7dayshop Blog

You may think that you need to travel to get incredible photos of wildlife. But the reality is there is so much to take amazing pictures of all on your doorstep, according to photographer Ashley Boelens. He takes fantastic photos of wildlife and most of it is within 2 miles of his home in Milton Keynes. You don’t need to go far to take wildlife photos “The great thing is that you don’t have to go far either, there are…

It’s a well-worn phrase to describe the shortcomings of a person or an item. But the phrase “as much use as a chocolate teapot” has been literally disproved – with the development of a usable chocolate teapot that doesn’t melt when filled with boiling water. Boffins based at confectionary company Nestlé’s base in York, England, used dark chocolate with 65% cocoa solids so the low fat content would hold hot tea. The fat in chocolate is what makes it melt when placed…

With Christmas fast approaching, here are 4 ideas for presents that will be appreciated by friends and family, but don’t have to cost a fortune: 1. Canvas Print Turn one of your beautiful photos, a favourite family snap, holiday picture or portrait of a pet into a stunning canvas print. Your nearest and dearest can then enjoy it and get a unique, thoughtful and lasting present from you. Snapmad.com is currently offering 25% off all canvas prints. You can find out…

1. 1925 – the first ‘selfie stick’? The selfie stick is an extendable rod or monopod with a mount or clamp to hold your smartphone or camera at one end and handle at the other end. The idea is that you can take better pictures of yourself (known as a selfie) or group shots. Some even have remote or Bluetooth controls. But the selfie stick may be a much older phenomenon. In December 2014, the BBC reported about a photo of a couple taken in…

“Night photography made me look at things differently,” says photographer John Maher, who was also the drummer in legendary band Buzzcocks. “With night photography I can revisit those same subjects and scenes I see every day and turn them into something the human eye can never record.” “I realised that by manipulating light and exposure times I could create something no other medium could capture. “With night photography in particular, the long moonlit exposures allow me sufficient time to selectively light the…

Stunning landscape photos of the Scottish Highlands by photographer Karen Appleyard, who also has an inspiring story. You really have to see these inspiring pictures of mountains, lochs and glens. Out and about around Scotland along with her poodle and armed with a Nikon camera “There is no 9 to 5, it is a way of life”, says Karen, who is a full-time photographer based in Highland Perthshire. “I love what I do and where I live. I feel like one of the luckiest people ever.”…

Farthest journey by hoverboard (Guinness World Records/YouTube) Marty McFly eat your heart out! Canadian Catalin Alexandru Durum flies 275.9m (905ft 2in) on self-made hoverboard in his own case of back to the future. And it’s been declared a world record by the Guinness World Records, which has posted footage of the flight on its YouTube channel. The flight was achieved over Lake Ouareau in Quebec, Canada, on 25 August 2014 on a machine built and designed by the flyer, who said he was the…

Earth’s time lords have decided to add a leap second to time to reflect the general slowing of the Earth’s rotation around the sun. There have been concerns that the step could affect computer systems across the world, but experts say the move is necessary because our time would eventually go out of sync with solar time. In other words, the clock might say it is the middle of the day but it would be night time. And while it would take…

Two thirds of people in UK now own a smartphone to browse the internet, access social media, bank and shop online for nearly two hours a day, according to new research. And a third of UK internet users now see their smartphone as the most important device to get online compared to the 30% who prefer their laptop. That compares to just 22% who went for their phone first and 40% who plumped for their laptop in 2014. The resesearch…

For many amateur photographers, the dream is to make it as a professional. And for Pete Dewhirst, it’s dream that became a reality. He has since gone on to photograph royalty, politicians, music events and protests. Pete made the move having spent a career in the RAF and working for an international telecommunications company with both jobs taking him around the world. In between, Pete has found time to excel in triathlons and duathlons and going on to represent Britain! Love of…