A content management system, sometimes known as a CMS, is a piece of software used to develop websites and produce material for online publication. You can often develop a website using a CMS without writing any code.
In the early days of the internet, you had to be familiar with HTML in order to create a website and post material online. It used to be challenging, but CMS has greatly simplified it. The CMS software creates the website code for you rather than you having to build it from scratch.
Think of it as driving a car. You are not required to comprehend the workings of how anything operates. Instead, you direct the vehicle using a streamlined dashboard and pedals.
You may construct your web pages, add content, and change the design by logging into your website dashboard using a simple interface if you’re using a robust CMS platform like WordPress. The CMS will then create the arduous code for you.
You may establish a blog, launch an online store, make a tutorial website, build portfolios, and more with the appropriate CMS.
What is Content Management System?
A tool or software program called a content management system (CMS) is described as a collection of connected tools used to create and manage various digital or online content. The CMS programs Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, TYPO3, and others are well-known examples. CMSes are often used in two areas:
ECM, or enterprise content management,
Managed Content on the Web (WCM)
Most of the time, it can accommodate numerous users, allowing them to participate in the association. WordPress, for instance, enables the creation of several administrative accounts with various levels of access, enabling the task to proceed concurrently.
Components of a CMS
Two key elements make up a content management system. Which are:
A content management application (CMA) is a graphical user interface that enables users to add, remove, edit, and publish information without needing to be familiar with HTML or other computer languages.
A content delivery application (CDA) is in charge of the back-end services. It frames in the CMA and then manages and distributes material.
Features of Content Management System
User Management: This feature enables the management of users’ information, including updating usernames, passwords, and other pertinent data as well as assigning responsibilities to various users so that they may collaborate on projects.
Theme System: This tool lets us use stylesheets, graphics, and templates to change how the site looks and functions.
Extending Plugins: A variety of plugins are available that provide unique capabilities and features to build a CMS site.
Search Engine Optimization: It has several embedded SEO (search engine optimization) technologies that simplify content SEO.
Administration of media files and folders: This facilitates the upload of media files.
Multilingual: Via the CMS, the user’s choice of language may be translated.
Know more about Web Content Management Systems by going back to the main page here.
I already have the K&F SA2324 Tripod, why get the Ulanzi MT-20? I recently got the K&F SA2324, probably the lightest and most affordable travel tripod out there. But I had an upcoming trip abroad and despite it being tagged as a travel tripod, I just couldn’t imagine myself bringing that for the whole 7 days of my trip.
The best mini tripod should provide ideal camera steadiness. Yet, it shouldn’t occupy any room in your camera bag. On a tabletop, you can photograph food. Vlogs and live broadcasts may be captured at your workplace. You may even shoot selfies at home with it. A useful piece of gear that every photographer needs is a little tripod.
What is the best mini tripod?
The advantages of utilizing a tripod are well known. We can photograph in low light because of its steadiness. Also, they maintain the location of our camera when we take repeated images from the same angle. But, there are drawbacks.
Typically, tripods are bulky, heavy, and difficult to store in camera bags. Even the greatest telescoping tripods may be heavy and clumsy. For media producers, small tripods are a discovery because of this. They are petite and tiny. They also fit easily into your camera bag.
The top tiny tripods are practical pieces of equipment. For compact, DSLR, and mirrorless cameras, there are small tripods available. Tripods for smartphones and action cameras are also available. And you can use them for all kinds of photography and video production.
Furthermore ideal for food photography are small tripods. These can assist in holding your vlogging camera. They are also perfect for supporting streaming cameras. Self-portraits are another application for photographers. Alternatively, you might try taking small photos.
It is important to set up a Google Analytics and Search Console Account (formerly Web Master) whether you have an already established Website or you are just starting with one. These two would be really helpful in establishing your digital property online. You can do this part while in the process of creating your website or after.
Google Analytics is a platform that collects data from your websites and apps to create reports that provide insights into your business.
