June 2008
A Digital Photography Tip - The Secret Of Clear Digital Images
Recently I’ve been getting a lot of questions about clarity. This leads me to the answers about lenses. You know if you do not have a good lens you do not have a good photo- generally.
The reason I say that professional SLR is much better than a prosumer camera or a point and shoot is not because of my desire to look “pro” when I take photos its because of the amount of control you have over the photo. You can control the light so much more; you can control the exposure and the general aspects of the image. And with this freedom comes the choice of getting the clarity via the lens. To gain the ultimate freedom in picture clarity first of all you need to know what lens does what.
Fixed focal length lenses
A fixed focal length lens is a lens that is on most point and shoot and prosumer cameras. They are normally an average wide angle lens. It’s kind of like a “mid range quality” lens. If you then take a zoom lens and compare the two, a fixed focal lens is smaller and often has a larger max aperture. This is good, because they work pretty well in low light situations. These lenses appear clearer than zoom lenses. The only problem here is that your person or subject can appear smaller than you would like unless you move in closer.
Zoom Lenses
And what of a zoom lens? Without going into overly technical details, zoom lenses often have more practical focal lengths for digital photography. They can give you a good angle perspective for filling the frame for example. These lenses are great if you need to take shots closer when it’s impossible to get closer to something.
Optical zooms lenses are the best. My advice to you would be to forget digital zoom altogether. Digital zoom is not a real zoom, in other words it’s not a true representation of what’s there. You’ll just get more noise on your image which can’t really be edited.
The problem with zooms is that they loose light the closer you get. They have lower apertures and this can be difficult in low light conditions. In some situations it’s possible to use the flash and have adequate lighting, but other times you use the zoom because you are far away from the subject and the flash is only effective a few meters away.
There is no general answer to “What lens should I get?” The answer is it depends on what your camera can do and what you want to do yourself. But the more you understand what lenses do what, the better off you are of making an informed decision and get the right lense for the job.
Best wishes,
|
Amy Renfrey |
The Third Reality - The End of the Personal Computer Desktop
In this 21st century of terabytes and gigabytes, in this high-definition age where new ideas “seems” to be redefined hourly, in this Microsoft galaxy, Macintosh stratosphere, planet Linux, where the only question left for desktop “consumers” is “which computer desktop define me as a person?”. Ironic? Actually irony “redefines” the definition of “tyranny”, applied in this now saturated desktop market since the last few years.
The giants of yesterday are now searching today for the next good revolution, lost in their two-dimensional universe, between a liquid crystal display and a plastic molded case, the well known Cerberus of our time obviously don’t know where to look or where to go. New innovation you say? Remember the “desktop search dance” a couple of months ago? Every “less exploited” areas have now reach the point of a next good possible billion dollars head start against everyone else, waiting patiently to be saturate again in less than the number of nano seconds that it takes to read this sentence.
Now, backup, let’s think backwards… What are the evolutionary steps of the personal desktop computer that we know today? For the most respected ones who read this article the answer will probably be by starting with a, let’s say “one-dimensional” static interface, with the MITS Altair, then the Lisa from Apple which introduce the first “two dimensional” graphical interface, later use as a “standard” in the industry until today, later on, stolen by Big Brother’s acolytes and now forced to be implemented worldwide…
Since then what have change? Except better CPU, more memory, more storage, video card capable to render in real time billions of polygons per second, or word processing software that introduce thousands of functions, but how many you are really using? nothing, now stop. What is the real evolution of the personal computer of today since let’s say twenty years? Performance has changed, yes, but what about the concept of a personal computer?
If someone asks you “Can you call a machine ‘computer’ if this machine doesn’t have a screen and a dead rat attached to it?”. Your answer will probably be “no”. Now take a second and pick up that pencil near you…
What did you just do? You just interact in a “tri-dimensional” world, by picking up an object that has specific properties and functionalities. Now can you imagine a 270 degree panoramic view of a virtual world projected in front of you using a head mounted display, where you can interact freely with objects that respond to the movements of your hands or change the current field of view of your desktop, that contain objects and 3D windows floating around, by simply moving your head? What’s described here may be sounds futurist to some of you, but isn’t it the logic sequence that we have been told since the beginning of times… 1, 2, 3, is it the logical evolution the current vision that we have?
