. Fill Flash

when

taking a shot look for a point of iWnterest or focal point that will give those loo king at your photo a place for their eye to rest. Perhaps it’s a pattern in the sand, a set of footprints, the crashing of waves over a rock, a life saver’s tower etc. Also look for the little things that tell the

story of going to the beach like shoes at the waters edge, sand castles, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc. Sometimes these can make wonderful little feature shots to break up your vacation album.

2. Timing is important
The start and end of days can present the best opportunities for shooting at the beach. For starters there will be less people there at that time of day but also you’ll find that with the sun shining on an angle that you often get more interesting effects of shadows and colors - particularly in the evening when the light becomes quite warm and golden.
Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/10-beach-photography-tips#ixzz0FNoRo4YS&B

Professor Mahfuz R. Chowdhury
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LET THEM SUSPECT YOU ANY HOW, BUT DON T LET IT BE PROVABLE. - By: Francis Tawiah --> Duisburg More Quotes Submit a Quote
Feature Article : "The Author's/Authors' views do not necessarily reflect those of ModernGhana.The world is currently gripped in a severe economic downturn. In fact, based on the economic outlook, many economists would venture to compare the current predicament with the Great Depression of the 1930s. The world is definitely experiencing a very difficult time, and the crisis is deepening with the continued rise of unemployment rate in both the developed and developing countries. While economists are scrambling for fresh ideas to put a stop to the carnage, no one seems to have any clue as to how to end it. The comparison of the present crisis with the Great Depression might, however, be too early, but the talk of protectionism would not be. The passing of the massive stimulus bill last month in the U.S. that included measures favoring American companies over foreign competitors is very reminiscent of the protectionist sentiment that existed during the Great Depression. By including such a clause in the bill, the U.S. would appear to have it both ways – the free market system when it suits them or protectionism when it doesn't. The clear danger of such a policy is that it would only deepen the crisis that the world now faces. Because of market globalization, the world economy is much more interlinked today than ever before. As the single largest economy, the U.S. could create genuine economic turmoil, which would affect every part of the world. It's like a hurricane with 150 miles an hour winds that no one escapes unharmed. The current disaster that was triggered by ill-conceived subprime loans in the United States which rapidly spread to other industrialized countries is openly impacting the rest of the world currently with a vengeance. There's no end in sight. And every indication is there to point to the deceptive policies of the U.S. for leading to this mess that has afflicted the world. Capitalism was supposed to promote prosperity everywhere through competition and not consternation or retrenchment through deception. Could it be the beginning of the end of capitalist system that the U.S. has been practicing and want others to follow? No consensus yet - the debate has only just begun. For too long the U.S. has been ignoring the warning signs, and allowing the financial gurus of Wall Street to devise dishonest plans to attract the world's resources to finance their lavish lifestyles as well as their unjustified and costly war in Iraq. But the actual price of such extravagance had to be paid sooner or later. As the cardinal rule of living within one's means was ignored, it finally caught up, and caught up very vigorously. The U.S. economy is now clearly in a shambles, and the unemployment rate is soaring, and more importantly its banking system, the very engine of capitalism, is on the brink of collapse. Here's what a recent U.S. Federal Reserve study reveals: “the U.S. economy soured further in the first two months of this year. The deterioration was broad-based, with only a few sectors, such as basic food production and pharmaceuticals, appearing to escape the reduced demand affecting U.S. and global economies”.Some would be quick to point out that the United States got what it deserves because its political leaders, instead of regulating Wall Street's fraudulent activities, gave the unscrupulous gurus a free hand. And also look at the biggest scam that was pulled off by Bernie Madoff, the so-called chief guru of NASDAQ, in swindling $50 billion of people's money! Millions have lost their life savings and retirement funds, and many charities have lost their cherished endowments through his scheme. The scale of his scam would make the other CEOs grabbing millions of dollars bonus money from their failed businesses a child's play. However, the stern reality is that if the banking crisis in the United States has failed to convince everyone that Wall Street is populated by a bunch of greedy, arrogant and unethical crooks, then the Ponzi schemes of Madoff and others that continue to unfold should. It can thus be argued that the present crisis is a self-inflicted wound of the Unites States. But here's the dilemma: paying for one's own mistake is one thing, but making millions of innocent others suffer for that mistake is quite another. Given their resources, the United States and other industrialized nations are apt to recover from the current economic downturn, probably in a year or so, though not without a price. But the hardship that this crisis would impose on the developing countries would be much more daunting. Consider the situation of developing countries which, by accepting the free market doctrine promoted by the United States, established many of their industries for export products. These industries are already seriously hurting. If they stand to lose more of their businesses as a result of protectionist policies in the U.S. and elsewhere, not only that their hope of achieving meaningful economic growth soon will be dashed, the crisis might even put these nations' survival at risk. According to a recent report of World Bank published in the New York Times, “The world economy is on the brink of a rare global recession with world trade projected to fall this year for the first time since 1982 and capital flows to developing countries predicted to plunge 50 percent. The projections are among the most dire in a litany of recent gloomy forecasts for the world economy, and officials at the World Bank warned that if they proved accurate, the downturn could throw many developing countries into crisis and keep tens of millions of people in poverty”.The developing countries look at the U.S. for its leadership in the economic arena. If the U.S. promotes or supports protectionism, which hurts them economically, it will create resentment and cause it to lose whatever credibility it still has in the world. The U.S. must, therefore, practice what it preaches and take full responsibility for its own mistakes. It must also right its own wrong by cleaning up its own house and by establishing a responsible financial system that the world could rightly follow and live with. Otherwise, the U.S. will cease to have any moral authority to preach others how to behave on social justice. Hopefully, the present Obama administration of the United States realizes this situation very well, including probably the disastrous impact of its adopted protectionist policy. It seems to be doing all it can to steer the country in the right direction, although the cloud of protectionism continues to remain. It has made a courageous budget proposal that includes, among others, plan for tax reduction for the middle class, universal health coverage, reduction of farm subsidies, and decrease of carbon emissions. The administration certainly deserves everyone's support, most importantly the support of the American people. Not so amazingly, the conservatives in the country are trying very hard to put up all kinds of roadblocks to impede the administration's budget proposal. Their effort must be thwarted by all means. The present economic crisis was inevitably brought about by the failed policies of the past eight years of the United States. If Americans fail to thwart the conservatives' effort now, the agony of this economic disaster will only linger for the Americans as well as for the rest of the world. The world is eagerly waiting to see how the U.S. would tackle this economic mess.

