| How to Make a Photo Collage Posted: 10 Feb 2021 04:00 PM PST If you want to have all of your favorite photos in one place so you can see them at the same time and think about all of the great memories and experiences connected to them, then a photo collage is the project for you. Whether you're making a collage of fond memories, or just creating a fun decorative design, with today's technology, making your own collage is easier than ever. But if you want to keep it old-school and cut out your own images, that's a simple and fun project, too. [Edit]Digital Collage - Choose a free digital collage maker for an affordable option. Look online or in your smartphone or tablet's app store for collage maker programs or apps. Select a free version and sign up or download it so you can use it to create your photo collage without having to purchase a full program.[1]
- Popular free digital collage making apps and programs include Canva, Adobe Spark, BeFunky, and PhotoCollage. They allow you to upload your own photos, but they may not have as many embellishments or styles to choose from as a premium collage-making program.
- Other great free options include Layout from Instagram and Google Photos, both of which allow you to choose photos that you've uploaded and put them together into a simple collage format.
- Some premium programs like Adobe Photoshop allow you to download a free trial version so you can use a more professional program that has more features than free ones to make a collage without paying the full price for it.
- Use a word processor for an easy-to-use option that you may already have on your computer to make a quick photo collage.
- Purchase a professional design program for more features. If you want a more polished, professional-looking collage, look online or through your app store for a premium digital design program you can download and use to make one. Choose a premium program for more photo effects, higher-resolution downloads, and more templates you can use to make your collage.[2]
- Adobe Photoshop, PicMonkey Collage, and Fotor are popular design programs. They include tutorials that will teach you how to use the program to enhance your photos and make professional-looking collages.
- Professional design programs come with more layout and customization options, additional embellishments, and allow you to edit and modify your photos to produce higher-quality images, but they can be expensive. For example, Adobe Photoshop costs around $600 USD.
- Many free programs, such as Canva, BeFunky, and piZap offer premium versions you can buy to access additional features, without having to pay to the full cost of a professional design program.
- Look through the templates to see the layout options. Collage-making programs include predesigned templates you can use.[3] Open the program and find the college templates. Look through the various template options to see what's available.
- For instance, if you have 15-20 photos you want to use in your collage, look for templates that would allow you to fit them all.
- Some programs, such as Google Photos and Instagram Layouts, will allow you to select the photos you want to add and then will arrange them into a few different layouts you can select so all of your photos are included.
- Select a layout that suits the theme of your photo collage. Consider which photos you want to be more noticeable in your collage and look for templates that allow you to feature them. Look for a template style and design that suits the theme of your photos as well. Select a template and layout that works best for your collage.[4]
- Consider the size of the collage, too. If you're making a holiday card, for example, you may want to choose a postcard size template.
- Think about the style of the layout as well. For instance, if you're making a collage of you and your best friend, you may want to pick one with lots of colors and fun embellishments, whereas you may want to have cute dog bone designs for a collage with photos of you and your pup.
- Upload or add your photos and arrange them. If you're making a collage on your smartphone or tablet, select the photos that you want to add from your camera roll. If you're making one on your computer, move all of the photos you want into a folder so they're collected in one place, then upload or add them into the collage maker program. Select and move the photos around in the collage and play with the arrangement until you're happy with it.[5]
- Choose photos that go together to form a theme for your collage. For example, you could select a bunch of pictures of your friends to make a "best friends" collage, or upload pictures of your family members for a family collage theme
- Resize images and arrange them so some are larger and more prominent if you want featured photos. For instance, you could place a picture of you and your spouse kissing in the center and surround it with photos of the 2 of you on vacation. If you have a photo of your niece blowing out the candles on her birthday cake, you could have a larger slot for that photo with additional photos from their birthday party to fill out the rest of the collage.
- Add stickers and graphics as embellishments to your collage. Check out the stickers, images, and graphics the collage maker has included. Choose ones that you like and match the overall theme of your collage. Place them around your collage to make it more eye-catching.[6]
- You may need to switch to the photo editing mode of the collage maker to add graphics and stickers.
- For instance, you could add some hearts over photos of you and your boyfriend.
