Sep 23
If you have ever owned a horse or regularly ride one, you have come to realize what wonderful animals they are. Horses are smart and have an amazing memory. Once they know you and trust you, they will be loyal for life. There are many stories of how horses have saved their owner’s lives.
Owning such [...] [...more]
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If you have ever owned a horse or regularly ride one, you have come to realize what wonderful animals they are. Horses are smart and have an amazing memory. Once they know you and trust you, they will be loyal for life. There are many stories of how horses have saved their owner’s lives.
Owning such a horse gives years of fun and companionship. For this reason, when they age it is important to continue this relationship by looking after your senior horse.
Just as we humans notice temperature changes more as we age, it is important to be sensitive to the conditions that your horse is in at this stage of their lives. They aren’t able to do as well with extreme temperature changes. It’s always a good idea to keep a blanket handy in the colder days especially if you live in a higher elevation or where there are cold seasons. In the same way be sure to provide at least one or two shady spots where your horse can escape from the direct sun.
Unless there is a medical reason it is good for your horse to stay active. Although he might not be working, exercise is essential to keep limber, make use of their lungs and other body parts as well as having the joy of experiencing the world around them. Turning him out will also keep the weight gain low and his spirits high.
As your horse ages, his body will go through various changes. This includes his stomach and digestive system. It is essential to feed your horse in with these changes in mind. There are several great supplements in the market that make up for deficiencies in nutrient absorption of senior horses. A favorite is TAHITIAN NONI® Equine EssentialsTM. One of the things that it does is promotes proper feed digestion and nutrient absorption. Another great feature is it supports the equine immune system with superior antioxidant activity.
Have you ever noticed that many senior horses stress easier? My favorite feature of TAHITIAN NONI® Equine EssentialsTM is that it contains adaptogens to help relieve stress. They are much calmer and relaxed. TAHITIAN NONI® Equine Essentials FlexTM was formulated with horses who suffer from joint problems. It supports joint function but also includes MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate as well as the Omega 3 and 6 oils found in the TAHITIAN NONI® Equine EssentialsTM. It has given many a horse a new lease on life. In Australia its trade name is Tahitian Noni™ Equine Formula™ .
Horses can have happy and healthy lives into their 30’s and 40’s if given the proper care, love and support.
As indicated at the bottom of all our web pages, these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please visit our website for details.
Sep 23
IntroductionWelcome to Part Two of A Guide to Big Cat Photography. Here we continue to look at equipment and common mistakes encountered when photographing Big Cats.
LensesHere you have quite a few options, these points are discuss below.
Specific Lenses
Macro - a close focusing lens ranging from 50 to around 110mm in focal length [...] [...more]
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Introduction
Welcome to Part Two of A Guide to Big Cat Photography. Here we continue to look at equipment and common mistakes encountered when photographing Big Cats.
Lenses
Here you have quite a few options, these points are discuss below.
Specific Lenses
Macro - a close focusing lens ranging from 50 to around 110mm in focal length - the longer the lens the further away from the subject you can be. The drawback - foreshortened depth of field - you have just a few millimetres to get the focus point right - so you’ll need a still subject matter. But you can get some amazing close ups of teeth and paws.
Standard Close Focusing - this would apply to a 30mm or 50mm prime lens but one that has the ability to focus down to around 8 to 12 inches. These lenses can give you close dramatic pictures when on a Big Cats Experience Day.
Standard Zoom - for me this would be a lens similar to an 18 - 70mm or the 17 - 55mm. Similarly there are some longer standard zooms such as the 24 - 70mm or even a 24 - 120mm. The choice is yours and it comes down to which part of the zoom range you want to operate within, remember on a DX body the lens will be multiplied by a factor of 1.4 to 1.6 depending on which make of camera body you have. So your 17 - 55mm multiplies up to around a 25 - 82mm when compared to a 35mm film camera or an FX digital body. On an FX body - being full frame the focal length is as stated. But remember if you use a DX lens on a FX body you’ll get a darkening of the edges, called vignetting.
