I Lost My Files Again!

I lost my files again!!!

My WD (Western Digital) Passport external portable hard drive fell on the ground on Friday and on Saturday I realized my computer was not reading the external hard drive! I panicked.
I called one computer store and they told me they would not be able to retrieve the data after they crack open the case of the hard drive.
I thought that the representative was talking nonsense so I took the hard drive to another computer store. I had to show the guy how to remove the hard drive from the casing. I got this knowledge thanks to YouTube.

I called the technician today and he said there was a technical problem with the hard drive and my data can not be restored!!! What????
  
I know you can get the source information of a web page online by clicking on the view  option on the menu bar and selecting the source option.  The problem with that I was seeing ALL code for my Support and Includes.  This is not what I really wanted.  

When I got home I posted a question on SBI forum about how I can retrieve the files I uploaded to SBI server and within five minutes I got a response. I was able to download each file that I uploaded and save the missing ones and recently revised one to my computer.

I am so relieved.  On good thing though, I did a back up my files (no my computer) on October 5, 2011.  I promptly did a back up on an old Lexar jump drive.

 

Marketing With Photo Videos

Another great marketing tip that I learned is to create photo videos and upload the videos to YouTube!  Actually I knew about this tip but not really as a forum to market my photos and websites.

My son taught me to use Windows Movie Maker for this project.  Now I have a new laptop but Windows Movie Maker was not installed.  So of course I Googled Windows Movie Maker and on the first page, there it was!  I was able to download the software.  It took about twenty minutes to download.

I then started creating my photo video.  I created a title for the movie and added the related photos for that video.  I inserted a link to my photography website at the end of each photo and at the end, I inserted a title with name and website link.
I added some music (this is optional) but I had a little problem locating some music that I downloaded to my ITunes folder.  Hopefully by my next video, I would figure that out.

A great feature that Windows Movie Maker has is the special effects, I just clicked on one of the special effects button and I got a nice effect that I was happy with.

Here is the video that I just created

Photo Greeting Cards

As we approach the Christmas holidays, I am thinking of making photo greetings to send to my family and friends.  Low and behold, I read about this marketing tip from an SBI photography website that giving friends and family photo greetings cards is a great way to market yourself as a photographer.  The following is the article from the site:

"Greeting cards can be produced with your inkjet printer by printing on greeting card stock paper sold at office supply stores. You can create a box of ten or twelve cards that include your best photography work and send it to clients or potential clients as a gift. Christmas is an especially good time to do this, but any holiday could be used as a good excuse to send this gift/portfolio. For example, there is no reason why you can’t promote yourself this way in celebration of the Fourth of July or Thanksgiving.

You could do this on a monthly basis as an aggressive campaign; there are many holidays to use.

Greeting cards are a very cost-effective and under used photography marketing tool. Like stamps, coins and baseball cards, a lot of people collect/keep greeting cards – especially the most visually appealing cards. Of course, they also send them to family and friends. But, many are collected. With your contact info on the back, you are a part of their collection – and database!

With careful and deliberate planning, your photography portfolio will result in establishing your reputation. Your portfolio will speak whether you are in the room with it, or not. Make sure that it shouts out your name and skills. Only include your best in your portfolio. And always strive to make your best even better. "

Source of information:  Marketing for Photographers and Photography

Frog Trapped

This picture looks a bit - scary even looks like an alien!!!  It is a frog and it is trapped between the window and the hurricane shutters.  I was at the Old Governor House Museum (Road Town, Tortola BVI) in the Stamp Room when I notice this frog. I thought that it was dead but as I looked closely, I saw that it was breathing.  I hope he gets out of there alive.  Check out the suction cups at the end of its 'fingers'!

The Stamp Room is the newest exhibit at the Old Government House Museum.  The Stamp Room opened in November 2006 and houses a virtually complete collection of B.V.I. stamps.  The stamp exhibition is supported by the BVI Philatelic Society.

Bird At Beef Island Pond, British Virgin Islands

I saw this bird at the pond on Beef Island today. As I was taking pictures of the bird, he did not move.  Normally if you get too close to them, they would run or fly away.  But he just stood there.  At one point I thought he was maybe injured or something.  Then when I really got close, he ran away.  BUT I was able to get some great pictures of him.  I just need to find out what type of bird it is.  Night Heron.

Photographer's Art

USB Hub

About three months ago, I purchased a new printer for US$50.00 - HP Deskjet 2000.  To me it was a steal of a deal.  On my return from my trip to Trinidad, I decided to print some pictures that I took and was greatly surprised at the quality of the pictures.  I bought some photo paper and have since printed a few more pictures and sent to my mom and family friends.  I have also printed one of my mom, daughter and son and put the pictures in picture frames!

