Step 1 :

Find a digital photo with high resolution both as a reference sketch, open the image in the File Menu > Open. Create a new layer just above it and name the layer is ?Gray Layer?. Select the color light gray from the Color Picker as the Foreground Color, and then click OK. Fill the layer with the color of the foreground color by clicking on the Edit menu, then select Fill > Foreground Color and click OK.

Step 2 :
Next, switch to the layer palette, select Menu Layers > Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer, and then select Pattern. Select group ?Pappers Grayscale? and select the fibers 1 type. And before pressing the OK button, larger-scale pattern in the texture of 300% in the Scale column then continue by clicking OK.

Step 3 :

Change the layer blending to Soft Light with the Opacity to 40%. Next duplicate the background layer / model and name it ?glowing edges? on the duplicated layer. This is done to give effect to these layers.

Step 4 :

Now, go to Filter menu, choose Stylize > Glowing edges. Drag the slider ?Edge Width? to number 3, move the slider ?Edge Brightness? to number 12, Drag the slider ?smoothness? to the number 7 and click OK. Still on Layer ?Glowing edges?, invert staining in this layer by selecting Image menu, select Adjustment > Invert (Ctrl + I). Because since we do not need color information at this layer, change the color to be black & white by selecting the Image menu, select Adjustment Desaturate or press a key combination (Ctrl + Shift + U) on the keyboard.

Step 5 :

Move the layer ?Glowing edges? is to stack the top layer by dragging while holding the left mouse button. Change the Layer Blending into Multiply by setting the Opacity to 20%. Return to layer, duplicate the layer Background / model and name this new layer with the ?Sketch?. On this layer, we will create a sketch effect. Discard color information at this layer by selecting Image menu, select Adjustment > Desaturate or press the key combination ?Shift + Ctrl + U? on the keyboard.

Step 6 :

Next, move the sketch layer to the stack top layer by dragging while holding the left mouse button. Then, increase the contrast in this layer by selecting Image menu, and select Adjustment > Curves or press the key combination ?Ctrl + F? on your keyboard and click OK. Give Grainy effect by selecting Filter menu, select Noise > Add Noise. Drag the slider ?Amount? to 14.21%, choose Gaussian in the Distribution column, and check Monochromatic field and click OK.

Step 7 :

Hide the first layer ?Sketch? by choosing Layer menu, select Layer Mask > Hide All. You also can press the Add Layer Mask button at the bottom of the layer palette then click the Edit menu, select Fill > Black. This layer makes the layer remains visible on the mode, but for now, hidden under the mask.

Step 8 :

Now select the Brush Tool (B), then click on the Toolbar Brush to select the brush shape. Choose the Dry Media Brushes and then select the type of brush Pastel on Charcoal Paper. If you use the Graphic Tablet, open the Brush Editor by pressing the F5 key on your keyboard. Dynamic Shape Panel, change the Size Control Jitter from Off to Pen Pressure. Similarly, in the Other Dynamics Panel, change the Opacity Jitter becomes Pen Pressure Control. If you use the Mouse, you do not need to open the Brush Editor, simply change the quantity Opacity and Flow at the Option bar.

Step 9 :

Back to the Sketch Layer, click the thumbnail black mask to work on the Mask. Do not forget to use the Foreground Color to white. Set brush size 15 px, opacity to 55% and Flow to 75%, scratched Stylus / Mouse slowly. Apply On the first face of the character, such as eyes, eyebrows, nose and mouth. Do more scratches, especially on the part of the body contours.

Step 10 :

Now, scratched Brush hair in the frame. Use a smaller brush, about the size of 10px. Now, larger brush size of 30 px, scratched in all parts of the hair. And further, larger Opacity to 98% and use a small brush (10 px) to further reinforce the character?s eyes and mouth. And as a last resort, brush in shadow areas by using the Brush size 35 px or larger and Opacity to 81%.

