Computer Tutor in Singapore Courses

Computer Tutor in Singapore CoursesIf you have decided to enroll for computer tutor Singapore courses, there are certain things that you will need to know. The first thing is the fact that computer tutor in Singapore is a comprehensive training program. So you will be enrolled in this type of curriculum with a specific focus on the theoretical aspects of the course.Your instructor will provide you with specific lessons that will teach you how to teach other students, how to explain things better, and how to practice well. A regular schedule of classroom sessions will also be made available for you so that you can learn how to set aside time to teach the course.Another important aspect of the training is that you will be taught about other important aspects of the future courses. You will be trained in advanced computer language operations, in such as flash animation, accessibility of web content, and many other aspects. These advanced techniques will help you become a better teacher. In addition to the tutorials given in classroom sessions, you will also be taught about individual subject matter. After all, no one knows computer systems better than you. It will be up to you to decide on which subjects you want to teach.A program instructor in Singapore can also teach you on your own when you feel that you have a knack for teaching. In fact, you may be asked to do this part of the course at an office with a need for better computer assistance. The advantage of this method is that it gives you hands-on experience with teaching so that you can hone your skills.One more important aspect that you need to look into is how much time you will be able to spend with your students. Although you will be assigned to teach the course, you will also be allowed to spend time with your students so that you can see how to teach effectively.Other parts of the program include information sessions where you will discuss your lessons with your students. The aim is to gain their under standing of the different concepts you will teach them. A more focused approach is needed when you work with students that may not have the same cultural background as you do.

5 Ways to Help Your Kid Adjust to Middle School

5 Ways to Help Your Kid Adjust to Middle School 5 Ways to Help Your Kid Adjust to Middle School Middle school is a major academic and social adjustment and can be one of the toughest times of a child’s upbringing. Its so important for students to feel comfortable in their classroom environment so they can ask questions when theyre confused and take the initiative to manage their own time and start assignments without prompting. However, much of these things are easier said than done because students are adjusting to so many things at once at this age. Luckily there are a few things that help any kid adjust to being a middle school student. 1.   Organization saves the day At this stage, kids are not great at organization as a general rule. Unfortunately, lack of organization can cause a ton of undue stress and cause students to get lower grades than they’re really capable of. The first thing a middle school student should adjust to is becoming more of a self-starter when it comes to getting homework assignments completed on time. Its hard to self-regulate at this age, so middle school students need help figuring out how long it takes them to complete a particular task as well as be able to sit down to start an assignment several days before its due. Organization can save the day at this point in a childs academic upbringing so it should be one of their top goals. 2.   Navigating the social scene Its also extra tough for kids to navigate their school’s social scene at this age. Kids sometimes decide they dont like their elementary school friends as much as they did in previous years and they may be developing new interests or struggling with academic challenges. Its really important for kids to find their social group and feel like they fit in with a good group of kids who encourage each other to do well and make good decisions. Once middle schoolers have a few great friends, their academic situation tends to improve and their early teen years become less stressful (READ: Irvine AP Tutor: 5 Ways to Improve AP Exam Score). 3.   Opening the door to communication This is an age where students want to start initiating communication, but they might not know exactly how to go about it. The teacher will no longer check up on each and every student at every stage of an assignment but rather expect students to come to them if they need extra help. Students will also need to learn to communicate when theyre getting overwhelmed at school or in their social life in an efficient manner. In many cases, parents and teachers who open the door to communication find that kids have a ton to say but just dont know exactly how to express it. 4.   Accepting supplemental education This is also a time in many students’ lives where they need help with academics for the very first time. Some students who used to get straight As and Bs feel frustrated that they need a little bit of supplemental education. However, its very normal for students to need a little bit of extra help at this point and they should be told that there is nothing unusual about working with a tutor or needing extra help from their classroom teacher. In fact, students who learn when to ask for help become more successful not only in middle school but high school and beyond. 5.   Developing an interest or hobby Many middle school kids dont have a hobby or interest theyre particularly excited about outside of school. However, when kids have a chance to explore new things, either through taking electives at school or exploring after school opportunities, they discover they have a lot more interest in extracurriculars than they originally thought. Students who have a fun hobby at this age tend to be more well rounded in general, be less stressed out, and do well on their assignments. Private Irvine middle school tutoring is a great way to make your kid confident and successful. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

