Arts and Entertainent

Photography For Beginners: Depth of Field.

Depth of field is one of the most important aspects of photography you can learn. Use depth of field well in your photography and you can gain immense control over the look and impact of your photos. Unfortunately, depth of field also seems to be one of the toughest aspects for beginners to learn and master.

Even when you break it down to the simplest terms, the relationship between aperture and depth of field can seem confusing. Whenever I teach a class, or try to explain the manual settings on a friend's camera, this is the always topic we have to go over again and again. The good news is that with practice and concentration, the aperture/depth of field relationship will finally 'click' for you. The bad news is, there is more to understanding depth of field than just using your aperture.

But let's start at the beginning. What is depth of field?

In simple terms, the depth of field is the area behind and in front of your main point of focus, that is also acceptably in focus. So if you focus on a subject one metre away, you might look at your photo and find that everything from 0.9 to 1.2 metres is in focus. In this case, your depth of field is 0.3 metres (30 centimetres).

The very first thing a new photographer learns about depth of field is that it is controlled by the aperture on your lens. Very simply, a smaller aperture creates a larger depth of field, and a larger aperture creates a narrower depth of field. So if we go back to our previous example, let's say the 30cm depth of field was captured with an aperture of F-8. You could narrow the depth of field considerably by adjusting the aperture to F-2.8, a much wider setting.

Sound confusing? It is hard to explain it any more simply, especially without showing you photos as examples. If this is your first time working with depth of field, don't worry. Go outside right now and take some shots just as I have described, and you should be able to see the results right away.

So if it is that simple, why do so many people struggle with depth of field? As I wrote earlier, there is more to depth of field than just the aperture.

Depth of field is also affected by how close the subject appears in your photo. That means either how close you are to the subject, or how much you magnify or reduce the subject using different sized lenses.

The closer you are to your subject, or the closer you make the subject appear by zooming in with your lens, the smaller the depth of field becomes. Let's say you are photographing a person five metres away. At this distance, a standard or wide-angle lens will not only show a lot of background, but the wide depth of field could make the background quite distracting. However, if you walk much closer to the subject and re-focus, the depth of field will become much smaller. As a result, the well-focused person will stand out clearly from a blurry background. You can maximize the effect by opening the aperture to its widest setting.

Now imagine your subject is posing in front of a beautiful waterfall. If you stand close to the subject and photograph them with a wide aperture, you could get a great shot of the person but the waterfall will be an out of focus blur. You could improve the situation slightly by closing the aperture a few stops. However, the most effective way to improve the depth of field is to stand a few metres further back, and/or zoom back to a wider angle with your lens. Not only will you capture more of the background, but it will be much sharper than if you only adjusted your aperture alone.

So there you have a quick look at not one, but three factors than can make it easier to master depth of field; aperture, distance from the subject, and the size of the lens. This really is a topic that needs to be illustrated with a few photos, but hey - you have a digital camera. Why not go and try out these ideas at the next opportunity? It won't cost you anything, and you can see the results right away. You will soon develop a feel for the best way to make depth of field work for different subjects in your photography.

Depth of field is better explained and illustrated in Andrew Goodall's ebook "Photography In Plain English" found at

. You will also find plenty of other great resources for photographers, including a guide to making money from your own photography. For even more photography tips, sign up to the online newsletter...it's free!

Food and Drink

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee

Whichever blend of coffee you prefer or whatever type of equipment you are using to prepare the coffee the objective is the same. To release the coffee oils and soluble coffee compounds into solution in the final beverage.

Not all the soluble compounds are desirable particularly tannin so it is important to brew the coffee is just the right manner to produce the perfect cup.

Although it is possible to extract as much as a third of the mass of coffee from the grounds the optimum amount is about 20%

There are six important factors to consider when making fresh coffee.

1/ The coffee grind - By this we mean the particle size of the coffee grounds. This varies typically from largest to smallest thus: coarse, medium, fine and espresso (or very fine)

Over-extraction can occur if the grind size is too small for the method and equipment used resulting in a coffee being bitter and too strong. If the size is too large then under-extraction will occur resulting in a weak wishy-washy coffee.

Typically one would use a coarse grind for a coffee pot, medium grind for a cafetiere (French Press), medium to fine for a typical filter drip machine and espresso grind for an espresso machine.

2/ Freshness and quantity of coffee - Coffee beans should be stored in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight and ideally kept in an airtight container. The coffee should be ground to order as ground coffee will lose some of its subtle flavours and aromas if is left exposed to the atmosphere for very long.

