Ya estoy de regreso después de unas merecidas vacaciones.  Durante esta semana estaré planificando la agenda de lo próximo a publicar en el blog.

Hoy quiero compartir con ustedes algunos detalles y consejos de lo que fueron mis vacaciones en Punta Cana, Republica Dominicana. Fueron 7 días de puro descanso, excelente comida, playa, ejercicios,  piscina, lectura, baile y algo de alcohol.

Excelentes vacaciones familiares junto a mis padres, mi querida esposa, mis dos hijos , mi hermana, sobrinos, cuñados y amigos, en total 12 personas.

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Como parte de mi esfuerzo por hacer de mi blog uno útil para todos estoy considerando cambiar su idioma al español.  De esta forma se me haría mucho más fácil comunicarle con ustedes.  Sin embargo quiero conocer cuál es tu preferencia antes de tomar una decisión, es por eso que incluyo aquí una encuesta.  Por favor déjame saber tu preferencia.

As part of my effort to make my blog useful for everybody I am considering to change its language to my native language "español".  By doing this it will be easier for me to communicate with you.  However I want to know your preference before make a decision that is why I am including this poll.  Please let me know your preference.

Selecting the right camera for you should start before the purchasing.  A mistake I often see some digital camera buyers making is that they select a camera way beyond of what they really need and should pay.

Some question to ask yourself and some things to do before you go to shopping:

1. What do you do with your photos? What do you need the camera for?
   The answer to this will give you an idea of how many megapixels, what type of camera, format and size.
2. What experience level do you have with photography cameras?
   Depending of the experience you will select some of the camera features you need nad the type of camera.
3. What type of photography will you be doing? Landscapes, portraits, macro, sports, weddings, indoors, outdoors, low light ambient etc.
4. Are you looking to learn the art of photography?  or Are you just interested to point and shoot?
5. The size and portability matter to you?
   I some time prefer to bring with me a point and shoot camera than my professional SLR due to the fact of small size and portability, especially when I am going to capture photos of family activities.

Answer these questions and you will be in better position to make the right selection of camera for your needs and budget.

Do your research, read the reviews, and don’t buy on name brand alone.  Let me give you some hints!

Megapixels means less than sensor size

One of the sale person’s favorite feature used to sell digital cameras is how many megapixels it has.  Three to five years ago it was an important criteria to  make a right selection,  however these days, with must new cameras with in the range of  5 to 12 or more megapixels it is not so critical.

More megapixels means bigger photo file sizes and more computer storage and processor needs.  A right balance between  good resolution, storage space and sensor size is better criteria to do the right selection.

Knowing the final use for your photos will give you an idea of the maximum resolution you need.  Why pay for megapixels you will not need?

I will go a little deep in the technical part of it, just to give you the tools to understand why. 
Usually for paper printed photos you will need 150-300 pixel per inch, for electronic media 72-100 pixels per inches is enough.  Taking this in consideration then if you will use your photos for share them with friend thru social networks and print them in 5” x 7 “ paper you just need a 3 megapixel camera.   If the use of your photos are for print them in high quality magazines covers and sizes up to 16” x 20 “ then you need a 12 megapixel camera.  See table below

Besides, other photo quality indicator is the sensor size of the camera, bigger is better.  Image sensor range size from 5,76 by 4.29 mm for point and shoot to 50.7 by 39 mm for high end SLR cameras.

Select from the above table how many megapixels you need for your photo use, the bigger sensor and you will end with high quality images, an affordable price that comply wit your needs.

Leer mas de: How to Buy a Digital Camera...

I and Alicea’s Photo Gallery are proud of been part of the “Coalición de Artistas de Puerto Rico”,
the unique wed directory for Puerto Rican artists within and outside of Puerto Rico.

This organization founded and run by artists Velázquez Collazo y Leída Rodríguez Vila, with the aim to promote and unify the Puerto Rican artist and to support and defend the cultural, economic and social consequences of them, has become in very short time a value in breaking with the isolation of the artist within and outside of Puerto Rico. Using the NING platform as a base, used by magazines and institutions as Artreview, England, Art Calendar, Canada, ACE Project, Argentina, set the First Social Network for Puerto Rican art on the Internet, which operates in the style of facebook, and looking to get in touch with the Puerto Rican artist curators, critics, cultural managers, museum and local and international collectors. Launched last April, this virtual space and has over 300 registered artists who manage the content of their own pages, share information, photos, videos, blogs, reviews, discussions - online, access a calendar of events, where each Artist may advertise their exhibitions, workshops, exhibitions, symposiums, meetings and can also integrate the various art groups that exist. Certainly the Coalition of Artists from Puerto Rico with more than 3,000 visits so far and about 100 daily visits to the network from United States, Latin America, Europe and Puerto Rico is becoming the Puerto Rican cultural institution in the greater international Internet.

Artículo en español 

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At 9:43 PM Atlantic time of the 20th of February 2008 a total eclipse occurred.
The partial eclipse begins as the Moon's eastern edge slowly moves into the Earth's umbral shadow. During the partial phases, it takes just over an hour for the Moon's orbital motion to carry it entirely within the Earth's dark umbra. The color and brightness of the totally eclipsed Moon can vary considerably from one eclipse to another. Dark eclipses are caused by volcanic gas and dust which filters and blocks much of the Sun's light from reaching the Moon. But since no major volcanic eruptions have taken place recently, the Moon will probably take on a vivid red or orange color during the total phase. After the total phase ends, it is once again followed by a partial eclipse as the Moon gradually leaves the umbral shadow.
The total phase of a lunar eclipse is called totality. At this time, the Moon is completely immersed within the Earth's dark umbral shadow. During the February 20 eclipse totality will last just under 50 minutes.