A levels What next if you dont go to University

A levels What next if you don’t go to University Not everyone goes to university and whether you haven't got the grades or aren't sure what to do now you've finished school there are plenty of options. To help you reach a decision we have compiled a list of some alternatives. Apprenticeships If you already know what job you want to do and there isn't a specific degree for it then why not look into an apprenticeship. For example, due to a lack of engineers, many companies are recruiting apprentices to fill the gap. Not only do engineers have some of the best paid jobs, but training on the job means you are being paid to learn! The government website has some great information. Work There's absolutely nothing wrong with going straight into work. Everyone has to start somewhere and those who aren't well off may not have a choice but to go into work in order to support themselves. This doesn't necessarily mean they are at any less of a disadvantage. Employers should always be asked if they have any qualifications that can be gained on the job. If you later decide to change jobs these will provide concrete evidence that you gained skills. Gap year The traditional option taken by those who want to defer university for a year or just need to let off some steam after the stress of exams a gap year has never lost its appeal. If it is your first time abroad on your own we would recommend going with a friend and travelling with an ATOL and/or ABTA travel agency. This means if anything goes wrong you always have someone familiar nearby and are safe in the knowledge that the company is trusted. Gap years provide the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone so remember to have fun and stay safe! You have an amazing opportunity to explore the world. Parents do read on here if you aren't sure what to expect. Study from home Often combined with work in the daytime, studying from home in the evening can help you gain qualifications whilst earning. Before embarking on a distance learning course do check the provider is certified. You don't want to end up in the position of those who have undertaken courses with Learndirect. Think critically about whether the course structure will give you the skills and knowledge you want for your dream job. There's nothing worse than ending up with an expensive, useless piece of paper. Foundation degrees Another option to consider is a foundation degree. If you have an eye on a particular university degree, but don't have the grades these can be the perfect option. Offered by universities and colleges these help bring your knowledge up to speed and passing one of these mean you are in with a real chance of being accepted on to your chosen degree course. You will normally be assigned a tutor to help support your studies and their knowledge can be invaluable.