- Use text to label and add words and phrases. Switch to the editing mode in your collage maker and choose the option to add text.[7] Label photos if you want to remember the date or just add a sweet message. You could also add large text to commemorate an event or add to the theme of the collage.
- For example, you could add "Happy Birthday!" for a birthday collage or "Congratulations!" over a collage of graduation photos.
- You could also add text that says something like, "True Love" or "Memories to Last a Lifetime."
- Add a border or frame to accent the collage. Look through the border and frame options included with your collage maker and choose one that adds that extra something to your final product. Choose a border that matches a common color theme in your collage or go with something whack to keep it fun.[8]
- Choose a color that makes sense for the theme of your collage. For example, you could go with a pink or blue border for a photo collage of baby pictures, or if there's a lot of red in your pictures, you could choose a red border to complement the photos.
- Some programs include fancy ornate frames that could work well for your collage.
- You could also choose bright, sparkly borders for a fun collage of you and your bestie, or a frame with a bunch of footballs for a collage of photos of your kids playing sports.
- Print out your collage onto photo paper or save and share the image. Once you're finished with your digital collage, save it to your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Upload and share it on social media so your friends and family can see it. You could also print it out on photo paper or send it to a printing service for professional quality images that you can frame or hang up at your home or office.[9]
- Many printing services, such as Walmart or Walgreens, have apps you can use to upload your collage image and have it printed on photo paper.
- Save your collage to your computer or a digital photo album such as Google Photos so you can have it saved forever.
[Edit]Printed Photo Collage - Gather or print the photos based on the collage you want to make. Start by deciding what the purpose of your collage is, then collect all of the photos you want to use that suit the theme and idea. Collect the photos, print them out, or make copies of originals so you can use them for your collage without being worried about damaging them.[10]
- For instance, you could make a collage of your family or friends. You could also make a collage of your pets or memories with your best friend. Deciding what your collage will reflect will help you choose what photos you want to use.
- Cut the images out of the photos and arrange them on thick paper. Take a pair of scissors and cut out the images and faces from the photos. Place them over a thick sheet of paper or cardboard and play around with the arrangement until you're happy with the layout.[11]
- You could also use canvas or thick poster board for your background.
- If you don't want to cut out the photos, you don't have to! You can definitely just arrange the photos on the thick paper to make your collage.
- Use a glue stick to glue the images to the background. Once you're happy with the arrangement, take a glue stick, rub some glue onto the back of the images, and attach the image to the thick paper background. Glue all of the images into place 1 by 1 in the way you laid them out.[12]
- Glue sticks won't stain or wrinkle the images like liquid glue can, and they dry quickly.
- You can find glue sticks at your local craft supply store or department store. You can also order them online.
- Cut out images from magazines to use as embellishments. Gather a bunch of old newspapers and magazines. Take a pair of scissors and cut out fun and interesting images to add to your collage.[13]
- You can also cut out different shapes from colorful paper to use as embellishments for your collage.
- Glue the cutouts and other embellishments to your collage to make it dynamic. Embellishments such as cut-outs from magazines can really make your collage stand out. Use your glue stick to apply some glue to the embellishments and attach them to your collage.[14]
- Use embellishments that suit the theme or focus of your collage. For instance, you could use a lot of ribbons or bows for a photo collage of your daughter.
- You could also use stickers that have an adhesive backing to add some fun images to your collage. For example, you could put some heart stickers or stars to fill in any empty spaces.
- Make a collage with a friend or loved one so you can make a new memory as you reflect on other memories in your photos.
[Edit]Warnings - Make a copy or scan old photos so you can print them for your collage without damaging or ruining them.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Plan an Aquarium Posted: 10 Feb 2021 08:00 AM PST Planning your new aquarium is a great opportunity to be creative and have some fun! Start by deciding what kind of fish you want since the rest of your choices will revolve around that particular species. Most fish species crave specific environments, so keep their needs in mind as you brainstorm your design and buy supplies. You could mimic a natural scene, like a mountain, river bottom, or the ocean floor, or use your imagination to create a unique fantasy world. [Edit]Basic Tank Setup - Choose what kind of fish or creatures you want. Most of your plans and purchases will revolve around the specific needs of your fish, so start there! Freshwater fish, like goldfish and Betta fish, tend to be hardier, cheaper, and easier to maintain. Tropical fish are colorful and striking, but since they need a saltwater environment, setup is a little harder. Both are awesome choices, so it's completely up to you.[1]
- A freshwater tank is the way to go if you're interested in a lush planted aquarium; algae is the only plant life that grows in saltwater.[2]
- Snails, shrimp, clams, mussels, crabs, and crayfish make good tank pets if fish aren't your thing.