Difficult to imagine? Maybe for some of you, but everyone have to admit that a new revolution need to take place, a revolution that will change the way people think, communicate and the way people interact with the information, a revolution that will change our vision and concepts that have change our society for already more than twenty years.
Dominant companies don’t want to redefine what they have done for more than a decade ago. The initiative need to be taken by outsiders, revolutionaries, technological artists, people who think differently and want to redefine what have been defined, isn’t it the concept of the evolution? The clouded vision of the information technology leaders that we know today is limited to a static two-dimensional environment, looking at their computer screen asking to themselves “what else we can do?”. What if the answers are at the wrong place? What if the answers are behind the screen? In a third reality, in a reality where the current limitations of the personal computer desktop of today are pushed, pushed to the next level, another level where the difference between the real world and the virtual world boundaries are redefined, where end users can interact in a new dynamic constructive and visually appealing way, and increase their level of productivity.
From this perspective is it hard to conclude that visionaries of yesterday are not the visionaries of tomorrow?
Romain Marucchi, Founder & Chief Software Architect of Quartz Computer System - Virtual Reality for Ordinary People
Founded in 2005, Quartz Computer System is the first company specialized in tri-dimensional Personal Computer Desktop, virtual reality system for ordinary people and the respective owner and official developer of SiO2, the first OpenGL based 3D Operating System.
A Different Place…
I wish we had met 20 years ago…
A different place, a different time
when I actually had a chance
for you to be mine…
Although we cannot change
what brought us together today,
I don’t know why it is so hard
for me to think about walking away…
From you and from us… despite
the obstacles that stand in the way
of our chance to become something
more than just yesterday -
I believe in love at first site
as silly as it sounds…
I never actually realized that
that until you came around…
With your unmistakable smile,
quick wit and flattery
like the devilish look in your eyes
whenever you see me…
I know it’s real and
I know I’m not alone
in feeling so strongly
that you’ll never be gone…
Entirely from my life
no matter what it takes
for you and me to be together
I think we’ll always make…
Up a reason to see each other,
an excuse to escape to
be together anywhere
any time - we will do
What we feel we need
to be with one another
Regardless of how short
our time is together…
The quality in moments
between you and me
is something most people
only dream they will see…
Once in this lifetime…
No matter how late
when love like ours arrives
It has to be FATE…
I thought I had lived
before I met you
but the truth is
I honestly had no clue…
About what love means
or how it’s supposed to be…
I settled for less, for men
who were not good to me.
I thank God for you
even if we have to secretly date
for another 20 years…
I know it will be worth the wait…
Resource Box - © Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine - A free newsletter for quote lovers featuring more than 10,000 quotations in dozens of categories like - love, friendship, children, inspiration, success, wisdom, family, life, and many more. Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp
How to Get Bulk Printing Using Selling Manager Pro?
If you have a subscription of Selling Manager Pro you can print around 200 copies of invoices or shipping labels at one go from the ’sold view’. Go to ’sold view’ page and check the box beside the listings for which you want to print invoices or shipping labels. Click on the ‘print’ button. If you want to select all of your sold items check the box that is in the heading box just above the sold items’ list. Now go to the print page and select what you want to print, then click the ‘continue’ button. A pop-up window will appear. On this window you can preview each of the pages to be printed by using the scroll bar. After reviewing how the pages would look click the print button in the browser window. If needed you can edit information on any page and when you are finished updating the page save your changes. Next when you will print the edited information will be seen in the printout.
