Friday, July 24, 2009

What I have been up to....

Work work work, but it's been my desk job. I did manage to escape the office for a day and visit the butterfly house at Cox Arboretum. However, a storm had torn one of their screens and all but a couple of the butterflies escaped. They are working on repopulating the house and there were some caterpillars and little tiny butterfly eggs to be seen. They predicted the population would be high again by the end of August. I have also assisted at two more weddings since my last post. That has been exciting on many levels. First they are a very big learning experience. Of course I make mistakes, but I'm working with someone who is equally if not more interested in developing my abilities as she is with my actual results. Second it is really fun to be surrounded by and a part of all the happiness, fun, and support that is abundant at a wedding. Many times I find myself reflecting on my own wedding and marriage during the event. And lastly, you get the opportunity to take some really cool photographs that people are going cherish for a long long time.

Fourth of July happened since my last post as well and I got the chance to take some photos of the fireworks display held in Downtown Dayton from my wife's office building. It was a great vantage point and perfect for my infant son who was able to enjoy the show without the thundering booms that may have scared him or made him uncomfortable.

Here is my favorite image from the butterfly house visit, it's probably my personal favorite flower picture I have ever taken. It's soft and calming when I look at it. And then also one of my favorite fireworks shots, mostly because of the red, white and blue.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Love.

I’ve had the opportunity to assist at a couple of weddings recently and it has been a great experience. The first wedding was on the calm and formal side of the spectrum, the second more wild and crazy. But common to both was that the couple was interested in creative poses and lighting. What that means for me the assistant is that I will be carrying around lights and heavy batteries. But I can’t complain, it’s a valuable learning opportunity, it’s a good time doing something I enjoy, and the bridal party, families, bride and groom are all there to have a good time. Plus, when I am not needed with lighting, dress fluffing, or other hands on tasks, I get to turn on a camera and take my own shots. Weddings are a ton of work, and I don’t know how my friend ever used to do it alone. But, they are also a lot of fun.


The last reception hall was dimly lit and most of my shots were taken at high ISO to compensate. Thus most of the images, even if well composed, are very noisy. However, the bride and groom had a fancy holder for their toasting glasses that I was able to get close up on. Macro photography is something I hope to explore this summer. I need to investigate the capabilities of my new lens. So, if all goes well, look forward to posts related to the theme “What is it?” because often I should be able to get so close, you may not be sure.

Anyway, I digress. I want to leave you with this shot, a heart, the symbol of love. And hope perhaps you think back (or look forward) to your wedding, that special day, what many would describe as the happiest day of their lives.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Downtown Cincinnati

Sunday was photography fun day and one of the things I wanted to do was take pictures of Cincinnati. My sister-in-law lives there and was gracious enough to be my guide. We went to Mt. Adams and to the top of Carew Tower. I took panoramic sequences from Mt. Adams, but I have not yet been able to try and assemble those so that will have to wait for another post. In Mt. Adams, I found a building that had a patio on the side next to a door that was barely big enough for my tripod. Here is downtown Cincinnati seen from that spot.

The top of Carew Tower is an amazing spot. And apparently not well known. At least not to people outside of Cincinnati. I've lived in Dayton my whole life and not heard of it. It has an observation deck 50 stories up. It's high enough without feeling crazy high like the Handcock building in Chicago for comparison. The whole deck is open air with a wall and railing. You are not caged in. You can bend over and look straight down. Here are some of the views.

To the West (The tangle of concrete that is our interstate highways):
To the West (again):
To the NE (These old buildings are my favorite):
To the SE: ( Leeeeeeeannnning over the edge :-) - Don't look down! )

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Light Up Dayton

The Downtown Dayton Partnership sponsored a photography contest titled Light Up Dayton. As part of it, the businesses and residents of downtown were encouraged to leave their lights on Friday May 1st to make the Dayton Skyline more photogenic. I actually didn't make it downtown on the first, but many of the lights were still on Saturday night as well. Plus on Saturday night, it wasn't raining. That's a good thing since I don't have any protective gear for my cameras against rain and water. I spent most of the night outside at the Dayton Art Institute. There is a nice drive along the back of the building that overlooks the river and the city. This was nice, but I quickly tired of the plain-jane shots. Something was missing, plus I figured shots from that overlook had been taken thousands of times. So I wandered off, around the side of the building, into the grass, into the mulched beds, laying on the ground, looking for those more interesting views. My goal was to have something of interest in the foreground as well as the city in the background. Before going home I made a quick stop in the Patterson bridge as well. Here are my favorites from that night.If you are wondering about the starburst on the lights, that is caused by diffraction of the light coming into the lens through a small aperture. The intersections of the blades used to control the size of the aperture are responsible for the points of the star. There are special filters for sale that produce this effect, but it was achieved here without them. I shared this with another photographer who was on the bridge that night, but unfortunately he didn't have a tripod. Holding his camera against the railing, he was able to take a shot with a small enough aperture to see the effect even though there was still motion blur. The sun is a good target for this effect when you don't have a tripod because you can keep the shutter speed fast enough for hand held shots.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Brain Assessment

