| How to Photograph the Moon Posted: 07 May 2020 01:00 AM PDT Photos of the moon are beautiful if done well, but it can be very hard to get a picture of the moon that doesn't look blurry! Once you're aware of what equipment you need, when to take the best photos, and how to set up your camera, you'll be able to get great shots of the moon. With a little photo-taking know-how, the moon might just become one of your favorite photo subjects. [Edit]Choosing the Right Equipment - Use a high-quality camera. A camera phone will not take good pictures of the moon--they will turn out blurry and distant. It's best to use the highest-quality camera you can obtain. Lens quality is more important than camera quality, so many camera models will be suitable once the right lens is applied.[1]
- Choose a lens that is 200mm or higher. A high mm measurement on a lens means that the lens can zoom in at a greater distance. Get the highest mm lens you can. More than 300mm is the best, but you can also take good moon photos with a 200mm lens.[2]
- Use a tripod. Stability is very important when photographing the moon. Even the slightest jiggle can result in a blurry photo, so you will need a tripod. Pick a tripod with adjustable legs in case of uneven terrain.[3]
- Get a shutter release cable. Touching the camera to take a picture can wobble it and blur your picture. A shutter release cable allows you to take the shot without touching the camera again once it's set up. If you don't have a cable, use the shutter delay set to 3-10 seconds.[4]
[Edit]Picking a Time and Place - Choose your favorite moon phase. The moon can be photographed in any phase except the new moon, which is not visible to Earth. The first quarter, half, and third quarter phases provide high contrast that allows you to see the craters in greater detail, while the full moon is a dramatic choice for a skyscraper. What phase you choose is up to your personal preference, but it's best to have a phase chosen before going out to photograph the moon.
- Learn when the moon rises and sets. When the moon sets or rises, it is closer to the horizon, making it appear larger and closer. This makes it much easier to photograph! Check an almanac or a weather app for moon rising and setting times in your area.
- Pick a clear night. Clouds, fog, and air pollution will blur your photographs. Check a weather app before leaving for your session and while photographing. A clear night with low smog content and no rain is best for moon photography.[5]
- Choose a location away from direct light sources. The moon appears bright because it reflects the light of the sun, and additional light from streetlights, homes, and cars can make the moon appear duller and blurrier in pictures. It is fine if there is light in the distance, but be sure that you are not photographing close to another light source.[6]
[Edit]Taking Your Pictures - Set up your camera. Set up your tripod on stable, level ground, and adjust the legs to keep your camera level with the horizon. Make sure your tripod is stable before mounting the camera and lenses. Remove the lens cap and turn your camera on. If you are using a shutter release cable, attach it now.
- Focus your camera. Turn off your camera's auto-focus feature first--auto-focus is not ideal for night photography and may not produce the best focus. Look through the camera view and manually adjust the focus until you can see crisp details of the moon's surface. Each camera model has a different method for adjusting the focus, so be sure to consult your camera's manual beforehand.
- Choose a short shutter speed. Shutter speed is also referred to as "exposure time." A shorter shutter speed exposes the camera to less light, which means that the details of the moon will be sharper and there will not be a halo of light surrounding it. Use the shortest shutter speed your camera has.
- Use a timer or shutter release cable. When you take a photograph, the pressure of your hand on the camera can destabilize it, making your shots blurry. A shutter release cable allows you to stand away from the camera while taking the photo. If you don't have a cable, use the camera's shutter timer.
- Take multiple shots. Once you have your camera set up and focused, take a series of shots of the moon. This will let you have a selection of photos to choose from. Try a few different shutter speeds and focuses to make sure you have the best possible shots!
- Play around with the manual settings. If you are zoomed in just on the moon (so it takes up lots of the shot), you'll need different settings then if you're doing a scenery picture with the moon in the distance. You'll be able to change the brightness (or darkness) of the moon and how much detail of the moon you see.
- Look for natural reference points to include in your photographs, like trees or the moon's reflection in water.
- During the editing process, you can make the night seem darker than it was in real life.
- The moon is often up during the day. Try a daytime moon photo!
- There aren't specific best times to photograph the moon, although the setting or rising moon is easiest for most cameras. Try experimenting with different times of night and different seasons!