To measure a website, you first have to create a Google Analytics account. Then you need to add a small piece of JavaScript measurement code to each page on your site. Every time a user visits a webpage, the tracking code will collect pseudonymous information about how that user interacted with the page.
Search Console is a tool from Google that can help anyone with a website to understand how they are performing on Google Search, and what they can do to improve their appearance on search to bring more relevant traffic to their websites.
Search Console provides information on how Google crawls, indexes, and serves websites. This can help website owners to monitor and optimize Search performance.
Setting up a Google Analytics Account
Head over to the Analytics landing page. Login to your Google Account if needed. Your first step is to set up an Analytics account. Establish a property if you don’t want to make a separate account for this website. For instance, if a different company operates this website, you might wish to register a different account.
Click New Account in the Account column of Admin.
Provide your account name. You may choose which information you share with Google by configuring the data-sharing options.
To add the first property to the account, click Next.
Creating a Property
You may skip to Step 2 if you are coming from the “Setting up a Google Analytics Account from above. Otherwise, continue on
In Admin, under Account Column, click the Create Property button.
Provide the property’s name (such as “My Business, Inc. website”), reporting time zone, and currency.
Choose information that best describes your Property (Business Size, and purpose of your Analytics)
Click on the “Start Now” button on the top right-hand side of the screen.
Sign in to the same Google account you used for your Analytics registration if you aren’t already signed in.
Once you’re signed in, you’ll see a page that asks you to add a property to Search Console. Enter the URL of the website or app that you want to monitor and click the “Continue” button.
You’ll be asked to verify that you own the property you’ve added. Google provides several methods for verification, such as uploading an HTML file to your website, adding a DNS record to your domain name, or using Google Tag Manager. Choose the method that works best for you and follow the instructions to complete the verification process.
Once you’ve successfully verified your property, you’ll be taken to the Search Console dashboard. From here, you can access a wide range of data and tools to help you monitor and improve your website’s performance in Google search results.
Before creating a functioning CMS, it will require a unique domain name. Fortunately, most hosting providers offer both Domain Name and Platform packages. For this specific course, we will be utilizing the WordPress platform.
To use WordPress, you have two choices. To use WordPress.com or WordPress.org. (read here the difference between the two)
Purchasing a Domain Name via WordPress.com
Go to WordPress.com and sign up for an account if you haven’t already.
Once you’ve logged in, it will direct you to the “Choose a Domain” page.
Type in the domain name you want to purchase in the search box. It will automatically search if the domain is available or not.
If available, it will provide you with the domain extension you would like. Take note that each domain extension (.com or .blog, etc) will cost differently. For this particular course, we will choose a dotcom. Once decided, click the “Select” button
It will direct you to the second page where you have to choose which “flavor” of WordPress would you like. Consider this as the payment package. The more feature-packed your WordPress is, the more expensive it gets.
Review your order summary and input your credit card details.
Once your purchase is complete, you will receive a confirmation email from WordPress with details about your domain name purchase and you will be directed immediately to the WordPress Dashboard.
Purchasing a Domain Name via Self-Hosted WordPress (SiteGround)
Go to Siteground’s website at www.siteground.com and click on the “Start Now” button at the left side of the page.
Go to Siteground’s website at www.siteground.com and click on the “Start Now” button at the left side of the page.
Choose a WordPress plan suitable to your budget (and purpose) and click “Get Plan”.
Type in the domain name you want to purchase in the search bar and click on “Search”. If the domain name is available, it will show up in the search results.
Select the domain name you want to purchase by clicking on the “Add to Cart” button next to it.
If you have any additional services or features you want to add to your domain purchase, such as privacy protection or email hosting, you can select them now.
Review your order summary and make sure everything looks correct. If you have a Siteground account, you can log in to use any credits or discounts you have available.
Enter your payment information and complete the checkout process.
Once your purchase is complete, you will receive a confirmation email from Siteground with details about your domain name purchase.
You can now manage your domain name through the Siteground dashboard, where you can update your contact information, DNS settings, and other details related to your domain.