4 Language Level Classification Systems for Savvy Learners

4 Language Level Classification Systems for Savvy Learners 4 Language Level Classification Systems for Savvy Learners Classifications may seem kind of stuffy.Nerdy, even.But theyre super important.Theyre used to distinguish between different animal species.Theyre used to organize libraries so you can find your favorite book easily.Heck, theyre even used to declare your relationship status on social media.But classification doesnt need to be some boring means of grouping similar things together. In fact, it can actually be fun, helpful and a real game changer. Especially if what youre classifying is your language skills.There are many classification systems that group together characteristics of certain levels of language learner. Like  proficiency tests, these classification systems aim to give you an approximation of your skill level.While  most of these require a formal exam to get an official score, you can generally guess your level based on category descriptions. Not only is this fun, its instant gratificationâ€"its tremendously satisfying to have a clear idea of where your language skills rank according to a universal standard.So its time to get class(ification)y with your language learning! What Language Level Classifications Can Do for YouUnderstanding language level classifications gives you a way to describe your language proficiency. When speaking to other language learners, it can be hard to describe your skill level. Properly describing your language level is even more essential when applying for  jobs that require a foreign language  or trying to earn  side money from your language skills.Beginner, intermediate and advanced seem overly vague, and everyone will understand them differently. However, if you know levels as described by common standards, youll much more easily be able to convey what level youre presently at.Additionally, understanding established language levels will give you a way to understand your level of proficiency. Without guidelines, it can be difficult to guess what level you might be at. You could easily overestimate or underestimate your skills.However, familiarizing yourself with common classifications will give you a more realistic idea of your skill level, which can help you select materials, like language learning websites  and  language textbooks, that are appropriate for you.Finally, knowing more about level classifications will help give you direction for what you need to work on. By looking at your level and the next level up, you can see what additional skills youll need to level up. This gives you a clear idea of what you should work on next.4 Language Level Classification Systems for Savvy LearnersAmerican Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency GuidelinesThe ACTFL is an organization of language educators dedicated to improving language education. Its proficiency guidelines are designed as a clear way to classify language skills. ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines are divided between four different skills. Under ACTFL guidelines, you may very well have different levels for different ski lls.To assess your skill level, you can look through each set of guidelines in the document linked above. Each level lists clear criteria for speaking, writing, listening  and reading. Youll undoubtedly notice some traits listed under each skill that clearly correspond to your own proficiency level.Heres a brief description of the levels:Novice  LowAt this level you may be able to greet people, introduce yourself or count in your target language. In reading and listening, you may also recognize a handful of words. However, you cant do much else.MidWhen speaking or writing, you offer only brief responses, often only a few words, and must pause frequently to consider your responses.When reading or listening, you can pick out a few phrases.HighYou can ask and answer simple questions based mostly on memorized phrases.When reading or listening, you can understand key words and phrases.Intermediate  LowAt this level, you can communicate in a limited number of straightforward situations. Y ou can share personal information, order food and communicate other basic survival information. Your responses often show hesitation.When speaking, there will be frequent misunderstandings.MidYou can handle simple, straightforward communication. You do best with very predictable conversations and contexts and may struggle with topics that are less familiar.At this level, you can also combine words and phrases to form meaning rather than relying on memorized scripts.HighYou can communicate about routine, common topics. You can occasionally handle advanced tasks.AdvancedLowYou can communicate on common topics like school, work and hobbies.You can discuss all time frames. However, your responses are usually limited to a paragraph.You have several grammatical issues but can usually communicate with native speakers (albeit with some difficulty).MidAt this level, you can communicate with ease and flow.While your vocabulary is usually limited to generic terms, its relatively substantial.Hi ghYou can communicate with ease and can discuss any time frame.While you can often discuss things as well as superior learners, there are some topics you cant discuss.You often still have grammar and vocabulary limitations but are usually skilled at compensating for these issues.SuperiorYou can communicate accurately. A few sporadic errors may still occur, but the overall meaning remains clear.You can speak or write comfortably on a wide variety of topics.DistinguishedAt this level, youre very skilled and errors are minimal.Youre highly articulate and can communicate abstract concepts in speech or writing. Youre also able to communicate comfortably in formal or informal settings.Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR, CEF or CEFRL)The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (which can be abbreviated CEFR, CEF or CEFRL) was developed by the Council of Europe as a method for assessing skill levels in languages across Europe. However, the framework is i ncreasingly used outside of Europe as well.To use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages to your advantage, you can read through its Can Do statements that describe key skills (provided on page 26-27 of the document or page 35-36 of the PDF). If you answer yes, you may be at that level.Keep reading the Can Do statements for the next level up until you answer no in order to determine your level.Heres a brief description of the levels:A Basic userA1 Breakthrough or beginnerYoure comfortable with everyday expressions.A2 Waystage or elementaryYoure comfortable discussing routine information and basic topics like shopping, work, etc.B Independent userB1 Threshold or intermediateYoure able to understand main points in conversations related to common things like work, hobbies, etc. You can also communicate most basic information you would need to in a travel setting.B2 Vantage or upper intermediate  You can understand some more complex, abstract topics. You can also interact comfortably with native speakers.C Proficient userC1 Effective operational proficiency or advancedYou can express yourself without having to pause frequently. You also understand longer, more complex phrases and can use your language skills in professional, academic or social situations.C2 Mastery or proficiencyYou can communicate easily and spontaneously and can summarize information. You can also easily understand nearly anything you encounter.Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)Canadian Language Benchmarks are primarily used to assess the French and English skills of prospective immigrants to Canada. However, the  helpful category breakdowns and self-assessment can help you get a better idea of what level youre at in any language.Canadian Language Benchmarks features 12 numbered levels divided between three stages. Like with the ACTFL Guidelines, under this classification system, you may very well be at different levels for reading, speaking, writing and listening.Unli ke with the other classification systems on this list, the levels arent named or sub-divided into standard levels. The criteria for each skill and level are separated into their own documents at the links below:Level 1  Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 6Level 7Level 8Level 9Level 10Level 11Level 12To assess your level based on these standards, all you have to do is review Can Do Statements.  When you click on the page for a specific level, youll see four icons that correspond to the four skillsâ€"each one will take you to a PDF with Can Do Statements and examples with images. If you find you answer yes to all the statements on the first level, try moving on to the second level. Once you can no longer say yes, youll know your level.(You can also access all the levels in a single PDF.)Depending on your level of proficiency, you may want to try estimating a better starting point. If you feel like youre already at a moderately good level of communication and understanding (or higher) y ou may want to start around Level 5 or 6 and gauge things from there.Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) ScaleILR is a federal organization that focuses on language-related issues. It provides a scale to judge proficiency level. The scale is divided between six basic levels, though additional subdivision is made to indicate particularly advanced skills within each level. The scale has separate classifications for reading, writing, listening and speaking.You can look at the scale to guess your level, but ILR also provides free self-assessment for speaking, reading and listening. You score yourself by answering basic yes or no questions about your skills.Here are the basic categories:0 No ProficiencyAt the lowest level of this classification, you have no proficiency. Higher levels have memorized some words or phrases.1 Elementary ProficiencyYou can read and write simple text. You can also understand and use survival phrases and hold very basic conversations with native speakers.2 Limited Working ProficiencyYou can get the gist of text, though you might not know all the words. You can also write basic material, but you might have to rephrase things to make up for limited vocabulary. Additionally, you can engage in limited social or work-related conversations.3 General Professional ProficiencyYou can understand written material, even on unfamiliar topics. You can also write formally or informally on a wide variety of topics. While you may still have some errors, you can hold conversations and communicate professionally.4 Advanced Professional ProficiencyIn reading and listening, you can understand nuance. In writing and speaking, mistakes are rare.5 Functionally Native ProficiencyAt this level, youre similarly proficient to a well-educated native speaker in all areas.Whether youre looking to describe your language level, boost your skills or simply have a nerdy good time, look no further than these language level classification systems!