It is vital to use the recommended dosage of coffee depending on the equipment being used. Using less coffee but increasing the brewing time will not result in a standard brew but create an over-extracted drink. Using more coffee than recommended but a quicker infusion time will result in an under-extracted coffee.

3/ Temperature and water quality of the water - Always use fresh cold water to start off the brewing process. Ideally the water should be filtered to remove unwanted taints and odours and be very slightly hard.

Water should be used that has just come off the boil and be approximately 95-98 degrees Celsius for optimum extraction of coffee. Too hot can scald the coffee and too cool will result in under-extraction.

4/ The infusion time - The length of time that the hot water is in direct contact with the coffee grounds is crucial in producing the perfect cup. In reality this is determined by the equipment being used to brew it, so always follow the manufacturers guidelines.

As a rough guide however consider the following.

10-30 seconds for espresso grind 3-6 minutes for fine grind 6-8 minutes for medium grind 8-10 minutes for coarse grind

5/ Brewing method employed - Basically there are three different methods employed to make coffee. These are steep & strain, filter infusion and pressure infusion.

Steep and strain simply involves putting hot water in contact with coffee grounds in a pot or container until under extraction has occurred. The resulting brew is strained to isolate the coffee liquor.

Filter infusion is common in many applications and uses a filter basket filled with coffee grounds that has hot water added from above. The infusion time is relatively short as the water infuses briefly with the coffee until the liquor passes thought the basket into a flask or container below.

Pressure infusion - Hot water is forced under high pressure though a small tablet of compacted grounds to produce an individual serving of coffee. This is the standard method of producing espresso.

Again it is imperative to use the right method with the correct type and grind of coffee.

6/ Cleanliness - Coffee contains oils that will leave a tarry residue on equipment that can contaminate and spoil the taste of subsequent brews. Daily washing and cleaning of equipment is an absolutely vital part in producing the perfect cup.

Have fun - producing a great tasting cup of your favourite coffee should be an easy and enjoyable task.

For more information about coffee and coffee making equipment visit http://www.cafebar.co.uk 
 

Health and Fitness

Steroids and Teenagers

The use of steroids is headline news right now both in the United States and worldwide. Big names in professional sports have rumored, or admitted to using steroids to bulk up their bodies and improve their game. Our teenagers look up them as role models and it's sad to see them letting our teens down. When they see their favorite athlete using steroids, they believe if it's all right for these stars, it's all right for them too.

Few realize what some of the terrible side effects are for those who use anabolic steroids. Some teenagers discover too late and the damage is irreparable or they are dead. Yes, it is that serious!

Anabolic steroids are a synthetic substance that promotes the growth of skeletal muscles and is related to the male hormone testosterone. There are over 100 known steroids that have been developed since first discovered in 1930. They were found to be effective in building skeletal muscle in laboratory animals and were first used by weight lifters and bodybuilders. It caught on with other athletes and is so prolific it has been know to affect the outcome of sports.

The lawful medical uses of these steroids are used to treat some impotence, delayed puberty, and help the body fight wasting diseases like HIV infection. These steroids are illegal in the United States but are smuggled into the country and sold by drug dealers. The use of steroids can effect a good portion of a teenager's body.

Users of steroids use injection as a means to getting the substance into the body. They often are not careful and use non-sterile injections or share needles with other abusers.

Manufactured steroids are often made in environments that are not sterile and this puts the user in added danger. Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and other viral infections can be injected into the body with non-sterile needles. Infections can form at the injection sights and cause abscesses to form. A potentially fatal side effect is endocarditis which is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.

Steroid use has also been linked with liver tumors and blood-filled cysts in the liver. If these rupture as they sometimes do, they cause internal bleeding, another potential life threatening condition.

Steroids affect the cardiovascular system. Misuse can cause heart attacks and strokes. These can affect all athletes, even teenagers.

There have been many reports of teenagers who have died of taking steroids. Steroids decrease the good levels of cholesterol, and increase the bad cholesterol which can increase the risk of blood clots that stop the blood flow to the heart or brain and become fatal.

Steroid use can cause problems with the skin, such as acne and cysts. It can also cause oily skin and hair.

Steven Godlewski is a self-made millionaire and is currently working with Life Force International products. He has an extensive background in nutrition as well as other health related fields. For more health-related articles and a FREE bottle of Liquid Vitamins see their website at: http://www.pillfreevitamins.com SEE video at: http://www.emii-dcf.org

Pets and Animals

Why Dogs Do What They Do: A Quick Study Of Normal Dog Behaviors

Dog behaviors can confuse human owners, which makes it that much more difficult to bond with them. Once you gain a better understanding of why dogs do what they do, however, you'll be one giant step ahead in the bonding and training process.