Readers who read this post also read:

• Pencil Portrait, A Gift Forever
• Capturing Your Pet’s Personality With a Pencil Portrait
• Pencil Portraits, Gifts That Last a Lifetime
• Flower Photography – Taking Good Pictures
• Photo Manipulation With Adobe PhotoShop and Its Effects on Society

Filling the Frame & Clearing Clutter

Although there are exceptions to this rule, usually filling the frame is one of the simplest things you can do to improve your composition.

Most people make the mistake of trying to include too much in their picture and end up with a boring photo where nothing really stands out.

For example, if you are taking a picture of your child playing on a swing, you should fill the frame of you child on the swing and leave out the swingset and other background clutter like Uncle Ed tending to the barbeque.

If you don’t fill the frame with just your child, you will lose them in the background and won’t be able to capture their excited expression from swinging high in the air. You can always go back and take a close up of Uncle Ed flipping the burgers.

A nice thing about digital cameras is that after you take the picture you can check for clutter in playback mode. By checking the picture right away, you often can retake the picture and make it better by getting everyone smiling or removing clutter from the background like a lamp post or tree branch.

Sometimes leaving lots of empty space in the photo also works well. You might take a picture of something that fills two thirds of the photo for effect. Make sure to get close enough to your subject so they fill up at least a third of the viewfinder or frame. So now it’s time to talk about one of the most important tips for taking digital photographs.

Rule of Thirds

Most pictures have the subject directly centered in the picture with a lot of empty space (or clutter) around them. This happens because most people use digital compacts in autofocus mode and these cameras usually have a center-weighted focus.

Professionally taken photographs rarely have the subject in the center because they use manual focus (we’ll look at a trick that digital compact users can sometimes use). If you have a DSLR you can also use this easy focusing trick.

The “Rule of Thirds” is one of the most popular techniques. With this technique, the photographer has to visualize six evenly spaced lines breaking the viewfinder into nine even boxes. Some cameras have a feature that lets you opt to have this tic tac toe grid, superimposed over your image in preview mode.

By using the grid in preview mode (or visualizing a grid), you can compose a picture where the subject is on one of the lines or intersections instead of the middle of your picture. And don’t worry about lining up your subject exactly to the grid lines as it is only intended as a guide. With a little practice, using the rule of thirds will become second nature.

Keeping Focused

So, it’s time to talk about how to get your subject in focus without placing them directly in the center of your picture. This technique works great for subjects that are not moving, like people sitting down or a picture of a statue or tree. Here is how you do it:

1. Move your subject in the middle of the frame where your viewfinder’s focus point is in the center and press the shutter release button half way down.
2. Wait for the green light to glow so you know the focus is locked.
3. Keeping your finger pressed on the shutter release button so it stays pressed half way down, move the camera until you have the composition you want.
4. Now, hold the camera steady and press the shutter the rest of the way down.
5. Always wait for the green light because that is the camera’s signal that it has taken the picture.

More Composition Tips for Taking Digital Pictures (Or Film)

Focus on something specific on your subject. For example, with people and animals, this is usually the eyes because they are so expressive.

To make photos pop, develop a photographer’s eye for contrast. Contrast in a picture is good when the brights are bright and the dark colors are dark.

Too add interest to a set of photos of a given subject, take photos from different angles. Get a different perspective by getting up high or lying down on the ground. It is best to vary the angle in which you take your pictures so you can show different perspectives and views.

By using these tips, you’ll be able to compose great pictures and display them on your wall for all to enjoy.

Readers who read this post also read:

• Wedding Photography Tips – Techniques You Can Use For Great Photos
• How to Take Good Pictures of People and Pets
• Macro Photography – Intro to Using a Macro Lens
• Fashion And Digital Photography
• Photograpgy and the Joy of Preserving Memories

Taking Better People Pictures

The best pictures of people always reflect their personality and character. While a picture make capture the person in the moment, sometimes the picture doesn’t accurately reflect the person’s usual expressions or appearance. The solution to this problem is simple: After setting up your photo shoot, spend a little time chatting with the subject, camera ready. When you see that perfect expression start snapping pictures.