Fast Zoom Lens -by this we are looking at how much light the lens can let in at its widest aperture. For example a lens with a minimum aperture of F6.3 will let in far less light than one of F2.8. Remember the smaller the number the bigger the hole in the lens and the more light it lets in. This then gives you faster shutter speeds, which you need with longer focal length lenses, for example those over 200mm. Tip - you should always keep your shutter speed over your focal length - so if you‘re at 200mm, you need 200th of a second, but hang on you’re using a DX body and lens so you need to add in the crop factor multiply by 1.4 to 1.6 so at 200mm you really need 320th or 400th of a second. Even some standard zooms with F2.8 aperture used by the professional photographer can still be expensive, for example the Nikon 17-55 F2.8 is around £900.
Standard Telephoto - this would be something like a 70 - 300mm lens or some of the more all day lenses - like an 18 - 200 or 55 - 200, all day lenses are discussed below. You can get a 70 - 200 F2.8 but these are expensive, most standard telephotos range from F4 to F5.6 in terms of speed and are good all round lenses, just watch the light levels. OK you can up the ISO but again remember the noise compromise.
Super Telephoto - this would apply to either a lens over 300mm or one that I feel is a prime lens, fixed focal length, that sits around F4 or F2.8. These are not cheap lenses and entry levels are around £2,000. Personally I like to use the 200 - 400mm VR lens from Nikon, now selling at a suggested selling price of £5800, but I didn’t pay that for mine, I got in before the 2009 price rise.
All Day Lenses
A Definition - by this we are discussing an all in one lens, a lens that will cover from wide angle to standard telephoto, for instance an 18- 200mm.
The Benefits - it gets you all the shots you need, no changing lenses no down time. Often light and compact they are not much to carry about.
The Compromise - optical quality! You’re asking this lens to do a lot . A prime will always out perform a zoom. And an all day lens has to do a job at all levels through the zoom range, the edges of the image will suffer and so too will the speed of the lens, remember the F number and the amount of light it needs. You don’t find professional lens made at F2.8 or faster that cover that wide a range - and there has to be a reason for that - optical quality - Pros carry 2 or more camera bodies with a shot and a long lens set up using matched equipment.
Depth of Field
Depth of Field (DOF) - if you are lucky enough to own f2.8 maximum aperture lenses then be mindful as to how short the DOF can be, especially if the subject comes within the zone where the distance to subject is under the focal length - for example, the DOF on a 200mm lens will be further foreshortened if the subject is inside a 2m (2000mm) range in front of the lens. Some 200mm lenses will focus as close as 1.5 - 1.8m so the impact of this is that you may focus on the nose of say a tiger only to find the eyes are blurred, or out of focus.
Shutter Speed
As a commercial photographer - remember this guide as we mentioned earlier - keep your shutter speed above the focal length of your lens, e.g. 200mm shoot at 250th sec or more, allowing for the crop factor I’d suggest at least 320th sec on a 200mm lens.
RAW or Jpeg
This is probably as much discussed on the camera forums as brand names, each has its advantages and disadvantages. Personally I shoot RAW as it gives you a safety zone if the shot is slightly out. Added to that I personally think it gives you more editing options. The choice as they is yours. I do shoot Jpeg for press work but only because you don’t have the time for post production.
Image Composition
Detail - this is great option, stripes, spots, eyes, ear noses and tails - there is so much choice.
Action - running, jumping, pawing for food on the ground or in the air, lost of options. And when it all kicks off with the three male lions make sure you’re ready.
Portraits - sitting, lying down with a full belly and a low sun in the sky and the lions look great. Contrast that with an angelic Tiger that just can’t be bothered. All of these give you great options for images.
Close Up - teeth, paws and claws, similar to the details shot but much closer, using macro photography.
Use of flash - this can be done, watch out for green or yellow eye, this is the same as red eye in humans and it’s a lot easier to get and harder to get rid of due to the size of the cats eyes. Also watch out for the wire, make sure the flash gun is a fill to the available light and close to the wire else you get wire stripes.
Common Errors
Wire - while the gauge of wire will have an impact on what can be done, I still see many shots with the wire right through the middle of the image . It’s best to get the centre of the lens lined up with the square of the wire - i.e. the hole. Ensure you don’t have a vertical or horizontal wire passing in front of the lens or worst still a join, giving a big cross in the shot.
Background - try to get the background as natural as possible use close up shots or a short depth of field to bur the background. Also use any landscaping in the enclosure to mask the cage behind or above. Remember to get down low, take the cats perspective.