Looks like I'm split down the middle. The title of this blog is awakening the right and when I came across this little web test, I thought I should try it. Here's what it has to say about me. What do you know, I'm more right brained than left. Hmmmm, I was told that as a very young child I favored my left hand but kept being corrected to use my right. And the right brain controls the left side of the body they say. Interesting....

If you would like to try the test yourself, here's the link.
http://www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.com/vancouver/left_right/rb_test.htm

I'm not sure I totally agree with everything, but it seems to make sense. For instance, I feel I am an above average mathematician, but it is true that I have difficulty with formulas and symbols. I do have to draw out the problem to solve it. I am drawn more to concepts and the big picture and annoyed by the little details. I have degrees in Engineering Physics and Electrical Engineering, but I had to work very hard to get there and at points considered throwing in the towel. So maybe in getting there I went against the grain of my brain with effort. So now I ponder, proving you can do something, even being good at it, doesn't mean it follows that you will enjoy it. I am a horrible speller, so it got that part right.

I do give very detailed directions like go South on Main St. for 2.3 miles, but when explaining something to someone, even myself, I almost always have to draw it out. If I can't draw it, then I stumble a bit searching for another way to explain it that doesn't reference a visual drawing.

And the fantasy-oriented analysis is right on. I like rules and realistic, though not reality TV. I tend to tune out during a movie after about the third time a guy gets treated like crap and still chases the girl. Get REAL buddy. Organic chemistry would not have been for me. "Most of the time the bond occurs at this site, but about 15% of the time the bond occurs over here and you get this molecule instead." What? If I follow a process, I want the same outcome every time. That must be why I chose electrical engineering, electricity is very well behaved.

The random processing is right on too. I tend to not process things randomly. I like logical sequences and progressions. This quote, "You have difficulty making "leaps of logic" which prevents you from making unique discoveries, or adapt to change during your thinking process. " is unfortunately more true than I would like.

So anyway, if you're still interested....here's the analysis.

Thank you for taking the Creativity Test. The results show your brain dominance as being:

Left Brain Right Brain
48% 52%

You are more right-brained than left-brained. The right side of your brain controls the left side of your body. In addition to being known as right-brained, you are also known as a creative thinker who uses feeling and intuition to gather information. You retain this information through the use of images and patterns. You are able to visualize the "whole" picture first, and then work backwards to put the pieces together to create the "whole" picture. Your thought process can appear quite illogical and meandering. The problem-solving techniques that you use involve free association, which is often very innovative and creative. The routes taken to arrive at your conclusions are completely opposite to what a left-brained person would be accustomed. You probably find it easy to express yourself using art, dance, or music. Some occupations usually held by a right-brained person are forest ranger, athlete, beautician, actor/actress, craftsman, and artist.


Your complete evaluation follows below:

Your left brain/right brain percentage was calculated by combining the individual scores of each half's sub-categories. They are as follows:

Your Left Brain Percentages

54% Reality-based (Your most dominant characteristic)
32% Linear
27% Sequential
27% Verbal
13% Logical
0% Symbolic (Your least dominant characteristic)

Your Right Brain Percentages

42% Holistic (Your most dominant characteristic)
37% Concrete
32% Nonverbal
24% Intuitive
20% Fantasy-oriented
17% Random (Your least dominant characteristic)



What Do These Percentages Mean?

Low percentages are common in the Brain Type Test and are not indicative of intelligence. Instead, medium to high scores (30 - 50%) are desireable, as they show an ability to utilize a processing method without an abnormal reliance on it. Special focus should be paid to highly dominant (50% or above) or highly recessive (0 - 30%) methods, as they tend to limit your approach when learning, memorizing, or solving problems.

If you have Highly Dominant characteristics, your normal thinking patterns will naturally utilize these methods. Conscious effort is required to recognize the benefits of other techniques. Using multiple forms of information processing is the best way to fully understand complex issues and become a balanced thinker.

