Abstract photography can create very impressive photos. However, people tend to perceive abstract images differently than other images. This is because abstract images rely more on form, color, and curves than they do on image detail. On the other hand, most photographers tend to think more about detail when considering photographic subjects. To recognize abstract photography opportunities, one must learn to look at our world differently. Definition of Abstract PhotographyAbstract photography does not have a commonly accepted definition. Of course, creating a concrete definition of an abstract concept is a bit challenging. Nevertheless, it is necessary to create a definition for this article. That way, some boundaries can be put around the subject. Thus, it will be easier to decide what fits within the subject matter. For this article, the definition of abstract photography is as follows. Abstract photography:Does not represent the subject in a literal way.
Communicates primarily through form, color, and curves rather than image detail.Why Shoot Abstract PhotographyOf course, the first question that should be asked is why one should take abstract images. That is, why would a photographer focus on capturing abstract images when there are other photographic opportunities out there?There are two primary reasons. The first reason is that abstract images can really stand out when done well. That is really the most important reason. However, there is another reason. Abstract images can be created just about anywhere a person happens to be. That means that you can create abstract images in your home, backyard, or neighborhood. This saves the time and expense of travel (which is required for many other types of photography).The EssentialsAbstract photography has three essentials: form, color, and curves. It is important that an abstract photographer think in terms of these essentials.Form: Form refers to the shape of objects. Form functions as the structure upon which an abstract image is created. Fundamentally, form creates the heart of an image while color and curves add enrichment. Consequently, it is very important that an abstract image begin with good form. This can be accomplished by selecting objects with pleasing, interesting, or dynamic shapes.Of course, the next question is, “What makes good form?” However, it must be understood that abstract photography is more of an instinctual art form. That is, people react to it emotionally rather than logically. Consequently, it is necessary that form be treated in a similar manner. Thus, it is necessary to locate objects that create an emotional reaction. So, when you look at an object and think, “Wow, that is impressive”, you have found a strong form.Color: Color draws the viewer’s attention. In addition, it stimulates the viewer’s perceptual system. In addition, color serves to hold the viewer’s attention for awhile. When the viewer’s attention does wander, color helps bring the viewer’s attention back.Using a saturated or intense color is one approach to using color. Another approach is to use colors that contrast.Curves: Curves can help to spice up an abstract image. That is because curves control the movement of the viewer’s eyes. There are a couple of ways that curves can be used. First, curves can add interest by helping to guide the viewer’s attention to an image’s center of interest. The result is a stronger center of interest and a better image.The second way that curves can add interest is somewhat more subtle. In this case, the curves don’t point at the center of interest. Instead, the curves course through the image in an elegant or dynamic way. Despite the fact that the curves do not point toward the center of interest, they nevertheless function to control the viewer’s eyes. With this approach, the viewer’s attention will travel back and forth along the curves. Consequently, the viewer’s attention has been focused on the image.In SummaryForm, color, and curves provide us with a great start to producing some impressive abstract photos. On the other hand, there is a lot more to explore about abstract photography.
Abstract Photography – The Essentials of Creating Great Abstract Images
Special Needs Trust for the Disabled and Elderly
The primary purposes of a Special Needs Trust (“SNT”) for a disabled person is to prevent the waste of assets and to provide the proper care of those assets. The public benefits of Social Security Income and state-paid medical care are provided on a needs basis to those who cannot earn income for themselves due to a disability. Money distributed directly to a disabled person reduces these public benefits on a dollar for dollar basis. A properly prepared and administered SNT is a legitimate and valid tool under Social Security rules and laws.Protect payment of medical expenses (Medi-Cal) Medi-Cal is California’s version of the federally funded Medicaid program. The program provides medical benefits for the medically needy. No qualification for Medi-Cal is required for the disabled receiving Social Security Income. If income is less than Medi-Cal limits, Medi-Cal services are available at no cost. Typically the only source of income to the disabled is SSI. SSI income received by the disabled is less than Medi-Cal limits. So a disabled person receiving SSI also receives free medical care under the Medi-Cal program.Income in excess of Medi-Cal income limits require share of cost (SOC) of medical expense. One goal of special needs trust is to provide benefits to the disabled without those benefits being counted as income. So no cash disbursements can be made to the disabled in order to preserve free medical care.Protect receipt of social security income (SSI) SSI is intended to provide funds for food, clothing, and shelter for the aged (over age 65), disabled, or blind recipient. An individual receives less than $1,000 per month. Any money received by an SSI beneficiary is considered income to the beneficiary, and reduces SSI benefits on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Payments made to third parties for food or shelter is considered payment in-kind and results in about 33 cents loss or reduction of SSI benefits for each dollar spent.Payments to third parties for goods and services that are not food or shelter will not result in any reduction of SSI benefit. These payments are key to improving the quality of life of a disabled person. Examples of permissible expenditures are:• purchase of a home, telephone, TV cable, dental expenses, eye glasses, transportation expenses (including purchase of vehicle, maintenance, gasoline), furniture, movies and vacations.The trustee of a special needs trust must be aware of the fine distinction between non-food and shelter items. The devil can be in the details. A movie is a permissible expenditure, but popcorn bought for the movie is not. Thanksgiving dinner is an exception to the food prohibition as is discarded food. The discarded food is an example of how much attention has been made on this matter.In addition to managing the assets of the trust, a trustee