How to design posters with the help of Adobe Photoshop

For expert artist and designers, the exciting thing about utilizing your personal computer is that most of these individuals can now combine the technology with the traditional art without compromising quality. Utilizing a computer program such as Adobe Photoshop will now allow you to do the same things that would have done by someone with a pencil and paper, however, much faster and with less wasted materials. Designers can now redraw and get rid of illustrations and images with the aid of this computer program, even in the last phase of the design process, without having to get more pencils and papers.



This goes for all amateur and professional designers, anyone who is making business marketing materials such as stickers, postcards and especially posters can now make use of the steps in this article to cut down on printing cost and especially on wasted materials.



You will also save plenty of time when it comes to correcting mistakes with the aid of these programs. To further improve your know how about these things, here are some of the fundamental steps that you can follow every time you are designing your print materials with the aid of the Adobe Photoshop.



The sketching in Photoshop

Most professional designers believe that the process of sketching is similar when it comes to traditional and digital art. The palette graphics of this program almost replicates the feeling of the drawing on paper materials. However, the drawing process in this program is not really as fast as the drawing process in paper materials. On the other side of the work sheet, you can make effects such as the halftones that cannot be drawn with the use of pencils and papers.



Preparing layers after you have finished with the sketching process

It is now the time for you to convert all the images in your print materials into sepia tones before you work on the color elements. The process of converting the images into sepia tones is a very easy task that you can do on your own. After that, you can utilize the sliders to colorize the lines into yellow or some other colors that you want. In sepia, the sketch lines usually yield halftones that are subtle, which makes it easier for you to view the image but retain its given form while in the coloring process.



Working with the lower layer

Always select a dominant dark type color that the secondary aspect can relate to without losing or decreasing the contrast in your print materials. It is a must for you to do this process so that you will not be lost in the details of all the given colors and images that are floating around your print materials.



Working with the top layer

Finally, the top layer is usually where you can work with the lines of the drawing in your poster printing by adjusting, refining and correcting them. This is also where you can work with the lighter colors to aid you smooth out uneven shapes. Once you are done coloring your poster design, the top layer is also, where you can get rid of the lines that will negatively affect your print materials.



Courtesy of BPT

Making wellness programs work for your wallet and lifestyle

(BPT) - By now you've probably heard the message loud and clear: Staying well through preventive steps is cheaper, healthier and easier for everyone than waiting until a health condition becomes an issue. From the government to your own employer, many organizations spend millions of dollars every year on wellness programs aimed at supporting individuals' efforts to stay healthy. These programs can be a great tool if they are easy to use, engaging, and provide reliable, understandable information on wellness.



Wellness programs aren't just for those with red flag factors for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or tobacco use. Rather, wellness programs are beneficial to everyone including otherwise healthy people who may simply be trying to lead a healthier lifestyle by increased exercise, weight loss or managing stress.



In fact, the concept of "wellness" goes far beyond merely keeping up with your annual physical and taking medications to manage chronic conditions. Wellness encompasses eating right, regularly exercising, avoiding unhealthy activities such as smoking, and being an active participant in your health decision making progress.



Wellness programs, often provided through employer-sponsored health insurance or through employers themselves, provide participants with information and tools to help avoid illness and injury. But, the path to good health is different for everyone and it is important that programs are not only designed to help the right people at the right time but also to engage people in a personalized, impactful way.



For example, a wellness offering such as Health Dialog's WELLNESS Dialog program begins with an innovative Well-Being Assessment to better understand physical and emotional health, capacity for change, work-life satisfaction, and health risk. It then reports on personal strengths and opportunities, offers suggested goals and actions, provides people with the tools they need to realize their own personal lifestyle goals and incorporates fun group activities to engage participants for the long term.



In order to truly make a difference, a wellness program needs to be relevant to the people using it. Participating in a wellness program can be useful, as long as the program supports not only those who are well and maintaining their current level of health or improving it, but also those who are ill and managing their care.



If you would like the chance to make a wellness program work for you, here are a few steps and guidelines to help:



* Find out what your employer offers. Many support wellness programs through their health insurers, but others supplement those plans with specialized programs. Perhaps your employer offers free exercise or stress reduction classes, or offers a stipend for health club membership as part of your benefits. If your employer doesn't currently offer any kind of wellness program, ask for one - keeping employees healthy is in a company's best interest.



* Learn your program's tools. Most programs offer help lines that you can call and discuss your specific needs and concerns, and receive information on available tools to help you. Your plan administrator may also be able to provide information. Or you can check the program provider's website to learn more.