Recently however, I attempted to print some documents and was having some problems. Now, if the ink cartridges are close to being empty, the printer would not print.  Since I was printing alot of pictures, I realized that maybe I should get a new colour cartridge - which I did but the printer still would not work.   This is another thing that I like about this printer, it uses only two ink cartridges - one black and one color.  The other printer that I had required four cartridges, magenta, black, yellow and fusha.

So today I decided to call a computer company to ask for assistance.  This is the company that I purchased the printer from.  The technician was very helpful and he advised me that I should purchase a new printer cable and USB hub. 

You see I have a laptop and it only has two usb ports.  I use three devices that require a usb port, my external hard drive, external mouse and printer.  Most times I have to unplug the printer to use the external hard drive and apparently this was confusing the computer.

So I got myself a usb hub and new printer cable and I am happy to say that my printer is working again!

Photographer's Art

Portable Hard Drive Case

I have been a using a portable hard drive for some months now.  My son first introduced me to it and after having my computer 'crash' a few times and lost alot of my photos which I use for this blog, I decided that it is time to get myself a portable hard drive (500GB!).

I also have a jump drive but it cannot hold as much information as the portable external hard drive. I now take it with me wherever I go.  I take it to work with me and I also traveled with it when I went to Trinidad this year.  That way I was able to work on my website and also manage my pictures etc.  Previously I would have to wait until I get home to organize my files etc.
 
So basically everyday I would unplug my portable external drive from my laptop and place in my bag.  I was not too happy that the hard drive was in my bag unprotected.  So I purchased a case - Portable Hard Drive Case.  I feel better and more organized now.

My next concern was if I could detach the cord from the hard drive and neatly place in the case.  So I went on YouTube and was able to find a video which answered my question.  Yea!!!

  

Photographer's Art

Picking Coconuts In Trinidad

My mother has a coconut tree in her backyard in Trinidad and every two weeks a coconut vendor would come by and pick some coconuts.  He buys them from her wholesale to sell retail.  He came with a guy who climbed the tree.  I  was fortunate to be there when the guys came by.  Of course I grabbed my camera and started taking pictures.  The guy who climbed the tree is very skilled.  He climbed the tree with a rope tied on to his ankle.  When he got to the top of the tree, and located a good bunch of coconuts, he untied the rope from his ankle and then tied it to the bunch of coconuts.

 

He then lowered the bunch of coconuts to the ground by slowly releasing the rope that is attached to the bunch.

  

My mom had more coconut trees in her backyard but now she only has one.  The coconuts are VERY sweet!

To see more pictures go to this page on my trini recipe website.

Photographer's Art

2011 British Virgin Islands August Festival Parade

British Virgin Islands annual August Festival is held in August 1-3.  These photos were taken  at the parade that was held in East End, Tortola BVI on Wednesday August 3, 2011.  I live a few steps from this location.

Masquerader at East End BVI August Festival parade

This first masquerader caught my attention with her boots.  She also wore a beautiful costume.

It is a tradition that the moko jumbies aka stick walkers partake in the parade each year.  There is a moko jumbie school in the territory that teaches young people to walk on sticks.  This guy is one of the senior stick walkers.  He walked on the longest sticks.

Photos taken with Nikon D60 DSLR Camera

Trip To Mayaro, Trinidad And Tobago

Oh yes, another road trip to Mayaro, Trinidad! This time it was my daughter, her boyfriend and myself.  My husband had to return to Tortola British Virgin Islands - back to work.  

It was a beautiful day and I have not been to Mayaro in years!!!  Nothing has changed though and I had no problems finding my way to our destination.

This is my daughter behind the boats at the village in Mayaro.  I really like this photo, quite unique in my opinion.  It was in this area that we stopped for a while and had some lunch.

This is a river that flows into the Manzanilla Beach.  You have to pass Manzanilla Beach before you get to Mayaro.

This is BBQ pigtails, we stopped and got some on our way home after leaving Mayaro.  They were really good.  The sweetness of the BBQ sauce and the saltiness of the pigtails really went down well!

For the BBQ pigtails recipe CLICK HERE

Photo taken with Nikon D60 DSLR Camera

La Brea Pitch Lake, Trinidad And Tobago

In June of this year, my husband, daughter, her boyfriend and I drove down to the pitch lake in La Brea, Trinidad.   La Brea is situated in the southern part of the island - past San Fernando.

