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Thursday 31 October 2013

Time-lapse video: Photoshop on model's body and face

A new time-lapse video has just gone viral, demonstrating just how dramatically a woman's body can be transformed by digital retouching. Well, duh.

The 36 second clip, created by GlobalDemocracy.com, shows a woman being turned into a 'glamour model', with the help of a hair and makeup artist working some magic, and a serious sprinkling of Photoshop.

Watch:



What did you think of the video?

To read more, click here.



Vastly different results, yes?

'Music: Count Us In' - Harrison Craig interview

Hundreds of thousands of school children across Australia will today sing the same song at the same time on the same day in Australia’s biggest annual school music gig: ‘Music: Count Us In’.

Now in its sixth year, Music: Count Us In starts on Thursday October 31 at 12.30pm (AEDT).

The program highlights the value of music education in Australian schools. Research shows that music education has lost its place in many schools, despite its range of benefits to students’ development. This year's program involves a record-breaking 2150 schools.

Right across Australia, kids will sing the program song, ‘Keep On’, written by four high schools students with help from singer/songwriter Katie Noonan, and recorded by 'The Voice' runner-up Darren Percival.

More events for the day:

SYDNEY: 12.30pm - Singer, dancer and 'Australia's Got Talent' Judge Timomatic, will join seven students at the top of Sydney Tower’s SKYWALK, singing to over 300 children in Hyde Park, along with amazing singer Ngaiire, and a group of 60 ukulele playing students.


MELBOURNE: 12.30pm  - This year’s 'The Voice' winner Harrison Craig will join program ambassador John Foreman, student songwriter Abby Slattery, and 100 students on the Arts Centre Melbourne Upper Lawn.



I interviewed Harrison Craig to talk about his involvement in the project, as well as his current tour around Australia.

"Right now I am packing my bags for the start of the regional leg of my tour tomorrow, starting with Bendigo", he told Josie's Juice.

He has lined up 18 or so shows for the tour (go to: www.harrisoncraigofficial.com.au or call Ticketek or Ticketmaster), and he's very excited.

This young man represents exactly what a passion for music starting from school age can do to provide a solid foundation for music and signing for life. Harrison completely attibutes his school years to establishing his lifelong love of music.

"One of my fondest memories was my school Christmas concerts," says Harrison. "You prepped for two months and the whole shool was so pumped. We would sing carols and throughout my school years, it was one of those things where you had to be involved. You either sang the Christmas carols, or played the piaductiino, or was in the production somehow."

"I can remember that from prep school to year 12 music was a huge part of my life, and while at school I played the piano, guitar and saxophone and we had concerts and plays."

So, what is Harrison most excited about with this event?

"Being able to show kids how ethused you can be at school with something as small as a Christmas carol, or a tune you enjoy, because that can bring so much joy to you and everyone else around you. Kids need to know that school is a place to learn and grow

It has been quite the learning curve for Harrison this year, after his win on 'The Voice Australia.'

"For me, 'The Voice' has given me so much more confidence, and knowing who I am and who I want to be. For me, Seal was this huge… I don't even know how to describe it because he was just so incredible and totally supportive.

We're talking calling at 1am just to chat about everything; that’s pretty cool, and it’s not everyday you get that kind of confidence put in you."

Harrison, 19, loves what he sees when he looks out at the audience during performanes.

"During the metro leg of my tour it was nice to see the whole diverse groups of people there… from age 14 to 94," says Harrison, who was about to post up a photo on Instagram right before we were in touch for this interview.

"It's really nice to share what you’re up to with people who feel like they're in touch with you on social media.

Speaking of the medium, musical director John Foreman - who travels with Harrison - changes his voice and leaves voice to text messages which are quite funny to listen to, Harrison reveals.

Harrison travels with his devoted mum and brother Connor whenever he can, but being on the road all the time means he gets to travel with his music crew only.

The touring has given Harrison to opportunity to connect with people.

"With this school program it's so important for kids to take what they want out of it and try it, give it a go."

Harrison has had a huge impact on people, young and old.

"I've heard quite a few stories of hope during my time of on The Voice and in prepping for this album."

To hear those stories about people recovering from cancer or losing a family menber or going through difficult times is pretty damn rewarding.

