The choice of lighting makes all the difference

Make-up artists prefer to work in daylight or at least with daylight-like lighting. Tips and tricks for at home.

Has this ever happened to you? At home in front of the bathroom mirror, your make-up looks great. Then the scene changes: on the go, you take a look in the mirror and see something completely different. Make-up edges, lipstick color too bright and way too much blush on your cheekbones…sure, we’ve all been there, but what can you do to prevent this from happening again in the future?

Right, as you’ve already guessed, when it comes to make-up, everything stands and falls with the right lighting. Don’t worry, you don’t have to get professional equipment now. All you really need is a new mirror.

Your new bathroom mirror: this is what it should look like

It is particularly difficult to create daylight-like conditions in bathrooms without windows. After all, the light from the midday sun is very bright and the light color is not really suitable for lighting interiors. It quickly appears uncomfortable and cold. It is also not necessary to illuminate the entire bathroom in this way. Only the area in front of the mirror needs to be illuminated if necessary.

A bathroom mirror with an integrated LED light strip is the gold standard for your perfect make-up. Make sure that the lighting is positioned on all four sides of the mirror. This way, your face is optimally illuminated when you apply your make-up – evenly and directly from the front.

No compromises: It all depends on the light color

When buying your new bathroom mirror, it is essential that you ask about the right light color.

Only LEDs with neutral white light can simulate daylight.

Although warm white tones are suitable for indoor lighting and flatter the complexion, they lead to differences in your color perception. And then it is all too easy to choose a make-up shade that is too dark or apply too much blusher.

Compact make-up guide for a beautiful complexion

1. Speaking of complexion
2. Day cream
3. Primer
4. Foundation
5. Make-up routine

Speaking of complexion – beauty step #1

Of course, we also have some professional make-up advice for you when you’re styling yourself in front of your new bathroom mirror for the first time. Always stick to this order and take your time:

Day cream – Beauty step #2

First, apply your day cream as usual to cleansed facial skin, the neck and perhaps also the décolleté. Make sure you use the right sun protection factor, especially in summer. The day cream should be well absorbed before you continue. This may take a few minutes.

Primer – Beauty step #3

Next, use a primer to even out small irregularities and/or enlarged pores. The complexion will appear refined and the foundation will not form unsightly lumps later on.

Foundation – Beauty Step #4

Now you can apply your foundation or make-up. Feel free to use a sponge to ensure an even result. In the right light, you can quickly check whether you have blended all the transitions properly.

Make-up routine – Beauty step #5

Depending on what you want to apply now, you can use fixing powder, eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, blusher or lipstick.

Conclusion: Neutral white light for optimum conditions

Neutral white light integrated into a bathroom mirror creates the ideal conditions for professional make-up that doesn’t just look good indoors. Have fun trying it out!

Bedroom cozy furnishings: Here’s how

A comfortably furnished bedroom is of great importance. A pleasant and inviting atmosphere in the bedroom can help reduce stress, improve sleep quality and increase overall well-being. But what is important when furnishing the bedroom?

A soothing color choice: Soft basic tones

The choice of colors for your bedroom is a crucial aspect of its design. Calming and soft shades such as pastel blue, soft green or warm beige tones create a relaxing atmosphere. Avoid bold and intrusive colors, as they can affect the quality of sleep. Also experiment with different color combinations to give your bedroom a personal touch.

These are the best colors for the bedroom:

• Pastel blue
• Delicate green
• Warm beige tones

Cozy furniture and efficient storage solutions

The bed is undoubtedly the most important piece of furniture in the bedroom. Invest in a quality mattress and comfortable bedding to promote a restful night’s sleep. Choose a headboard upholstery that matches the style of your bedroom. You can decorate the bed with cozy pillows and a warm blanket to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

If the room offers enough space, a small seating area in the bedroom can be a nice addition. A comfortable armchair or chaise longue invites you to read, relax or meditate. Place a small side table and a reading lamp to create a cozy corner where you can switch off. Since a tidy bedroom contributes to a relaxed mind, you can also use smart storage solutions to keep your personal items neatly organized.

Tip: A cozy seating area invites you to read and relax before bedtime

In addition to a cozy interior, it also depends on the right decoration.

Decoration: colorful accents and personal accessories

Stickers for bedrooms, atmospheric lamps & Co. – Through clever decoration ideas you can give your bedroom a personal touch and create an atmosphere of peace and coziness. From strategic lighting to personal accessories, there are many ways to beautify the bedroom and make it an inviting space of relaxation.