You can configure your browser too for printing background colors and images. This enables you to print your invoices properly. You may even configure Internet Explorer for printing of invoices and shipping labels. For this select ‘tools’ then select ‘internet options’. Internet options window will open. Here click the ‘advanced’ button. This will display advanced configuration options. Here use the scrolling bar to go to the printing section and select the check box for ‘print background colors and images. Then click ok to save the changes.
Donny Lowy runs http://www.closeoutexplosion.com an online wholesale and closeout business that supplies eBay sellers, retailers, and flea market vendors.
He also manages http://www.wholesalecloseoutforum.com an online wholesale and closeout forum.
Donny can be reached at 718-389-5502.
Fundraising With Food
Fundraising with food has been a long time favorite for sports team fundraising. It is effective, provides something most people like and are willing to pay for, and the variety is vast. Whatever type of food fundraiser you choose for your team, there are three things you must do to get the most out of your efforts.
Food Fundraisers: Go For Mass Appeal
First, choose a popular product that will appeal to the greatest number of potential customers. Your choice should be appropriate to your target audience, be priced fairly, include a good profit margin, and be seasonally viable. For example, don’t sell sweets while the Girl Scouts annual cookie fundraiser is in progress!
Once you choose a product or group of products, use publicity to get the word out. Use school publications, posters, and all the usual suspects.
Take it to the next level by issuing a press release on local radio and newspapers. Most local publications offer this as a free service for non-profit organizations. This will spread your reach beyond the team, their families, neighbors, and friends.
Prepare and Execute!
Secondly, design your plan for execution. Everyone, including your team should know your group goal, your stretch goal, and their individual goal. Create a sales script for the team. Rehearse it at practice in a role playing way.
Would you rather make a purchase from an unprepared athlete who mumbles at his shoes, or from one that is prepared with what to say and looks their potential customer in the eye while conveying the appropriate message?
That message should briefly tell what product they are offering, who they are raising money for, and how the money will be used. (New uniforms, equipment, trip to the play-offs, etc.)
Offer Sales Incentives
Offer incentives for top sellers. Rewards should be quality prizes, not junk. Many fundraising suppliers include prize incentives for top sales attainment. If there is an additional charge for incentives, or if the incentives offered are not appropriate for your team, ask local businesses to donate prizes.
Have a recognition party announcing the top sellers. Everyone likes to be recognized for a job well done in the presence of their peers. If you tally your numbers daily, the top selling player has to run five less laps than the rest of the team.
Go Where The Money Is
As part of your execution plan, consider boosting your reach by selling your products from a table at a shopping center. These are customers that you may not reach otherwise, and can more than double your sales.
Approach the management of a shopping center for permission first. Then organize your volunteers in teams to cover the sales tables in shifts.
Advertise clearly at each sales table. In large print on posters, tell who is selling, what they are selling, and how the money will be used. Use not only multiple locations, but multiple tables at each location.
Give Extra Options
Third and finally, provide several ways the community can help your cause. Offering a variety of products helps ensure there is something that will appeal to everyone.
Or offer an overlay fundraising item. Not every customer will want the food products you have chosen to sell.
Offer a fundraising discount card in addition to your primary offering. Whether it is a two for one discount pizza card, or a fast food discount card, these can add substantial profit to your bottom line.
By offering your primary product and an overlay item, you could double the likelihood that a purchase will be made.
Don’t forget the most obvious overlay: a donation.
If a customer does not want to make a purchase, always ask if they would prefer to make a donation to help your cause.
Kimberly Reynolds writes about fundraising ideas and tips for having food fundraisers on her website. Find hundreds of fundraiser ideas on her website.
The Most Researched Performance Enhancing Nutritional Supplement
Creatine - The most researched performance enhancing nutritional supplement
Does creatine supplementation work?
The February 2004 issue of the Strength and Conditioning Journal, the official publication of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, had an article about creatine loading. Why? Because it works!
How does it work?
I never really liked biochemistry, so I will give you the cliff notes version. Creatine is amino acid derivative that enables the body’s muscle to produce ATP quickly. ATP is the muscles main source of energy.
Is Creatine safe?