- Make sure you don't use IS or VR on your digital lens or camera--they can cause your camera and lens to vibrate.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Camera, digital or otherwise
- Appropriate lens, 200mm or larger
- A shutter release cable
- A sturdy tripod
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Your Kitchen Look Expensive Posted: 06 May 2020 05:00 PM PDT You likely spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so you want it to be an attractive, comfortable space. While kitchen upgrades can be costly, you don't have to spend a lot to make your kitchen look expensive. With a few budget-friendly ideas, you can make an old kitchen look new again, make your small kitchen beautiful, or instantly upgrade a boring kitchen. If you can afford a kitchen upgrade, consider investing in a new paint job, better cabinet doors, and other stylish additions that will give your kitchen a complete makeover. [Edit]Making Instant Style Improvements - Remove all magnets from your fridge to create a clean look. Your fridge is a convenient place to hang reminders, grocery lists, and your child's prized drawings. However, a cluttered refrigerator creates a disorganized, messy look. Your kitchen will look more stylish if your refrigerator is free of decorations, so clean everything off of the doors and sides of your appliance.[1]
- If your refrigerator is dusty or sticky, wash it with a dish detergent that has a grease-fighter.
- Store small appliances and kitchen tools in your cabinets or drawers. Keeping your appliances, cooking utensils, and frequently used kitchen items on your countertop may be convenient, but it also makes your kitchen look messy. An empty countertop looks more expensive than a cluttered counter, so don't leave these items out. Put all of your small appliances and other cooking gear in your cabinets or kitchen drawers so they're out of sight.[2]
- Designate an easy-to-access cabinet for appliances you use often, like your toaster and coffee maker.
- If you have a jar for your cooking utensils, place the entire jar in your cabinet so you can easily bring it out while you're cooking. When you're finished cooking, put the jar back in the cabinet.
- Hang a large piece of artwork to quickly upgrade your space. You don't need to spend a lot of money on art, so buy a piece that fits your budget. Choose the largest piece of art that will fit in the space you have for the maximum effect. Stick to a monochromatic color scheme for abstract pieces because they look more stylish. Alternatively, get a fine art painting or print.[3]
- For an affordable option, look for sales on canvas art at a craft store or big box store. You could also paint your own abstract art.
- If you can't afford a large piece of art, create a small gallery wall by hanging 3-5 pieces of art together on the same wall.
- Keep fresh flowers in a vase on your table or countertop. Fresh flowers make your kitchen look upscale and fresh. Get a new bouquet every week to brighten the space. The flowers will make your home look high-end without you having to spend much money.[4]
- Pick flowers that fit your style or the season. You might get wildflowers during the summer, poinsettias during winter, or pink roses during spring.
- Choose a monochromatic color palette so your kitchen looks sleek. Using a limited color scheme makes your kitchen look larger and more stylish. Stick to black, white, and gray or brown, tan, and beige for most of your decor. If you like, incorporate 1 other color to add a personal touch.[5]
- For instance, you might keep most of your kitchen white and gray but use mint colored hand towels or incorporate color in your wall art.
- If you have dark wood cabinets, you might paint your kitchen tan. Your rug and towels might be a mixture of brown and beige with a hint of a color, such as sky blue.
[Edit]Adding Stylish Accessories - Get a new rug to change up your floor. Replacing your floor can be costly, but you can get a similar effect by changing out your rug. Choose a rug that's a solid color or has an abstract print so it won't make your kitchen decor look too busy. Lay your rug in front of your sink, in the center of the kitchen floor, or between your cabinets and your kitchen island, if you have one.[6]
- For instance, you might lay a yellow and white striped rug in front of your sink or a large grey rug in the center of your kitchen.
- Avoid prints that could become dated, like a floral print, or a quirky design, such as a cat-shaped rug or a mustache rug. While these styles are cute, they typically don't look expensive.
- Cover an old countertop with a large wooden cutting board. Old countertops can detract from the look of your kitchen, but they're expensive to replace. Fortunately, you can upgrade your kitchen inexpensively with a large wooden cutting board. Choose an attractive wood that fits your design aesthetic. Then, keep it out on your countertop to cover part of the surface.[7]
- A great option is a big butcher's block cutting board. However, you might also try a bamboo cutting board for a less expensive option.
- Replace your cabinet and drawer pulls for a budget-friendly update. They may be small, but cabinet and drawer hardware affect the overall look of your kitchen. In fact, getting new hardware might make your cabinets look new. Purchase new hardware from a local home improvement store or online. Then, use a screwdriver to remove the old pulls and install the new ones.[8]
- For instance, you might install new metal pulls on your cabinets and drawers.
- Switch outdated decorative items for modern decor. It's fun to decorate your kitchen with what's in style, but your decor may look outdated as the styles change. This can make your kitchen look less expensive. Donate decorative items that aren't trendy anymore and replace them with styles that are more modern.[9]
- For instance, let's say you have faux grape vines draped over the top of your window frame. You might take this item down because it's no longer trendy. Instead, you could place a small succulent plant on your windowsill to bring a little greenery to the area.