Wall sticker for bedroom as accent

Bedroom wall stickers are a great way to add a personal touch to a room without having to make permanent changes. There are a variety of wall stickers available in different designs, patterns and sizes that are easy to apply and remove. Choose a wall you want to highlight and place an eye-catching wall sticker there for your bedroom. Whether it’s an inspirational quote, a nature motif or abstract patterns, wall stickers can beautify the room in a creative and playful way and create an individual atmosphere.

Atmospheric and well-designed lighting

Well-designed lighting can significantly affect the ambience in the bedroom. Use a combination of dimmable ceiling lights, bedside lamps and indirect lighting to create a pleasant and moody atmosphere. You can also experiment with different lampshades to add a touch of personality.

This is what you should pay attention to in terms of lighting in the bedroom:

• Dimmable ceiling lights adjust the brightness in the room
• Indirect light creates a moody atmosphere
• Bedside lamps and wall sconces serve as decorative light sources
• Strategically placed mirrors reflect as light
• Curtains and blinds regulate daylight

Natural elements and personal touches

Incorporating natural elements into bedroom design can have a calming effect. Plants are a great way to bring freshness and life to the room. Choose low-maintenance plants like a houseplant or succulents to create a relaxing atmosphere. Wooden furniture and accessories will give the room a natural and organic aesthetic.

Finally, add personal touches to the bedroom that reflect your personality. Hang artistic wall art, place family photos on the nightstand, or display mementos on a dresser. Individual elements create a familiar atmosphere and make the room a retreat that’s all yours.

Tip: Bedroom as a technology-free zone

Also, to promote restful sleep, make your bedroom a technology-free zone. Avoid using televisions, computers or smartphones in the bedroom. Instead, you can use an analog alarm clock and read a book as a bedtime ritual. This helps to calm the mind and create a relaxing sleep environment.

Inspiration: Furnishing styles, better sleep & Co.

In what color should the wall be painted? Where should the bed be placed? And how can you improve the quality of your sleep? Find out here which color accents are best suited for the bedroom and how Feng Shui can contribute to a restful sleep.

Feng Shui for the bedroom: harmony between the elements

What should you pay attention to the position and orientation of the bed in the bedroom? And what colors, shapes and materials are best suited for the bedroom? Feng Shui as a style of furnishing is about creating a harmonious balance between the elements and at the same time taking into account the desired effect on people. Find out how to decorate your bedroom in Feng Shui style here.

Setting individual accents with trend colors

The choice of color has an enormous impact on the atmosphere and mood of a room. Through targeted color selection, you can visually change a room and achieve different effects. How you can set clever accents through different colors, that and more you will learn in this video.

5 tricks for restful sleep

Quality sleep affects many aspects of our well-being, including our cognitive function, mood, immune function and ability to manage stress. Galileo has tested the latest gadget for a more restful sleep.

Energetic – Good or difficult?

Insufficiently insulated windows can form so-called cold bridges in the facade. For this reason, the replacement of old windows is always one of the first measures in a renovation. This is because a lot of energy is lost in a house through old and not well insulated windows. The roof, exterior walls, exterior doors, windows and the floor slab are the building components that seal off the outside. The energy efficiency of a building depends to a large extent on them, as the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy also states.

Energetically ideal are windows with panes that have a metallic coating. The spaces between them are filled with inert gas. Their insulation values are three times higher than those of single-glazed windows.

Ideal: windows with panes and metallic coating

Bright rooms look more friendly and spacious:

Source for more light

If you are in a room with many windows, you use less energy for artificial light. Especially in the house in the hallways, generous window areas and glass in the house have a positive effect on energy consumption.

Special case corridor

If you have daylight in the hallway for long stretches, you need light there exclusively at night, at least in the summer. In addition, a house looks friendlier if the entrance area is full of daylight. But how can this be achieved? Firstly, through front doors with side panels or skylights. Through these, the light comes directly into the hallway. A high-quality frosted glass film provides privacy at this point. It lets the light in, but does not allow people to see inside the house from the outside. The film can be ordered made to measure and easily applied.

Frosted glass film allows light into the room while protecting privacy

Another option for more light in the hallway are interior doors with glass. These can be all-glass doors or glass inserts in the doors. Similarly, skylights in the house are a way to get the light from the rooms to the interior of the house. Again, the use of frosted glass film can provide privacy.