"Today, I happened to re-watch my 'blind audition' on The Voce and it still hit me how incredible life is, and how incredible it is that you can suffer for so long (Harrison overcomes his stutter on a daily basis), and you get a helping hand from out of nowhere, and that helping hand helps you achieve anything. It does change your life. It’s just crazy

"I talked to Seal (his show coach) the other day for three hours…we are so in tune with each other, and I am so grateful that I have a person like that I can call my friend, and we can talk for hours about everything. It's so nice to have him in my life. I'm truly blessed.

Here is a clip on 'Music: Count Is In':


For more on 'Music: Count Us In' click here.

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Worst Halloween Outfits. Or Best?

I scoured the internet, just for you... here are the best/worst Halloween outfits in the history of... the moment I stopped compiling bad photos. You're welcome.


















UGH!

Are you celebrating Halloween? What will you go as?

Ja'mie: Private School Girl and Katy Perry on Kyle and JackieO: VIDEO

Katy Perry - in Sydney for a Sydney Opera House concert and promo tour - got the surprise of her life when Ja'mie: Private School Girl surprised her with a phone call... and gave her a special gift that made Katy lose her sh*t! She's a girl-fan of Ja'mie (get in line, Katy!):



Photo: Kyle and Jackie O show



For more on the show, click here.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Woman's Day: Rachael Finch Bikini Baby Photo

The new issue of Woman's Day shows exclusive bikini shots of Rachael Finch, just 28 days after she gave birth to her first child, daughter Violet.

My first thought was: "How cute is the baby!" And: "Rachael looks nice." Here is the photo:



I didn't give it much thought until I went to post this story today and noticed some rumblings online that I am meant to be offended by this photo. This, from Facebook comments on the magazine's Facebook page:


Now, I will preface this by saying I have babies. Except, yeah... they're not babies. They're five year old twins. I am five foot nothing and have always been curvy, sometimes curvier than I would've liked. Recently, I have lost some weight by working damn hard at the gym and watching what I eat. Over the past five years my weight has swung the pendulum both ways, several times.

I will also say that the same edition's 'covergirl' is Princess Kate, who I thought did the best-thing-EVER for women everywhere by appearing the day after giving birth to Prince George with a sizeable, noticable post-birth belly in front of the world's media and did nothing to conceal it. I was so enamoured with that and her that I took a photo of her on my telly and posted all over my social media platforms.

But: this. Is Rachael responsible for how I feel when I see her in a bikini? For giving me low self esteem? For making me feel like I am overweight? No, no, and no.

Rachael is a model. It's what she does for a living. Her body is her currency. I would guess that, for her, the sooner she gets slim, the sooner the modelling gigs will start to filter in, if that's what she wants to do. Or maybe she wants to lounge around in trackie daks and eat chips and chocolate and lament about the severe sleep deprivation she's experiencing. While fitting in some exercise to feel good and shift some kgs. Or nothing at all, because, you know, she needs to prop open her eyes with toothpicks and she's be-yond tired.

Is she committing some kind of crime by being photographed in a bikini? She should have been fully clothed in the shoot? No, and no.

Perhaps if I was a new mum and much younger this photo of Rachael would make me feel miserable. But I am 41, realistic, and know that this is her life, and mine is vastly different.

While I do absolutely acknowledge this photo would make some women feel insecure, and in the midst of the very serious concern of post-natal depression this is the last thing someone would want to see if they dislike their post-baby body (for the record, five years after I gave birth I still know I will never get my flat stomach back, and I am okay with that), neither Rachael nor the magazine should be held responsible for how every single woman feels about themselves when they see this.

And for the record, when my daughter grows up and has a child, I will tell her to not obsess about her body post-birth and just enjoy her baby. If she'd like to lose some weight and that will give her confidence and joy, sure.

“I’m eating more than ever,” Rachael herself says, who stuck to a healthy diet and exercise regime though out her pregnancy. “I made sure I did something every day.”

“I would do a lot of yoga and Pilates. And I did a lot of walking with the dog and swimming, which was really good because it’s lightweight and was still giving me a full body workout but in a very easy way.”

“When I was training for a triathlon last year, I was eating the same amount as what I am now while I’m breastfeeding, but I’m not exercising as intensely as I was. Now I’m just walking with a bit of Pilates, yoga and dancing. But I’m eating because I’m just so hungry!”

Here is the issue's cover, with the beautiful Prince George christening photos:


Thoughts on this all?