- Don't buy your fish or creatures yet! Setting up your tank takes a couple of weeks and the fish go in last.[3]
- Get a single fish or a few of the same species to get started. To keep things simple, start with a single species. If you want multiples within a single species, make sure they're all about the same size. Otherwise, bigger fish may attack or try to eat their smaller tank mates.[4] A few species to consider:
- Goldfish, guppies, and swordtails (freshwater) are easy to care for and get along with members of their own species.
- Betta fish (freshwater) are gorgeous and don't need a lot of space to be happy. They're aggressive toward their own kind, though, so keep 1 at a time.[5]
- Celestial Pearl Danios (freshwater) prefer to live in groups of 4-6.[6]
- Four Stripe Damselfish (saltwater) are gorgeous but aggressive. If you have a small tank, try keeping a solitary damselfish.
- Flame Angel Fish (saltwater) are rarely aggressive toward their own kind. You could keep 3-4 of them together.[7]
- Choose community fish with similar needs if you want multiple species. Some fish are aggressive toward their own kind but enjoy living among other species. If you're thinking about mixing up species, make sure they live in the same type of water! Freshwater and saltwater fish can't live together.[8] A few peaceful species that can coexist together include:
- Common Clownfish (saltwater)[9]
- Auriga Butterflyfish (saltwater)
- Bumblebee Gobies (freshwater)[10]
- Swordtails (freshwater)
- Mollies (freshwater)
- Black Skirt Tetras (freshwater)[11]
- Buy a tank that's large enough for the type and number of fish you want. A 10-gallon (37.8 L) "starter" tank provides plenty of room for 3-4 small fish.[12] At minimum, the tank should hold at least 1 gallon (3.7 L) of water per fish. Some fish have particular needs, though, so be sure to research your species before buying your tank.[13]
- Each gallon of water weighs , so a sturdy aquarium stand is crucial. For example, a 10-gallon (37.8 L) starter tank will weigh when it's full. That's pretty heavy![14]
- Make sure you have enough space at home to accommodate the size of your tank before you spend any money.[15]
- Place the aquarium on a flat, stable surface out of direct sunlight. Clean the tank with warm water and a little salt and rinse it out thoroughly.[16] If you didn't buy an aquarium stand, be sure to put your tank on a level surface that can accommodate its full weight. Put the tank in a low-traffic area where it's less likely to get knocked over. Avoid placing it near sunny windows and doorways.[17]
- Direct sunlight raises the water temperature too much and could harm your fish.
- Avoid drafty areas and areas close to heating/cooling vents.[18]
- Add a layer of substrate to the tank. You have several choices for your aquarium floor, but plain gravel is the cheapest and easiest option for most saltwater and freshwater tanks. Be sure to rinse off the gravel thoroughly before adding it to the tank! For a planted freshwater aquarium, mix equal parts potting soil and peat moss for your substrate.[19] Substrate options include:
- Plain or colored gravel (saltwater and non-planted freshwater tanks)[20]
- Commercial sand (saltwater tanks)
- Crushed coral (saltwater tanks)[21]
- Commercial aquatic soil (freshwater tanks)
- Flourite/seachem (freshwater tanks)
- Plain gravel mixed with aquatic soil (freshwater)
- Clay or laterite (freshwater)[22]
- Small shells or crushed limestone (saltwater)[23]
- Install a fluorescent lighting system that works on a timer. Most aquarium hoods have fluorescent light fixtures, but the basic bulbs included aren't great if you're adding plants. Switch those out with brighter fluorescent lights. Additional LEDs or fluorescent strips can increase the brightness or concentrate light in certain areas.[24]
- Different fish require different light cycles to thrive. Be sure to research your species so you can set your timer accordingly. If you're doing a planted freshwater tank, take the plant's needs into account, as well.