Effect of large windows in living rooms

Floor-to-ceiling windows are popular in modern living spaces in new buildings. Especially large window fronts create a nice feeling of spaciousness in the room. However, attention must be paid to two points:

• How to heat
• Where storage space or floor space remains

Heating type

Usually, the radiators are located under the window. This was done to counteract the cold bridge and distribute the warm air in the room as much as possible. Now, if the windows in a room are floor-to-ceiling, underfloor heating is ideal. This distributes the warmth already ideally in the space alone by its structure. It also counteracts cold spots on the floor, which can certainly occur with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Footprint

If a room has floor-to-ceiling windows, think about the upcoming furniture. As beautiful as window fronts are, if there is a cabinet in front of them at the end, they look strange. For this reason, the window design and the room should think about the use and furnishings. Floor-to-ceiling windows are not always the ideal solution in small rooms. If floor space for furniture is difficult, high-set narrower windows, as in Scandinavian houses, can be an ideal source of light.

Ideal light sources in the kitchen

While floor-to-ceiling windows are nice at the dining area in an eat-in kitchen, it’s a different story with the windows directly at the countertops. There, on the one hand, a direct source of light is needed, but on the other hand, the floor space for the cabinets. For this reason, floor-to-ceiling windows in a kitchen are rarely the ideal solution. If the work surface is located opposite, the occupant stands in the light while cooking. If the work surfaces are placed in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, it is neither possible to ventilate well nor does the room really benefit from the floor-to-ceiling windows. For this reason, it makes sense to have smaller windows in a kitchen and light through skylights or narrower windows set higher again.

Tip: Higher set narrow windows allow good ventilation and let light into the kitchen

Large windows in children’s rooms

Children’s rooms benefit from brightness. At the same time, it must be remembered that a child plays intensively on the floor, especially during the first years of life. Whether it’s crawling, playing on a play rug or later concentrated building with Lego – a child spends a lot of time on the floor. Those who choose floor-to-ceiling windows in a child’s room must pay particular attention to insulation. Because while underfloor heating works effectively against the cold floor in winter, if the windows are not well insulated, the floor can get chilly even in summer.

Additional tip: Light wall colors reflect the light from the window and contribute to a pleasant atmosphere:

With age, a child may also feel disturbed by the openness of a floor-to-ceiling window. Better than pleated blinds or venetian blinds – which often do not suit the taste of a teenager, a frosted glass film fits here. It can be applied flexibly and protects against unwanted glances without the room having to be plunged into darkness.

Bathroom with daylight

In the bathroom, windows have several important functions. Windows provide the opportunity to ventilate the humid air from the room. They also provide daylight when looking in the mirror, which is often nicer than the very bright artificial lighting in the bathroom. To prevent unwanted views, higher windows are useful, especially on the first floor. On the one hand, a high light band lets the light in and offers the option of ventilation. In addition, bathrooms are often planned so small that lower-seated windows take away important floor space. Or the window sills at the end serves as a floor space and hereby the ventilation is more difficult.

Room size decisive

The size of the window must fit the size of the room. The windows should be freely accessible, so that in addition to light, they allow air into the four-walls. From too many gazes films safely protect the inhabitants of the house, without swallowing too much light. Living is always better with daylight in the premises.

Loft apartment: What actually is a loft?

A loft apartment has its own unique charm. Knowing that this was an old industrial building makes you appreciate the historical background of the building even more. Not sure if this type of apartment is right for you? Here you can find out the most important facts and features of a loft and decide if it suits you.

Tip! Are you about to buy your first own apartment? Then take a look at our comprehensive article on the subject of buying an apartment. Here, topics such as the process, costs or advantages and disadvantages of buying an apartment are explained.

Are you looking for the right apartment? Here you’ll find definitions, meanings and lots of information on penthouses, granny flats, apartments & co.: Apartment types from A-Z

Important features of a loft: walls and floors with character

First of all, you should know by now that lofts were created from old industrial buildings. In most cases, the loft is not on the ground, offers one to two floors and is a large open space. Typical features are for example floors and ceilings made of concrete, as well as brick or unplastered walls, which already give character to the initially empty space. It is also not uncommon to see openly laid pipes. Imagine a loft like a blank sheet of paper, which you can design and convert as you wish.

Room layout: one room with many possibilities

Because lofts are former factory premises, there is usually only one large and spacious room, rather than several small ones. In addition, this type of construction offers very high ceilings and large window fronts. So you always have plenty of daylight to fill the large space, which makes your apartment feel open and friendly. You also have the possibility to arrange the rooms yourself and to furnish your loft according to your wishes and needs. For example, use high cupboards or shelves to create a specific room layout. This type of architecture offers you the chance to live out your creativity.

Advantages & disadvantages of a loft: free space, flooded with light etc.