Economic Crisis Underlines Need for U.S. National Security Reform

As the IMF and the Joint World Bank-IMF Development Committee meet in Washington this weekend, they will undoubtedly be discussing what most Americans are only dimly aware of: The recession is a global national security problem. The American people must understand that the economic crisis will be manifested not only in lost jobs and incomes -- it will be felt in enhanced dangers to U.S. national security and homeland security.In February, Director of National Intelligence Adm. Dennis C. Blair told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence the top national security threat facing the U.S. is the economic crisis. "Besides increased economic nationalism, the most likely political fallout for U.S. interests will involve allies and friends not being able to fully meet their defense andhumanitarian obligations," Blair said.Iraq is one such unstable ally. The global economic crisis is beginning to severely affect Iraq's reconstruction. The primary sources of the country's money -- oil revenues and American financial support -- have both plummeted. As a result, Iraq is less able to rebuild and meet its basic defense needs.The Iraqi prime minister's chief of staff said at a press conference in late February that the nation's defense budget was literally only half of what was needed. A member of parliament on the security committee told reporters there wasn't nearly enough money to fund the army to stand on its own by the end of 2011, citing a laundry list of underfunded military needs from artillery to air power.In addition, the unemployment rate for men between the ages of 15 and 29 -- prime militia recruits -- is nearly 30 percent, yet the Iraqi government will be forced to institute a hiring freeze to keep costs under control. Lack of services and jobs has been a prime feeder for the anti-American insurgency in places like northwestern Iraq.Iraq's economic-related defense woes pose great risks to U.S. security. The U.S. has staked its credibility in Iraq, and leaving it behind as an unstable country could have serious consequences. Possible scenarios include Iraq becoming a training ground for terrorists; emboldening a strengthened Iran to dominate its weaker neighbor, hitherto its chief opponent; and signaling to America's friends and foes that the U.S. is weak, unreliable and vulnerable.And, of course, Iraq is only one vulnerable country. Russia, Eastern European nations, Venezuela, China, Mexico, Afghanistan -- the stability of all these vital nations is at risk because of the global economy. And yet, for reasons of inertia and groupthink, their economic woes are too often seen by our national security system as unrelated to their political and social problems. But history has shown repeatedly the dangers nations' economic ills pose to their stability. Recall that it was largely an economic crisis that brought down the Soviet Union less than two decades ago.Moreover, our weakened economy will make it difficult to sustain the effort needed to protect our interests abroad and to defend the homeland against terrorists. Will the American people be willing to fund the reconstruction of a foreign country when the infrastructure at home is crumbling? What about maintaining a sizable military capable of deterring and winning future wars? The larger problem here is that our national security system frequently sees threats too narrowly. We have to broaden the scope of national security beyond its traditional definition of external aggression. Any large-scale societal disruption needs to be considered for its security threats, whether resulting from natural disasters, climate change, financial crises, the failure of major infrastructure, or other non-traditional dangers. They require the sustained stewardship of all aspects of national power, just as security from aggression does. Prioritizing aggression at the expense of non-traditional threats makes little sense in the 21st century, when borders are porous and threats global. This assessment has been backed by many informed voices in addition to Blair, from Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, to the congressionally mandated think tank, the Project on National Security Reform. Of course, none of this matters unless the American people get on board. That is why it is imperative for the public to grasp the severity of the national security aspects of the economic crisis. Not every day do the fluctuations of the financial world pose grave dangers to U.S. security. But if the recession poses a threat, it also offers an opportunity to reform the national security system. Winston Churchill was quoted as saying you could always count on the Americans to do the right thing -- after they tried everything else. If there was ever a time we needed to get it right, this is it.Norman R. Augustine is a former Under Secretary of the Army, and former Chairman and CEO of the Lockheed Martin Corporation. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Phillips Petroleum, Proctor & Gamble, Black and Decker, and Lockheed Martin.Photo: President Barack Obama's first cabinet meeting, April 20, 2009 (White House photo by Pete Souza).