Revolution In Resolution Why So Many Pixels

Revolution In Resolution Why So Many Pixels Image from Engadget.com What is 4K? According to CNET.com, 4K or ultra high definition denotes the resolution being four times higher than that of typical high definition screens.  This leads to greater detail and better quality picture.  Unfortunately, technology giveth and technology taketh away! With all the extra detail, 4K streaming requires more bandwidth and storage space that most software cannot support at this time.  The major companies want to dive into the deep end of the technological pool without filling it with water.  Yes, there is very little availability to take advantage of all those extra pixels, but before the software becomes up-to-date the hardware must be glitch free.  Theyre building an infrastructure to survive this massive pixel tsunami heading for family living rooms. Is this going to be another fad like 3D? Thankfully, not in the slightest.  Unlike 3D, 4K actually exists for a reason.  More pixels mean better clarity that does not dwindle with an increase in screen size.  Digital photographers typically view their images on an HD screen.  4K exposes small nuances in images previously unseen in regular HD systems.  The viewing of sports will forever be changed once this technology seeps into broadcasting.  Small close up shots will not be needed; players facial expressions can be seen from across the field. How much is one of these new newfangled TVs going to cost? At the moment, prices hover around the $2,000-$3,000 range.  Samsung offers a 55 ridiculously thin one that is on Amazon.com for $2,300.   Not all are that relatively well priced, though.  Sonys KD-84X9005 retails for north of $20,000.  Yes, you read correctly.  $24,999.99 to be exact.  Granted, the TV is absolutely massive, at a whopping 84.  Unless youre on Pimp My Ride with a 1987 Chevy Astro, I have no idea why youd need a TV that big. Forget that, Ill stick with my plasma TV. Smart decision, at least for now.  It wont be long into the second quarter of 2014 until prices for these digitized displays start dropping.  At the moment, the only players in the 4K game are Sony, Panasonic, LG, and Samsung.  Buying a 4K TV right now will increase the quality of regular BlueRay discs and digital photographs, but will not be fully supported with content until later in the year. Image from Engadget.com But seriously, why should I bother? Some may argue that with the technology currently available, publicly available or not, 4K will be the pinnacle of screen displays.  Quite unsurprisingly enough, development of the next revolution has already taken shape. Japan broadcaster NHK successfully completed a stream in 8K, also known as Super Hi Vision.  Back in 2012, they attempted to record the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics.  A year later, NHK released the first short film Beauties A La Carte recorded using this technology. 8K will not be released for a while.  The smallest size TV for the full 8K experience is 84 with 4K being 55.  Wanting to be insanely ahead of the curve, Japans NHK aims for a public broadcast date of 2016.  Will the madness ever end? The days of lousy high definition are finally coming to a close!  Technologys future continues to exponentially grow in possibilities.  With the developing world continuing to tear itself apart, a question of necessity arises in the race to better resolution.  Why should we as a society be pushing the envelope further while Syria, Turkey, Phillipines, and most recently Kiev and Venezuela become war zones?  A percentage of 8K research effort and money spent could easily be utilized elsewhere.  As plausible as the question remains, thats an article for another day. The progression of technology is way beyond our control.  All this just to see rain droplets fall from Kate Uptons hair more clearly?  Wait, this doesnt seem too bad after all.  I wonder how the Victoria Secret Fashion Show would look in 8K?