Yes. Creatine is the most researched supplement when it comes to increasing athletic performance. The only side affects believed are muscle cramps and water gain.
How does Creatine help athletic performance?
By increasing the concentration of creatine within the muscle cell, there will be an extended supply of ATP (the main energy source for muscle contraction). This allows the muscle to maintain muscle contraction for longer periods of time, thereby reducing muscular fatigue. By reducing muscular fatigue your can achieve higher athletic performance during short-duration, high intensity activities (e.g., weightlifting, sprinting, etc.).
How much Creatine supplementation is need?
There are numerous research studies that have show that 5 grams of creatine consumed 4-6 times daily for one week can substantially increase total muscle creatine concentration by 20-40%. However, if time is not an issue, 2-4 grams daily should be sufficient to fully saturate skeletal muscles within a month.
To date creatine is by far the most effective supplement for enhancing athletic performance, I have personal used creatine to assist my training programs for years, and it is one of the few supplements I never want to run out of.
–
Please feel free to publish this article in your Newsletter or on your Website (with Resource Box included).
About The Author
Dr. Jeffrey Banas is a Chiropractic Sports Physician practicing in Mesa, AZ. If you would like to contact Dr. Banas, he can be reached at his office at 480-633-6837, or by visiting his web site at www.personal-weight-loss-help.com
drjeffbanas@yahoo.com
Eat Well First Before You Take Your Vitamins
There is a huge market when it comes to vitamins. Every Walmart and Walgreens across the nation are stocked with shelves and shelves of vitamins and minerals. Do you actually know what vitamins are and how they can help you? The word vitamin is from combining -vital amine by a Polish chemist Casimir Funk in 1912. Vitamin B1 was first isolated by Funk. He determined that B1 is one of the vitamins that prevented beriberi. Not much beriberi going around these days thanks to Funk. Vitamins are organic and function as catalysts for reactions. If these catalysts or vitamins are missing such as in a vitamin deficiency, the body can begin breaking down and you can become sick.
We receive vitamins in our bodies three different ways; from food, beverages, and what our own bodies produce; such as Vitamin K and D. Everyone seems to agree that the B vitamins are needed for good health, and most seem to agree that getting vitamins from food instead of supplements is the way to go. Vitamins cannot replace food. They actually need food to work. What does our diet look like? If you are one of these people that lives on fast food, you most definitely could be lacking in the vitamin department. Eat living things such as fruits and vegetables more often and you will feel better. Make a concerted effort to improve your diet before you start popping a bunch of pills. Some people are afraid to take vitamins because they think too much of a good thing can become toxic to their body. To a certain extent there is some truth to this. Too much of vitamin A and D can become toxic so take them in moderation.
I don’t like taking pills, but recently I have been looking into my body needing extra vitamins. As we age, we can’t assimilate the vitamins in our body as much so supplements might be needed. Vitamins are becoming more suited per individual. There are pills for men or women over 50 and vitamins for children and everyone in between. There isn’t a lot of information on the labels but read them just the same. Go with a brand you feel you can trust.
You might also want to talk to a naturopath or herbalist about adding herbs to your diet. There are also a great many of them and it may require some research before you know what you could take. Vitamins, minerals or herbs don’t last forever so before to check the expiration date and throw away what is not current.
If you follow the labels and ask your physician and take any of the vitamins that you believe are good for your body, your energy level should pick up and you should feel great.
Beverly Marshall is a successful freelance writer, certified Aromatherapist and Feng Shui consultant. Her many articles offer guidance, suggestions and common sense ideas to change your life. If you are interested in products and information regarding alternative medicine, natural remedies, healthy lifestyles and more; her many articles can be found online.
Wedding - Celebrating That Special Occasion
A wedding is perhaps the most wonderful and memorable event in a person’s life. It is a time to exchange vows and promise each other that you will be there for each other in good and bad times until the end of time. And it is not easy to arrive at that decision of committing to that special someone in this way. The reality is that marriages take a lot of work and perseverance to make them last. So, a lot of thought is required before deciding to take the plunge. For most people, weddings are the stuff of fairytales and there is much hope that the marriage will be an everlasting and beautiful one.
