James, Author at Grays Life

Guardian’s List of 100 Best Books

Books are like passports to new worlds, taking us on thrilling adventures, teaching us about different people and cultures, and even helping us understand ourselves better. In the 21st century, many incredible books have been written that do just this! From captivating first-time novels and powerful memoirs to thought-provoking debates and epic tales of human history, we’ve seen some truly amazing stories.

If you’re ever short of what to read, you could do no worse than look through the list of 100 best books of the 21st Century compiled by the Guardian newspaper in the UK.

Equestrian Extravaganza at The Feira da Golegã

Photography

The Golegã National Horse Fair, Portugal — Plenty of thoroughbred horses on display and their riders

Feira da Golegã, the most important horse fair in the world.

Golegã is a small provincial town with origins stretching back almost a millennia. It has grown into a world-famous horse festival for horses. Every November, the Feira da Golegã draws in horse enthusiasts from the Spanish/Portuguese peninsular and beyond for a week of competitions, races, jumping competitions and dressage displays.

Whether you’re a horse lover or not, the Feira da Golegã is an event steeped in tradition, offering a unique glimpse into Portuguese culture and the horse-racing world. The event some of the world’s most beautiful horses and riders in the region, with competitions and exhibitions taking place over three days.

The origins of the Feira da Golegã go back to the 12th century when the region was ruled by the Knights Templar. At that time, the knights would hold an annual horse fair in Golegã to buy and sell horses. The event has continued to be held yearly since, becoming one of Europe’s most important horse festivals, attracting horse breeders worldwide.

Arriving at the event in the evening last night, I came prepared with my camera. I left the flash behind as I planned to use high ISO/ASA film speeds, regardless of how much grain might creep into the pictures. Flash would have ruined the effect. I could maintain a lower profile shooting with the available light, of which there was plenty in the main arena.

It’s not an easy place to find a parking space, and the limited spaces available suggested that there were a lot of visitors here. I hoped to take photographs of the riders in colourful traditional costumes and beautiful horses in all shapes and sizes, and I wasn’t disappointed. In particular, I wanted to catch sight of the fine details, including the horses’ manes and tails and the riders’ Bolero Hats. Bolero hats are those with a flat rim and are iconic when you think of a Spanish rider on horseback.

I wanted to try to get some blurry shots of horses and managed to get just that. Photographing with a Sony A7iii makes it a breeze. I set the shutter speed about 1/4 of a second and f11-22 for maximum depth of field and let the auto iso set the film speed, which was about 10-15,000 ASA. It’s possible to be quite creative and there was no objection to being photographed, as these horses and riders were out on display.

Over the years, the Feira da Golegã has become a significant tourist attraction for Portugal. In addition to the competitions and exhibitions, there is also a large market where people can buy horses, horseshoes, saddles and other equestrian equipment. There was plenty of food and drink on offer, and music and smoke from the many grills and fire pits gave the centre of this throwback-in-time a medieval feel.

#Golegã #FeiraDaGolega

Using your iPhone as a Webcam

Photography

Apple's new continuity camera feature in iOS 16.1 — Apple’s new continuity camera feature in iOS 16.1

The continuity camera feature on the latest iOS release, iOS 16.1.

When using the iPhone continuity camera feature, prepare to have better work face times or MS Team meetings. Gone are the wishy-washy poor, quality images and sounds of yesteryear. Instead, the images are crisp, and the sound is sharp.

To get this feature, firstly, this is for an iPhone, so if you don’t have one, I would imagine Android already has a workaround. But for iPhone users, you only need to get into the settings.

For MS Teams – open Teams, head to the ‘***’ 3 dots at the top right corner, and get into ‘Settings -> Devices -> scroll down to Camera -> select your iPhone. If your phone is not in the drop-down list, check your phone is connected to the same wifi as your computer. ‘

If you’ve successfully connected MS Teams to your iPhone, then the camera will default to your iPhone when you join a call in Teams.

Facetime is easier. Open ‘Facetime -> Video -> Camera’ (your phone should be on the list. If so, select it).

Now all you need do is position the phone on a tripod, like a mini Manfrotto, so that you can set the camera to film at whichever angle you’d like it to be. But ensure you stay in the wifi range to keep the connection. Or search for a ‘continuity camera mount’, which will bring up a list of accessories to hold the camera at screen level. Some use a MagSafe bracket, but this might only work on Apple Macs or MacBook Pros as they have a metal case. My HP monitor may not work as the rear case is plastic. I’ll have to check.

For those using a Sony system, like the Alpha A7 camera series, here is a similar post on using the Sony Imaging Edge Viewer. However, as there is more complexity in the set-up, this might be worth doing if it is for TV broadcast purposes.