WHEN SHOULD KIDS START SPORTS?

It's not easy to determine how early to start children in organized sports. Children of the same age vary considerably in their physical and psychological maturation, and there is no practical method of measuring maturity. Assuming the child has shown interest, five or six is the generally accepted earliest starting age for organized team sports. At the early ages participation should be limited to sports that involve a lot of physical activity and encourage the development of major motor muscles.

Children in grades 1 - 4 can benefit most from games that are modified to meet their needs and abilities. Play and fun are more important to this age group than highly structured sports that emphasize the outcome rather than the process. Parents and coaches are usually the ones concerned about winning and losing. When helping your child select a sport, keep balance in mind. Encourage your children to try many sports and activities when young and not to think of specializing or playing competitively until they reach middle school. Make sure a balance also occurs between adult organized activities and free playtime. Children need time to just be kids and to play with other kids without a set of rules or adult involvement.

The most important decisions to make, are which youth sports organizations and which coaches are best for your child. Make sure that you take the time to find out about the league, its leaders and coaches. Better yet, get involved and volunteer to coach. Participating in sports is a healthy way, both physically and socially, for your children to channel their youthful energy in a positive direction. Make sure your children's first experience encourages them to begin a lifelong interest in physical activities and good health.

There are many other options besides team sports available to a child who wants to participate in sports. Parents should also encourage their children to become involved in individual and lifetime sports such as bowling, golf, swimming, tennis, gymnastics and martial arts. You can find information about these sports by visiting the facilities or through the yellow pages of the phone book.

NEXT ARTICLE: [ FINDING YOUTH SPORTS INFORMATION ]
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Swimming for his life

CATALINA ISLAND -- The Bottom Scratcher chugs into Doctor's Cove just before midnight.
Maybe it's the hour or salt air or three hours sloshing through 5-foot swells, but all 28 people aboard have grown quiet. Gone are the easy chatter and smiles flashed back at Pier C in Long Beach Harbor. This could be a long, cruel night.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush," says Greg Farrier, 40, applying Vaseline to his underarms. "I'm nervous. I'm not sure I'm a lock to finish.

"
Once he was a world-class swimmer: a member of the Mission Viejo Nadadores in their heyday. He swam alongside world-record holders and Olympians. He rose to the top 1 percent nationally. He was edged out of the Olympics by future gold medalists Jeff Rouse and David Berkoff.
Then he quit. Burned out on endless laps, 4:30 a.m. wake-up calls and near misses. For 20 years, it's haunted him – if only he hadn't quit.
"I always wonder what could've been," he says.