- Similarly, you might have a large fruit-print bowl that you use for fresh fruits. You could replace this bowl with a bamboo fruit bowl.
- Hang curtains to add style to your windows. Choose curtains that are a solid color or sheer for a more expensive look. Pick a color that complements your wall color so the curtains help warm up the space. For a small window, hang curtains that reach the base of the window sill. If you have a large window that doesn't have cabinetry under it, opt for curtains that reach the floor.[10]
- For instance, you might hang sheer beige curtains if your kitchen is painted tan or brown. For a gray kitchen, you might hang solid pale yellow curtains.
- Install floating shelves to display your finest dishes. Your stemware or fine china can be an eye-catching addition to your kitchen decor. Plus, displaying them can be convenient because you can easily access them. Hang floating shelves that complement your kitchen colors. Then, arrange the items you want to display on the shelf.[11]
- Stemware and solid white dishes are the easiest items to display. Stack them neatly in rows and don't overcrowd the shelves.
[Edit]Investing in Kitchen Upgrades - Paint your kitchen a light color to brighten up the space. A bright paint color can make your kitchen look larger and sleeker. Additionally, painting your kitchen can instantly upgrade the overall look of your kitchen. Pick a white, pale gray, or light pastel color for your walls.[12]
- It's best to stick to a neutral color like white or gray. However, your kitchen can still look expensive with a pale yellow or sky blue.
- Install a stylish backsplash above your countertops. A backsplash runs along the wall over your countertop, and a nice tile or stone backsplash can look very expensive. Look for a peel-and-stick backsplash that fits your style at a local home improvement store or online. Then, follow the directions that come with your backsplash to peel it off the backing and apply it to your wall.[13]
- Peel-and-stick backsplashes look like real tile but are easy to remove and replace if you decide you want to change it.
- Install a chandelier or pendant light in place of your old lighting. Updated lighting adds a glamorous touch to your kitchen and may also brighten up your space. Choose a large light fixture, such as a chandelier or pendant. Then, use a screwdriver to remove your old fixture and install the new one.[14]
- You can browse lighting fixtures at a local home improvement store. However, you can also buy one online if you don't want to look in person.
- If you feel nervous about installing the light yourself, consider hiring a contractor or handyman to help you.
- Replace your cabinet doors with glossy or glass doors. Old, out-dated cabinets can make your kitchen look and feel drab. However, getting new cabinets typically means remodeling your entire kitchen, which is very costly. For a budget-friendly upgrade, purchase new cabinet doors that look modern and fresh. Then, unscrew the old doors and install the new ones.[15]
- You can buy new cabinet doors at a home improvement store.
- Upgrade your old sink faucet to a modern style. If your sink faucet is very old or damaged, it may be time for a new one. Choose a sink faucet that fits into the faucet hole in your sink. Then, follow the installation instructions to replace your old faucet with the new one.[16]
- Make sure you turn off your water before you switch out the faucet.
- If you're not sure what type of faucet you need, take the old faucet with you to the home improvement store and ask for advice.
- It's best to hire a plumber to help you install the faucet to make sure you don't end up with a leak.
- Lay faux wood flooring or tile to change the overall look of your kitchen. Old flooring can detract from the look of your kitchen, so it's worth replacing it if you can afford it. Choose a faux wood or latex tile to get a bigger bang for your buck. These styles look expensive but are budget-friendly compared to the real deal. Install your new floor yourself or hire a general contractor to help you.[17]
- Some flooring companies offer installation for an affordable fee.
- Apply a stainless steel finish to your appliances so they look new. New appliances can be costly, but that doesn't mean you can't have an expensive-looking kitchen without a large price tag. If your appliances work but are outdated, paint them with a stainless steel finish to make them look more modern. Purchase an appliance stain from a local home improvement store or online, then apply it as directed.[18]
- To make the stain stick better, sand your appliances first using a coarse sandpaper.
- The stain will create the look of stainless steel appliances.
- Keeping your kitchen decor sparse and tidy is the best way to make your kitchen look great.
- Don't incorporate too many colors and patterns because they can detract from the overall look of your kitchen.
[Edit]References |
| How to Clean a Nespresso Machine Posted: 06 May 2020 09:00 AM PDT Nespresso machines are convenient machines that use single-serve pods. They are generally hassle-free, but they still need to be cleaned regularly. You should clean the drip tray, empty the capsule container, and change the water every day. Descaling every three months provides a deeper clean and helps keep your machine working properly. [Edit]Doing Routine Cleaning - Clean the drip tray daily. Each day, remove the drip tray from your Nespresso machine and wash it. Use dish detergent and a clean cloth. If there is any buildup in the drip tray, make sure to scrub it away. Rinse the drip tray with warm water and let it air dry.[1]
- Also clean the capsule container the same way.