Get A Head Start in Chemistry

Get A Head Start in ChemistryCDO Chemistry in the third edition has been created by leading world-renowned authors and scholars. They have strived to recreate the earlier, more exciting atmosphere of early chemistry by writing a new series of high quality books that teach fundamental principles of Chemistry in an exciting and inspiring manner.This unique approach of teaching and illustrating methods in the book helps all students from novice to advanced student to take up Chemistry. This has resulted in the widely successful textbook gaining widespread popularity across various countries in the field of Education. The students take pleasure in being able to understand the books in an interactive manner and then applying the learned concepts in their own research work.One would be amazed to find how CDO has evolved from the former CDS to what it is today. The great contributions made by these renowned authors and renowned scientists and teachers have enabled the book to earn high mark s from the literature of the field of Chemistry. They have included many new innovations and teachings to boost up the popularity of the books.The new additions made to the CDO book have ensured that the practical aspects of Chemistry is covered in an informative manner. They make use of the latest technology that ensures an interactive understanding of the concepts. The books present a platform for the students to learn and understand chemistry at their own pace.Another point in CDO that has come as a boon to the author is that the students who are studying Chemistry for the first time are found to be studying Chemistry with ease because of the fact that they learn the concepts with interactive teaching. There are plenty of online tests that can be taken to gauge the progress of students on different subjects. If one of them scores well, it proves to be beneficial for the student in the long run.The CDO book teaches Chemistry to a multitude of students who study Chemistry for the f irst time find it easy to understand the concepts. There are more than one hundred students in every class and yet there is not even a single instance of the students struggling for knowledge.It is hoped that students taking up Chemicals will take the advantage of the books and other resources made available by the book publishers in CDs to avail the same. These resources have been created to provide the best way of getting acquainted with the new tools and techniques used in Chemistry.

Finding a Los Angeles Computer Tutor

Finding a Los Angeles Computer TutorLos Angeles is a very popular city in the world and it's not surprising that there are lots of websites offering computer tutors to help out with the education of your child. There are many aspects to this kind of help but one thing that is common amongst all the websites are the great deal they will get for you. This article will outline some of the areas that you should look out for when hiring a tutor and will also reveal some other ways that you can make a little extra money when you are working from home.One of the main concerns that you should have when thinking about whether or not to use a Los Angeles computer tutor is how much time you have and whether or not you can really afford to use one. Luckily, most tutors will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the price per session that you will pay and, even if they don't, they should be willing to take it down so that you can make sure that you are getting an accurate quote.Of course, you will need to know whether or not they are based in Los Angeles. It can be difficult to understand the language of some people from other parts of the country but you should be able to find out whether the tutor is based in Los Angeles through their website. A good tutor should be able to provide you with a map that gives you their exact location so that you can check it out on your own before you commit to hiring them.You will need to decide whether or not you want to use a California or International computer tutor. Most of the time, tutors based in the state will charge a bit more because the place is more expensive and therefore more expensive to use. It is worth spending a bit of time trying to find out the cheapest prices on the tutors you want so that you can find a good quality Los Angeles computer tutor that suits your needs.You will need to consider how much you want to spend on equipment when you are taking your child to LA. A tutor can be expensive and you will need to co nsider how much you can afford to pay for the equipment that they will use with your child. If you can afford to hire your child to take a class on their own in the hope that you can help them along later, then you should find that you will save money by letting them use their own equipment.In the end, finding cheap Los Angeles tutors can be tricky because it will be hard to find someone that won't charge a little bit more than you can afford. The best thing that you can do is to look for a computer tutor that is willing to work on an hourly basis, a fee structure that works well for you, and that doesn't have any expiry dates on their agreement.Finally, you need to remember that it will be more cost effective to use a Los Angeles computer tutor that offers a small fee to use their class rather than to keep everything in the household. That way, you will be saving yourself a lot of money, your kids will have fun and have the chance to learn at their own pace, and you will still get the support you need for your children to excel in school.