A few technical tips:

* Keep in mind that Portrait mode tends to distort, making the subject look wider or younger. Depending on the age of the subject, the latter might be appreciated, but normally you would avoid this distortion by zooming. Stand close enough so the subject fills the camera’s viewfinder and then take one step backwards, zoom again to fill the frame and shoot your picture.

* Whenever possible, always use natural light. If using indoor lighting, try to use lamps with full spectrum light bulbs. Try to avoid low ceiling light as this creates bad shadows.

* Shoot in high resolution so that you can make nice, large prints of the best, then display them in picture frames to hang on your walls and give as gifts.

How to Take Great Pet Pictures

The first thing you need to do anytime you’re taking pet photos is to set your camera to a high shutter speed or use “sports” mode!

If your camera has a “Burst” mode this can help because it lets you shoot a lot of pictures rapidly so you’ll be more likely to get a good shot.

Sometimes instead of using the higher shutter speed to freeze the action, you might want to blur it to emphasize a crazy movement, like your dog chasing its tail. In this case, use Portrait mode for a slower shutter speed.

With animals especially, natural light is always best because flashes can upset pets plus, your pictures will come out better with outdoor lighting. If you must use flash, protect your pets’ eyes from injury by referring to your camera’s safe distance recommendations (usually four or more feet).

Depending upon the color of your pet’s fur coat, you’ll want to use different lighting for best results. For a light colored coat, you want a bright overcast sky and for a dark brown or black coat, you want to have direct sunlight to bring out the rich colors. If photographing outdoors, you want to use the same times of day you would with people, so take pictures when the sun is low in the sky.

If you want to get really good candid photos of your pet, take time to follow your pet around with your camera and be patient until you get a picture you really like. Using zoom will allow you to get good shots without being so close your pet is more interested in the camera then just being itself giving. So if possible, always keep your distance and use an optical zoom for best results.

Finally as with people, focus on the eyes. Try to get “eye level” with your pet which often means getting on the floor to capture that perfect photo.

By using these tips for how to take better people and pet pictures you’ll have what you need to capture some fantastic photos. Have fun shooting and don’t forget to frame your favorite photos!

Readers who read this post also read:

• Photo Composition: Tips For Composing the Perfect Photo
• Sunset Photography Tips – How to Take Good Photos
• Wedding Photography Tips – Techniques You Can Use For Great Photos
• Three Easy Tips You Can Start Using Today to Discover How to Sing Better Without Spending a Dime
• 5 Advanced Lighting Techniques For Amazing Pictures

Also called “processor lag” this is the time that it takes between the time you press the shutter release and the time the camera actually takes the shot. Press the shutter too early and you’ll end up with a picture that’s completely different than what you were expecting.

Despite all of their advantages, compact digital cameras are slower than traditional film cameras. This article provides some tips for dealing with this lag, as well as tips for how to take more exciting and memorable action pictures.

1) Be Ready to Shoot ? While you can’t know if your child is going to make that soccer goal, try to anticipate when things are most apt to happen. Even professional sports photographers with speed-of-lightning cameras try to anticipate the action, just so they can be in the right spot and point the camera in the right direction.

By having a better understanding of what you’re photographing, you’ll be better able to anticipate the actions and get better shots. So, if you plan to take pictures of your child’s soccer match, learn the rules of the game so you’ll know what to expect. If your child’s performing in the Nutcracker, watch a rehearsal or two.

2) Shop Around before purchasing a new compact digital. Unfortunately, there isn’t just one camera spec that will tell you how fast the camera will capture the picture from the time you press the button. Others things like the quality of the sensor and the ISO setting (if in dim light) can also slow down the processing time. So investigate what other people are saying in photography forums and read all of the manufacturer’s specs online.

3) Spring for a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens-Reflex). They’re more expensive than compacts, but they’re FAST. DSLRs don’t have shutter lag problems, so if you’re taking photos outside, you can increase the ISO without your photos having digital noise like you would with a compact camera.