To ensure that the content created using a CMS is of high quality and meets the expectations of its audience, it is important to establish norms and guidelines. A content management system (CMS) is a software application that allows users to create, manage, and publish digital content, such as web pages, blog posts, and images.
Norms refer to the established standards or rules that govern the behavior and actions of users within a CMS. These norms can include guidelines for content quality, formatting, and language use. For example, a CMS may have norms that require all content to be written in a clear, concise, and engaging manner, with appropriate use of headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make the content easy to read and understand.
Guidelines, on the other hand, are recommendations or best practices that help users achieve the desired outcomes or goals within a CMS. These can include suggestions for optimizing content for search engines, ensuring accessibility for users with disabilities, and maintaining consistency in branding and messaging.
CMS Requirements
How often will the website be updated?
Would you publish serialized content, such as blogs and news releases, on a regular basis?
Will you require in-the-moment updates?
Will your material require version control?
Are you going to have a sizable editorial staff with several user groups?
Will you require a workflow for approvals?
What further features do you want from your platform?
What specialized knowledge do you have on staff?
Are reusable content and layout templates necessary?
Can you afford the initial outlay and continuous upkeep?
Best Practices for Content Development Guidelines
1. Publish Community Guidelines
Setting up precise criteria and making sure they are obvious are essential components of community guidelines for high-quality content. Be careful to specify what kind of language, conduct, and material are acceptable and undesirable.
Transparent rules and guidelines should be frequently evaluated to make sure the activities are appropriate. There isn’t a content moderation strategy that works for everyone. When writing it, keep the reader in mind.
Make sure these rules are visible to users by including a link in the website footer or the navigation menu. Moreover, users should be informed of these rules upon registration. To ensure that the rules and the repercussions of breaching them are apparent, be sure to cover various languages if required.
2. Establish Protocols for Actions
Provide clear and effective penalties for violating the norms of moderation, such as the following:
editing content
content deletion
Temporary access restriction
persistent access restriction
Determine specific timelines for suspensions, such as one month for one infraction. The seriousness of the content should determine the actions or repercussions that should be included in the guidelines. Determine the content that, in the most extreme circumstances, should be reported to the authorities.
3. Reward System
Consider recognizing members for their accomplishments and inspiring them to get more involved in the community. Consider utilizing badges like “top contributor” or “top fan”
Users might be more engaged and motivated to contribute if they feel appreciated.
4. Don’t be a Snowflake
The natural reaction is to delete any criticism that can damage a brand. Although making these remarks can appear wrong, doing so might help you stay transparent with other people.
Nobody anticipates a business to have just favorable reviews, but they are interested in how a business responds to and handles commenters. People will believe a business is transparent and really interested in serving its clients if they witness it handling complaints and answering consumer questions.
Choose the critical remarks that can be kept. Delete insulting remarks, but addressing consumers through complaints about products or corporate errors may be quite effective.
Moderators of the content can address these remarks and provide remedies. Businesses should rectify errors and address problems right away.
Conclusion
To establish norms and guidelines in a CMS, it is important to involve all stakeholders, including content creators, editors, and administrators. This can be done through training sessions, workshops, or documentation that outlines the expectations and requirements for using the CMS. Regular reviews and updates to these norms and guidelines can also help ensure that they remain relevant and effective over time.
Overall, norms and guidelines are essential components of a successful CMS, as they help ensure that content is of high quality, consistent, and meets the needs and expectations of its audience.
This is the tale of two WordPress. WordPress is one of the most popular website-building platforms available today. It is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) that can be used to create a wide range of websites, from simple blogs to complex e-commerce stores. However, there are two versions of WordPress available, WordPress.com and WordPress.org, which can be confusing for beginners. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two versions and help you decide which one is right for your needs.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a hosted platform that allows you to create a website quickly and easily without worrying about technical details such as hosting and security. The platform is owned by Automattic, the company behind WordPress, and offers a range of pricing plans that start from free to premium plans with advanced features.
Pros:
Easy setup: WordPress.com offers a simple setup process that requires no technical knowledge or experience.
Hosting and security: WordPress.com takes care of hosting and security, ensuring your website is always up and running and protected from security threats.