If you have Highly Recessive characteristics, your normal thinking patterns naturally ignore these methods. You may only consider these under-utilized techniques when "all else fails," or possibly not at all. It is important to recognize the benefits of all of your brain's capabilities in order to become a balanced thinker.


Left Brain Categories


Reality-based Processing

Reality-based processing is used by the left hemisphere as a method for processing information with a basis on reality. This processing tool focuses on rules and regulations. An example of this would be how a left-brained person would completely understand the repercussions of turning in a late assignment or failing a test. A left-brained person also usually easily adjusts to changes in their environment.

Your Reality-based Analysis

You process information with a firm basis on reality, but because of this, may lack creativity. You are able to easily create or adapt to rules and regulations. For example, you understand the repercussion of your actions. You easily adjust to change in the environment and probably do not become emotionally involved in many tasks.


Linear Processing

Linear processing is a method by the left hemisphere to process information. In this process, the left brain takes pieces of information, lines them up, and proceeds to arrange them into an order from which it may draw a conclusion. The information is processed from parts to a whole in a straight, forward, and logical progression.

Your Linear Analysis

When processing information using this method, you will occasionally feel the need to see the "whole picture" before you are able to achieve results. At other times, you are able to piece all of the parts together in a straight and logical progression to form a whole, which then enables you to understand what you have processing. The information, your mood, and your level of comfortable are all factors that determine your response to a linear processing problem.


Sequential Processing

Sequential processing is a method used by the left hemisphere for processing information. The information that is received is processed in order from first to last. Information is processed in a systematic, logical manner. Through sequential processing, you can interpret and produce symbolic information such as language, mathematics, abstraction, and reasoning. This process is used to store memory in a language format. Activities that require sequential processing include spelling, making a "to-do" list, and many aspects of organization.

Your Sequential Analysis

You show moderate ability to organize information sequentially. You are capable of processing information you receive in a systematic, logical order from first to last. However, at times you will process information you receive quite randomly, or may give it only a semblance of order. You are probably an average mathematician and speller, and may or may not enjoy tasks such as making "to-do" lists.


Verbal Processing

Verbal processing is a method used by the left hemisphere to process our thoughts and ideas with words. For example, through verbal processing, a left-brained person giving directions may say, "From this point continue east for two miles and turn north onto Bellevue Road. Continue north on Bellevue Road for seven miles and turn west on Main Street". With verbal processing, exact, logical directions are given in a very sequential manner compared to a right-brained person who, in giving the same directions, would use more visual landmarks.

Your Verbal Analysis

You have a moderate verbal ability. Using this method you process your thoughts and ideas with words. You tend to combine technical details with illustrations, depending on whatever strikes you. For instance, if giving directions, you might say, "Continue two miles east on Court Street and take a left at the McDonalds," combining the exact details of street names and mileage with prominent landmarks.


Logical Processing

Logical processing is a method that is used by the left hemisphere to take information piece by piece and put it all together to form a logical answer. When information is received through reading or listening, the left hemisphere will look for different bits of information that will allow it to produce a logical conclusion. This aspect of the left hemisphere is what aids you in solving math problems and science experiments.

Your Logical Analysis

Logical processing is not one of your strengths, so you may tend to rely on a "gut" feeling to help you make your decisions from the information you have received. For example, you will often choose an answer on a test because it "feels" right, and you may be correct. This is due to the fact of your tendency to look for the whole picture but not the details that create it. You can often start with the answer and work your way back to allow yourself to see the process and parts that create the whole. You may find math problems and science experiments difficult because of this.


Symbolic Processing

Symbolic processing is a method associated with the left hemisphere that is used for processing the information of pictures and symbols. The majority of functions associated with academics involve symbols such as letters, words, and mathematical notations. This process is what aids you to excel in tasks such as linguistics, mathematics, and memorizing vocabulary words and mathematical formulas.

Your Symbolic Analysis

You have difficulty processing the information of symbols, and would rather see the real object in order to understand. You probably hated algebra. For example, if solving a math problem, you need to "draw out" the problem to understand and solve it. You rely on the visualization of real objects instead of their symbols. Tasks such as memorizing vocabulary words or mathematical formulas are more difficult for you.


Right Brain Categories


Holistic Processing

Holistic processing is a method used by the right hemisphere to process information. The information is processed from whole to parts. A right-brained person, through holistic processing, is able to see the big picture first, but not the details that accompany it. A strongly holistic person may often find that prior to listening to a lecture given by an instructor, they must first read the chapter so that they better understand what the lecture is about. This function is also what provides to you your visual spatial skills. It also aids in tasks such as dancing and gymnastics. Through holistic processing, memory is stored in auditory, visual, and spatial modalities.

