Over the centuries, gold has played a unique cultural role in societies across the world. Something about the metal gives it a transcendant symbolic value: from the legendary treasuries of the Aztec and Mayan empires to the Golden Calf of the Book of Exodus, gold is implicated in the most dramatic tales of ancient human history. Even today, gold retains its cultural signficance. For an Olympic athlete, a single gold medal represents the zenith of achievement. The Palme dOr, or Golden Palm, is a symbol of supreme attainment in the film industry. Only a handful of British monarchs have managed to stick it out for half a century and earn their Golden Jubilee. And clearly there is a reason why credit card companies designate their high-end offerings as “Gold Cards”. But what is it about real gold that captures our attention? What gives this yellow metal such value?
Like anything of real value, gold is rare. Only 3 particles per billion in the Earths crust are gold. Although the worlds oceans hold vast amounts of gold, it is so dilute that attempts to recover it from the salt water have never been successful. If all the gold ever refined were formed into a ball, it would be less than 25 metres across. However, some gold does exist naturally in a relatively pure state (as opposed to in an ore), enabling humans to gather it in small quantities without the need for chemical extraction. And once harvested, gold is one of the most versatile metals on earth. It has been crafted and shaped ever since the ‘caltholithic’, or ‘copper’ age, as early as 4000 BC, making it one of the very first metals to be used by humans. The ancient peoples of Egypt and the Middle East used gold for religious rites, as well as for ornamentation. The first recorded use of gold coins was during the reign of King Croesus of Lydia around 600 BC. Gold is also more malleable and ductile than any other metal. A single gram of gold can be beaten into a sheet one metre square. It is one of the heaviest elements; heavier, even, than lead. Ten teaspoons of gold would weigh as much as seventeen teaspoons of lead.
It has been customary throughout history to test the purity of gold by biting on it. Since pure gold is soft enough to show teeth-marks, and cheaper alloying metals are usually harder, this method does give some indication. More reliable tests, however, involve the use of nitric acid. The content of gold in alloys is measured in karats (k). Pure gold is 24 karat, with the number of karats decreasing proportionally as other metal is added.
The VariZoom FlowPod has substantial advantages above ALL other handheld stabilizers and that is why more individuals are choosing the FlowPod. The FlowPod is the lone handheld stabilizer to offers 3 tools in one: Monopod mode, Stabilizer Mode and Low Mode.
The FlowPod and DSLRs – The FlowPod works with DSLR Still Cameras and the new DSLR Photography/Video Combination Cameras like the Canon Mark II.
The monopod mode has a noteworthy advantage over competing products since many stabilizers never get used due to the inconvenience and lost time in trying to set up and move from monopod to hand-held stabilizer and back. Video has been submitted to youtube for FlowPod Users. The FlowPod is a VariZoom patented product. This must not be confused with a STEADICAM Product. The FlowPod is simply available from VariZoom or VariZoom Dealers.
With the FlowPod’s built-in, patented monopod system, the operator can quickly collapse the monopod, return to stabilizer mode, and already be pre-balanced and ready to switch back and forth in seconds.
The Chinese repeating crossbow. Quite a legend. Online research shows that it originates to the 4th century.
A very famous Chinese strategist, Zhuge Liang (226-481 AD) is believed to have “upgraded” an earlier design from a tomb dating 4th Century BC.
This new design was able to fire multiple arrows (bolts) in succession, was last used in mass formations which helped shape the China-Japan war of 1894. It was named after Zhuge because of his improvements. You can see it spelled a couple of different ways; or “Chu-ke nu” or “Chu-ko-nu”, the first being correct. It literally means “Zhuge Crossbow”
The weapons were very common among the Manchurian troops, and can be seen in photographs from that era.
It was introduce to the Koreans in 1418, and was given the name “sunogung”. Everyone seems to be impressed by it’s mechanism and ease of firing. This rapid firing design is why it was so impressive.
I have been researching Suffolk wedding photographers, as I plan to hold my wedding in the near future. It is a difficult choice. Obviously one wants the very best when it comes to wedding photography in order to capture the moments and memories of your special, once-in-a-life-time (at least thats the general idea!) day.
The thing is, there are just so much first-class, professional Suffolk wedding photography available that it is difficult to choose just one photographer! I have narrowed my search down, and here are a few examples of what I consider to be the best Suffolk wedding photography available.
Alex Kilbee is a very friendly man, who studied photography at Pretoria Technikon Photography School in South Africa in the early 90’s and with his 15 years of wedding & magazine photography experience you are sure to be in safe hands. The style of photography is relaxed I have been told you will hardly notice he is there on the day itself! His wedding packages can be tailor-made and he offers a mid-week package at a very reasonable rate. Alex offers his services across the whole of the UK.