Digital Photography Basics to Use with any Type of Camera

Whether you have a compact, DSLR, point-and-shoot film camera or camera phone, try these professional tricks.

Zoom in on Faces ? Don’t always focus on the action. Capture those expressions of determination, triumph and even defeat (especially if it’s an opponent!).

Tell a Story ? Look for shots that tell a story of the event. For example, begin with a shot of the team’s huddle or your fellow paddlers launching their rafts.

Freeze! ? To freeze the action, set your camera to sports mode or set your Shutter Speed Priority to a high setting. As an example of different settings, freezing action in a soccer tournament requires a shutter speed between 1/250 to 1/500 while taking photos of your pet sitting still requires 1/125.

Blur the Background ? Take a cue from the sports photographers, and blur the background by decreasing the camera’s depth of field. If you’re using a camera with Aperture Priority, you can do this simply by decreasing the F Stop number. The lower the F Stop number, the more blurry your background.

Pan – This is a good alternative for digital compact users where dim light underexposes photos taken with sports mode/fast shutter speed. Panning works with automatic focus, but it only works when the action is moving in a fairly straight line. Here is how to pan the camera:

Set your Camera to Auto focus. With feet planted firmly on the ground, move the upper half of your body while following the subject with your camera. Just before you think the action will occur, start pressing the shutter release button half way down and continue following the subject until you’ve pressed the button completely down to get the shot.

Is the auto focus on your camera too slow? Focus on an area of contrast, such as the number on a uniform. Auto focus works faster with contrast.

Play around with panning and see what kinds of different effects you can get. You might want to show some blur in the action to emphasize the speed of movement, such as with a race car.

Whether you are shooting a sporting event or taking photos of your dog playing frisbee, action photos are really a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. And once you understand the digital photography basics like shutter lag, you’ll take better pictures and have even more fun.

Readers who read this post also read:

• How to Take Good Photos of Animals
• Mastering Landscape Photography – How to Take Good Pictures
• Macro Photography – Intro to Using a Macro Lens
• Learning Photography: 5 Tips to Get You Started Right Away
• Photography 101: Film Speeds for the Beginner

Digital Compacts

One of the biggest advantages to digital compacts is the cost. Another thing to consider when buying a DSLR is that you will need to purchase at least one lens for your camera especially if you want to take distant photographs. Digital compacts always come with a built in lens and sometimes even come with a zoom.

If you have an optical zoom on your digital compact, you can get some good quality telephoto shots too. An Optical zoom is always better than digital zoom because a digital zoom works like cropping and takes away pixels. The more you zoom with a digital zoom the lower the image quality. Unlike regular zooms, an optical zoom maintains the quality of your picture.

Some compacts will take such high quality images that many a pro will use one when they don’t want to carry all of their DSLR gear. The quality of the photograph is largely dependent upon the photographer’s skill.

While digital compacts don’t have as many megapixels as DSLRs, with only 5 megapixels, you can produce an 8×10 print of the type of quality you’d be proud to frame and hang on your wall.

Finally, learning the digital photography basics of a compact is far easier then learning how to use a DSLR to its full advantage.

Digital Single Lens Reflexes (DSLRs)

A Digital SLR is the digital version of a single lens reflex camera or SLR. You can call a DSLR a single lens reflex camera but you can’t call an SLR a digital camera. With the release of cameras like the Canon Rebel and other moderately priced DSLRs, more photography enthusiasts are enjoying the benefits of using a DSLR.

The big advantage of the DSLR is its creativity and versatility.

For example, by adding a long telephoto lenses, you can capture a close up of an osprey at the top of a towering pine tree or a child at the soccer goal post when you’re at the other end of the field. With a DSLR, you can find all kinds of accessories to suit almost any photographer’s need.

Another advantage to the DSLR is its ability to take crisp, focused sports and other action shots in places with low light where flash isn’t allowed. The larger sensor on a DSLR allows you to do this; whereas with a compact, if you set the ISO high enough to take the shot in the dim light, it would have digital noise (sort of a multi colored grain). If you’re taking still shots, it’s not an issue. The problem with Sports Mode in a low light setting is that the shutter must close quickly so there is just not enough light to hit the image sensor even with a large aperture setting. The only way this can be compensated for is with a flash or a higher ISO setting.