- Never use incandescent lighting for your tank since those are fire hazards and they heat up the water too much.
- Select and install an appropriate filtration system for your setup. If your tank is 50 gallons (189 L) or less, a filter that hangs or clips to the back of the aquarium is a good choice. For tanks over 50 gallons (189 L), get a canister filter instead. You can buy both types of filters at your local pet store.[25]
- Fill the tank with water and dechlorinate it. Use tap water or drag a hose over to fill up the tank with water. Then, add a dechlorination agent, like the ones that come in tablet form. Follow the package instructions for how much to use per gallon of water.[26]
- For a saltwater tank, mix in pre-packaged commercial ocean salt according to the package instructions.[27]
- Buy these items at your local pet store or online.
[Edit]Plant and Decor Placement - Keep the preferred environment of your fish species in mind. The goal is to create an ideal space with plenty of room for the fish to move around. Take some time to research before adding any design elements. Some fish love plenty of open space with a smattering of craggy rocks, while others crave dense vegetation and lots of hiding places. Once you know what your fish wants, buy the needed decor and start creating![28]
- For example, Bicolor Angelfish and Four Stripe Damselfish (saltwater) love craggy rocks and open space.[29]
- Sparkling Gourami (freshwater) prefer dense foliage for plenty of cover with a few pieces of driftwood scattered around.[30]
- Choose a variety of plants with similar needs so they'll thrive together. Before buying any plants, select a few that you're interested in and research their water pH, temperature, and light needs. Look into growth speed, as well; planting fast-growers with slow-growers can throw off the balance of available nutrients. Make sure your chosen plants work well together.[31]
- Buy young, healthy plants that won't overcrowd the tank as they grow.
- Use plastic plants instead of live plants if you have a saltwater tank or a freshwater tank with gravel substrate.[32]
- The design suggestions are the same for plastic and living plants.
- Vary the color and size of decor to create visual interest. Select plants that are different shades of green and throw in a few red or yellow plants for a pop of color. Plants with different leaf shapes tend to look the most natural. Choose a mix of tall, medium, and short plants.[33]
- For saltwater tanks, use different colors of coral and cool-looking shells.
- Driftwood is great for freshwater tanks, but it may rot in saltwater tanks.[34]
- Avoid buying a bunch of similar-looking plants or rocks since the scene will look too structured and unnatural.[35]
- Cover plants, like moss, can look really cool, too.
- Place the tallest, thickest plants in the background. These plants set the main backdrop of the scene, so think about the shape you want to create. Be sure to vary the height of the plants to create contrast. Avoid creating a "hedge" in the background with a row of plants that are all the same height since that looks unnatural.[36] Consider options like:
- Sword plants[37]
- Vallisneria
- Java ferns
- Stem plants like Anacharis, Hornwort, and Cabomba
- Water wisteria[38]
- Put eye-catching rocks, wood, and plants in the middle ground. Take your time arranging the middle ground since this is the "heart" of your scene. Create a main focal point that's slightly off-center with your coolest-looking items, like craggy rocks, oddly-shaped driftwood, intricate coral, and unusual plants. Use bushy, medium-sized plants that are shorter than the ones in the background to surround and embellish the focal point.[39] Feel free to get creative with rocks and wood! As for plants, good options include:
- Stem plants like Hornwort
- Java ferns
- Cryptocoryne[40]
- Use large pieces of coral and rock sparsely in a saltwater tank. Go with 2-3 large rock or coral elements and position them wherever you like as long as they aren't sitting close to the glass. Don't forget to keep your fish in mind as you create the environment! If your fish need hiding places, arrange the rock/coral elements accordingly.[41]
- For example, place 1 large rock a little off-center inside the tank. Lean a long, thin rock up against it to create a narrow space for smaller fish who need hideouts or privacy.