Before deciding to buy or rent an apartment, you should find out about the particular type of apartment and consider for yourself whether you could live in it. Especially a loft apartment offers many advantages, but also some disadvantages. For sure, this type of architecture is not for everyone and for that we have compiled a list of the most important facts about lofts for you. Get smart and see for yourself if you could imagine living in such an apartment.

Advantages: a lot of freedom and opportunity for development

Lots of free space and an open ambience. These are probably the biggest advantages of a loft apartment. Especially for young adults, this can be the perfect place to live. It’s not uncommon to create a combination of work and personal life by dividing your apartment accordingly. So, you would have the option of designing your loft in such a way that you demarcate one private area and receive business partners or clients in the other. Due to the extravagant ambience and the charm of the listed building, you can create the perfect space for a variety of purposes. Be creative, flexible and have the possibility to design your loft according to your requirements.

• Very much free space
• Extravagant ambience, flexible design
• Historical background, mostly listed buildings
• Combination of professional and private life

Disadvantages: high price, a lot of gathering and little privacy

Despite the many advantages and the free space that you get in a loft, there are also some disadvantages that you have to consider. For example, you have to consider that many lofts are already very old and unkempt and therefore in need of renovation. If this is not the case and they are in top condition, the price is usually very high. In addition, one should take into account that there may be high additional costs. Since this type of construction usually only has one large room with high walls, it takes a long time to heat it and the brick walls make the apartment less insulated. Finally, you must always take into account that especially if you do not live alone, retreat and privacy is rather difficult.

• High prices or in need of renovation
• High ancillary costs, difficult to heat
• Little retreat, no privacy

Source: Loft apartment (Lukinski.de)

Loft Apartment: For whom is a loft suitable?

Loft apartments, while usually highly sought after, are certainly not for everyone. By being a large, open space, there is little room to retreat, which could be difficult if you have a family of several. Still, this type of architecture would suit a variety of people. We’ve listed a few groups here that would certainly think highly of the extravagant ambiance and could do a lot with it.

Company – space for exchange

You don’t have to use a loft just as a living space. During the last years it has become more and more attractive for companies to rent a loft apartment as office space. You have the possibility to work in an open atmosphere and to live out your creativity. There is less and less emphasis on a sterile, segregated office atmosphere, but rather the focus is on collaboration and, above all, quick exchange. The building structure of a loft also offers charm and is modern, which is particularly in demand with young companies or start-ups.

Yuppies – young, successful adults

Especially for singles or single people a loft is perfect. The target group here is young, successful adults who can afford this kind of apartment. If you have this option, everything is open to you with this type of construction. You have the possibility to give free rein to your creativity, you can create and design rooms and live freely. Since you live alone, you don’t need a specific retreat and even if you receive visitors, the atmosphere is open and friendly due to the architecture. It is also very popular to combine the professional with the private space, for example by changing your furnishings to create a place for customers or business partners.

Seniors – functional and creative

Lofts would also be ideal for retirees to live in. Because there is only one large room, it is at ground level and there are no stairs. So it is extremely practical, because you can reach every room quickly and everything is designed barrier-free. In addition, the large, free space also offers space for new hobbies, as you can give free rein to your creativity and so, in his later years well passes the time.

What you should consider before buying/renting a loft space

Especially with older buildings, you should do thorough research before buying or renting. Something unexpected could always come up and to avoid that, you have to consider a few things. We took the trouble for you and did some research. Here you will find the most important points that you should consider before buying.

In addition to the location and condition of the property, factors such as the process or costs must also be clarified before the purchase. You can find more information on this in our article on the subject of buying an apartment.

Surroundings & location – no city centre, but outskirts of town

You should definitely find out beforehand where your loft apartment is and whether the infrastructure is sufficient for your needs. The old warehouse or industrial buildings are usually not located in the city center, but rather on the outskirts in industrial areas. Of course, it’s not uncommon that trains or buses don’t run every hour. So think about whether such a location would be suitable for you and whether you need to be connected to public transport. If you have a car, you will usually have no problem finding a parking space or getting to the motorway quickly.

Need for renovation – you have to get creative

Another important point is to check the need for renovation of your loft. As you already know, it’s not uncommon for old industrial buildings to be run down and unkempt. Therefore, we recommend you to consult an expert to avoid unnecessary costs. Have the apartment inspected beforehand and compile a list of the costs still to be incurred. Then you can decide for yourself whether the purchase plus the renovation fit into your budget. With the right planning, nothing can go wrong.

You should also look at the walls and insulation. Most lofts have brick walls, which are not well insulated. This is also an important point to avoid higher utility costs. So check this and make the necessary improvements.