Automatic updates: WordPress.com automatically updates your website to the latest version, which ensures that your website is always secure and up-to-date.
Customer support: WordPress.com offers customer support via email and live chat, which is available 24/7 on higher-priced plans.
Cons:
Limited customization: WordPress.com limits your ability to customize your website, as you are restricted to using the themes and plugins that are available on the platform.
Limited control: With WordPress.com, you do not have full control over your website. For instance, you cannot access the backend files or database, which may be necessary for more advanced features.
Monetization restrictions: WordPress.com has strict policies regarding monetization, which means you may not be able to monetize your website using certain methods, such as display ads or affiliate marketing.
WordPress.org
WordPress.org is a self-hosted platform that allows you to download the WordPress software and install it on your own web hosting server. This means that you have complete control over your website and can customize it in any way you want.
Pros:
Complete control: With WordPress.org, you have complete control over your website. You can access the backend files and database, which allows you to customize your website in any way you want.
Unlimited customization: You can use any theme or plugin that you want, which allows for unlimited customization options.
Monetization options: With WordPress.org, you can monetize your website using any method you want, such as display ads or affiliate marketing.
No restrictions: There are no restrictions on what you can do with your website, which means you can create any type of website, from a simple blog to a complex e-commerce store.
Cons:
Technical knowledge required: Setting up WordPress.org requires some technical knowledge, such as web hosting and domain name registration.
Security and updates: You are responsible for securing your website and ensuring that it is always up-to-date with the latest version of WordPress.
Hosting costs: You will need to pay for web hosting, which can be expensive depending on the provider and plan you choose.
No customer support: Unlike WordPress.com, there is no customer support available for WordPress.org, although you can find support in various forums and communities.
Conclusion
The choice between WordPress.com and WordPress.org ultimately depends on your needs and preferences. If you are looking for an easy-to-use platform that takes care of hosting and security, WordPress.com may be the better option. On the other hand, if you want complete control over your website and unlimited customization options, WordPress.org may be the better choice. Ultimately, both versions of WordPress have their pros and cons, and it is up to you to decide which one is right for your needs.
Using commonly created content is the greatest strategy to get visitors and search engines to your website or social media page. Your CMS should be regularly updated and must be educational. Lastly, it should have entertaining forms of material. Diversifying your content kinds might also help your company stand out from the numerous other websites fighting for the attention of your clients.
The act of coming up with subject ideas that are appealing to your audience, developing written or visual material around those ideas, and then making that information available to your audience via a blog, video, visuals, or other content forms is known as content production.
Why is Content Creation Important?
The pinnacle of inbound marketing is content production. By producing content, you may engage readers in meaningful ways, give out free and helpful information to your audience, and draw new visitors to your website.
Almost 40% of marketers say content marketing is an essential part of their marketing strategy. 81% say their company sees content as a business strategy.
B2B marketers have data that says content marketing is a successful tool for nurturing leads (60%), generating revenue (51%), and building an audience of subscribers (47%).
Content equals business growth.
Content equals business growth. So, let’s get started with the types of content you can create and then review your content strategy.
Commonly Created Content
Blogs and Articles
Podcasts
Videos
Visuals
Blogs and Articles
Blog postings are one sort of content production (just like what you are reading right now). By the written word, blogs may instruct, amuse, and inspire their readers. The posts that appear when someone puts a query into Google are often blog entries.
Blogging is worthwhile, and according to 56% of marketers, it is their most successful content approach.
Yet focusing your attention and writing might be difficult. Here are some tried-and-true suggestions for blog content development, in addition to articles with opinions and postings with product announcements.
Commonly Created Blogs
Education-related blogs are among the most well-read ones. There are a few things you should consider if you want to utilize your blog as a teaching tool.
It’s a good idea to begin with a straightforward topic. Choose a specialized subject that individuals in your sector could be interested in learning more about rather than a general one.
For instance, instead of discussing the fundamentals of website design, discuss how to create the home page for a car dealership.