However, you can get rid of most digital noise by using photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop.

Another advantage of using a DSLR is that you can use an external flash instead of always having to use natural light.

DSLRs have more megapixels than the best of the digital compacts, meaning you can take and print in high quality really big pictures, like posters and large prints for framing. And lastly, digital cameras are slower to take pictures than film cameras but DSLRs are much faster than digital compacts.

Although the digital photography basics do start with selecting a camera, the quality of your images will largely depend upon how you use your camera. So no matter what type of camera you have or will be buying, it pays to practice.

Readers who read this post also read:

• Digital Photography Vs. Film Photography
• The Best Underwater Photography Guide For Beginners
• Creative Photography – 3 Experiments to Try
• Macro Photography – Intro to Using a Macro Lens
• Photography Tips: 5 Tips For Amateur Photographers

Set out the Hummingbird Welcome Mat

Most places in North America have hummingbirds either seasonally or year round. Just ask your local Audubon Society on when you should put out your hummingbird feeders. You can also find out from them if the hummingbirds in your area need to migrate, and if so, when you should take your feeders down so they don’t get stranded in the cold.

Every serious hummingbird photographer needs a hummingbird feeder. When looking for a feeder, make sure you have one that is easy to clean and that it is easy to fill with sugar water.

Most birders suggest using 4 parts water to 1 part sugar or you can also try using a 3:1 mixture as well. Keep the feeders filled so that the hummingbirds don’t head to a more reliable nectar station. However you should take them down periodically to clean but put them right back up. Also never use food coloring because it can cause dangerous growth on the hummingbirds beaks and it’s not needed to attract them.

Hummingbird Feeders, Perches and Flowers

The biggest challenge with taking hummingbird pictures is that they rarely hold still. Hummingbirds are constantly zooming and darting so it makes it difficult to photograph them. Many photographers make the mistake of trying to follow them with their camera in hand. However, don’t do that as it is best staying in one position and being patient.

You want to think about the kind of bird pictures you want and then set things up to help increase your chances of getting the shot. After you’re all set up, all you have to do is have your camera ready and get comfortable. Many photographers use a stabilizer device like a tripod or monopod so the camera is always ready for the next shot. Some photographers use blinds so they can move without worrying about scaring off a hummingbird.

If you want photographs of hummingbirds hovering, remove the perches from your feeders. And if you plug all the holes but one it will be easier to get a pictures of one hummingbird at a time. You will still have hummingbirds zipping around trying to chase off the other birds from the feeder regardless of what you do.

Now if you want to take pictures of hummingbirds perching, watch where the dominant male goes after he fills up at the feeder. Usually, hummingbirds will perch where they have a good view of the feeder. If the perch isn’t in a good position for you to take pictures, you’ll need to do some rearranging. Move the feeder closer to a perch that works for you.

You can also move it farther from the natural perches and add a new perch that is in a photo friendly location. The hummingbird won’t mind as long as he or she can keep an eye out for intruders. Eventually the hummingbirds will get used to you and your camera, but movement will likely frighten them off so make sure you’re in a quiet area with very little activity.

If you have a particular flower that would make a lovely picture with the hummingbird but they are never there long enough for you to press the shutter release, try this photographer’s trick: Using an eye dropper, gently fill the flower with some sugar water. This only works for a short time because the flower will begin to wilt after just a few hours.

As with feeders and perches, you can also hang a basket of flowers to help attract them for photographing. However no matter if you use a flower or feeder, you’ll still only have about 8 seconds tops to take your pictures. Always be patient and don’t press the shutter release until the hummingbird has a had a sip of nectar or sugar water. Otherwise if the flash frightens them off, they won’t have as much incentive to venture back.