can provide a connection to the community and prevent isolation. Public charities authorized to act as trustee can provide community support and make appropriate expenditures. Theses trustees also address a major concern of parents, “what will happen to our disabled child when we are gone.”These organizations pool the assets of multiple special needs trusts for management, but each individual has a separate trust account. Disbursements are made from the individual accounts They also provide community resources such as help in finding suitable housing, providing medication education, life skills tutoring, social activities and friendship.Two examples of such non-profits are the San Diego Special Needs Trust Foundation, serving San Diego Only, and Proxy Parent Foundation Proxy Parent Foundation, serving all of California. San Diego Special Needs Trust Foundation’s web address is http://www.sntf-sd.org. Proxy Parent Foundation Proxy Parent Foundation’s web address is http://www.proxyparentfoundation.org.There are costs for these services. At one organization there is an enrollment fee of $1,000, an annual administration fee of 1.5% with a $1,500 annual minimum charge and an annual Bank investment fee of 1%. Tax returns, if required, are an additional cost.Requirement of Payback Provision Funding By a Third Party: A special needs trust established by someone other than the recipient of public benefits with assets belonging to someone other than the recipient is not required, in order to avoid the trust assets being considered available resources to the beneficiary, to contain the payback provisions of 42 USCA 1396p(d)(4)(A).Funding By the Disabled: A disabled individual, under age 65, may establish a trust with his or her own assets. This trust must have payback provisions. The provisions require upon death of the disable for the trustee to pay back to the State of California the cost of all state provided medical care.Special Needs Trust for the ElderlyKey Issues: Is it needed as a matter of public policy? The practicality of transferring assets Does it improve the quality of life of the elderly?Social Security Income and Medicaid are for the needy. The concept behind a special needs trust for the elderly is to meet the no asset requirement to receive public benefits by “spending down” or transferring assets out of the elder’s control. A basic moral question to ask is “should a person who can afford medical care receive medical care intended for the poor.” If the answer is no, then a special needs trust should be avoided.Putting aside the morality issue. Just how practical is such a trust. Assets must be transferred out of the elder’s control. Who can be trusted with those assets. What are the gift tax implications in a transfer.Specifically how does one transfer retirement accounts. A change in control of a retirement account is a taxable event and taxed at the prevailing income tax rates. An elder is allowed to retain retirement assets as they are not assets counted to qualify. But the income will flow to the elder and dollar for dollar reduce the public benefits. The elder will also receive social security income with more reduction of public benefits.Finally what are we trying to accomplish here. Mainly it is to have the State of California pay for the cost of residing at a skilled nursing facility. As a rule, most people stay at nursing home for about two years. The sad fact is people just do not live that long after entering a nursing home. Assume the cost of respectable home is $10,000 per month. The savings is $240,000.Nursing homes paid for by the State are not upscale operations. They are bare-bones minimum arrangements to meet the most basic of needs. This is while the children enjoy the assets of their elderly parent.An elder’s quality of life is not improved with this type of living condition. Special needs trust for the elderly just do not make sense due to loss of control, limited benefit and public policy.
Where to Shop for Automotive Parts and Equipment
A complete range of automotive tools and equipment can be found online. Consumers do have the advantage when shopping on the Internet, as they are not only provided quality merchandise, but merchandise at a discount. Top providers on the Internet will stock a wide range of automotive tools and equipment from recognized brands in the industry. Many consumers are turning to the Internet due to its affordability. Automotive tools and equipment, are expensive, and if you are in search of parts that are hard to find, the Internet is often the best source there is. When you begin to shop and compare the various online sites, you will notice that the greater reputability a company has, the more automotive tools and equipment they will offer. Automotive tools and equipment are necessary at some point in time for every driver that performs repairs on their vehicle. Workshops require automotive equipment that is specific to repairs so that they can safely and efficiently perform the repairs.What types of automotive tools & equipment will you find online?Automotive equipment will include all the automotive equipment that is found in the marketplace today such as:* Tire changers* Suspension and brake testing systems* Brake lathes* Short and mid-rise lifts* Pit lifts* Post lifts* Mobile column lifts* Auto lift equipment* Wheel alignment and wheel balancers* And, moreOther types of automotive equipment and automotive tools that you will find from the online vendors that are used by both the automotive shops and the home mechanics will include:Lubrication Equipment: Each vehicle on the market has so many moving parts that comprise the operation of the vehicle and each of these moving parts need lubrication. Grease valves, oil meters and oil pumps are just some of the lubrication equipment that you will find online.Air compressors: Air compressors are used to inflate a tire or tires. They may also be used to operate other pneumatic tools, as it is a source of compressed air. Air compressors come in many different makes and designs such as the electric powered, gas powered or diesel powered.Other Automotive Tools: Other automotive tools that are used in both the industry and by the at home mechanic are hammers, dollies, screwdrivers, jacks, and monitors. These are specific for automotive repairs and automotive tools that the online vendor should have a variety to offer.Service and Exhaust Equipment: For the shop or mechanic that is servicing vehicles, the proper service and exhaust equipment is necessary. This equipment includes brake fluid exchangers, booster cables, paint, battery chargers and so on.When you do find an online store that seems to provide you with exactly what you need, make certain that they are reputable. The online site should have everything in tact on their site from their terms and policies to their customer service. Also, a description of each product that they offer to the consumer should be detailed. Dealing online is one of the greatest advantages to the consumer, and in the auto industry, the advantage is even greater.