As you begin creating how-to blogs, keep the following in mind:
Short sentences and paragraphs with a clear structure should be used. This will make it simpler to follow your directions.
If at all possible, steer clear of technical jargon and utilize examples to clarify new knowledge.
Remember that your instructions should be simple enough for a novice to follow, so avoid skipping stages or providing shortcuts.
These tips should help your readers learn and bring you more traffic and interest in your educational content.
Pacing and Scheduling
Posting several pieces at once can benefit your followers and advance your site. A series often lasts for a predetermined amount of time. The series can either be released every day or on a specific day each week or month.
You may simply repurpose the material that a series produces for different channels. For instance, if you have a social media blog, you might publish an ebook, podcast, or video based on a blog series you wrote on Instagram Reels.
It is straightforward to completely examine a given issue using this method. It helps you position yourself as a thought leader and for creating both internal and external ties.
Podcasts
Podcasts are similar to radio broadcasts. Nonetheless, anyone may create and release a podcast. This implies that experienced and inexperienced podcasters are vying for the same audience’s attention.
In 2019, 73 million Filipinos spent an average daily time of 9 hours and 45 minutes on the internet watching videos and vlogs, streaming music, and listening to online radio stations and podcasts. (Rappler)
When the listener loves the host and wants to learn something from them, podcasts are much more enjoyable to listen to. Further suggestions for creating podcast material are provided in the following paragraphs.
Commonly Created Podcasts
An excellent podcast would often focus on a fantastic concept and then develop it with expert and audience input. Both informative podcasts and podcasts that tell stories are well-liked.
When starting your first podcast, make sure to stick to a regular posting schedule. Also, it’s a good idea to use the same format for each episode.
Aside from that, it’s about being true to yourself.
Self-Help and Self-Improvements
The focus of this podcast’s material is your career background. Include case studies and other real-world examples in this subject, please.
Keep in mind that the people who are listening to you have varied interests and frequently have varying levels of expertise in the sector. Hence, provide advice that you believe your listeners might use individually as well as insights for a variety of listeners.
Interviews
Knowing who to interview is the first step in adding influencer interviews to your podcast. Don’t only choose the most well-known names. Choose intriguing visitors instead who can benefit your listeners.
Make sure to investigate your guests before you ask them any questions, too. For instance, the well-researched questions the host of the YouTube program “Hot Ones” asks each famous guest contribute to the show’s popularity (while eating spicy chicken wings, yum!)
Videos
Video marketing is a kind of content production that is growing in popularity every year, whether you want to upload videos to YouTube or social media. Each type of video has a purpose in your content strategy, whether it be short or long. Thus, make sure to generate ideas for both categories of content.
According to 86% of marketers who use video, it is efficient in generating leads. For everyone involved in content development, unique video marketing is a crucial tactic.
Let’s discuss some additional smart suggestions for producing video content.
Commonly Created Videos
Tutorials: Video formats are also quite popular for how-to material. Keep your steps brief and detailed if you want to produce an effective instructional video. While you shouldn’t overlook any information, you also don’t want to saturate your audience with it.
Provide easy-to-follow visual instructions to aid learning, and at the conclusion, include a clear call to action.
Engaging with the comments on these videos is another smart move. This might inspire you to create more videos by reassuring your audience that you are available if they have more inquiries.
Repurposing: Using words from your most popular blog as the narration in another short video concept. Long blogs are excellent material for video series.
For your social media postings, you may also segment essential themes from blogs into bite-sized videos (known also as Short Form Content).
Add your videos to your blog articles after that. This enables readers of your site who find it through search engines another way to get the information they need.
Visuals
You might wish to upload creative graphics in your blog entries or on social media. They may take the form of screenshots, infographics, photos, GIFs, memes, or photography.
Often, a graphic designer or a design tool is needed to complete this form of content development.
Imaging
Picture and image-based postings are the content formats organizations employ most to improve audience engagement.
When you begin to develop visual material, be sure you have a firm knowledge of the essentials. They consist of:
Choose the appropriate example to support your point.