Check Your Background

The best background for hummingbird photography is something dark green that doesn’t have any distractions in it like brown twigs or branches. If you want a mobile background try a dark green potted plant or a painted poster board. The main thing is to have a dark background that makes the hummingbird’s colors pop.

If you look for hummingbird pictures in google images you’ll get a good idea of what backgrounds work and what doesn’t. Note how brilliantly colored hummingbirds fade into some backgrounds, like the bright green, sun lit trees and shrubs. A shaded area behind the feeder or perch also works well as a good background.

You can use photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop Elements, to blur the background and make the hummingbird stand out from the background.
You can also find tutorials on this on websites like Adobe.

Lights, Camera, Action

Once you have your hummingbird feeding station set up, now you just need to find a comfy place to sit with your camera and tripod. In order to freeze their beating wings, you will need a high speed flash but you can still get some great pictures with a good compact camera by using these tips.

Remember, hummingbirds may be the most challenging subject in bird photography, but with some patience you will soon have a nice collection of hummingbird photography to frame and display in your home.

Readers who read this post also read:

• Wedding Photography Tips – Techniques You Can Use For Great Photos
• 6 Ways to Make Your Boudoir/Intimate Photo Session a Secret Success
• The Beauty of Boudoir
• Take Better Pictures – How to Take Better Pictures Without an Expensive Camera
• 5 Advanced Lighting Techniques For Amazing Pictures

STUFFED ANIMAL INVITES – Select small stuffed or beanie-type animals to attach your invites to. Cut 8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock into four pieces. Then type or handwrite your party details in calligraphy on decorative scrapbook paper. Cut the finished piece using decorative scissors to be about 3″ x 4 1/2″. Then glue it to the back of the card stock. Decorate the corners with some Noah’s Ark stickers. Hole-punch the invite, run curling ribbon through, tie it around the neck of the stuffed animal, and hand-deliver your animal invites.

NOAH’S ARK-SHAPED INVITES – Cut an ark shape from a piece of brown card stock. Download various Noah’s Ark animals or use die-cut elephants, giraffes, monkeys, lions, lambs, etc. and place them into the ark. Write on the ark, “Beat The Flood & Join Me For My 1st Birthday Party!” On the reverse side, provide your party details.

NOAH’S ARK INVITES – Cut an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of card stock into two pieces and fold them in half. Then download some Noah’s Ark animals or use die-cut elephants, giraffes, monkeys, lions, lambs, etc. and glue them to the front of the card stock. On the left side either type or handwrite in calligraphy:

We’re flooded with excitement and fun

As (Baby’s Name) is turning one!

The animals came 2 by 2,

Now we want to party with you!

On the right side, type or handwrite your party details on a piece of decorative scrapbook paper. Cut the finished piece using decorative scissors to about 3″ x 4 1/2″. Glue it to the right side of the card stock. Decorate the corners with some Noah’s Ark stickers. Place the invite in a colorful envelope and add a few more stickers.

ELEPHANT INVITES – Cut a large elephant head with a long wide trunk out of gray construction paper or cardstock. Glue goggle eyes to the face. Write on the trunk, “Sail On Over, Two-By-Two, To (Baby’s Name) 1st Birthday Party.” Place all the party details on the back. Then fold up the trunk in an accordion fashion and place into a colorful envelope that is embellished with Noah’s Ark stickers. If necessary, fold down the elephant ears to make your invite fit.

NOAH’S ARK PHOTO INVITES – Cut an 8 1/2″ x 11″ card stock into two pieces and fold them in half. using decorative scissors, trim the edges of a photo of your baby dressed in an animal costume, so it is slightly smaller than the card stock. Glue the photo to the front of the invitation. Put “Join Me For A Cruise On Noah’s Ark” above the photo. On a piece of textured white paper (finished size 4 1/2″ x 7 1/2″), either type or handwrite in calligraphy all of your party details and then decorate the edges with Noah’s Ark stickers.

EMBELLISH READY-MADE NOAH’S ARK INVITES – Buy ready-made Noah’s Ark invitations and embellish the picture with various colors of glitter to match the animals. Glue tiny google eyes onto some of the animals, a ribbon around the neck of an animal, or perhaps a tiny silk flower near the ear of an animal.