How do you furnish a loft? Tips for furnishing & Co.

When you choose a loft, there are no limits to your creativity. Mix between modern and vintage and design your space as you see fit. Take advantage of the generous daylight that is given to you due to the window fronts. Create your own room layout with cabinets, shelves or curtains and keep the charm of the old building by highlighting certain industrial elements. Use your freedom and go wild. Feel free to check out our interior items from Rolf Benz or B&B Italia. The furniture would fit perfectly in a loft.

Tips for the perfect interior

Who wants to furnish his new apartment perfectly, it is not always easy. Who the furnishings and decorating was not laid in the cradle often needs a few tips and inspiration to implement his dreams of living. Here you will find some helpful tips that can help to create a cozy interior and atmosphere.

Tip! All trendy styles such as Skandi style, retro look, industrial style and much more can be found in our comprehensive overview: Furnishing styles XXL.

• Modern, vintage interior or style mix
• Use the daylight
• Create your own room layout
• Highlight industrial elements

Stefan Milev: Instagram
Stefan Milev: Website

Way to professional photography – Tips, role models & work

FIV: In times of the Internet and social media, photographers are indispensable and can be found in almost every niche. How did you come to your field? Is there a story how you came to become a photographer?

Stefan: I call my niche simple craft, photography. Not everybody is able to do that, although it seems that the whole social media is made up of photographers.
“Bobo – My mother’s childhood friend” is my story. We had many photos lying around at home, one was very special – a self-portrait double exposure of my mother and him – that was the foundation for my photography.

FIV: As a photographer, you are often under time pressure or in a hurry. What tips can you give us to help you get through the whole thing?

Stefan: You cannot turn the clock! Most of the time I am very absorbed in my work and I don’t like to be put under pressure. It is best not to pay attention to the time. And if there is not enough time, there is a new day.

FIV: Your paintings seem to have a certain style. Do you have a role model or what do you get inspired by? What do you want to express with your work?

Stefan: My work consists of many thoughts, dreams, personalities, fantasies and moments, the expression is the photo itself. I don’t know if this can be called “style”.

FIV: What exactly do you do in your work and what things should you pay special attention to? Would you say that work can become monotonous? What do you find appealing in your work and what is your recipe for a lack of drive?

Stefan: My work ties in with the interface of modernity, in which I search for and open up new possibilities of representation and ways of doing things through the invention of photography and the examination of this technique.
Special attention: Motifs and possibilities of representation from Surrealism, Abstraction, Expressionism and Naturalism, but also from early photography and silent film cinema, return. Despite the visible inspiration and references to art historical models, my works are not mere imitations or replicas. Rather, I succeed in taking up the aesthetics and transferring them to current pictorial themes. In doing so, my pictorial language is used in its mode of action to focus on levels of the dream, the grotesque and the subconscious. Thereby temporal levels are inscribed in my works, which link the past with the present and stimulate fantasies and visions with their visionary character.

Or, to describe it in simplified words: “Mental freedom is the air I breathe. In general I am influenced by life, I feel myself as an observer and visualist who loves simplicity and time”. Limitation and standstill feel incredibly unnatural to me. Perfection is very important to me, and when I have achieved it, I show the imperfect to potentiate the perfect, it can’t get monotonous.

FIV: Stefan, would you say that being a photographer is a normal job like any other, or does a photographer sacrifice a part of his free time?

Stefan: My free time is very important to me, I use it consciously to reflect, to recharge my batteries and to feel. I would never sacrifice my free time, because it is a very important good, we all should appreciate that more, just like boredom!

FIV: When you think about the future, where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your plans? I’m sure you already have some projects lined up.

Stefan: To answer this question adequately, I will probably need 5 years. Currently I am working on a project called “SMPH” which consists of many different series. There are many artists involved, the project lives on/with the time. Beyond that there are further plans, so answer follows in 5 years…

FIV: There are many good commercial photographers in almost every industry, how would you say your work stands out from the competition?

Stefan: Everything they can do, I can do better

FIV: Becoming self-employed is always a risky business and a big step. Where did your self-confidence for this step come from? Did you get support from someone special?

Stefan: The encouragement comes from my mother. The support always comes from my wife.

FIV: We know that the job of a photographer involves a lot of work. Do you work alone or do you have employees or partners who support you in your work?

Stefan: Basically I do everything alone, but this would never be possible without my helpers, assistants, friends and family.

FIV: Your style is very artistic. You bring elements into your photographs, such as flowers or shadow plays. How do you know how you want to portray the model, where do you get your creativity from?

