Kentucky

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Kentucky, KY

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Kentucky is normally included in the group of Southern states (in particular the Upland South), but it is sometimes included, geographically and culturally, in the Midwest.

Kentucky is one of four U.S. states to be officially known as a commonwealth. Originally a part of Virginia, in 1792 it became the 15th state to join the Union. Kentucky is the 37th largest state in terms of land area, and ranks 26th in population.

Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State," a nickname based on the fact that bluegrass is present in many of the lawns and pastures throughout the state.

It is a land with diverse environments and abundant resources, including the world's longest cave system, the most miles of navigable waterways and streams in the Lower 48 states, and the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River.

It is also home to the highest per capita number of deer and turkey in the United States, and the nation's most productive coalfield.

Kentucky is also known for thoroughbred horses, horse racing, bourbon distilleries, bluegrass music, automobile manufacturing (including the best selling car, truck, and SUV in the U.S. market), tobacco, and college basketball.

Origin of name

The origin of Kentucky's name (variously spelled Cane-tuck-ee, Cantucky, Kain-tuck-ee, and Kentuckee before its modern spelling was accepted) has never been definitively identified, though some theories have been debunked.

For example, Kentucky's name does not come from the combination of "cane" and "turkey"; and though it is the most popular belief, it is unlikely to mean "dark and bloody ground" because it isn't found in any known Indian language.

The most likely etymology is that it comes from an Iroquoian word for "meadow" or "prairie" (c.f. Mohawk kenhtà:ke, Seneca këhta’keh).

Other possibilities also exist: the suggestion of early Kentucky pioneer George Rogers Clark that the name means "the river of blood", a Wyandot name meaning "land of tomorrow", a Shawnee term possibly referring to the head of a river, or an Algonquian word for a river bottom.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kentucky".

Secret Revealed-How to Get Professional Quality Photos With a Basic Camera

by Don Penven (Brandywine)

You don't need to spend $Thousands to get excellent quality photos.

Over the past 10 years I have spent a small fortune on pricey digital cameras. And it has been money well spent. You see I maintain a full-service photographic studio, so mainly for appearances, I carry a couple of pro-quality cameras and lenses.

But how about you? Are you going to be photographing weddings, shooting bridal or family portraits? If not, then a couple a $Hundred dollars will get you a lot of quality and with a very low investment. Several manufacturers offer good quality cameras that provide exceptional results for those candid shots that people go crazy over. And since these basic cameras actually have many of the bells and whistles that the "big boys" have, you can get incredible results.

Personally I am a fan of Canon cameras. I started off with two top-of-the-line 35mm models along with three different EOS lenses. With the advent of digital photography, I ended up getting pocket change for the cameras that had made me many thousands of dollars.

Today I have three Canons, and incredible as it may seem, I am still using those old EOS lenses. But for everyday, on-the-spot shots-stuff that will not be blown up to anything larger that 8" x 10"-I use a little Canon PowerShot. It's small, compact, light weight and sports 8 megapixels of resolution. I bought it used for just $200.

The secret is...there is no secret! It is more a matter of mind set.

So if you have a little point-and-shooter, you can get those breath-taking shots you thought were limited to the pros. Begin by reading the Owner's Manual (if you haven't lost it). You need a full understanding of what every button, switch and knob actually does.

My "big boys" let me see the histogram of each shot and lots of other complicated stuff. Now how often would you need that information. You want sharp (not fuzzy), properly exposed (lighted), well thought out photos. Before you push down on the shutter release button, think about how you want the photo to look. Be watchful of what may be in the background. You wouldn't pose your subject next to a trash can-would you?

Get the most out of your point-and-shooter. It will serve you well when you fully understand what it is trying to do for you.

Many books and texts have been written about how to get fantastic photos. If your goal is to really impress family and friends, then take a giant step and spend a few moments with my friend, Amy Renfrey. like so many folks, went to one pro photographer after another begging to learn how to get better pictures. Most of them told her about a few of the basics, but she doggedly persisted in her quest for quality.

Today Amy publishes her own photography magazine and has written a fully illustrated, step-by-step guide to get the most from your basic digital camera. Check it out

Get More Information HERE! (Clickbank link)
 

About the Author

Expert author Don Penven is a freelance writer and professional photographer based in Raleigh and Morehead City, NC

 

 

 

 

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