He graduated USC. Got a job. A wife. Three kids. He got bigger. Less athletic. And bigger still. Until one day last year he asked himself: What if?
What if I swam the Catalina Channel? No quitting. No backing out. His first trip to the pool, he couldn't finish two laps. But he stuck with it. From pool to ocean to longer swims to winter swims. In January, he swam 10 miles – in 56-degree water.

"My first big test," he says. "I was all smiles."
In March, he hit 12 miles. In April, 13½ miles. Right on schedule.
Then things went haywire: shoulder pain, sharks, doubt. He lost his job and almost his house. For 10 days, he stayed out of the water. Some would call what happened next luck. Some, divine intervention. But out of the blue, Farrier met a family that taught him about perseverance. They're on board tonight too.

"It's show time," someone below says.
Farrier poses for pictures, kisses his wife, Irene, and kids.
"I'll see you on the other side," he says.
"You can do it – I'm right there with you," she says.
The furthest he's ever swum is 14 miles. Tonight he'll attempt 22, in hopes of becoming only the 141st person ever to swim the Catalina Channel – fewer than have been in space!
Farrier walks to the stern in trunks, goggles and white swim cap. With a splash, he jumps – into the dark water, the dark night and the deep, dark unknown.

BUMP IN THE NIGHT
The English Channel gets all the glory. It's colder; the currents are stronger. But swimming Catalina Channel is further. And rarer.
Even with water temperatures at 68 degrees like tonight, it can cause hypothermia after 10 hours in the water.
"We had this guy, by daybreak he wanted to give up," says boat Capt. Greg Elliott, who's accompanied some 80 channel crossings. "They pushed and pushed him. Finally, about 10 in morning, he started to sink. We had to jump in and pull him out."
It took 41 minutes for paramedics to get a heartbeat. Elliott says the man set a record for surviving after being clinically dead.

That's hypothermia. Then there are things that go bump in the night.
"I never had a fear of sharks," says Farrier, of San Clemente.
But a fishing trip to Catalina last year ended ominously. He'd just decided on a channel swim and was scouting his trip. Halfway home, their boat broke down under overcast skies.
"We all saw something that blew our minds," he says. "It was about a 15-foot great white, jumping out of the water."

Not once. Not twice. But three times.
"It was lunging out of the water," he says. "Like, 'I'll be here when you get here next year, bud!'"
Farrier let it go. Ha-ha. Shark hype. Untila swimmer off Solano Beach got pulled violently under water in April. His friends heard screaming and crunching.
They got him to shore. But he bled to death.
EARLY WARNING SIGNS

Farrier's first test lies a half-hour away: feeding time.
If he can keep his energy drinks down, he'll stay nourished over the next 12 hours. If not, he'll dehydrate and run out of gas.
To start this marathon, however, he must actually swim backwards about 100 yards.
As he thwap-thwaps ashore, a pace swimmer and two kayaks slip into the water. They will guide him, feed him and encourage him.

"Hey, it's your day, man," shouts pace swimmer and mentor Marc Lewis, who has swum the Catalina and English channels.
Family and friends cheer. Greg's mom Barbara Farrier-Fox stands to the side: "I won't sleep till he's out of the water," she says.

Farrier climbs ashore, illuminated by the boat's floodlight. Only then does Carol Sing, a monitor for the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation (and 84th person to swim the channel) give the OK and start her stopwatch.
"If I wanted to get eaten by a shark," notes the captain, who used to lead shark dives in these waters, "I'd strip down to a bathing suit, jump in water at midnight, put spotlight on me and splash in the middle of the ocean."
But at this moment that's the least of Farrier's worries. He is watching for three early warning signs that could end his dream before dawn: shoulder pain, sea swells and vomiting.
A sea lion frolics as Farrier sets out for Point Vicente, some 22 miles and 35,000 strokes due east.
A half hour out, his shoulder feels fine but little else does. In the darkness, he can't see the pace swimmer beside him. In the swells, he can't breathe without gulping a mouthful of saltwater. And now, 10 minutes after his first energy-drink? Up it comes.
Alone in the dark, he is left to wonder which Greg Farrier will emerge from the water: the one who quits or the one who fights?

He will need all the support The Bottom Scratcher can muster