When you’ve got a camera, and you’ve got action, but you’re missing the lights, you’re at an extreme disadvantage as a videographer. Or a photographer, for that matter. Don’t worry. I’ve been there. In fact, until yesterday, I was just like you. Not anymore. Now I have lights! Check out this video to see how I made a DIY lighting kit on a budget.

As you can see, it doesn’t take much to improve the lighting so you can shoot great-looking video. If, like me, you’re on a mission to make professional videos in an apartment or at home, this simple project will give your media game a boost. Yep, with a DIY video lighting set up, you can take your photography or videography to the next level, even if you’re just seeking the best lighting for iphone photography.

Hey professional videographers out there! What else should I add to my DIY photo lighting set up?

Santa Monica is a historic city with many beautiful old historic homes. These old homes are solid and graceful, a treasure to own and a pleasure to live in. However, while those sturdy foundations may stand the test of time very well, electrical systems tend to age much less gracefully. And, wired way back when, they certainly were not designed to handle the plethora of appliances and electronics that we use today. But, a number of things can be done to help your historic home handle your modern lifestyle without that electrical system becoming a fire or electrical safety hazard..

Rewiring is the best solution for an outdated electrical system. An electrician in the area with experience in historic houses will be able to update your wiring system without ruining the old-world charm and character of your home. Of course, this option will require a fairly large investment, but if your budget allows, it is the best way to ensure that your home will be safe from the risk of electrical malfunctions and the hazardous situations they can cause. However, if upgrading on such a large scale is not a practical option for you, there are some simple safety upgrades that your Santa Monica electrician can perform to add some protection against electrical issues in your home.

For instance, having your electrician install crucial safety devices, such as arc fault circuit interrupters, or AFCIs, and ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs, can decrease the risk of electrical injury or fire in your home significantly. Call the Electric Connection for a free electrical safety inspection and advice on electrical upgrades that can help ensure that your Santa Monica home will be safe and secure for many years to come. To find TheElectricConnection.com website, simple type in electrician Santa Monica CA, and you’ll see our website come up on the first page. We’ll give you complete peace of mind, because we’ve been upgrading the wiring on older Santa Monica homes since 1979.

Homeowners are constantly looking for ways to save money when it comes to their monthly and annual utility expenses. Now more than ever, there are a wide array of opportunities available to residents of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., to give their properties energy-efficient overhauls that will pay off both in the long and short term.

With average interest rates on fixed-rate mortgages at or near all-time lows, homeowners are finding that by refinancing their home loans, they can save significantly on their monthly payments. With those savings, they can invest in projects that improve their home's energy efficiency, which will contribute to a monthly decrease in household expenses.

There is also a tax credit available through the federal government that will give homeowners up to $500 back if they have improved their property's energy efficiency over the past year. Congress recently passed legislation that would allow homeowners who undergo such projects in 2013 to enjoy similar tax deductions on next year's forms. This means that if you already filed your taxes for 2012 but started a project to improve your home's efficiency at the end of last year that bled into 2013, you can still get your money back next January.

The energy efficiency tax credit applies to some types of water heaters, furnaces, insulation, windows, roofs, heat pumps, boilers and central air conditioning units. If you choose appliances that feature the Energy Star label, these too may go towards qualifying your household for a tax break.