* Discuss your wellness program with your doctor and ask for his feedback on what tools might be of most use to you. Look for tools that address your specific needs, age and lifestyle. For example, if weight management is a concern, your wellness program's nutritional counseling might be helpful. If you're looking for ways to become more active, ask if your program offers advice on exercise.



* Take advantage of incentives. Some programs offer incentives for successful participation in weight loss or smoking cessation programs. These incentives are a great tool for tracking your progress and keeping yourself motivated to achieve your goals.



You can learn more about wellness programs like Health Dialog's at www.healthdialog.com or www.facebook.com/healthdialog.



Courtesy of BPT

Why more people are installing saltwater pools

Hot summers send everyone scurrying into their pools to cool off, and the biggest new trend in swimming pools is salt water. First developed in Australia, saltwater pools offer several advantages over conventional chlorine and have become incredibly popular in the last decade.

People no longer have to tolerate the eye-burning, nose-curdling sting that comes from chlorine. Saltwater pools only have one-tenth the salt of ocean water and about one-third when compared to human tears. They are also gentler on the skin and hair than traditional chlorine pools. And pool owners don't have to purchase, store, and handle harsh chemicals, so maintenance is easier, more convenient, and saves time and money.

More chlorine pools are being converted to salt water and today there are more than 1.4 million saltwater pools in operation nationwide. An estimated 75 percent of all new in-ground pools are salt water, compared with only 15 percent in 2002, according to data published in Pool & Spa News.

Since the Evergreen Commons senior center in Holland, Mich., converted its 65,000-gallon pool to salt water, members have been pleased with the results. "The minute you walk into the pool area you notice a big difference," says Jodi Owczarski, the center's community relations director. "There is no longer that chemical smell. People also tell us that the water is much softer. In the old pool, people said they sometimes had to wash twice to get all those chemicals off, but in this pool, they only have to wash once. All in all, people have been thrilled with this new system."

In saltwater pools, chlorine is automatically produced as water passes through the generator. As the water exits the generator and enters the pool, the sanitizing chlorine reverts back to salt, and the process repeats itself, conserving salt and keeping sanitizer levels balanced.

Saltwater pools require less maintenance than traditional pools, but pool owners still should test weekly for pH and chlorine, and monthly for other water balance factors and for salt levels, which can drop due to splash-out, rain and filter back-washing. Most pool owners test their pool water themselves with test strips and periodically bring a sample in to a pool retailer for testing.

Anyone who has made the decision to move to a saltwater pool should make certain they use salt specifically designed for that use. An average 20,000 gallon pool requires 530 pounds of salt at startup; with quantities that large, even small amounts of contaminants within the salt can cause pool problems. That's why ultra-pure salt is best for salt water pools. Salt water systems can also save money in the long run over chlorine-based alternatives.

There have also been questions about the effect of salt water on pool construction materials, decks and surrounding structures. When pools are properly constructed and normal maintenance is followed, salt water has no effect on pool finishes, equipment and decks. Most materials are suitable for salt water pool construction, and most kinds of stone and decking materials will last if treated and sealed properly and periodically rinsed off.

If you're considering a saltwater pool, talk to a knowledgeable builder or retailer, or get some insight from other saltwater pool owners. You can also find more information at the Salt Institute website.

Courtesy of BPT

Millennials take new approach to work-life balance

(BPT) - More and more, Millennials are on the road for work. In an average month, one in four business-traveling Millennials travel overnight for work at least once per week.



As the line between "personal" and "business" grows thinner and thinner for this generation, Millennials are increasingly finding adventure through business. More than any other group, Millennial business travelers are more likely to add on extra days to their business trip for leisure travel (84 percent) according to the Hilton Garden Inn Discovery and Connection Survey. Millennials are funding these adventures through their business trips, too. The vast majority of this group (85 percent) is more likely to use reward points from their business travel to book a vacation, compared to a year ago.



Business travel across the nation is on the rise. According to the Global Business Travel Association, U.S. business travel is expected to grow 5.1 percent. As more Millennials hit the road for work, they are keeping top of mind a few, simple business travel perks to fulfill their appetite for personal adventure and discovery:



* Fly for free - Those flying for business can earn airline miles in their name. These business miles quickly add up, allowing travelers to upgrade seats or add another destination without accruing additional cost. Business travelers can then use these miles to bring a friend or loved one on the trip with them - quickly transitioning from business to family vacation or romantic getaway once the weekend hits.



* Earn hotel perks - Frequent stays in hotels offering rewards programs can grant business travelers benefits like free overnight stays, late checkout, and complimentary breakfast. These extras turn a business trip into much more, especially when additional nights are used to extend a business trip into a vacation.