Stefan: Many elements are used consciously, others are the result of mistakes. Mistakes bring me forward.

FIV: Under your pictures (sometimes even in the picture) there are quotations. What do you associate with these quotations? Or in other words: How do you come up with the titles of the photo series?

Stfean: The quotes/titles reflect my personal feelings, my emotions.

FIV: Last but not least, what would interest me very much is: what has been your greatest success so far? How did you feel about it?

Stefan: Photography is my life, it is happening now and yesterday is memories, my photographs. The morning, are my thoughts and my dreams, they are uncertain and free

Stefan Milev: Instagram
Stefan Milev: Website

Pretty Factory

With Pretty Factory’s warm and inviting style, every event becomes a feel-good moment. With copper colours and rustic designs, Pretty Factory combines Shabby Chic with practical.

• Pretty Factory Instagram
• Pretty Factory Website
• Telephone: 01577 3526958
• E-mail: info@prettyfactory.de

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzXLKI3iCI7/

take a seat

The Nimmplatz furniture and decoration rental offers decorations for the most diverse ambiences to lovingly enhance the most important day in life, a company event or something completely different. With different styles like Fresh & Clean or Urban Jungle there is something for every taste.

• Input place Instagram
• Place to take a seat Website
• Telephone: 0221 16998131
• E-mail: info@nimmplatz.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/B37FPBti1ZL/

The Wedding Table

Whether colourful, bright and refreshing or dark, classic and elegant, The Wedding Table serves specific wedding wishes. Different styles offer a wide range of decorations and let each wedding be as individual as the people celebrating it.

• Theweddingtable Instagram
• Theweddingtable Instagram
• Phone: 0176 47194087
• E-mail: info@the-wedding-table,com

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn-zu_ehCN1/

Floristic Lounge

Floristik Lounge offers designs and decorations with beautiful flowers, balloons and everything that goes with them that are tailored to the theme. From a huge offer you will find the right designs for every occasion to organize a Christmas party, wedding and all other events perfectly.

• Floristik Lounge Instagram
• Floristik Lounge Website
• Telephone: 0177 3573735
• E-mail: service@floristiklounge.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqKfxf6haNv/

Love Bandits

Love Bandits mission is to make the event a great day and that doesn’t include thinking about decoration. The Love Bandits take care of this job for you and set a high value on a very personal look. The main thing is harmony, that’s the motto here!

• Name Instagram
• Love Bandits Website
• Phone: 0171 4198536
• E-mail: post@love-bandits-verleih.de

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1xzjtSiHOq/

Be Unique

Classic and modern, combining these two may not be a problem for Be Unique Events. Celebrity customers have also had their wedding planned by Be Unique and the pictures are very good to look at. Flowers are not saved and details are very important.

• Be Unique Instagram
• Be Unique Website
• Telephone: 0221 29122677 / 0170 7011674
• E-mail: info@beunique-event.de

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRWqsHLj-3E/

Shabby Chic Event

As the name suggests, Shabby Chic is a great stylistic device of this supplier. Despite the name, however, you can expect to find many different styles and ideas on the site or on social media. Whether very modern or very rustic, for Shabby Chic events it is no problem to orientate on different styles and organize the perfect decoration.

• Shabby Chic Event Instagram
• Shabby Chic Event Website
• Telephone: 02261 9978227
• E-mail: info@shabbychicevents.de

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ZgfRxCI1B/

Kisses and Karma

The perfect mix of vintage and industrial. Kisses and Karma specialize in weddings and bring a lively touch to the little dream world. Not so white and neutral at all, but underlined with good contrasts and a lot of love for detail.

• Kisses and Karma Instagram
• Kisses and Karma Website
• Telephone: 02171 5808572
• E-Mail: info@kissesandkarma.de

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx9TEzzC6NT/

Place network

Those who like a more boho, natural style will also like Platzwerk. We work with you: Wood, candles and plants. Beautiful contrasts of different types of wood mixed with a mixture of plants and leaves, plus a few nice details and voila! Especially beautiful on a summer day and in nature, a clear recommendation who has an eye for classic beauty.

• Place network Instagram
• Platzwerk Website
• Telephone: 0179 6809138
• E-mail: info@platzwerk.de

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlLXiS-Dv9I/

Decoration stories

Josefin, the founder of Dekostories, animated the love of detail to decorate events. Many plants and very rustic can be found at Dekostories. Beautiful pictures on Josefins Website and Social Media encourage to dream and inspire to think of your own wedding / event.