Machine gunning! - is the photographer that holds down the shutter button for long periods of time, shooting continuously without checking the shots back. This will fill up your memory cards very quickly and give so many similar images to edit, when all you really need are short bursts of 3 to 6 shots. Take your time.
Metering - Try and avoid average metering and use spot or centre weighted, remember to metre off the subject. Matrix metering is too general for Big Cats.
Accessories
Tripods - these are not really usable around the Big Cats enclosures as they are awkward and you don’t have the flexibility to move.
Monopods - these are handy on longer lenses and have the ability to be more manoeuvrable.
Laptops - if you have one it’s a good idea to download your shots half way through the day. Alternatively use the laptop to check shots back, say at lunchtime, and see how you are getting on. Also remember to back up your cards - the last thing you want is a card failure and no images.
Extra cards - a very good idea, keep them smaller, now-a-days around 4GB. 16GB cards are all well and good but if it fails, that’s a lot of lost data. 1GB used to be considered large, a while back, now using this card in a modern DSLR and it more resembles the number of shots you’d get on a roll of film.
Clothing - Check the weather before you go. Take a few options to allow for a change in the weather or for getting down on the ground.
Author : Peter Davey MA DipM
Sep 23
This is an abstract from a dissertation by Hjalti Sölvason MBA student at the University of Edinburgh on developing market entry strategies as one of the main challanges facing companies wishing to expand into new market segments.
Managers are always under pressure to maximise shareholder value, and when they face a saturated market at home, they [...] [...more]
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This is an abstract from a dissertation by Hjalti Sölvason MBA student at the University of Edinburgh on developing market entry strategies as one of the main challanges facing companies wishing to expand into new market segments.
Managers are always under pressure to maximise shareholder value, and when they face a saturated market at home, they begin to search for new markets outside their home country. In other words they seek geographic diversification.
It makes a foreign market even more attractive if it is growing faster than the home market itself, and as improved communications might be considered a supportive reason for opening up new markets overseas.
Improving productivity is one reason for going abroad in order to obtain greater profits and revenue. Greater profits on overseas investments can be a strong motive for going abroad. Service companies frequently follow customers overseas to prevent competitors from gaining access to their clients.
By using foreign production to lower cost the company can move part or all of its production facilities to the country from which its competition is coming, and enjoy such advantages as less costly labour, raw materials, or energy. Protecting foreign markets is often necessary, which can lead to a change from exporting to overseas investment.
Another reason why a company should be interested in entering new markets is by following the competitor. Once a competitor has set up a production plant in a country, management must decide rapidly whether to follow suit or risk losing the market forever.
„In many cases it is a forced move by the company to enter into new markets because if not, the company would stagnate and be left behind by its competitors.“ – Hjalti Sölvason, August 1996.
Being able to claim that the firm is a “multinational” creates the impression of importance, which can influence its customers. Stockholders and financial analysts expect firms to continue to grow, and those companies operating only in the domestic market have found it increasingly difficult to sustain that expectation. The faster growth of a company, helps also satisfy the management’s desire for expansion.
A company should ask itself the reasons for entering the market and assess the internal forces and capabilities of the company itself. There are also various ways to enter new markets: Exporting, wholly owned subsidiary, joint venture, licensing agreement, franchising, contract manufacturing, management contract and strategic alliances.
The importance of screening markets, analysing market indicators and factors are also factors to address when entering new markets. What does market research say about trends in the industry and other factors like financial risk, have been discussed.
Identifying and analysing competitors in order to bring to the surface their strengths and weaknesses, and the field trip should be made in order to smell and taste the market, and collect primary data. Segment the market into those areas where the company can position its services or products by gathering information about the customers.
Entry strategies and entry modes do vary between competitors. Two companies may perceive different risk as they evaluate the same market and therefore choose different entry modes.
Hjalti Sölvason graduated as a Systems Analyst from the Copenhagen Business School in Copenhagen and is now studying for an MBA at the University of Edinburgh. Hjalti has experience in the IT industry and has worked as a software system designer and programmer.