One of the first things to realize is that dogs come from the wolf family. Wolves are social animals that run in packs. All members have their status within those packs, from the dominant male to the submissive female.

Establishing roles in the pack is one of the most predominant dog behaviors that domestic dogs have inherited, along with other traits. Dogs like to know where they fit in the pack. That's why owners have to take the upper hand and become the leaders. Until this happens, bonding and training will be elusive.

Unfortunately, some owners are reluctant to take command because they're afraid they'll alienate their friendship and their dog won't love them. It's important to overcome this fear if you want to end up with an obedient and responsive dog. Understand that your dog will love you simply because you are his leader.

If left to find his own way, a dog will do his best to establish himself as the boss. Dominant dogs will show their dominance by growling and sometimes biting their owners to put them in their place.

It's imperative for you to reverse this situation at the very beginning by showing your dog that he must take a lesser role in the social order.

Such dog behaviors as this are ingrained from birth as part of the animal's survival instincts. Leadership dominance isn't something that develops afterwards, although it can become a problem if not addressed.

A dominant dog will reject your training efforts because he believes he's in charge. He'll want to be out front when you take him for a walk. He'll want to call all the shots, which means he's more likely to ignore you and your commands.

He'll be the protector of the pack. Some dogs become too protective and can become a danger to others. You don't want that, so establish who's the boss from the moment you bring your puppy home. Dogs are quick to accept leadership from those who show authority and dominant traits.

They respond to actions that mimic or reflect their inherent dog behaviors. Your size alone will automatically show the dog that you are the dominant member.

By using a tone of voice that projects your authority and letting the dog know that you're taking charge, your pet will soon recognize and accept his role in the pack.

Dogs don't like confusion or vagueness. It makes them unsure and their actions misdirected. Once your dog knows where he stands, he'll be better prepared to obey and love you.

Remember, growling is one of the dog behaviors wolf pack leaders use to let others know where they stand. It isn't necessary for you to hit your dog or be a tyrant to send this message. Use an authoritative voice and be persistent in your demands and he'll soon get the point.

Another one of the dog behaviors worth imitating is touch, or affection. In the pack, wolves nuzzle each other to show how they feel and to get the other's attention. Mothers lick their pups regularly, not only to keep them clean, but to show them that they belong.

A pup that gets such attention is much happier and well-rounded than one that is ignored and rejected. He is better able to adjust to his changing world and the people and animals around him.

Such dog behaviors become your responsibility as the new pack leader. Keep in mind that from the moment puppies are born, they establish their adaptability into the pack by the things that are in their immediate environment.

By showing your puppy, or even an adopted dog, that they belong and are welcome, you can help ease their transition into your pack. A well-adjusted dog is much easier to train because he aims to please and take up his rightful role in the group. Naturally, the earlier exposure to the human touch and other dogs occurs, the more socialized he will become.

Be aware of why dogs do what they do and take appropriate action to let your pet know you are the leader. Approach your new companion with normal dog behaviors in mind, and you might be surprised how easy training and bonding can be.

Get your free copy of Sylvia's latest booklet, "Unveiling the Myths & Mysteries of Owning a Puppy" by clicking Dog Behaviors . 
 

Sports and Recreation

Muscle Building Workouts vs. Powerlifting Routines - What's The Difference?

Before starting a weightlifting program you need to make some decisions regarding what you want to accomplish. There are many different styles of weightlifting and these different styles will accomplish different things. You could break the main styles of weightlifting down into two categories: bodybuilding and powerlifting. These types of weight lifting offer different benefits depending on what your goals are.

What are your goals with weightlifting?

If you are looking to achieve power and strength then you should consider a powerlifting routine. Powerlifting comprises what it says - lifting weights to gain power. There are three major lifts in powerlifting - the bench press, squat and deadlift. A powerlifting routine will center itself around training to improve these lifts. If you are looking to achieve a sculpted body with ripped muscles then you will want to perform a bodybuilding routine. Bodybuilding routines focus on developing the look of your individual muscles by toning and shaping them. These muscle building workouts will help you achieve muscle definition so you can look your best in your summer beach wear!

So what's the difference between a powerlifting routine and a bodybuilding routine?

