Just before winter time come, some folks are ready to reside indoors,  but its time for all landscape photographers to gather their winter gear and start the quest for some great seasonal images.

For many of us, the greatest joy in photography is to travel to far-away lands, seeking idyllic locations, that we can only dream about, and then do our very best to capture them. But do we need to travel to capture perfect sights? All around us are places of beauty waiting to be captured and we pass them every day.

We don’t need to go to great expense or travel thousands of miles; dramatic places are found in every corner of every land. But then I do have one of the world’s best locations on my doorstep: the west coast of Ireland.

While the wet weather can keep me indoors for weeks on end, the winter months bring harsh, but inspiring light, where a rugged Irish Landscape thrives.

No more so than a scenic National Park, five miles outside Killarney town, on the west coast of Ireland. Killarney National Park, filled with towering hills and romantic lakes, still remains one of Irelands most unspoiled treasures.

It’s one of those places where my senses come alive; its varied landscape and rugged, yet accessible, mountain range, is a favorite spot with many and a place where I like to spend a lot of time. Its shapely mountain peaks make it a perfect spot to photograph, especially during the cold and icy winter months.

All we need in photography is a different approach. Each season brings its own elements, and winter is no exception. Using our photography skills at the correct time of day can vastly improve our pictures. If you are serious about photography, dawn is the time to be up and about. At this hour, the colorssky of the sky cast a brilliant orange-red hue that will add mood and character to any setting.

There are also other elements which make winter special. An early morning ramble through the woods can be a perfect start to any day. Our forests are full of great photo opportunities, and an early stroll around deserted woodland can be a remarkable experience.

Rivers and valleys are also prime locations for early morning snaps. If a damp day is followed by a cold night there may be some low-lying mist hanging around. Mist or no mist, an early start works best.

Last light of the day is also an excellent time to be out and about. The evening sun can explode a variety of colors across the sky as it sets for the day.  If the sun shines at the beginning or the end of the day, the color of the light will be much warmer, and will lead to a much more dramatic scene.

So as winter looms,  I gather my belongings and head west to capture the mood of the harsh Irish winter, and start the quest for new seasonal images. It certainly isn’t time to put away the camera. Winter brings plenty of great photo opportunities, tougher conditions to work in, but just as satisfactory as any other season.

Each homeland can be a paradise in its own special way: Ireland is, and I’m sure, winter brings special elements to your homeland too.

When Harry’s parents enter him into the deaf school, he later learned to communicate in silence, through sign language.  After that, Harry was put into the mental retardation school, and here, the difficulty of speaking slowly reduced.

However, in France, the genius potential of Harry began excavation. The methods used by the therapeutic were diverse, but it all leads to the excavation of talent (aptitude), among others, by spinning, painting, drawing and playing music. And it was amazing… !! all the potential bursting out in the form of amazing creativity. Harry’s work since childhood until now can be seen in his private museum ranging from Haute couture dresses design, opera costumes, paintings, sketches, textile designs, marble, porcelain and wood. Besides, Harry is also able to play music very well and speaking in nine languages (three of them is the local language)!.

The big debuted in his life keep ongoing.  In the academic field, Harry completed his studies in a number of prestigious institutions in Europe until the doctoral level. And as a fashion designer and textile artist, his name had been famous in his country, Indonesia, since the early ’70s as a pioneer Haute couture.

Harry was also known very perfectionists in deciding his design, one of them is visible in the stage costumes for the Romeo and Juliet opera which are used for many years in various opera theaters in Europe. The inside layer in Juliet dress was done with great accuracy and full passion, including placing the embroidery and spun.

In addition, harry also made stage costumes worn in others several performances of Shakespeare’s operas, such as The Phantom of the Opera, Hamlet, and King Lear. This costume has been using in the shows in Singapore, England, France, Greece and the Soviet Union ( Russian ) for over ten years.

As an artist, Harry was not only expert in the field of fashion alone. Various art works which is displayed in his museum proves that Harry has other skills. Sketches of the museum building which was displayed at the entrance become a sign that Harry as the graduates of the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris is also excellent at drawing like an architect. That sketches was made during a child when Harry lived in Paris. As a sufferer of ADHD, drawing became a means of communication.

Harry is also designed his own chair, rugs, ceramic urns, clocks, pianos up eating utensils. Works of art such as eating utensils and textiles produced royalties from various overseas buyers. Results from the royalty are used to fund his foundation that take care the abandoned children and dropouts.

There are four things that Harry was made as a learning point in addressing the life:
“First, we must learn to change perspective in order to empathize so we can see things in a broader dimension. Second, we must always learn from mistakes. Third, we need to reform that is always improving ourselves every day. Fourth, how to create. Better to do something, working, helping others. The last station of the creation is sincere. How we could sincere if for example there was a friend who stabs us from behind. Without it, you will plant bitterness. “

source : kompas 2010

And then… Are you ready to put a different type of style into your life? If you are into punk gothic clothing is going to be the type of clothing that will fit your style. For the cuts, the off the shoulder looks, and the inclusion of leather in your clothing, gothic clothing is going to set your style, set you out from the crowd, and put you in the scene you want to be in.

Gothic clothing uses a look that includes what some people feel is a sexy, sleek, and wild look. Not everyone is going to dress in a suit and tie for work, and if you are not in that group, consider gothic clothing to set your mood for fun all day and all night long. Gothic clothing is based on the use of tight corsets, tight clothing, leathers, the look of chains and an overall style that is different from many other types of designers and styles that are available.