- Arrange the shortest plants in the foreground as accents. Use the foreground to add finishing touches to your scene. These plants and objects should shorter than elements in the middle ground, since those are the star of the show. Ground cover plants, like moss, can add another layer of dimension and visual interest.[42] Options to consider:
- Dwarf Lilly
- Dwarf Anubias
- Micro-Sword Grass
- Crypt Wendtii
- Java moss[43]
[Edit]Themed Designs - Try an underwater castle or sunken ship theme in your saltwater tank. Saltwater fish like plenty of space and tend to prefer rocky or coral decorations over dense plants. Try positioning a large castle or sunken ship a little off-center in the tank as your focal point. Build the rest of the scene around the focal point, keeping other elements fairly sparse.[44]
- For example, support a sunken ship with a few craggy rocks.
- Use a castle as a focal point in an Atlantis-themed scene.
- Pick up tank-safe resin structures at any pet supply store. They usually have lots of holes and passageways for your fish to swim through.
- Set up an Iwagumi aquascape with lots of rocks and a few short plants. This popular style features a variety of rocks as the primary landscape. You need a large "Father" rock to dominate the tank as a focal point, so choose something that looks cool! Balance out the rocky terrain with a couple of small plants.[45]
- The rocks are the most important element, so choose an interesting assortment.
- Use short plants with attractive foliage to highlight the rock features.
- Go with a mountain-style landscape if you have a roomy tank. Select 1 large, sloping rock to be the mountain. Place the rock a little to the left or right of the tank's center with the most interesting side facing forward. Build the rest of the landscape close to the "mountain." Leave the foreground open and arrange medium and tall plants in the middle ground and background to accentuate the rock.[46]
- Cover plants like moss can also look neat growing on the mountain.
- Try a densely packed jungle backdrop for a lush landscape. Use an assortment of large plants with big leaves in vibrant shades of green for an Amazon jungle vibe. Pack the tallest plants densely in the background and create a focal point around a wood pile or a few rocks in the middle ground. Accentuate the focal point with short plants in the middle ground and foreground.[47]
- For a beachy jungle look, add a thin layer of sand to the foreground.
- Mimic a river bed or lake bottom for an easy, natural look. For a low maintenance design, create a densely-packed focal point with plants, rocks, and driftwood. Place it a little off-center so it doesn't look too perfect. Use a wide variety of plants and really pack them in so the rock/wood elements barely peek through. Add a thin layer of gravel or sand in the foreground to complete the scene.[48]
- Check out images online for inspiration or build the scene using your imagination.
- Invest in a solid tank set up so you won't have to buy additional supplies later.
- Remember to choose compatible fish when you're ready to add them to the tank.
[Edit]Warnings - Avoid placing your tank in direct sunlight.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Tank
- Lighting fixture
- Filter
- Dechlorination tablets
- Plants
- Rocks
- Driftwood
- Substrate
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Read a Sundial Posted: 10 Feb 2021 12:00 AM PST Sundials have been used to measure time, based on the Sun, for thousands of years. This simple device can be made up of nothing but a flat dial and a gnomon (the "pointer" that casts the shadow), but can still be tricky to read if you're just starting out. By setting up your sundial correctly and completing a few simple calculations, you can synchronize your sundial to clock time and know the hour no matter where you are. [Edit]Pointing Your Sundial - Place your sundial on a flat, horizontal surface. A sundial will only work correctly when it's on a perfectly flat surface, like the ground, a stand, or a table. Place yours down in a safe spot where it won't get knocked down or moved.
- Make sure your sundial will be in direct sunlight all day. This may seem obvious, but it's crucial! If you want to be able to read your sundial from dawn to dusk, keep it out in an open, unshaded area where sunlight can reach it for as long as possible.
- You may notice that some sundials show only 12-hour measurements, since they won't work for the hours that the sun is down.
- Point the gnomon north if you're in the northern hemisphere. Use a compass or look for the North Star at night to find true north. Then, rotate the face of your sundial until the gnomon, or the pin of the sundial, is pointing straight north.
- The 12:00 noon notation is aligned with the gnomon, so it will be pointing north as well.
