Archery Arrows for Beginners - Hobby and Quality Family Time

We've come a long way from "Lancelot" and "King Henry VIII", where bows and arrows were used for sustenance and war. We now have an era where guns have replaced such weaponry and archery has become a sport and hobby. Archery as a sport has brought with it many improvements in the equipment as we see it today. This article touches briefly on some, but not all of these great improvements.

Choosing the Correct Arrow Type

For many people, archery has become a lifetime hobby. For instance, many will produce their own arrows, and become very creative in the process. The materials to consider in choosing the proper arrow are as follows:

* Wooden Arrows (Yew-Birch-Ash-Maple)

* Aluminum Arrows (Aluminum Alloys)

* Aluminum Carbon Arrows (Composite Alloy Type)

* Carbon Arrows (Carbon and Silicon Resins)

1) With the above comes definition. Arrow "spine" relates to the flexibility of an arrow type. A beginner would use wooden or aluminum arrows, which are more flexible. Beginners to intermediate archers should choose a "recurve bow" in the range of 60-80 lbf string pull. Flexible arrows are not affected by the lower velocity release of such arrows.

2). An intermediate to advanced archer using a "compound bow" rated at 100-160 lbs would choose a less flexible arrow. Carbon aluminum and silicon aluminum are used for bows that release at very high velocities. This high velocity release affects to distort the shafts end-to-end stability. A soft flexible shaft can lose its original sighting at release. A professional competitor will choose his arrows accordingly. So will hunters seeking an effective kill at long range.

3). Arrow "length" is determined by your arm length and the width of your shoulders, plus approximately two inches. With a friend and a tape measure, pull a professional draw stance as if ready to fire an arrow. Measure from the corner of your lip to the outside of your knuckles, on the extended arm. Add two inches and you're in the ballpark. It is best to have this measurement done at an archery pro shop.

Note: Though the general rule for arrow length is one inch past the front of your grip, the best thing is to have three inches. This way you can replace the notch or tip of the arrow more than once. It allows you to use the same arrow longer, saving money in the end.

Making Your Own Arrows

As a hobby, creating your own arrows is satisfying, and can be financially rewarding as well. Hobby support for archery is easily found online. There are too many options to discuss in this article, but I will point out the financial reward.

1). As a beginner and avid target archer, consider shooting only wooden arrows for practice. An arrow can become damaged easily, the feathers in particular. (AKA, flights, veins, fletching) When an arrow passes through a target the flights will be damaged to some degree. An arrow will lose its accuracy accordingly, but it can be easily repaired. Note that this kind of arrow damage is the only kind that can be safely repaired. Arrows with cracked shafts, damaged tips or bowstring notches (nocks), should be retired permanently.

2). I prefer real feather flights, as they ride well along the arrow guide on your bow when release occurs. There are several other types of flights made of plastic and other materials. The feather ones are easy to remove and replace multiple times, saving you money in not having to purchase new shafts as often. However, none of the fancy vein options should be considered until you are either a competitor or hunter. This is simply because you should want to keep costs down until you become more proficient.

3). Arrow tips are predominantly made of brass. Broadheads (tips) and other hunting types are usually made of carbon steel that has been black-chromed or painted flat-black. They are used exclusively for hunting large game animals. I recommend the use of target tips made of brass; they are very easy to attach using hot glue.

In summary, as a beginner, creating your own arrows can be fun and save lots of money. Blank wooden shafts, nocks, tips and flights can be easily found online. As a beginner, you'll be practicing a lot and loving that practice. Many arrows will be damaged and repaired where possible. The repair is a fun and rewarding hobby in itself. You can become very creative in making arrows, including cresting your arrows. This involves painting them in custom ways that are very self-satisfying bringing esthetic reward and awe from your friends. The purchase of manufactured arrows can become expensive, create your own.

The Author is a native of California and a conservative family oriented person. Through his articles and website promotions, Larry intends to promote Quality Time Hobbies that have the potential to create strong family bonding, and quality friendships. Not all hobbies have potential to bring people togeher in the same way. In promotion, it is the intent of this author to present and educate on hobbies that are especially rewarding because of group involvement. Physical interaction and exchange of information and learning are key to the creation of lasting memories, and the bonds created by them.

Female Photography - A Fulfilling Hobby and a Lucrative Career

Female Photography

The female form has always been an exciting artistic concept in the world of arts. The fascination of immortalizing the female form has been boosted by the advent and growth of photography. There are different forms of the art today, some of which are journalistic and celebrity photography, glamour and boudoir, nudes, and self portrait. Now these are the steps to making the best photographic impression of the female gender.

Find a subject

The truth about making perfect female photography is creativity in diversity. Anybody can actually be your subject; young, old, any color, your relation or girlfriend...anybody. Hiring a model from any female form photography modeling agencies will also be a good choice, if you do not want to go the way of reforming to bring a fresh concept. All you need do first is to make sure your female subject is okay with your taking her pictures and that she will be willing to pose for you.

Set the Scene

Think about a place, and it is very suitable, depending on the concept you intend to portray. Get creative. You can use a photography studio, near some green foliage, a chair, a building environment, a beach or wherever you can find. If you need a good and easy lighting, then use a photography studio. If you want to be freer in scenery and movement, then go out there.

Lighting

To get a better lighting; use a soft bulb, instead of a flash. To create a good facial detail, let the light come from her left or right, and do not shine it straight on her. Bouncing the flash off the wall will sure get the same effect. Create good shadows and filler flashes with a soft side light to lighten the face of the lady. Light shadows are of course a better effect than dark ones or none.

Taking the shot

To create candid shots, use a long lens and make a little distance between you and your subject. A shorter lens and a closer proximity will create distorted facial features. Of course, this is not an acceptable effect. You can also use a tripod stand or put your camera on a surface to achieve steadiness. A small aperture and a long shutter speed is what you need. Encourage the subject to be still. Get ready to take as many pictures as your subject to moves and changes positions and expressions between each shot. You have the chance of taking better shots, and then the best as you take more shots.

The female photography art can be learned. There are many tricks in the trade. This is what gives specific characteristic to each form of photography, some of which are lighting, lens, design, filters and so on. Selection of location and props are also exciting things to learn in the trade. If you have true passion, the art of female photography will be easy to achieve for and you will possibly be on your way to a fulfilling hobby and a lucrative career.