Sophia Gardens to Western Avenue

Reels

Overnight, new cycle lanes appear

In Cardiff, cycling has been gaining momentum over the past few years. The cycle lanes were mostly painted lines on the edge of the road, without much thought given to the actual cyclist. Often these lanes just came to a stop, as if the council/authorities had either run out of paint, or ideas. But with the pandemic, new routes sprung up, almost overnight. They’ve gained momentum with a planned network of bike lanes crisscrossing the city and in dedicated 2-way cycle lanes, with dedicated traffic lights. This feels like a 10 x improvement. That the city has finally decided to do what the authorities did in Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

Bringing the best of European Cycle Standards

At the moment, these bike lanes are relatively sparse, with only a handful of people cycling along them at any given time. I wonder though, how long it will take before cycling really takes off in Cardiff and the lanes become much more crowded and vibrant. Some might say that this could take years – it certainly did in other cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen – but I’m hopeful that cycling in Cardiff will soon gain the traction it deserves. After all, there are so many benefits to cycling: not only does it help you stay fit and keep healthy amidst all of this uncertainty, but riding a bike can be both economical and environmentally friendly too.

Take in the route out of Cardiff through Sophia Gardens

So if you are thinking about cycling in Cardiff, or you’re an experienced cyclist looking for a new route to try out, I’d definitely recommend the Taff Trail. Starting just outside the city centre and running all the way to Radyr, it is perfect for commuting or with the family as it follows the Taff Trail.

This is a reel showing the route, filmed in 2020.

Why Your Business Needs a Website

Marketing

The Danger of Relying Solely on Instagram and WhatsApp for Business Promotion

In the age of social media, many businesses have turned to platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp to promote their products and services. While these platforms can be useful for reaching potential customers, relying only on them can pose significant risks. A diversified online presence is crucial for the long-term success of any business. This post discusses the dangers of depending only on Instagram and WhatsApp for promotion and outline the advantages of having a business website.

Dangers of Relying on Instagram and WhatsApp for Business Promotion

1. Limited control over content and presentation: Social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp are subject to frequent algorithm changes, which can affect the visibility of your content, overnight. Additionally, these platforms have limitations on post formats, restricting your ability to fully express your brand’s identity and communicate your message.

2. Reliance on third-party platforms: Using social media platforms for business promotion means entrusting them with your online presence. This puts your business at risk of account suspension or termination, which can be devastating for your brand’s reputation. Moreover, data privacy concerns arise when relying on third-party platforms, as they control how they collect, store and share your user data.

3. Potential audience limitations: Not everyone uses social media, and even those who do may not be active on Instagram or WhatsApp. By relying on these platforms to drive traffic to your business, you risk missing out on potential customers. Or risk losing those who prefer alternative online platforms or avoid social media altogether.

Advantages of Having a Business Website

1. Complete control over content and presentation: Owning a business website allows you to customise its design and branding. You have the freedom to choose the format and multimedia to showcase your products or services, without worrying about WhatsApp or Instagram’s own brand rules and guidelines. See my post on setting up a new WordPress website for more details.

2. Enhanced credibility and professionalism: A business website with a custom domain name and branded email addresses boosts your credibility and gives potential customers confidence in your professionalism. Additionally, a website allows you to showcase your portfolio, case studies, and customer testimonials, further establishing your expertise and reliability.

3. Search engine optimization (SEO): Probably the biggest reason for having your own website. By controlling your site, you stand to gain from the SEO benefit. A well-optimized website can significantly increase your visibility in search engine results. Targeting specific keywords and phrases related to your industry, you can attract more potential customers who search for your products or services.

4. Data ownership and control: Having your own website means you have full control over user data and analytics. This enables you to make informed decisions about your marketing strategy and tailor your content to your audience’s needs.

5. E-commerce capabilities: A business website allows you to sell products or services directly to customers through integrated e-commerce solutions. You can accept various payment methods and offer different shipping options, creating a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

6. Improved customer support and communication: A business website provides more channels for customers to reach you, such as live chat, contact forms, and email support. Additionally, you can host FAQs and knowledge base articles to address common customer inquiries, saving time for both you and your customers.

7. Accessibility and inclusivity: By ensuring your website complies with web accessibility guidelines, you can reach a broader audience, including those with disabilities. This not only promotes inclusivity but also expands your potential customer base.

Creating your own website is worth the effort

A business website is an essential asset in today’s digital landscape. While Instagram and WhatsApp can be useful tools for promotion, it is crucial to diversify your online presence and invest in a website that provides you with more control, credibility, and accessibility. By creating a professional, user-friendly website, you can enhance your brand’s online presence and better serve your customers, ensuring the long-term success. The effort of building your own website with your brand name and email all connected will stand you in good stead.

James