- Without proper cleaning, your drip tray will grow bacteria and mold.
- Wash the water tank daily. While you are cleaning your drip tray, remove the water tank and the lid from the machine. Wash both parts with mild dishwashing detergent. Rinse with warm water, making sure to remove all suds. If you don't use your Nespresso machine daily, consider washing the lid and water tank every few days.[2]
- Let the lid and water tank air dry before reassembling. You can also dry it with a clean cloth.
- Avoid letting water sit in the water tank. It can start growing mold or bacteria.
- Wipe the capsule detector lens with a soft cloth. Take a dry soft cloth to gently wipe the capsule detector lens. There is no need to use water or soap. You just want to wipe away any smudges on the lens.[3]
- The detector lens is located inside the machine. You can get to it once you remove the maintenance module, which is attached to the drip tray and holds the cups.
- Wipe down the external parts regularly. The coffee outlet and outside cover of the machine should be wiped down often. Consider doing this multiple times each week. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe down the machine.[4]
- The coffee outlet is the place where the coffee drains into your cup. Use the cloth to wipe away any buildup.
- Wipe down the outside edges and the inside walls where the capsule holder goes.
- Avoid strong cleaners on your Nespresso machine. When cleaning this machine, never use strong or abrasive cleaners. Use only mild, odorless detergents. Don't use sponges when cleaning. Only use soft cloths.[5]
- Never submerge any of the parts in water or other liquid.
[Edit]Descaling Your Machine - Descale your machine every three months. Your Nespresso machine will need to be descaled about every three months. If you drink a lot of coffee, you should descale it every 300 capsules. Some models have a light on the machine that blinks when you need to descale.[6]
- If you connect your machine to the online app, the app will tell you when your machine needs to be descaled.
- Ready the machine. Before you begin, make sure you empty the capsule container of all capsules. You should also empty the drip tray. Replace them back into the machine. Then, turn the machine on.
- Put your machine into descaling mode. Depending on your model, you will press different buttons to start the descaling mode. The buttons will blink, and the machine will beep when you can let go. This lets you know you are in the descaling mode.[7]
- The VertuoLine has one button you need to hold for around seven seconds.
- The Pixie, Inissia, and CitiZ models have two flashing buttons you hold at the same time for approximately three seconds.
- For the Prodigio, press the three coffee buttons at the same time. Hold them for three to six seconds.
- Fill the tank with descaling solution. Pour one container of Nespresso descaling solution into the water tank. Then, add half a liter of water. Close the slider and place a container large enough to catch all of the water from the water tank under the coffee outlet.[8]
- You can buy the descaling solution from the Nespresso website.
- Make your own descaling solution. If you don't want to buy a commercial descaling solution, you can make your own. Run the homemade solution through the machine just like commercial solution. Before using a homemade solution, make sure to check the instruction manual or call the manufacturer to make sure it is safe.[9]
- You can make a solution with citric acid. Use 1 part citric acid to 20 parts water. You can also use lemon juice or vinegar. Mix equal parts of either liquid with equal parts water.
- If you use citric acid or lemon juice, rinse the machine twice before making coffee. If you use vinegar, run five rinse cycles.
- Begin the descaling process. Press any of the blinking coffee buttons. This begins descaling your machine. The machine will run the water through the machine and expel the water into the container under the coffee outlet.[10]
- When the machine stops pushing the water through the outlet, it is done.
- Repeat the descaling process. Pour the water in the container back into the water tank to go through the descaling process again. Once again, press one of the blinking buttons to start the machine. The machine will do the same thing as before. When it is finished, it will stop running and the water will be back in the container.[11]
- Rinse all the parts. Toss out the solution that ran through the machine. Remove the water tank, drip tray, and cup support. Rinse them thoroughly with warm water. Make sure all of the residue from the descaling solutions is completely rinsed from the parts.[12]
- Reassemble the machine once you've rinsed and dried the parts.
- Rinse the machine. Fill the water tank with clean water and place the container back under the coffee outlet. Click one of the blinking lights to make the machine run the clean water through it. This rinses the solution from the machine. Pour out the water.[13]
- Place clean water into the water tank and hit the blinking lights to repeat the rinsing process once more.
- Exit descaling mode. After you have rinsed the machine with clean water twice, you are done with the descaling process. Press all the coffee buttons until the machine beeps. This lets you know you have exited descaling mode.[14]
- Let the machine dry for at least 10 minutes before you use again.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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