Consider composition
Employ contrast and color
Simple is best.
Visual Storytelling
Fast narrative works really well with visual content. Always remember to show, not tell as you begin to explore storytelling.
Consider presenting a tale about accomplishing a challenging sales objective. A photograph of a sales representative conversing on the phone won’t convey the same message as an image of the same sales representative climbing a sizable mountain.
To accentuate the action and drama of each scenario in your photos, try to use the environment, the subjects’ attire, the lighting, and the motion.
Content Planning
Without a plan, a drawing, or a mission statement, you wouldn’t begin construction on a home, a sculpture, or a business. So, no material should be created without a plan. Otherwise, you run the danger of losing track of your goal.
A content strategy covers everything from brand and tone to how you’ll market and ultimately repurpose your material. Let’s walk through the process of making your content plan step by step.
Setting Goals
Your content strategy should be focused on your marketing goals, much like a typical marketing campaign would be (which should, in turn, be derived from your company goals).
As long as they are SMART goals, your objectives might be anything from getting more website traffic to generating more leads to everything in between. Increasing organic blog traffic by 25% in the upcoming quarter is an example of this type of aim.
Social Media
3d render of social media icon collection
Social media may be used to market content even though it is primarily a relationship-building tool. Finding the ideal ratio between self-promotion, the dissemination of informative content, and enjoyment is key. The platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat are all excellent for producing and disseminating pertinent material on. It’s important to adapt that material to the platform.
I am finally getting rid of my lenses. I recently put up all my Viltrox lenses (the 23mm f1.4 mkII, the 33mm f1.4 mkII, and the 85mm f1.8) on Facebook Marketplace. The first two got sold almost immediately. Now I am only left with the Viltrox 85mm f1.8, which is still floating in the market as of this writing.
33mm f1.423mm f1.485mm f1.8
You might be wondering why am I selling these hot prime lenses. Are you asking if I will be leaving photography for good?
The answer is a big NO. I won’t be hanging up my Fujifilm XT100 anytime soon. I sold those two lenses as a step forward to my photography journey, which sounds ironic, I know. I sold some of my AF lenses to make way for the next phase of rekindling my passion for photography: to improve on my craft by using mostly manual focus lenses – specifically lenses from TTArtisan.
You might be thinking, ‘that is ridiculous‘. I… would have to agree with you on that.
Nonetheless, these are some of the reasons why committed such unimaginable crime:
I want to go back to my roots, to focus more on composition and lighting, and to lessen the impact of my already costly gear acquisition disorder.
I would like to bring back the joy in taking photos again. I missed the experience of turning both focus and aperture rings manually, and to endlessly wait for the red ants to show up.
I want to lessen the equation. Bringing even just one of those Viltrox lenses on my daily commute stopped being fun. I just want to shoot my usual street photography. I am done wasting time thinking which lens to bring, or use.
I am finding myself shooting more with my beat-up Fujifilm X100S.
All shots were taken with the Fujifilm XT100 with Viltrox 23mm f.14 during one of our photowalks orchestrated by Fujifilm Philippines.
Going back to my roots
Lately I have been too caught up in the race that I feel my outputs were turning to be too safe and cliche. It’s nice to surround yourself with great inspiration in social media but I found myself just copying their style, and their obsession with gear. I am tired of myself thinking “I gotta have that too” whenever I see someone posting about his new lens. I wish to go back and do my own thing, even if it means getting lesser engagements on social media, even if it means falling behind on the latest must-haves, even if it means I will be letting go of that sweet wide-open aperture.
The whole thing became a chore for me. Along with the features all Auto-Focus lenses provide, I got obsessed with the sharpness, fast-focusing, and fast-paced shooting that the whole experience became devoid of joy for me. I want to connect more with my shots. And the only way I know how to accomplish that is to return to my beloved TTArtisan Manual-Focus lenses. Nothing comes close to feeling and hearing those adjustable rings for me.