Readers who read this post also read:

• Create Fun and Fabulous Alphabet Party Invitations
• Create Fun and Fabulous Elmo Party Invitations
• Create Fun And Fabulous Baby Einstein Invitation Ideas
• Custom Printed T-Shirts For Stag Parties
• Fairy Lights ? How to Create Dazzling Effects

A research was conducted by a sophomore pre-law student of Kansas State University, Eduardo Alvarado. He conducted a practical experiment that looked at possible behaviors that could be elicited from music lyrics of specific songs. Song lyrics combined with appropriate and fitting music could activate specific feelings in the subconscious of people, making them act accordingly with the environment sans deliberate intent. This way, music and song lyrics could be used to intentionally manipulate social behavior.

The study?s major goal was to find out if specific music lyrics could really activate pro-social and anti-social responses among individuals. It sought to prove that pro-social behaviors of empathy and anti-social behaviors like aggression could result from exposure to specific types of song lyrics. Particularly, songs used were patriotic and children-friendly, specifically, ?The Star-Spangled Banner? and ?Itsy Bitsy Spider,? respectively.

The participants of the research were asked to fill out survey forms that asked questions to find out religion and attitudes toward diversity and other culture. For control purposes, half of the respondents completed the survey forms prior to the lyrics-experiment; while the remaining half did the survey forms post the exercise. The aim of this action is to directly gauge and find out immediate effects of song lyrics to social behaviors.

Preliminary findings of the research showed that song lyrics actually create anti-social and pro-social responses and behaviors among participants. Songs with patriotic lyrics were able to bring about negative behavioral effects to the respondents, as shown by the way they responded to given survey questions that are about diversity and cultures. Overall, such song lyrics effectively made respondents assume prejudice and close mindedness. The researcher observed that once participants assumed a patriotic view of life, they tended to act less empathetically. Those respondents do not put themselves into perspectives of other people.

On the contrary, children?s songs like ?Itsy Bitsy Spider? set neutral behaviors. The respondents showed pro-social behaviors or responses. They exhibited positive behavior and openness to diversity and foreign culture. Such respondents became more empathetic and more accepting, as showed by the way they responded to survey questions.

Organizations, schools, and people could use this knowledge for their own favors. If you are convincing people to accept cultures or diversity, try to expose them first to songs with children?s lyrics. Avoid patriotic songs as lyrics of such music certainly are worded to make people stick to and be impractically loyal to their own nationality and race. Song lyrics are indeed very important. You could strategically use them.

Readers who read this post also read:

• Songs That Are in the Key of Slur: Misheard Lyrics
• Turn Your Instant Ideas Into Effective Song Lyrics
• Use Language Creatively When Writing Music Lyrics
• Tips When Writing Song Lyrics
• Lyrics You Hear Over and Over Again: Legendary Song Backs

Does it seem like you are more likely to mishear lyrics of just any song? That is not a reason for you to turn away from loving music. Lyrics are as important as tunes in every song. Though there are many songs that are rendered only by music instruments, the most memorable and immortal are those with effective and catchy lyrics.

To mishear lyrics of songs is just but natural. However, you might easily notice that there are just too many songs that have misheard lyrics. You could not really blame people if they keep on using ad lib and wrong lyrics. Here are some of the songs that could be nominated to the hall of fame of misheard lyrics or ?key of slur.?

Nirvana?s ?Smells Like Teen Spirit? ? To many people deceased alternative rock star Kurt Cobain is just difficult to understand, especially some of his lyrics. The most popular song with lots of misheard lyrics from his band Nirvana is this one. Classic lines are ?I am with Kato in a Beetle,? ?Amaretto in the needle,? and ?A mosquito ate my Cheetos.? Some music analysts even point out that ?Teen Spirit? in the title might even be referring to Teen Spirit, a brand of deodorant.