Some hotels have seasonal programs, such as Hilton Garden Inn and Hilton HHonors Triple Your Trip promotion, which offers guests around the world the opportunity to earn double or triple HHonors' points while enjoying the signature Hilton Garden Inn Bed n' Breakfast deal that includes breakfast for each adult staying in the same room, and free meals for kids 12 and under.



* Discover local hidden gems - Cities often encourage business travelers to experience the local culture while in town and provide package deals with discounts to restaurants, tickets to local shows or events, helpful tips to find transportation in the city and even sightseeing opportunities to explore during free time. This becomes even more common when a city is hosting a large business gathering, such as an industry convention.



Millennials continue to be at the forefront of achieving work-life balance - utilizing business travel to discover new cities, explore local cultures, taste authentic cuisines and connect with new people across the country and around the globe.



Courtesy of BPT

Credit management tips for first-time professionals

You've landed the right job, you're earning good money and your career is poised to take off. When everything is lining up in your professional life, it's natural - and smart - to think about financial planning and the future.



While you're working toward building an emergency fund, saving for a down payment on a house or car and setting aside something for retirement, don't overlook another important aspect of financial planning - looking after your credit. Even young professionals who have a grasp on other aspects of their finances may be unsure how credit fits into the mix.



Generally, people starting out in their careers have one of two experiences with credit: they've either never used it at all, or over used it (in the form of credit cards or student loans) to the extent that they're already deeply in debt. In either scenario, it can be difficult to know what you need to do to monitor your credit.



If you're a credit novice, congratulations! Your clean slate means you have a great opportunity to start out on the right foot. Your initial steps toward credit management should include:



* Obtain your credit report and familiarize yourself with what's on it.



* Educate yourself on how a credit score is calculated and what factors influence your score. These include: payment history for bills in your name, how much you owe, the length of your credit history and the variety of types of credit you use. Since you're a credit beginner, you'll need to start building a credit history.



* Start making small, judicious uses of credit. For example, you may choose to obtain a credit card and use it to make a modest purchase of a piece of technology or an appliance. Pay off the balance immediately. Or, if you need a new vehicle, an auto loan can help you build your credit history.



* Get into the habit of monitoring your credit regularly with a product like CreditReport.com, which offers its members valuable tools to help manage their credit for a monthly fee.



If you already have some credit history, the beginning of your career is a great time to review it and take steps to better manage your credit. Your regular tasks should include:



* Reviewing your credit history to get an idea of what you've done right so far, and what you need to improve.



* Learning what factors influence your credit score in both positive and negative ways. For example, paying down the balance on credit cards can improve your utilization ratio.



* Eliminating credit card debt and making responsible use of other types of credit, such as an auto loan or home mortgage.



The early days of your career can be a busy with a lot of adjustments, but it's also a ripe opportunity to plan for your financial future. Learning the benefits of monitoring your credit and seeing how it fits into your overall financial well-being is an important aspect to grasp early on.



Courtesy of BPT

Maintaining masculinity when living with prostate cancer side effects

(BPT) - One out of every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. The good news is when caught early, it is very treatable. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is almost 100 percent because many men receive an early diagnosis.



Although survival rates are high, many prostate cancer patients experience some side effects to treatments of hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. These include bowel dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, fertility loss and urinary incontinence, commonly known as bladder leakage.



It is important for men to take an interest in their health and have their prostates checked by a physician to ensure that any abnormalities are properly diagnosed. Men often don't want to discuss prostate health or the side effects that sometimes accompany treatment because of social perceptions. The problem is that a lot of men don't know how common the side effects, such as bladder leakage, are.



This causes a stigma often associated with bladder leakage, and the USDA's National Institutes of Health reports that open communication between a man and his health care provider about his incontinence is key to maintaining a good quality of life. Men shouldn't feel like they are compromising their masculinity by discussing with their doctor any side effects they may be experiencing to their treatments for prostate cancer.



Some men with bladder leakage may refuse to go out in public and avoid social situations for fear of being embarrassed. Many men feel frustrated by and don't know how to properly manage this common condition, often relying on ineffective homemade or feminine products because they don't realize there are products available just for them.



Men want protection that is made just for them, and new Depend Guards and Shields are discreet products designed to fit a man's body. Depend Guards offer maximum absorbency for larger surges, and Depend Shields are ultra-thin with light absorbency for drips and dribbles. These products adhere to the inside of a man's underwear so men can be confident in their protection and get back to living an active lifestyle.



Despite experiencing one or more of the side effects to prostate cancer treatment, men should still feel like men while doing the things they love like watching the game with friends or playing with the kids in the backyard. With the right solutions, men experiencing any of these side effects can still enjoy an active lifestyle and renewed confidence.



Visit www.GuardYourManhood.com for tips about how to manage bladder leakage.



Courtesy of BPT