Sep 23
Knowledgeable bench pressers use strict bench press technique. It is correct bench press technique that makes huge bench press maxes! It is important to use correct bench press technique in every rep and every set of your bench press workout. Use the correct grip. Don’t lock your elbows. Do not bounce the bar [...] [...more]
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Knowledgeable bench pressers use strict bench press technique. It is correct bench press technique that makes huge bench press maxes! It is important to use correct bench press technique in every rep and every set of your bench press workout. Use the correct grip. Don’t lock your elbows. Do not bounce the bar on your chest but you do want to touch your chest with the bar. Control the weight and never push it up unevenly. Keep your feet fixed wide and apart. Do not move the bar too fast upward. Make the bar hit the middle of your chest. If you use correct technique, you definitely will build a bigger bench press! However, be sure to research the proper diet for building muscle as well, or you’ll be breaking down the muscles and not properly rebuilding them with protein and other nutrients.
Enjoy a vigorous workout in the comfort of your home with the Horizon Fitness T91 Treadmill. The T91 is built around a strong 2.0-horsepower continuous-duty motor, similar to the type found in the top health clubs. This results in a smooth and powerful performance at all speeds, with the capacity to run quieter and longer while generating plenty of power for a long workout. The Horizon T91 is no slouch regarding added features either, with nine workout programs to help you focus on your goals, including manual, intervals, and rolling hills. Add in a speed range of 0.5 to 10 miles per hour, an elevation range of 0 to 10 percent, and AeroSoft air cell cushioning and you have a robust, comfortable treadmill that excels in any environment.
Lose fat and build muscle with Turbulence Training. Learn fat loss workouts through weight training and a minimal amount of cardio exercise. Weight training will definitely help you burn fat, gain muscle and rid you of stubborn belly fat. It’s time to learn why you cannot lose weight.
Sep 23
Rent to own houses has recently made some terrible media attention with shady property investors preying on families who have bad credit. Are all those rent to own con reports fact or fabrication?
There are definitely some pros of rent to own offers but there are some cons to be careful of as well. Don’t make [...] [...more]
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Rent to own houses has recently made some terrible media attention with shady property investors preying on families who have bad credit. Are all those rent to own con reports fact or fabrication?
There are definitely some pros of rent to own offers but there are some cons to be careful of as well. Don’t make a conclusion about such a process until you have carefully evaluated both positions of this coin. Being well informed is the best way to determine that you are able to get the most from it. If you don’t find that you are able to agree to the terms of it then look for an alterative to getting what you want.
One of the main pros of rent to own is that you don’t need to have any credit or good credit to do it. This can be a way to build up some credit in fact and show that you can be responsible when it comes to paying what you owe. This method of obtaining things you really need such as a laptop for school or something you want such as a big screen TV means you don’t have to wait until you have another way to pay for it.
On the con side though they make it seem very affordable. They often advertise the low monthly payments or even how much it breaks down to weekly. It is up to you though to determine what the overall cost will be. Based on the amount of payments and the payment amounts you can determine what you will pay for an item when you fully own it. If that amount is much higher than what you would be able to buy the same item for outright then rent to own my not be the best way to go.
On the positive side, you definitely will find plenty of items offered with a rent to own process. This includes furniture for any room in your home, electronics, and more. The items that are available will vary from business to business but this is what you can commonly expect to find.
On the negative side though you won’t have the same choice as you would elsewhere. You will be limited to certain brands and particular models that they carry. This is great if what you really want is offered by the rent to own center but it can mean settling for less than you really want otherwise.
Rent to own allows you to get new items when you would otherwise have to buy it second hand to meet your budget. We all like to have new things that look nice in our home so that is a bonus. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to sleep on a bed mattress that someone else I don’t know has. With rent to own you don’t have to because you can get a new one.
Should you not be able to keep up your payments though the rent to own business can come take back those items. You won’t get any return on the money you have invested in them. This can mean you have wasted money too because it can add up to quite a bit. You may have made all of your payments for a very long time too and then not been able to do so towards the end of the contract.
There can be other pros and cons associated with rent to own businesses as well. What you will need to do is to take their policies into consideration to help you to evaluate them. While you do have the freedom to take them up on their offers or not, be prepared when you walk in the door for some smooth talking and pressure. Many employees at rent to own businesses work on a commission basis. This means they only generate income for themselves if they are making money for the business.
Rent To Own is also known as Rent To Buy and Vendor Finance in some parts of the world.