Your Holistic Analysis

You show some ability to process data holistically, starting with the whole and working backwards to find the parts, which inform the whole, to form your conclusion. When you process information in a linear manner you are able to start with the parts and work up to form the whole. It is important to be comfortable with both methods, as both are equally necessary in the learning process.


Concrete Processing

Concrete processing is a method associated with the right hemisphere that is used for processing things that can be seen or touched. It processes much of the information you receive from real objects. For example, a right-brained person is not just satisfied that a mathematical formula may work, but will want to know why it works. A strongly concrete person often finds it easier to solve a mathematical problem by "drawing it out" because it allows them to visualize it. The more a concrete person can visualize something the easier it is for them to understand it.

Your Concrete Analysis

At times, you feel the need to see a real object in order to understand it. At other times, you are able to understand a problem on a symbolic level. For example, you may find that in solving math problems, it occasionally helps you to "draw out" the problem in order to understand and solve it.


Nonverbal Processing

Nonverbal processing is a method used by the right hemisphere to process our thoughts with illustrations. Reliance on this method is why it is occasionally difficult for right-brained people to "find the right words" in certain situations. A right-brained person cannot just read or hear information and process it, but first must make a mental video to better understand the information they have received. For example, through nonverbal processing, a person giving directions may say, "Continue going straight until you see a big, red-brick courthouse. At the courthouse turn right, and go down that street for a couple of miles until you se a gray stone church which will be on your right. Straight across from the church is the road to the left you need to take." With nonverbal processing, the directions that are given are extremely visual compared to the exact, sequential directions that would be given by a left-brained person.

Your Nonverbal Analysis

When processing your thoughts and ideas, you use tend to use both illustrations and words. When giving directions, you probably use both visual illustrations such as, "keep going until you see a McDonalds on your right; then turn left at the Home Depot", and technical terms such as, "travel for two miles and turn east onto First Street."


Intuitive Processing

Intuitive processing is a method that is used by the right hemisphere to process information based on if it "feels" right or not. For example, a right-brained person may choose an answer on a test because they had a "gut" feeling and often they will be correct. Another example of this is how a right-brained person will know the correct answer to a math problem but will not understand the procedure of how they arrived at the correct answer. A right-brained person will usually have to start with the answer and work their way backwards in order to be able to see and understand the parts and process that create the whole.

Your Intuitive Analysis

When processing information, at times you are able to go with your "gut" instincts. At other times you may doubt your instincts, or prefer to put information together piece by piece to form your conclusion. You should be careful not to ignore your intuition, but at the same time do not solely rely on it.


Fantasy-oriented Processing

Fantasy-oriented processing is used by the right hemisphere as a method for processing information with creativity. It focuses much less on rules and regulations than the processing method of a left-brained person. Due to the fantasy-oriented processing mechanism of a right-brained person, they do not adjust well to change. Instead of adapting to the change in the environment, a right-brained person attempts to change it back to the way they liked it. But fantasy-oriented processing also provides the advantage of creativity to right-brained individuals, and since emotion is integral of the right side of the brain, anything a fantasy-oriented person becomes involved in emotionally will aid their ability to learn.

Your Fantasy-oriented Analysis

You have a low ability to process information in a fantasy-oriented way. You have the tendency to focus on rules and regulations rather than on creative approaches. You generally do not have a problem adjusting to change in the environment. You may lack creativity, but you do not need to become emotionally involved in tasks in order to complete them.


Random Processing

Random processing is a method used by the right hemisphere for processing information. The information that is received is processed without priority. A right-brained person will usually jump from one task to another due to the random processing by their dominant right hemisphere. Random processing is, of course, the opposite of sequential processing therefore making it difficult for right-brained individuals to choose to learn in sequence. In order to overcome this, a right-brained person may want to attempt to learn sequence by using colors since the right hemisphere is sensitive to color. For example, you may want to associate the first step with green, the second step with blue, and the last step with red. Consistently using the same sequence will allow you to see that this strategy can be applied to many tasks involving sequence.

Your Random Analysis

You tend to not process data randomly, preferring instead to follow a systematic, logical order from first to last. You have difficulty making "leaps of logic" which prevents you from making unique discoveries, or adapt to change during your thinking process.


