drying up and was struggling to come up with concepts that worked. I prefer much more subtle and low key lighting effects than the modern “all white” look. Less was certainly more - but not when it came to clothes, the shots I felt worked better with a hint of what you couldn’t see. You certainly have to be clear in your mind as to what you want and how to communicate models. It’s hard not to be put off at the end of a sequence of images when your model comes running over to pinch the camera off you and check the shots on the back without a stick on .

It’s good to work to a theme and to build a series of shots that tell a story or show a sequence. Also images that show the process of an action rather than just the end result - it makes for more feeling and adds anticipation. Personally I like to try and get a bit of attitude from the girl into the shots - something that shows their personality.

As for equipment , there was the trusty Nikon DSLR mainly used with an 18-70mm lens. Also some shots were taken from the mezzanine of one of the sets using a 70-200mm f2.8 to give a different perspective. Studio flash was one or two Bowens Esprit 500w flash heads with radio triggers and soft boxes. The lighting was kept at a low level - firstly in relation to the model and secondly in terms of power, so that the atmosphere was conveyed in the pictures. Most of these shots were taken using one flash head, soft box and all the windows darkened using the blinds, this being the preferred set up for the professional photographer. Flash head power was set to one quarter for starters then reduced to suit.

As for camera body settings I rely on my favourite starting position - 160 sec and f8 - camera on Manual. Then the rest is done experimenting and a quick check of the histogram. With low key lighting and the model wearing partly black and seated on a black sofa I expected the histogram to be skewed to the left.

I was looking for something different than the typical cliche topless shots and eventually found the great contrast in black and colour with low key lighting.

The only exception to this was the portrait shot with the models hair over one eye, I absolutely love this shot, which is now on my web site and was cropped out of a wider three quarter shot.

All in all a good day and a great experience, on reflection it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. So would I do it again? Yes it’s a challenging area to work in and a great test of your creativity.

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