Removing it from the equation
I often keep switching from one bag to another. Blame it on the mood. But it works for me. I can do stealth mode by using a small everyday carry, and when opportunity knocks, bring all gears to battle. What doesn’t work for me are the obligatory pauses just to decide which lens to bring, and which to use. I just want to go out and shoot. Stop driving me nuts.
To put it into context, most of my bags are small camera sling bags (see article here). And for me, that works because I don’t want to be weighted down with heavy gears. But having too much choice (of lenses) makes it difficult to decide.
Fortunately, I’m glad I’m not the only who feels this way. Check out similar story here.
The Fujifilm X100S
I don’t know what’s up with my battle-scarred, second-hand X100S but it is such a joy to use. I have grown accustomed with the slow focusing, the mediocre battery, and the spotty shutter. Despite these nit-picks, it has deemed itself to be the smarter alternative for a stealthy photowalk session, or just the go-to camera when commuting to and from work. This is the final nail in the coffin why letting go of those 3rd party prime AF lenses is not a total loss. See the rest of my shots taken with my X100S and let me know if you agree with my decluttering.
Bottomline, I am letting go of the things that impede me from truly appreciating the craft. At the end of the day, all I want is to shoot, improve on my craft, and just enjoy doing it. Maybe I’ll buy new lenses in the future, who knows? But for now, I just want to let go of things that wear me down and focus on shooting with what I have.
Oftentimes, life can be a pain in the *ss. There is no denying that and it is unavoidable. But to be happy despite the challenges is a choice. Here are 6 ways how to be happier.
Don’t Stress It
It is ridiculous to wish to avoid stress. If I would, I could. Find ways to lessen your stress if you experience a lot of it, such as by picking up some time-management skills.
Introduce yourself to regular exercise and downtime. These adjustments are for the better. By managing your time this manner, you can significantly lower your stress levels.
Find Things That Give You Joy
Engaging in activities you enjoy does excellent for your emotional health.
Your day can be improved by doing something as simple as watching sports with a friend, taking a bath, or meeting up with friends for coffee.
It’s a fantastic way to have fun and feel accomplished to do something you’re good at, like dancing or cooking.
Avoid activities that will only give momentary joy. These things tend to become toxic on the later parts (overindulging on drinking alcohol or pigging out on junk foods).
I find this list from LifeHack to be very helpful.
Boost Your Self-Esteem
Self-Esteem is basically your self-worth.
The best method to boost your self-esteem is to treat yourself with the same respect and kindness you’d show a close friend or a loved one.
When you catch yourself criticizing yourself, such as when you tell yourself, “You’re such a fool for not getting that job,” stop and ask yourself, “Would I say that to my best friend?” Most likely, you wouldn’t.
Instead, tell yourself encouraging things such, “You’re a smart person, you’ll get the next job.”
An adult needs, on average, 7 to 8 hours of sleep in order for their body and mind to be completely rested.
Before going to sleep, organizing your thoughts and removing any distractions from your head by creating a “to do” list for the following day.
Speak Up
It’s crucial to communicate, whether it’s with a friend, relative, or therapist.
Instead of holding tension inside, talking things out can help you let it out. Your connections and relationships with others are strengthened as a result.
Many people find it to be very beneficial to discuss their problems with a counselor.
Hang In There
Your ability to deal with the ups and downs of life depends on your resilience.
Your resilience will increase if you can extract value from difficult situations.
Creating something artistic out of negative experiences, such as writing, painting, or singing, can help you express your grief and get through difficult times. You can also start a support group to assist others.
You can try to build your resilience by reading this article from Very Well Mind
Yes, I’m still shooting with Fujifilm X100S in 2023. I was aware that I have more to learn using my XT100, an entry-level X-Mount camera from Fujifilm. But despite the limited funding and opportunities to shoot more, I was dead set on experiencing old-school style and achieve the colors film cameras I grew up with.
Since I’ve been carrying around the Fujifilm X100S for almost a year now, I’ve used it for a variety of shoots, from orchestrated street photography to simply aiming it out the window of my grab ride and pressing the shutter release. The truth is that it’s quite straightforward and powerful.