• Dekostories Instagram
• Dekostories Website
• Telephone: 0157 37864366
• E-mail: info@dekostories.de

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJ9cY9Jf-G/

Natali Bückert

Their motto: Every celebration is unique and original. Natali is committed to offering her customers a wide range of colours, fabrics and ideas to make every event as individual and special as possible.

• Natalis Instagram
• Natalis Website
• Telephone: 0176 31181311
• E-Mail: hochzeit-web@gmx.de

Balloni

Lights, flowers and above all lots of colour. Balloni offers a literally colourful range of choices. Balloons must not be missing and a few candles also not and already it starts. Balloni offers decorations for every possible occasion and is therefore a real all-rounder.

• Balloni Instagram
• Balloni Website
• Telephone: 0221 510910
• E-mail: info@balloni.de

love

Affectionate design is the top priority at Liebelei. After all, a great atmosphere is the most important thing to make an event perfect. With different offers a large selection of different decorations for each taste is to be found. Anyone who appreciates simplicity and simplicity will love Liebelei. But if you want something more on a special day, you can simply add more colourful and unusual details.

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Light and shadow for three-dimensional photo effect

The brighter the light falls on an object, the more intensely it unfolds its full power of representation. But from a certain point of brightness it would simply swallow shapes and nuances. Shadow is the important counterpart to this. It keeps an object effect either realistic or changes it in the form of sharp or weak contrasts. A face in portrait photography receives its lively radiance through the skilful interplay of light and shadow, the necessary depth to represent the third dimension despite a two-dimensional shot. Architectures can appear larger due to the shadow in front of or behind them or merge schematically with an image environment. Landscapes in the midday light seem to sparkle with life, while morning or evening shots capture the silence of such scenarios. In principle, light, shadows, colours and contrasts can be technically reworked. But the three-dimensional photographic effect is only created in the photographer’s sense when he tries to set the optimum of the available light in an artistically advantageous relationship to the shadow.

The most important light directions at a glance

The light intensity changes on the one hand by the distance to the photo object, on the other hand by the direction from which it falls on the form. This changes the direction of the shadow as well as its size and intensity. These are the most important directions of light for photographers:

• side light
  This is the light that falls directly on the object from the left and right or amplified from one side. When illuminating, the photographer can either place the subject in its preferred relation to the side light or adjust its camera position.
• strike light
  This is also side light, but in the language of the photographer it is rather called extreme side light. Stray light can literally swallow parts of a mould or give them a particularly sharp contrast.
• back light
  Light falls directly from behind a subject to the camera. The photographer therefore works in the direction of the light, a shooting technique that professionals tend to dissuade beginners from. But used skilfully, they can be used to emphasize or blur lateral shapes of the object’s edge.
• backlight
  Here the photographer stands in front of the light, and the light falls onto the object in the same direction. Correctly, taillight is also called headlight because it is the direction of light from the photographic point of view.

The best lighting conditions for photo targets

So much for the technical details about light and its directions with regard to an object. Which light in which strength or softness is optimal at the moment is decided not only by the professional view but also by the personal taste of the photographer. If he cannot determine this exactly at the moment of his photo target (or if he wants to leave some space), an exposure series helps to capture the best light ratio. Automatically, a good digital camera offers presets for exposure time, aperture and focus. Instead of taking a photo under exactly the same lighting conditions, it is also possible to create image series with small deviations using manual settings. The more complex the lighting conditions are, the more nuances can be captured by a series of exposures. Later, these series can be evaluated and the best one can be presented as the final photo according to the preferred taste. Even during post-processing, exposure series can be used to test which ratio of light and shadow sets the best focus for the photographer.

Tuning and contrast in light and shadow photography

Atmospheric pictures are best taken late in the afternoon. The light has a warm effect and comes from a direction that is already low. Shadows become longer, and emotionally appealing shots can be captured by changing direction – even of a surreal nature, and often without post-processing. During the morning hours this can also succeed, however, the daylight is then different, rather glistening and less “tired”. These hours select photographers with a penchant for architecture to immerse their favorite buildings in sharp contrasts and give them a striking appearance. Streak light and side light are now ideal for particularly sharp contour drawings. The lunch hour is unsuitable for exciting mood changes and impressive contrasts. At this time the brightest light falls exactly from above, the shadows remain short, the exposure possibilities realistic but unspectacular. Portrait photography is easier than the photography of rigid objects when the light directions are used. It’s not the photographer and the lens, but the object itself that can be brought into the best light position by its own movement and rotation. Surely it is a matter of taste whether a photo object is imaged sharp-edged in strong contrast or almost fusing in a light environment. To find the optimal shooting point between these two extremes, the light and shadow photographer may prefer certain hours of the day and light colors. Exposure bracketing helps to select the best representation from this approximate selection.