The roads in La Brea as basically impossible to repair. As the pitch continues to grow, it unlevels the roads in the area. Whenever I travel to La Brea, I always know when I have arrived in the area. The roads are like a roller coaster. There is one house that is basically destroyed by the ever growing pitch in the owners yard and would you believe, the owner still lives in the house!

I noticed this beautiful patch of lilies as we approached the heart of the pitch lake.

We were guided into the pitch lake by our tour guide. He told us about the history the lake etc, he was very thorough, informative and answered all our questions.

The tour took about 30 - 45 minutes to go around the lake. As we were standing in the center of the Pitch Lake, our guide stuck a piece of stick into the ground and then pulled it out. A black liquid, sticky thing was on the stick - pitch in its liquid form.

Eventhough we walked on the Pitch Lake it was a little soft. Some spots were in its liquid form. We were unable to walk without our shoes as the lake was a bit to hot to bear without foot wear.

A wide view of the pitch lake (this is just part of it).  It was a beautiful day!  You can see the processing plant in the horizon.

This is my husband holding a piece of raw pitch.

Water Taxi In Trinidad And Tobago

Going Down San Fernando ...

My mom and I took a trip to San Fernando, Trinidad via the Water Taxi.  The Water Taxi is a large catamaran that transports passengers to and from Port-Of-Spain to San Fernando and visa versa.  This trip was a first time for both of us via this Water Taxi.

The whole idea about this service is to reduce the traffic situation that exists at the peak hours between San Fernando and Port of Spain.  Commuters can park their vehicles in San Fernando and visa verse and enjoy a stress free ride to their destination. 

When the commuters arrive in Port of Spain there is a shuttle available to take them to key areas in Port of Spain.

I was really impressed with the service that was provided by this Water Taxi.  The service was excellent in the waiting area before we the boarded the ferry and during the trip.  The water was calm, and the ride was smooth.  We did not realize that the ferry was moving until we looked outside the boat.

There are four catamarans and each has a different name.

Paria Bullet, Calypso Sprinter, Trini Flash and 

Carnival Runner

Each has a capacity of approximately of 400 passengers. My son is a Grade one boat Captain and I told my mother that I would proud to see him drive one of these boats!

This is a fishing area next to the Water Taxi ferry dock in San Fernando.

In the photo below, you can see an oil rig platform in the horizon.

This nice man was doing his own thing, minding his own business.  He did not even know that I took a few pictures of him.  He was outside the ferry dock in San Fernando.

That is Point-A-Pierre in the distance where the oil is refined and processed.

Sadpodilla - Caribbean Fruit Of Trinidad And Tobago

I took this picture of my daughter holding a fruit called Sapodilla. As I was working on my site's recent page about fruits from Trinidad and Tobago, I decided to use this picture only to realize how good it is.  The fruit really looks good and my daughter's hand looks soft and delicate!

Photo taken with Nikon D60 DSLR Camera

 

Visit To Emperor Valley Zoo, Trinidad And Tobago

On my visit to Trinidad in June 2011, my husband and I visited the Emperor Valley zoo.  I have not been there in years.  There are quite a few recent developments to the zoo, like the underground aquarium for example.

I got so excited with I saw these flamingo close up.  Look at they feet, they are pink as well!  My husband took these great pictures!

Again my husband took this pictures.  I refused to go any where near to the cages with the snakes.  But now I can look at the pictures.  Weird!

These ducks were in the same area with the pink flamingos.  Seems like the ducks were having a little 'spa' moment!

This is a great picture of this lion thank goodness for my zoom lens. There is a plexi glass that separates the lion from the zoo visitors.  That is the reason the pictures looks a bit dull.  He is the only one that we saw in the den.

Photos taken with Nikon D60 DSLR Camera

What Is This? Sargassum Seaweed

What is this brown stuff in the water?  A few days as I was returning to Tortola, we had to make a short stop in St. Lucia and as we were approaching the island I saw this stuff in the water.  I was concerned that it may have been some sort of pollution.  Now today as I was going into town I saw this same stuff in the water at Kingstown, and Baughers Bay.

I had to make a stop at Prospect Reef and the stuff was there too.  Of course I had to take pictures and approached the area only to realize that it is just sea weed!  The stuff is even on Long Bay Beach, Beef Island washed up on the shores.

In my opinion, it seems like the ocean is purging itself.  What do you think?

Photographer's Art

Historical Buildings In Trinidad And Tobago

Mt. St. Benedict Church, St. John Road, St. Augustine Trinidad

Muslim Mosque, St. Joseph Trinidad

Roman Catholic Cathedral, Port Of Spain Trinidad

St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph, Trinidad