The basic answer to that question is this - a powerlifting routine is centered around low repetition and lower sets while a bodybuilding routine is focused on higher repetitions and higher sets per body part. For example, when working on developing the bench press lift a power lifter may do some variation of the following: Bench press, Incline bench press, Military press, Bent-Over-Rows and Skull crushers. Sets and repetitions may look like this - 4 to 6 sets of 4 to 6 repetitions of each exercise. The amount of weight lifted should force you to struggle to complete each set and each repetition to constantly challenge the muscles. This type of lifting strengthens the muscles and makes you stronger. There are several different exercises that can be substituted for your various body parts. You will have to pick and choose depending on your weak areas and what you need to develop to maximize your core lifts.

A bodybuilder will focus on higher repetitions and a higher number of sets per body part. So staying with the above chest example a bodybuilding routine may look like this: same exercises as described above but the sets and repetitions would be in the range of 6 to 8 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions. The amount of weight lifted should allow you to complete this higher number of sets and reps but still provide enough challenge that you struggle to complete the series. This type of lifting tones and shapes your muscles and provides definition. You will gain strength when performing a bodybuilding routine, just not at quickly or as much as if you were powerlifting.

So where should you start?

If you are new to weightlifting then my advice would be to start with a muscle building workout (i.e., a bodybuilding routine). I say this because this type of routine uses less weight. You won't be inclined to try and lift more than you are capable of lifting. You will be able to focus on learning how to perform each exercise properly, with good form. This will help you prevent injury and will maximize your muscle development. When you are ready to increase your weights you will be able to better handle the additional poundage's with less risk of injury. An important point to remember is that in the first 3 to 4 months of starting a training program your muscles are inefficient - meaning they are not performing to their maximal ability. It takes 3 to 4 months of consistent training to get your muscles to contract to their maximal potential so you will benefit from each and every repetition you perform. So an experienced weightlifter gets more benefit from a lift than an inexperienced weightlifter.

If you are new to the sport then it is wise to

as much as you can. The more you know the better your chances of accomplishing your goals. Invest in educating yourself from someone with

that can pass their knowledge and success on to you.

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Travel and Leisure

Things To Do In Alaska In The Summer

There are plenty of summer things to do in Alaska. Summers in the 49th state mean all the best adventure and nature trips. With its midnight sun firing up the heat, Alaska invites you to get out and explore all the outdoor activities that are sure to pump up the adrenaline rush.

Outdoors is where you will find all the fascinating things to do in Alaska during the summer. Engage yourself in multiple sports with the entire state as your playground. There are so many ways to test your physical limits - kayaking, rafting, hiking, glacier trekking and even ice climbing. This trip definitely guarantees one amazing experience after another!

You have the option to join tours with such activities or do everything independently, giving you more time to pace yourself and the freedom to choose which of the summer things to do you wish to conquer first. Whatever you choose, you are sure to have an extraordinary experience beyond comparison.

Kick off this adventurous Alaska summer vacation by exploring the Prince William Sound via kayak. Paddle your way through the world-famous water of Prince William Sound to come face to face with a towering glacier. The company of bald eagles and nesting birds soaring high, and the sea otters lolling nearby just adds to the beauty of the experience. One more thing you can do for more glacier encounters is to go to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park where glacier trekking is allowed. Dare to challenge yourself even further by ice climbing. Ascend on to a frozen river and marvel over the breathtaking glacial topography.

The moderate summer temperature in Alaska allows hiking and trekking enthusiasts to maximize the beautiful and comfortable warm weather by doing the one thing they would never miss to do - day hike. Wherever you choose to hike - the Flattop Trail Hike in Anchorage, Keystone Canyon in Valdez or Childs Glacier in Cordova - Alaska promises venues that allow you to be close to Mother Nature. From wildflower meadows to moose, bears and mountain goat habitats, you get to have among the best of the world's most pristine environments. As you reach the top, seize the opportunity to relax and take in the jaw-dropping picturesque view.

Note: Despite the relatively warm Alaskan weather during the summer, it is best to gear yourself up in layers or thick clothing as the temperature gets cooler when you elevate.

Denali National Park is widely known for its wildlife abundance and for housing the tallest mountain in North America, the majestic Mount McKinley. Offering dozens of activities to both Alaska residents and visitors, there is particularly one activity that the park offers that you would find apt to your Alaskan adventure vacation. Since you started your excursion with a water activity, you might as well conclude it with another. This time, though, with a fiercer extremities to deal with, such as the rapid current. Whitewater rafting through the Nenana River is just beyond words, and would just be the perfect way to complete your list of summer things to do in Alaska adventure.

To plan your

, please use our

, which leverages the collective wisdom of thousands of users worldwide, and makes road trip planning interactive and enjoyable.

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