People start preparing well in advance to make their wedding day as perfect as they would like it to be. You need to take care of every little detail, be it the music that will play at the wedding or the dress you will be wearing. A good way to ensure you don’t overlook something is to make a checklist. The wedding showers are usually organized about 4 to 6 weeks before the nuptials wedding. The main aim of these showers is to help assemble a trousseau for the bride or help equip the couple’s new home. The bride also gets a good occasion to get together with family and friends.
The main thing to ensure for both the groom and the bride is that they look good on their wedding day. Clothes should flatter them and fit well. Tuxedos are a good idea for grooms, because most men look good in those. The groom should also ensure to arrange for the other accessories that he will need e.g. shirt, tie and shoes. The bridal dress needs to be chosen or stitched carefully and should normally have a veil and headpiece that go with it. It is a good idea for brides to pamper themselves with beauty treatments before the wedding day and get their hands manicured. Most importantly, the bride should sleep well, so that she looks beautiful and fresh on her special day.
Remember to plan for the favors that you will be giving your guests on the wedding day to thank them for their presence and blessings. Gifts such as chocolates, boxes of candy, or real flowers are a good idea. If you don’t want to buy gifts, even a piece of the wedding cake can serve as a favor. If you plan well, your wedding day will be a great start to your honeymoon and hopefully, a lifetime of romance.
Sintilia Miecevole’s resourceful and most interesting site www.flexwedding.com provides you with all kinds of wedding information such as engagement announcements, bridal shower games, activities, and suggestions, and offers a listing of links to professionals. Visit www.flexwedding.com for articles, tips checklists and more.
Find Out the First Symptoms of Baldness
The best word for male pattern baldness is alopecia. The very most recorded kind of hair loss is male pattern baldness and targets roughly one third of males and ladies. This type of baldness is naturally permanent.
Permanent hair loss comes in a variety of ways. Male pattern baldness can often show in the exceedingly early years of a guys life, with hair loss beginning to happen as young as eighteen years. The typical first signs can often include loss of hair surrounding the top of the scalp and also at the forehead. The result might well be partial or full baldness. Check out the latest hair loss treatments at Advanced Hair Studio.
Woman pattern baldness is nearly similar to male pattern baldness resulting in permanent hair follicle loss. This kind of hair loss is traditionally developed after a mother gives birth to her girl or boy. The hormone imbalance causes hair loss although women do not frequently experience full loss of hair.
The last type of permanent hair loss is by Cicatricial. This occurs when inflammation in the scalp starts scarring of the scalp and the hair follicles fall out permanently. The man might lose hair folicles in different sections, or even spread all over the scalp.
With permanent hair loss the eye-opening solution for legions of girls and guys will be to visit a special hair centre in order to gain back hair follicles.
Preparing A Retirement Party Will Be Unforgotten Event
Retirement is an important issue, which occurs as soon as the person arrives at his sixty years. He may leave his basic profession and prepare himself for new calm days. As a basic rule, all his lovable persons, whether at work or home like to celebrate this event and holding a retirement party. This incredible event must not be missed by anyone. Of course, this event will be such a gratitude for all whichever he did for them and their company as well. To prepare a party, it must put into consideration some tips. Those tips have to regard the retired character, personality, previous experience and efforts he did.
To prepare a retirement party, a cool speech ought to be written by professional and said by lovely sound one. Arrange the place of celebration with soft attracted colors decorations along with hanging balloons will be great too. Every attendant of this party has to bring with him some symbolic presents that consider the things he loves. A dinner meal may be arranged, while healthy food can be presented to the attendants also. It must take care with not to raise voices or demonstrating aloud singing, for not abuse the retired person at all. However, there are many specialized companies available online who are ready to submit their advices along with doing all the needed procedures for holding this party.