Disclaimer: The information in the Test (the Test) is published for the sole purpose of intellectual stimulation, education and general knowledge. In no way is the Test to be considered a complete or fully accurate psychological portrait. The Art Institutes and EDMC do not hold any responsibility or liability for your use of the Test or its results. Full Disclaimer

Thursday, April 23, 2009

New Toys = Fun

Recently I got some new photography equipment and first of all I have to thank a very generous and supportive wife for these new items. She insisted she get something for me and I didn't put up much resistance. So anyway, my new lens is a 105mm f/2.8 macro and the filters I got are soft focus filters. Macro capability basically allows you to get really up close to objects and still have them in focus. Try holding something right in front of your face....it's blurry, right? Same with most camera lenses, unless they are specifically designated as macro. Soft focus filters are designed to do exactly what they say, soften images, but without making them blurry and out of focus.Starting off with the macro, I got up close and personal with some plants growing over a rock and with a pine cone hanging on a tree.
Like any special technique, soft focus isn't for everything, but it really appeals to me in landscape situations, especially ones with some water and distinct color.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Derby Day

Woodford Reserve has become my spirit of choice. It was featured in a newspaper article about 3 years ago. I ordered some while on a business trip to Chicago and that was it, Captian Morgan was taking a backseat. After successfully setting up a makeshift studio and photographing a Don Julio bottle that one sister-in-law wanted, I'd been wanting to add to my collection of alcohol/bar related photos.

Since becomming a fan of Woodford Reserve (no, this isn't a commercial.....really) I have seen it featured at the Kentucky Derby and on the sitcom Two and a Half Men and I have been wanting to get a picture of it I would be happy to display in my home. So last night gave me this.


First I poured myself a drink.Then set up my special edition Kentucky Derby bottle, first in plain light.
Then with a yellow cloth over the light.

And, another sister-in-law was nice enough to save some wine bottles from the restaurant where she works. So I spent some time with one of those too. Glass is so tricky to work with. You need light to expose the photograph, but glass gives glare and reflections. I still have lots of different lighting configurations to try, but at least I have a polarizer to help with glare and reflections. So far this is my favorite, the single light source was above and behind the bottles giving a soft light in general, but still enough glimmer to demonstrate the round shapes of the bottle and glass.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Spring Photos

So you saw I have some Winter photos, and last year I actually took summer photos without calling them that....and along came fall photos without really calling them that, so I have decided to embrace this project of capturing all the seasons. Right now I would say we are still in early spring. Some trees have leaves, some have flowers, and some still are bare. I think the weeping willow trees are the most spectacular right now. I wish I would stumble across a nice specimen of a willow tree in a natural, or natural looking setting. However the ones I have seen thus far have been severely pruned, no doubt a side effect of our massive wind storm last year. I have been taking lunchtime jaunts to Cox Arboretum to exercise my camera. It's amazing how much changes in just a week. Here's some photos of what early spring looks like at Cox.

Here's what I think are impatiens, hanging in a basket.
Bulbs in bloom, potted by the front entrance to the main building.
My favorite of them all, something about this 3:1 aspect ratio must really appeal to me.
The bridge from the other side.
A lonely bench, daffodils ready to bloom at its base.
Daffodils in bloom
A hallway of trees, leading to the arbor.
And finally what I call the early risers and those that sleep in.




Friday, March 27, 2009

Remember me?

Probably not....When was that last post anyway? January? Anyhow, I have created a new project for myself. I took some winter pictures and have a collection of those that I like and now that it is spring, I have challenged myself to create a collection of spring photographs also. Some things are obvious like tulips and daffodils, budding and flowering trees, April showers (some lightning shots would be great), but I know there has to be more. Clothing changes with the seasons and I didn't get any of that in my winter shots, people wash and wax their cars, colors are bright, Easter, those are also signs of spring. If I have any readers, what says spring to you? I tend to focus on nature, I enjoy it, it calms me, but I know there's so much more. speak up.

Here's a few of my winter pictures since after all this is about photography.

This tree stands alone in a farmer's field near my house. last year's corn stalks still keeping it company. A couple weeks after taking this picture, I saw a hunter sitting under the tree who had built a blind from the corn stalks. What a picture that would have made.


This shot is of some bare stems in my own yard. There isn't much in it, but the depth of field acting on the stems in the foreground and background make this one very interesting to me.
Here is the Little Miami River as it flows through the Narrows Reserve in January. Ice had weighed down the tips of the branches to the point they were touching the water.
And at last, my personal favorite. This is a stream in the Beavercreek wetlands park, accessed from Philips Barn Park. Just down the hill at the start of the trail this stream cascades under a bridge. This shot was taken under the bridge at the top of the cascade, just after sunset. The flowing water next to the still ice was beautiful.