White One
White One
White Noise Creates Happy Haven For Crying Babies
If you were a baby, you’d cry too. After being thrust into a world full of strange people, strange sights and strange sounds, you’d want to return to the womb; a happy haven where it was warm, cozy, and the sound that lulled you to sleep was a pleasant kind of whooshing. So how do you show you are unsatisfied with your current living arrangement? You cry. And you drive your parents bonkers. What is a parent to do?
Experts believe that you can significantly decrease crying associated with colic and recreate this whooshing noise by playing white noise for your crying baby.
What is White Noise?
White noise is all around us. The humming of a fan, the road noise in the car, these are all forms of white noise. And in your baby’s case, the whooshing in the womb was white noise. Quite simply, white noise is all the sound frequencies a human ear can hear all being heard at once. Almost like a crowded room of people all talking at once. That roar you hear is white noise.
Why Would My Baby Want to Hear White Noise?
Your baby needs something to soothe her and remind her of her happy haven in the womb. Playing white noise will accomplish this goal and more.
First, you can play white noise to help drown out, or mask other noises. Several people sleep with a fan running to not be disturbed by other sounds in the house. Likewise, by playing white noise while baby sleeps, most sounds will be masked. So, if the dog barks, or the phone rings, you don’t have to worry about your baby being disturbed. She will sleep more soundly and be much happier.
Second, the white noise will mimic the sound your baby heard for 40 weeks or so while in the womb. That rush, whoosh, or roaring sound is easy to recreate with simple things you might have around the house. The sound that most resembles the sound baby heard is a vacuum cleaner running, but there are a few more options you could try.
How do I Recreate White Noise?
You can recreate white noise by using everyday items around the house. Below are some ideas.
- A radio set to static
- A vacuum cleaner running
- A fan running
- A dishwasher running
- A hair dryer running
The goal is to create a soothing atmosphere which reminds baby of her environment in the womb. You can take other actions to achieve this atmosphere by turning down the lights, turning on some white noise, and keep baby gently swaying (swings work great for this). Another idea for creating the womb environment is to swaddle your baby. Swaddling helps your baby feel safe and secure.
But I Don’t Want to Burn Up My Appliances!
If you try running your vacuum cleaner during a crying spell and your baby calms down quickly, you might want to invest in a white noise cd, or white noise generator. You can find these readily available for purchase online.
A white noise cd is more portable. You can just throw it in your diaper bag and go. If you prefer, you can opt to download a white noise mp3 and have them on your computer to burn several disks for your baby’s other caretakers. The other plus about having a white noise cd is you can control the volume. You can also put the cd on repeat and let it go for hours.
So, if your baby has colic, and you are looking for a fast, easy solution to try to soothe her crying, pull out your vacuum and plug it in. Recreate that happy haven she experienced in the womb by making your own white noise. Baby will get some peace, and mommy and daddy will get some quiet.
About the Author
Cherie Stirewalt is a colic baby survivor and writes about the
colic remedies
she mastered to soothe her baby’s crying.
Download your own white noise mp3
and get started on stopping your baby’s colic today!
Black and White Photography: Three Tips for Beginners
Black and white photography is a rewarding and challenging field of artistic photography. Even people who don’t care about photography can find themselves drawn to a great black and white image. As a photographer, black and white can allow you to discover a whole new character in a familiar subject.
For many digital photographers, black and white photogaphy is nothing more than colour photography converted by software. It is a matter for your own judgement whether this is effective for your photographs. Often the image you assume will convert beautifully to black and white will prove a disappointment; sometimes a photo you never imagined will surprise you.
However, most serious photographers will tell you that the best black and white photos are taken when the photographer deliberately sets out with black and white images in mind. This creates an entirely different mindset in terms of how you choose and approach your subject. You may, for example, start to see potential in subjects you would never normally consider for colour photography.
If you have never had a serious go at black and white photography, here are a few simple tips to help you get started.
Black And White Photography Tip #1. Choosing A Subject. Some subjects lend themselves to colour but are not nearly so effective in black and white. For example, sunset photographs rely on the colour of a great sky for their impact, and rarely produce a good black and white image. Colourful birds, flowers, fashion…there are many times when the only logical approach is to shoot your subject in colour. On the other hand, some subjects are ideally suited to black and white photography.