Adding Blur Effects to Photos

Adding Blur Effects to Photos How Can You Blur an Image? ChaptersBlurring a Photo on an Apple DeviceBlurring a Photo on a PCBlurring Photos in Photo Editing SoftwareWith a Camera“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” - Ansel AdamsBlurring certain parts of a photo is a popular photo editing technique. This effect allows you to increase the focus on a certain part of the photo by blurring part of the photo that focus shouldn’t be on.Imagine a photo where you need to put the focus on the model or a photo where you need to blur the faces of subjects that need to remain anonymous. In just a few clicks, you can increase the apparent depth of focus and give the image a completely different feeling.Similarly, the blur effect is one of the 6 biggest mistakes that amateur photographers make. There’s a big difference between professional blurring and amateur blurring. A misplaced blur can completely ruin a photo.So how can you blur a photo in a photo editor to make it more beautiful? How can you take the focus off certain parts of the photo to make other elements more interesting?Here’s how to use one of the most common photo editing techniques! AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBlurring a Photo on an Apple DeviceWhether you’re using an iPhone or an iPad, you don’t need to have a computer to effectively blur your photos. There are solutions online that you can get the most out of!You might want to blur the background of a pho to to put the focus on the subject. (Source: fancycrave1)You can use an app like Skitch which will allow you to blur a photo almost magically.Firstly, you need to download the app onto your device. Then, head to your iPhone or iPad photos app. Click the settings buttons on the photo.  Skitch should then appear. If the app doesn’t appear, you’ll need to find it in others.On the bottom right, you should have a small arrow. Click on it. Click on the icon with the small squares. You can now right-click on the part of the photo you want to make blurrier. Confirm and your image will be transformed!The advantage of Skitch is that you can always undo the blurring if you don’t like it.Not bad, is it?Find the best online photography courses on Superprof.Blurring a Photo on a PCWhen using a Windows computer, blurring an image is quite simple and there are multiple ways to do it. There are two really easy ways to do this.You can use programmes and your own equipment to get a blurred backg round. (Source: cocoparisienne)On a PC, there’s the Photos app that will allow you to retouch photos and make sections or all of an image blurrier. This first technique is good for blurring distant parts of the photo.Once you’ve imported your photo into the programme, click on “Draw” at the top of the screen. You can colour in the part of the photo where you want to hide something.  For example, you could use this technique to cover up a cigarette end on the pavement. This technique also works in programmes like Paint, for example.The second technique is more professional and involves using a programme called “Evernote”. Much like “Skitch”, this programme is useful for quickly and effectively editing photos.In this programme, which is free, you just need to drag your photos into the programme window. Then you just need to select the photo you want to blur. You’ll see a small “@” symbol in the top right of the photo.Click on this symbol and you’ll be taken to the blurring tool. Much like in Skitch, the photo will open in the left and you just need to click “Pixelate image” to blur.You can save the image once you’ve got the results you’re after into the folder of your choosing. In just a few steps, you can blur or cover up part of an image.Start the best photography courses on here.Blurring Photos in Photo Editing SoftwareRetouching a photo can be also done in a software package. Adding Gaussian blurring to a snap with photo editing software can be done to the whole photo or a specific area.If you can't get the right effect with your camera, you can use a programme like Photoshop. (Source: 12019)So what is Gaussian blur?Don’t panic! Let’s have a quick look.Gaussian BlurGaussian blur is a common type of blur tool available in photo editing software. It allows you to achieve blurring using a Gaussian mathematical function.  This technique works on every individual pixel in an area.You can use Gaussian blur to make an entire imag e blurry, blur out a photo, or add depth to a photo.To achieve this blurring, we’re going to look at two different programmes: Adobe Photoshop and GIMP.Learn from the best photography courses in the UK on Superprof.In PhotoshopOpen a new layer.Choose “luminosity” mode.Click on “Filters”, “Blur”, and “Gaussian Blur”.You can then choose just how blurred you want your photo.You can save the results once you’re happy with them.With GIMPOpen the photo.Choose the area you want to blur.Choose how much blur you want.Apply the blur through “Filter”, “Blur”, then “Gaussian Blur”.Again, save your image once you’re happy with it.These are two very simple ways to produce good results. You can also use these techniques to hide car registration plates or add depth to photos.There's plenty of different types of blur, too: motion blur, lens blur, radial blur, and you can choose the amount of blur, the blur radius, etc.Photos taking up too much room?Make sure you red uce the file size.With a CameraWith a Lens and a CameraWith a good digital camera, you can get a good blurring effect on your photos by having a shallow depth of field.In the right mode, some cameras are great for creating blurred backgrounds. (Source: Pexels)Don’t hesitate to give this a go. You can blur the background while retaining the sharpness in the foreground, especially if you’re taking photos of tiny objects like a drop of water.To get the most out of your background blur, you should ensure the background is far from the subject. When we say “far” we mean at least 2 metres. If it’s closer than this, you’ll struggle to blur the background.You’ll need to use a telephoto lens with a 200mm-500mm zoom.  An aperture between f/1.8 and f/2 is recommended. The depth of field is useful for getting good results.Do you know what the bokeh effect is? This term of Japanese origin means “blur”. It refers to the artistic choice to blur part of an image.Of course, unlike with blurring a photo, using a blur filter, or adding a tilt-shift effect, the original image will have the background blurred and out of focus and you won't be able to undo this in photo editing software.Find out more about converting images.With a Smartphone’s Portrait ModeEven smartphones can be used to blur certain parts of a photo. This is a way to take even better selfies.The blurring that occurs on the iPhone X is very effective but it won’t work for every photo. Humans tend to be better at achieving these results.It might be worth trying this in-store before you buy a phone just for this effect. To use the portrait mode:Open the camera on your phone.Scroll down to “Portrait” mode.Take note of the advice as it pops up.Take a photo as you normally would.If you do it right, the background will be blurred.It should be noted that most modern smartphones come with a portrait mode like the iPhone and a plethora of other functions. Not bad for free applications.Whether you u se a free app or pay for a programme, there are plenty of ways to add blurring to a photo. It can be used to improve the look of a photo when done right.So why not give it a go?If you need help blurring a photo or improving your photography, consider getting in touch with a tutor on Superprof. There are three main types of tutorial available on the site: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. There are pros and cons to each and the best one for you really depends on your situation.In group tutorials, there are several students and just one tutor. With all the students sharing the cost of the tutor's time, these tutorials are usually the cheapest per person per hour but each student won't get the bespoke tutoring or one-on-one time that they would in the other types of tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials are the most personal and have you and your tutor working together for the whole session. Of course, this bespoke service comes at a cost, making it the most cos tly type of tutorial available. However, it's also the most cost-effective as every minute of the tutor's time is spent helping you.Finally, online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials with the main difference being that the tutor isn't physically in the room with you. Thanks to services like Skype, a tutor can teach you remotely using a webcam and an internet connection!