Which camera is best suited for jewellery photos?

Basically, even amateur photographers can take spectacular jewelry photos with an average equipped digital camera. The only prerequisites for success in photography are manual settings for image resolution, general exposure and contrast. In the best case, the image resolution should be as high as possible to get the final image as sharp as possible. In addition, there should generally be good light in the room and the camera should have a very good exposure function. The contrast function of the camera is also crucial for the image to convince the customer. I have summarized here once again which criteria are decisive on a camera to take good decorative photos that stand out from the crowd and thus convince the customer of the product.

• the image resolution
• the exposure
• the contrast

Besides a good camera with the qualities mentioned above, an image stabilizer is also advantageous to get a picture that is not blurred. This makes the detail shots particularly accurate and brilliant. All further preparations depend on the skill, talent and experience of the photographer. Before the camera even takes the first picture, some preparations have to be made in order to create an optimal product in the end. First of all, attention should be paid to the background, choosing a neutral wall and a suitable background. In general, the room should be well lit and should not cast any shadows or similar, so that the jewellery is shown to its best advantage. With a little practice and the gradually trained eye of a photographer, photographs can be taken as if directly from the jewellery shop. Those who like can even prepare the photo presentation in the style of the showcases of jewellery shops. Here, I have summarized once again the most important preparations that should be made before taking the pictures in order not only to shoot the perfect picture as a professional.

• an optimal background
• a good detail illumination
• an exposure-friendly object environment

the perfect camera mode

Not the average digital camera or the better SLR camera provides the perfect picture. The camera mode is also important. Beginners initially find it difficult to understand the abbreviations or use of these modules. Benjamin will explain the advantages of these modules in a few minutes. With these basics you can become a professional in the field of jewellery photography.

Dimmed light or better clear room lighting?

White, hard light is ideal for jewellery photos, which shines rather diffusely on the jewellery. Flash would cause reflections and sharp shadows, making the shot worse. LED lights, LED strips or energy-saving lamps are suitable as light sources. Fluorescent tubes can also be positioned above the jewellery (or directly below the tube). A trick against sources of interference such as reflections or cast shadows is a homemade light shaft.

A white ball, preferably made of plexiglass, is suitable for this purpose. If it still has an opening the size of a lens, it can be attached to the camera and thus act as a light shaft to optically isolate the piece of jewellery. However, this alone does not prevent unwanted shadows from interfering with photography. Therefore, it should be tried out beforehand in different camera positions in which position shadows fall least over or in front of the piece. Even slight shadows must be avoided for optimum illumination.

Professional use of light

To get a better insight into the world of light, you should watch the video. There are many differences to work with cameras,  which are explained step by step in this clip. For a little professional jewellery photography, the A&O.

The optimal background for a successful jewellery presentation

Jewellery should sparkle so that it looks even more noble. If the material of a piece of jewellery is rather smooth, for example the leather on a leather bracelet, a discreetly dyed silk scarf is suitable as a background, which can be arranged with a few soft folds. But the focus always remains on the photo object, i.e. the jewellery. It is important to bring out its details, i.e. to set leather softly in the light, to let gemstones sparkle or to set silver chains in the optimal shine.

Close-ups in front of an otherwise neutrally arranged background enlarge the jewellery and show even the finest engravings or the special features of a stone setting. Instead of a dark background, light surroundings are preferable. If this is not possible due to the nature of the room, a desk lamp can help. In this bright spot, the jewellery is presented in such a way that the darker areas around the shooting location are not shown to advantage in the photograph. Even if the focus should remain on the jewellery, I have listed here again my top tips for the optimal background.

• discreet, neutral arranged background
• smooth jewel = silk scarf with soft folds
• bright colors & bright spot
• Close-ups make jewelry appear larger and highlight special features

Try it – Sakis explains how it works

Jewellery photography for catalogues, brochures, flyers or websites. You need someone who knows about this? In a few minutes Tony explains to you how to learn good and cheap jewellery photography. With simple tricks he shows you how to present jewellery.

Conclusion: With simple tricks, pictures succeed as from the jeweler shop

In order to present jewellery optimally for a photograph, different rules apply than, for example, in portrait photography. While contrasts and shadows create exciting visual effects there, both would only disturb the details of a piece of jewellery. The best way to take jewellery photos is to isolate the photo object from other shadow and light effects and to use as much natural daylight as possible as diffuse illumination.