Because this is an ‘old-fashioned’ medium, it often works well with old-fashioned subjects. Rustic items like old farm equipment, a tumble-down shack, an old wooden fence can all be great subjects for black and white photos.
When photographing people, age can also be a factor. A close-up portrait of an aged face showing all the lines and creases of their years on earth can have much greater impact in black and white.
This can only be a short article, so these examples are just the tip of the iceberg. You will find many great subject once you start thinking in black and white.
Black And White Photography Tip #2. ‘Seeing’ Your Subject In Black And White. When you first approach your subject, you need to imagine how it will look without colour. Try to look at it in terms of lines and shapes, shadows and contrasts. You will begin to see your subjects in a whole new light. You may even find yourself zooming in on a particular feature, or photographing the subject from an angle you might never have considered in the past. One thing is for sure; once you get into the ‘black and white headspace’ your camera will express the character of the subject in an entirely different way.
Black And White Photography Tip #3. Use The Light To Enhance Impact. Because a black and white photo relies so much on shadows to define shapes and details, your approach to lighting can make or break an image. As a nature photographer, I often photograph black and white photos quite differently from colour photos.
You have probably heard the rule that the best landscape photography is done early or late in the day when the sun is low and the light is soft and even. Well, in black and white photography I often look for just the opposite. To create better definition in a subect I will often take my photos through the middle part of the day, to create heavier shadows to emphasise the lines and shapes in the composition. I am also more inclined to take photos looking directly toward the sun, to produce silhouettes that make the most of trees, windmills and other strong shapes against the sky.
Earlier I mentioned a portrait of a very old person. If it is the lines on a face that give the image its character, you need to make sure the lighting is from an angle that produces shadows in the creases. Thus you may be looking for lighting in a black and white photograph that would be considered unflattering and unsuitable for a colour photograph.
So there you have three very simple tips for black and white photography. Notice that they are all about the creative approach, not about settings and camera techniques. In fact most of the time, black and white requires no different technical expertise than colour photography. To take better black and white photographs, you don’t necessarily need to change the way you use your camera. Instead, you are looking to change the way you see the subject, and how you can use light, shade and composition to capture the character that black and white photography has to offer.
If you love photography and want to stretch your horizons, I am sure you will enjoy experimenting with black and white. It may open your eyes to aspects of your world that have never turned you on before. Good luck and happy snapping!
About the Author
You don’t need the best camera to become a better photographer. You just need a small amount of guidance from someone who knows what they are talking about. Visit http://www.naturesimage.com.au to find Andrew Goodall’s images and ebooks on photography for beginners. While you are there, why not sign up to the online newsletter for regular tips and updates…it’s free!
|
|
Interior White One Drawer Nightstand $183.99 Chic and classic, this nightstand features one top drawer and three vertical shelves. With distressed white finish and solid mahogany construction, this nightstand is finished with stainless hardware. |
|
|
Blue Rio Women’s Black/ White One-piece Swimsuit $45.99 We accept returns on new swimwear items. To guarantee your refund, all tags and liners, if applicable, must be attached. A stylish hawaiian print highlights this black and white one-piece swimsuit from Blue Rio. |
|
|
Transitional White One-Light Ceiling Fan $90.99 This Transitional 42-inch ceiling fan features a single light with a white frosted glass shade. This ceiling fan features a bright white finish and a three-speed pull chain. |
|
|
Stanzino Women’s Brown/ White One-shoulder Dress $23.25 This elegant one-shoulder dress from Stanzino spotlights a comfortable polyester construction. This dress also features one-shoulder styling, a pullover entry and is fully lined, making it an ideal choice for multiple occasions. |
|
|
Ocean Dream Collection Women’s Black/White One-Piece Swimsuit $49.99 We accept returns on new swimwear items. To guarantee your refund, all tags and liners, if applicable, must be attached. Classic and comfortable, this one-piece swimsuit from Ocean Dream Collection features an embellished waistline. |