Prices for gothic clothing are going to be a bit higher, as you are purchasing a specialty item, one that will take you back in time to a point where costumes where a daily habit, and the costumes wear worn by those who had the most power in that time, and the most wisdom.

Gothic clothing often times represents a more animal looking side to life. The animal prints of the leopard and the tiger are often times very popular.  The tiger prints in bold yellow, black, and sometimes in white with black are popular as gifts, for wearing, and to set your wardrobe out among the rest. Leopard prints in red, white, black and sometimes in yellow are exciting additions for those who want to have the gothic clothing feel extended in their life.

You can find many gothic clothing retailers online, from different countries that are going to add that something special to your wardrobe, and that others in your friendly circle are not going to have. You can mix and match gothic clothing to include pants, shirts, shorts, tops, tanks, and neckwear or head gear that is fabulous compared to the boring type of suits and outfits that are available through other retailers. The gothic clothing lines are exciting, sexy, and sultry, setting your own style to be one that will make you a step above the rest in your crowd. If you are in the rock scene, in the punk scene or if you are a partygoer, you are going to love what you can find online in the gothic clothing sections.

In her 10 year run playing character Greenlee Smythe on All My Children, Rebecca Budig has had quite a few on-screen beaus (including Josh Duhamel, with whom she was co-nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for America’s Favorite Couple in 2002) — so who better to turn to for kissing advice with the big New Year’s Eve midnight smooch approaching? Budig, who is married to former Bachelor Bob Guiney, was kind enough to give us the rundown on how she preps for puckering up. “For kissing, I like lipgloss. But not the sticky kind. The smell good, smooth kind!” she says, and cites Sephora and Kiehl’s as two of her favorites. In addition, Budig tipped us off to Ayur-medic Lip Enhancer, a vitamin-C infused gloss that “tastes good, and gives your lips a little color,” she says. To make the tint last, the Cincinnati native suggests using lip liner to fill in lips before applying gloss: “That way, once the gloss is gone, there is still color! And the liner tends to really stay which is why I use it all over.” The star also shares her obsession with Colgate Wisp, a miniature breath-freshening toothbrush. “I use that after meals, on the plane, before love scenes…it’s just very convenient and makes my mouth feel very clean!” And when asked her thoughts on the best on-screen kiss—hers or otherwise—the actress chooses wit over fairytale romance: “In The Jerk, when Steve Martin licks Bernadette Peter’s face. It always makes me laugh!” -Emily Hsieh

It’s been a year of sexy looks for Kim Kardshian. From a slinky LBD at the Playboy Mansion to a white-hot plunging frock at the Hollywood Style Awards, the reality star sizzled on and off the red carpet. Check out her sexiest looks from 2009 — and see which look was not so hot. Then tell us: What did you think of Kim’s fashion this year? Who was your favorite style star of ‘09? –Katherine Kluznik Rentmeester

She did it again! After months as a blonde, Britney Spears has traded her flaxen tresses for a raven color. And while hair changes are nothing new to the star, who has notoriously sported everything from her signature baby blonde to, well, no hair at all — we always love seeing her change up her look. Tell us: Should Britney keep walking on the dark side in the new year, or go back to blonde? –Katherine Kluznik Rentmeester

VOTE ON MORE STAR HAIR CHANGES!

Marion Curtis/Startraks

While Lindsay Lohan’s troubles as artistic advisor at Ungaro continue, the actress isn’t letting sartorial drama at the French fashion house slow down production of her own signature 6126 legging line. Yesterday Lindsay took to Twitter to reveal that she would be expanding the collection beyond hosiery, saying, “i need MORE followers i am so sad about this, how can i tell everyone about my 6126 full collection COMING OUT! all clothing.” This morning, WWD confirms that the expanded collection will launch for fall 2010 and feature 100 pieces that range from $18 leggings to a $300 leather jacket. The following spring the line will grow even further, to encompass 150 items, including handbags, shoes, jewelry and cosmetics. Tell us: Do you plan to dress yourself in Lindsay’s clothes? –Katherine Kluznik Rentmeester

CLICK THROUGH BELOW TO SEE SKETCHES OF LINDSAY’S LINE!

Courtesy 6126

Courtesy 6126

Courtesy 6126

J. Graylock/JPI; INF

While there remains no shortage of Hollywood starlets whose stick-thin frames continue to appear in magazines and on the red carpet, it seems now more than ever ordinary women are tiring of the look — and the possible extreme measures it takes to achieve that near-impossible standard. A recent survey, which polled 2,000 women aged 18 and over, found that stars with curvier, healthier figures were more desirable, reports the UK’s Daily Mail. Topping the desirability chart is Kate Winslet, followed by Halle Berry and Beyonce. Also making the list: Megan Fox and Lily Allen, while svelte Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss tie for last place. Could the era of too-too-skinny starlets be coming to an end?  –Andrea DeSimone

Gilbert Flores/Celebrity Photo

Long hailed as the Sexiest Woman Alive, Angelina Jolie can add yet another honor to her name: Beauty Icon of the Decade. In a poll commissioned by British brand Superdrug, in which 3,000 people were questioned, Brad Pitt’s leading lady was named number one on their list of the top 20 beauty icons of the decade. “Angelina Jolie is not a conventional beauty but her strong character shines through her fabulous features to give her a unique standing in the beauty world,” Steve Jebson, Commercial Director for Superdrug, tells the UK’s Telegraph. Also making the top five are Jennifer Aniston, Kylie Minogue, Catherine Zeta-Jones and British star Cheryl Cole. Check out all the stars who made the list here and then tell us: Do you agree that Angelina Jolie is the beauty icon of the decade? Who else would you have put on this list?–Andrea DeSimone