What is the difference between a Wallpaper and a Screensaver?
A wallpaper appears as the basic background when you start up your computer and has the icons arranged on the left that activate your computer's programs. The screensaver is an image or set of images that appear when you have not been using your computer for a set period of time. The screensaver is particularly useful for entertaining cats, small children and your less brilliant relatives.
When I pick out a thumbnail and click on it to bring up the full size image to view, it appears on a boring white background. Is there any way to change this?
No. This is unequivocal evidence of your ongoing demonic possession. Just kidding, you are probably possessed but it is possible to change the background. Open your web browser (this only works on Internet Explorer and if you are using another browser, you are beyond redemption), click on "Tools", "Internet Options" and then "Colors". Click on "Use Windows Colors" to remove the check (Bill Gates can't have his way all the time) and this opens the "Background" and "Text" options above. Pick the colors you want. This option will take effect whenever a web page opens that does not have predetermined colors. I find that a black background and light blue text works best.
Why do all the critters seem to be facing the same direction?
That is because I am right handed and too lazy to mix them up. Actually, each image has been cropped and oriented to fit on a desktop without having the icons that usually sit on the left cover up the best image parts.
When there is an option for wallpaper or screensaver to be oriented on the screen either "centered" "stretched" or "autofit" which is best?
If the resolution of the image you selected matches your monitor resolution exactly, it doesn't matter which you choose as they all look the same. If you use a resolution larger than your monitor is using, the images will appear enlarged and cropped. If you use a smaller resolution than your monitor, a colored border will appear around the image. If you pick a different aspect resolution (800x600, 1024x768 and 1600x1200 are all 1.33 ratio and interchangeable, 1280x1024 is a 1.25 ratio and not interchangeable with the other three) from that of your monitor and then pick "stretched" the image will be distorted. If you pick the wrong aspect, wrong size and an image that is abhorrent, you are hopeless and have no business using a computer anyway! If none of this makes sense, don't worry...I'm still trying to figure it out myself!
What kind of equipment do you use?
I prefer metric for the wrenches, screwdrivers, and jackhammers but nothing works as well as an honest English Ten Penny Nail to hold a restless bird down to its' branch while I get my shots. Crazy Glue is also useful for keeping the furry critters within the shot. As for camera gear, all the earlierimages were shot with a Nikon D1x digital camera and lit with SB80Dx strobe. The images taken in the last few years utilized Nikon D2x, D90 and coolpix cameras and SB800 and SB900 for external strobes. Even the more distant images utilize fill flash from the SB80Dx strobe mounted with a "Better Beamer" flash extender. I use a Gitzo G1325 tripod with an Arca-Swiss B1 Monoball and all clamps from Really Right Stuff.
Why do dogs and their owners and husbands and wives begin to resemble each other after a few years?
This is probably because God has a very strange sense of humor and loves to play little jokes on Her creations. (Why else would men's hair fall out of their heads and grow uncontrollably from their eyebrows, nose and ears as they drift gently into senility?)
What is the meaning of Life?
There is no creature or creation in our world that can not be improved a little bit with Photoshop.
All Images © Phil Slosberg/
CritterImage Productions 2009