The Most Popular Characters in Anime.

The Most Popular Characters in Anime. Some of the Best Anime Characters. ChaptersWhat Makes a Great Character?Why Anime Has Great Characters.Some of the Favourite Characters from Anime.In this article, we want to take the risk â€" the risk of upsetting anime fans worldwide, the risk of inspiring the wrath of anime fandom â€" to share some of our favourite characters from the world of Japanese anime.There are thousands, if not millions, to choose from, considering that the number of anime produced is somewhere around the thirty-five thousand mark. And picking from among these is an effort in precise selection â€" and, obviously, massive omission.So, forgive us. We know that any list like this inspires enthusiasm, rage, and high passions of all kinds. But take it more as a way for beginners to gain a foothold in the world of Japanese anime in order to better navigate it. Rather than a declaration of indisputable, objective quality.The world of Japanese anime is a huge one and, to repeat, we are going to be leaving out some of your favourites. For example, w e don’t have any Gundam or Code Geass in the list!If you want to suggest your own favourites, comment below! NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Makes a Great Character?Firstly, let’s talk about characters. What makes a character great? What makes them likeable, or admirable? And what makes them so memorable that we would watch another anime series â€" or any other series for that matter â€" just for the character?Character, really, is not about cracking fun jokes, being a great warrior, or looking great. All of these things help, for sure â€" as they bring an immediate interest from the audience â€" but that’s not usually enough to see one through to the end of a series.And it’s certainly not enough to make an audience follow a franchise through five animated series, twenty anime movies, a live action film, and countless manga series â€" as is the case with Dragon Ball. Rather, a good character needs something else. A complexity, a flaw, and a development â€" but also a consistency and recognisability across all media and adaptations.In some way or another â€" even in a fantastical story â€" characters need to be realistic. They need a backstory and a personality, a compelling motivation, and a deeply human element to them. This is why consistency matters, because you don’t want a character known as being calm and cool then going berserk out of nowhere (just ask the Game of Thrones writers).Without this, th e characters are just a collection of lines spoken, fights had, or movements made. And that ain’t going to convince anyone to keep coming back.Why Anime Has Great Characters.Anime, fortunately for us, is known for its wonderful characterisation. The most iconic characters will remain memorable for years to come â€" due to their particular aesthetics, their story arcs, their fully formed personalities, and the moral dilemmas in which they find themselves.In many ways, this is because â€" unlike in the West, where animators are seen to work primarily for children â€" Japanese animation has a very wide audience. This includes all different genders, ages, and demographics.As such, those working for anime shows and original manga publications ensure that the characters are believable not just for kids, but for everyone. And, as such, the whole development of the animes reaches a higher level of seriousness, cleverness, and subtlety.So, it’s worth pointing out that, here, we are looki ng specifically at the anime from Japanese culture. Whilst we in the west associated anime and manga to Japanese pop culture, in that country the term applies to any animation production.This is one of the reasons why anime is so popular in Japan â€" but read our article for more!Some of the Favourite Characters from Anime.So, let’s get down to it. Who are some of the most interesting characters in the world of anime? And who are some of the iconic from popular anime?Obviously, there’s no correct answer. But let’s dive in - in no particular order.And if you are interested in reading about some of the best anime series in Japan, check out our article on popular anime!Sakura (Cardcaptor Sakura)Sakura Kinomoto is the quintessential ‘magical girl’ character from Japanese anime. As the franchise starts, she is nine and still at school, and she grows the age of twelve throughout the series.The character of Sakura â€" or rather, her creators â€" has been the winner of a number of awards, and the series is primarily built around the relationships that she builds with others. Immediately naïve and frankly silly, we see her to be really not that at all. The iconic 'magical girl' anime, SakuraLevi Ackerman (Attack on Titan)Attack on Titan is one of the highest-grossing anime series in Japan â€" and it is known specifically as a shonen anime, meaning one that is aimed at male teens. However, despite its limited target demographic, it has spread across the world â€" and has inspired all sorts of political interpretations.The story revolves around territories inhabited by humans, but which are enclosed by massive walls to protect them against the ‘Titans’ who live outside.Levi Ackerman, the ‘world’s strongest soldier’ is a captain in the Survey Corps, the group that, initially, fights the Titans. Yet, he is a little different to most fictionalised strongmen. He is obsessed with cleanliness â€" and has an angry streak which makes up one of his most interesting flaws.Shinji (Neon Genesis Evangelion)Shinji is the main character in the genre-defining franchise Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the most influential anime ever made.As a young boy, Shinji is forced to pilot a mecha, ‘Evangelion’, to fight the Angels that attack a future Tokyo. Understandably, he is not too happy about this decision thrust upon him by his father.He is one of the most celebrated characters of manga and anime, as he does not conform in the least to the predictable heroic character. Rather, he is a withdrawn, apathetic, and scared high school student. As a result, he has become one of the most compelling characters in anime.Learn how to draw anime!Goku (Dragon Ball)Even those people who don’t watch anime know the figure of Goku â€" a character who has developed from young, superhuman child to adult throughout the Dragon Ball franchise.The series â€" both manga and anime â€" follow Goku’s pursuits to find the Dragon Balls, which grant wishes to those who find them. Yet, his diminutive, childish appearance and overwhelming naivety â€" a naivety that is reduced, but ultimately remains throughout the series â€" has always been se en as a point of departure from the classic masculine heroes.A really special, loveable anime character. Goku, from Dragon Ball. (Image from Cleiton Hendges: https://www.behance.net/)Edward (Fullmetal Alchemist)One of the most developed â€" and another of the most celebrated â€" characters in the whole of anime is Edward Elric, from the series, Fullmetal Alchemist.Edward, a young man, is seriously wounded in an alchemy experiment intended to resurrect his â€" and his brother, Alphonse’s â€" mother. What happens instead is that Alphonse’s soul becomes trapped in a suit of armour, whilst Edward loses an arm and a leg.The series proceeds with the two characters searching for the Philosopher’s Stone that will return their bodies. Yet, Edward’s character is a fully three-dimensional hero, evolving and growing as he comes of age.Spike (Cowboy Bebop)Cowboy Bebop is a darker style anime intended for an adult audience â€" engaging themes such as loneliness and the pain of memory.Spike Spiegel is the central character, whose fake eye and existential angst give him the flaws that make his character so interesting.The creators of Cowboy Bebop wanted him to be, first and foremost, cool as hell. And sure they achieved it.Learn everything about anime here!Sakata Gintoki (Gintama)Gintama is the story of a freelance (read, ‘unemployed’) samurai, Gintoki, who fights the aliens who have occupied eighteenth-century Japan.He is an incredibly complex character, with problems with his blood sugar levels, a certain crankiness, and a brilliant talent with a sword.Ashitaka (Princess Mononoke)A character who, from the very beginning of this best-selling film from Studio Ghibli, is burdened by the impending threat of death, Ashitaka is an exercise in self-sacrifice and personal resolve.A long-suffering leader, Ashitaka is really just a young man lead by a sense of duty â€" and it makes him one of the most compelling and original characters in anime. Astro Boy is the most iconic anime character.Astro BoyOsamu Tezuka invented anime’s recognisable art style: large eyes and wacky hair. And he did it with the character of Astro Boy, or Mighty Atom, who was the title character of the first most popular anime series.He is one of the great anime characters of all time due to his iconic aesthetic and his moral struggles. A pacifist robot with human emotions who is forced to fight, Astro Boy’s character is one of self-effacement, compassion, and self-sacrifice.