I’ve gotten a chance to put this grand daddy through its paces throughout this period, and I’m rather impressed. From the time when it produced inexpensive point-and-shoot cameras for the general public, Fuji has come a very, very long way. Previously tagged as the poor man’s Leica. However, Fuji is definitely giving them a run for their money at a far lower price.
Where it all started
I was rocking the Fujifilm XT100 which was given by my lovely missus as a gift early 2020. And since then I never went out without it in my bag (Read my camera bag journey here). Getting rid of the kitlens early on, I started buying manual lenses just to test the waters. Throughout that period, I invested on different lenses as my shooting style evolved. The heaviest were the Viltrox lenses. That is when I missed having a lightweight camera (and a light carry-on).
Only half-way in my first year with the XT100 that I decided to get the Panasonic Lumix LX7 as I was enticed with the idea of having a compact camera handy. And it worked. The Leica lens and the utterly small footprint of the LX7 made me love shooting with street photography. But there is only so much you can do with a 10MP shooter. So it ended up with me wanting more.
So when I stumbled upon a Fujifilm X100S on Carrousell I immediately jumped on the chance (by swapping a perfectly good 256GB iPhone XS Max for it).
The Predecessor to a Legend
Fujifilm released the X-Pro and X-E1 (both of which are still in demand with avid Fujifilm photographers) in response to the X100, both of which shared some of the X100’s oddities but included updated sensors that, to be quite honest, are outright phenomenal. These sensors did away with the Optical Low-Pass Filter that most modern digital cameras have in addition to a novel pixel array that randomly places the red, green, and blue pixels on the sensor.
Images are crisper as a consequence of the lack of a low-pass filter in front of the sensor, and moiré is reduced as a result of the random array. It’s a wonderful bit of marketing talk when Fuji claims that this layout was inspired by the naturally random arrangement of the little grains of silver halide film. Whatever they did to this sensor was undoubtedly cool, which is to their credit. The X-Pro1 offered the finest low-light performance of any crop-sensor camera I had ever used when it was first announced. At ISO 3200, that camera produced wonderfully clear images, and the noise present there and at higher ISOs was stunning and film-like.
Form Factor and Handling
The X100S is essentially an identical twin of its predecessor when viewed at a distance. It is a clone in appearance and texture, right down to the wrapping of dimpled imitation leather.
When examined closely, it stands out for a few reasons, one of which is the “Q” button, a long-requested feature.
This button, which is a holdover from the X-Pro1, launches a quick menu screen where you may change a variety of settings, including ISO, Dynamic Range, the selected film emulation, and more. Speaking as an X100 user, I’m quite happy to have this capability. The original X100 users have been rather envious of it (or at least people from Reddit).
There are also additional minor upgrades when I compared it on Camera Decision website. It is now simpler to use this camera one-handedly since the button that activates the Auto Focus point selecting mode has been moved from the left of the LCD to the 4-way rocker/scroll wheel. Additionally, the exposure compensation knob is much stiffer and more difficult to mistakenly turn.
Holding the X100S is a beauty and as mentioned earlier, the camera can do single-handed shooting effortlessly.
The JPEGS
The X-Trans sensor from the X-Pro1 and XE4 is known to be an outstanding piece of technology, and when combined with the stunning 23mm f/2 lens on the X100S, it results in some stunning photos with lots of fine detail.
There are no unpleasant color casts or other issues, and the rendering of flesh tones and colors is exquisite. I usually photograph with the exposure compensation dialed in at roughly 1/3 to 2/3 of a stop because the camera does have a propensity to overexpose pictures. This helps to preserve shadow detail while limiting blowout of the highlights.
Check out more of my work with this little beast here.
Conclusion
The Fujifilm X100S excels at reducing the friction in my photography. Moving and shooting with the X100S is like strolling in the park when you’re used to running lapses. Doing street photography with this is like reading a good book, or talking to an old friend. It’s just you, the camera, and your subject. Of course, I won’t be giving up my XT100 and a ridiculous collection of lenses, but I also won’t be carrying them about all the time.
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