?Burn to Run? by Bruce Springsteen ? This song is a classic when it comes to misheard lyrics. One particular phrase ?round my inches? does not sound wrong but it is preceded by another clause ?wrap your hands.? The misheard lyrics make for a reason why the song spurs endless controversy.

Billy Joel?s ?We Did Not Start the Fire? ? To lyrics analysts, this song is bursting with just too many misheard lyrics. What is odd is that there are numerous phrases and names involved. The top misheard lyrics from this one include ?British beat Romania (should be ?British Beatle mania?), Chocolate in sewers (should be ?Trouble in the Suez?), and ?Gretchen?s in Afghanistan (should be ?Russians in Afghanistan).

?One Headlight? by the Wallflowers ? Rock group the Wallflowers never run away with it. This song is voted in most Websites and polls as the top song with misheard lyrics. The controversial line goes, ?rubbed our cocks together.? Many people are up to this day mislead about this one, wondering if it is really how the lyrics goes and if it does, what does it mean?

?Circus? by Britney Spears ? New songs have their shares of misheard lyrics. There is a line that says, ?There?s only two kinds of people in the world.? Your grammar teacher would freak out over this one. There is a disagreement over verbs: is and two kinds of people.

?Weight? by The Band ? Many people assert the song talks about a woman named Fanny. But actual lyrics goes, ?Take load off, Annie.? There is nothing wrong with the lyrics, but people just keep on mishearing them. It is also not that nobody would ever write a song about a woman whose name is Fanny.

Readers who read this post also read:

• Song Lyrics Influence Social Behavior of People
• Turn Your Instant Ideas Into Effective Song Lyrics
• Use Language Creatively When Writing Music Lyrics
• Tips When Writing Song Lyrics
• Lyrics You Hear Over and Over Again: Legendary Song Backs

You do not need to be a master lyricist to be able to come out with good lyrics that would surely fit in perfectly with melodies and tunes. Writing lyrics is just like writing short writing compositions. You may talk about anything you feel like talking about. It could be about any person, about your love, about how you feel, about places, about the seasons, or just about anything you could ever think of.

Are you running out of ideas for your lyrics-writing activity? Here are some practical tips that could guide you become a good lyricist.

?Think about any incident in your life or in the lives of people you know that could be appropriately and effectively discussed in a song. Expert lyricists attest that personal experiences make for better song lyrics.

?If you are always writing lyrics about your personal experiences, why not write lyrics for a song that talk about others?? You might say the words in your own view.

?Some lyrics are best when adhering to specific concepts. If you are writing to produce a concept music album, it would be best if you keep on thinking about usual and profound concepts. Lyrics should not always be about experiences, you know. Many concepts also make good subjects for song lyrics.

?For good melodies, you may write several sets of lyrics before finally choosing the one that fits the bill. It is advisable to rewrite lyrics if you think it is called for. You might not be aware but most songs? lyrics have been revised and replaced many times before they are finally published and recorded.

?Not too many lyrics talk about events people usually read in magazines and newspapers. But those lyrics really touch hearts. Could you still remember some Michael Jackson songs with heartfelt lyrics talking about famine, degradation of environment, and racial discrimination issues? Take heed.

?Always keep a pen and paper with you. Sometimes, profound words just pop up in the minds of people at uncertain times of the day, at the most unexpected venues. It would help if you could write down your feelings and your descriptions of surroundings. Such words could make good song lyrics.

?Brainstorm with friends, family, and colleagues. Other people might have terrific ideas. There is nothing wrong with drawing thoughts and inspiration from other people. Inspiration and influence are very significant and helpful when it comes to writing of song lyrics.

?Lastly, be original. It would not be advisable plagiarizing other people?s works. Respect intellectual rights especially if you want to always command respect from people over your song lyrics.

Readers who read this post also read:

• Song Lyrics Influence Social Behavior of People
• Songs That Are in the Key of Slur: Misheard Lyrics
• Use Language Creatively When Writing Music Lyrics
• Tips When Writing Song Lyrics
• Lyrics You Hear Over and Over Again: Legendary Song Backs