- Face the gnomon south if you're in the southern hemisphere. If you live below the equator, you'll need to point the gnomon of your sundial towards the south, rather than the north. You can use a compass or look for the Southern Cross constellation to find true south and adjust your sundial accordingly.[1]
- To find the Southern Cross, look for 4 stars shaped like a small kite. The farther south you are, the higher it will be in the sky.[2]
- Use a vertical sundial if you're at the equator. The angle of the sun makes it very difficult to use a traditional horizontal sundial along the equator. Instead, use a vertical sundial and follow the packaging instructions to set it up and point the gnomon correctly.[3]
- At the equator, the sun rises along the eastern horizon and moves straight up, then sets on the western horizon. If you used a horizontal sundial, the shadow would fall mostly west in the morning and mostly east in the afternoon, instead of rotating slowly.
[Edit]Calculating Clock Time from a Sundial - See where the shadow line falls on your sundial. Once you've set up your sundial, take a look at it when it's casting a shadow in the sunlight. Note the line that the shadow's outer edge lines up with and use it to read your sundial like a regular clock.
- You might see different line denotations based on your sundials, but it should be split into even sections by 5 minutes or 10 minutes so you can get an accurate estimate.
- Find the center longitude of your time zone. Your sundial can be off by up to an hour compared to clock time depending on your longitude. To fix this, first figure out how many hours you are ahead or behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is at 0° longitude. For every hour that you're ahead, the center of your time zone will shift by 15° east; for every hour you're behind, the center of your time zone will be 15° west.[4]
- For example, Pacific Standard Time (PST) is 8 hours behind GMT. Multiplying 8 hours by 15° gives you 120, so PST's center longitude is 120° West.
- You can find the current GMT time by searching online.
- Find the distance between|your longitude and the center of your time zone. You can find your own longitude by looking it up online or with a GPS device. Then, calculate the distance from your longitude to the central longitude of your time zone, and note whether you're to the east or west of it.
- For example, Seattle is at 122.3° West longitude. The central longitude of its time zone (PST) is 120° West, so Seattle is 2.3° away from it.
- Add or subtract 4 minutes for every degree away from the center. Now, use your calculation to get a more accurate estimation of the time from your sundial. Multiply the difference between your longitude and the central longitude by 4. If you live west of the central longitude, add your answer to the time; if you live east, subtract it.[5]
- In Seattle, for example, you'd multiply 2.3 by 4 to get 9.2. Since Seattle is west of the time zone's center, sundials in Seattle are 9.2 minutes behind clock time, so you need to add 9.2 minutes to make them equivalent.
- If your sundial reads that it's 1:40 pm in Seattle, then, you'd add 9 minutes to estimate that it's 1:49 pm.
- Why 4 minutes? Since most time zones are 15° of longitude wide, or 1 hour long, you can divide 60 minutes by 15° to see that it takes about 4 minutes for the sun to move through 1 degree.
- Add 1 hour if it's Daylight Saving Time. You'll need to adjust your time even more during Daylight Saving Time, which runs from early spring to mid-fall. Simply add 1 hour to your sundial's time to match it to the clocks during this period.[6]
- Search online to see when Daylight Saving Time starts and ends in your region.
- Calculate the Equation of Time to find the exact time. The length of one day varies slightly on any given day, which can add up to make your sundial's time differ from clock time by as much as 15 minutes. If you want the most exact time estimate from your sundial, adjust your measurement using an Equation of Time table. Search for one online and either add to or subtract from the time as instructed.[7]
- Most calculators require you to enter in your year and longitude or time zone. The calculator will then give you a table telling your how to adjust your sundial time throughout the year.[8]
- If you don't have a sundial, you can make your own with as little as a paper plate and a straw.
[Edit]References (Quick Sum:) To read a sundial, first point the gnomon (or pointer) north if you're in the Northern Hemisphere, or south if you're in the Southern Hemisphere. See where the outer edge of the shadow matches up with a measuring line to get the solar time. To convert to clock time, find out how far away you are from your time zone's central longitude. Multiply the distance, in longitudinal degrees, by 4, then add it to your sundial's time if you're west of your time zone's center, or subtract it if you're east. To make your time even more exact or use a vertical sundial, read on! [Edit]Quick Summary |
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