I don’t know if changing between these two activities is shifting focus from one brain hemisphere to the other or not. There’s overlay to be sure but computer building is more technical, left brain oriented, while photography seems more right brain, creative. From test I’ve seen and taken my right brain is slightly dominate but not totally in control. You can try a simple test here. For me the dancer spins clockwise, but every few moments she’ll suddenly spend a couple of counter-clockwise turns.
This coming July my wife and I are taking a 10-day vacation to northern Italy with a couple of friends of ours. I certainly want to have my creative side “exercised” before we go, hoping it will pay off in good photos. Since we’ll be moving about a good deal I’m only taking a 4/3’s camera, a couple of lens and a P&S backup, same as last falls trip to Europe. Travel light, travel right!
For some reason the photo above of this dried bloom reminded me of the moment of creation…the Big Bang, hurling out all the substances for the creation of the universe. Right side brain…ignition! :-)
Sweet! Another European Vacation, Mr. Griswold! ;) That was an interesting little test. My dancer continuously turned clockwise even when I tried to concentrate and get her to turn the other way, no dice. I guess that I’m a right-brained guy. Looking at the attributes, I’d pretty much say that it fits. LOL I guess that’s why I don’t put together computers, preferring to stay on the keyboard side of things. ;)
Paul, I hope this vacation is a little less “eventful” then the typical Griswold trip! :-)
For me the dancer reverses direction pretty easily, first one way then the other, which kind of fits for me…always in the gray, in between.
I always get that left brain-right brain stuff confused, just like I get mixed up with Type A & Type B personalities, conservative and liberal, right-wing and left-wing, it’s all labels. :) While there is a certain amount of creativity involved in something like building a computer, I’d guess that it involves much more logic and problem solving than creativity. We all have our distractions, most of them pleasant, some of them unpleasant, many of them necessary. I do agree that there comes a time when the thing to do is to get back out with the camera.
The trip to Italy sounds wonderful. I like your style! I really like your idea of traveling with a smaller camera and lenses and your outfit sounds perfect. I was really looking forward to reducing the size of my “kit” until Canon seduced me with the 5D Mark III. I’m glad I have it and was very glad to have in on our last vacation. With the supposed Canon mirrorless announcement in July we should finally have the candidates from all of the major players. I’m still not convinced that I’ll be able to give up my full-frame camera and big glass, but I’d love to be able to travel lighter for trips like that.
By the way, when I first opened the link the dancer was spinning counter-clockwise, but when I looked at her again she was spinning clockwise, and nothing I could do would reverse her!
As important as it is to “get back out with the camera” I’ve come to also understand at least for me it’s also important to sometimes put it down for a while. It helps with perspective and reminds me how much I appreciate it’s gifts.
I so enjoyed traveling with a light kit to Europe last fall. On the subject, I thinking there’s no one kit that does all perfectly well. There’s room and reason for two kits…the lighter travel and street photography one and then the heavier and more capable for those “deliberate” moments. But one must accept it’s a luxury.
Is it written somewhere that one camera should do it all? :-)
Now, looking at the dancer again she reverses direction quite regularly for me but I couldn’t tell you how or what I do to make it happen.
I do agree that there is no reason to limit ourselves to just one camera. What fun is that? :) I had hoped for something more compact before our Alaska trip, but the timing just wasn’t right. We took the E-PL 2 but since I had the brand-new machine I saved it for Kathy to use, which she didn’t. No matter, since that entire kit weighs less than one of my lenses!
I’m definitely looking forward to the evolution of the compact mirrorless cameras, and see one of those in my near future. As much as I like the point & shoot cameras, these newer cameras seem to combine the size of the small cameras with the IQ of the larger ones. In my opinion they are “almost there,” although many would argue that they are more than sufficient for most users right now. I may follow Paul’s lead and rent an OM-D for an upcoming trip, just to see how it performs.
I think you’d enjoy the OM-D…that’s what I’ll be taking to Italy.
I wondered! And I’m not a bit surprised. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing your results.
According to that little test I’m firmly right-side, even though I’ve worked in IT for the last 30 years (ouch!). Personally, I thought the dancer needed a little more light!
Big bang. Great title!
John…you’re right about that lighting…LOL! Thanks. :-)
When I click on the link, I see the dancer revolving clockwise, but if I look away and then refocus on it, she’s counter-clockwise. Then back again. I think that’s fairly common.
This photo is beautiful and I like the frame. Very suitable in this instance.
Ken, I wonder what changes in our perception that causes us to the dancer rotating in different directions? I don’t believe it’s totally a right/left brain thing, if that even exist.
Thanks about the photo.
I don’t know why you want to travel light. These guys don’t:
http://www.gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/technology/gadgetbox/astronaut-shows-stellar-camera-collection-aboard-iss-845263
I’ve never really believed in the left brain / right brain thing. And I think the so-called online “tests” are misleading. I’ve never met anyone who had just “discovered” that they were not what they thought they were. No matter which camp you think you belong to, the tests seem to be designed to confirm that belief. That’s not to say that I think people aren’t different. Some people are definitely more creative than others, and some are better at solving puzzles than others. I, for example, would have a really rough time putting a computer together from scratch (as you just did). It just ain’t in my genes, apparently. But I do understand math and statistics. So go figure.
But as far as the dancing figure is concerned, I’ve only ever been able to see her go counterclockwise once – and I’ve seen her before your post. I’m sure some psychologist could explain that, but I haven’t a clue as to what the mental trick is.
On a more practical topic, do you have the OMD – EM5, Earl? I’ve been really thinking about that camera to lighten my load when carrying the big Canon isn’t a good option. Of course, the damn thing is backordered most everywhere. But it’s gotten some great reviews……..
I very much like the image, especially with all the “exploding” diagonals. Wouldn’t have thought of the big bang as a possible metaphor, but it fits.
Paul, yes, it’s labels and who knows if our current understanding of the human brain and characteristics are accurate or if they will be subject to redefinition down the road. In any subject I always feel there’s probably more we don’t understand then we do.
As I mention to Ken above, I’d be interesting to know what particular mechanism causes us to see the dancer turning one way or the other and especially changing direction. Certainly, I’m not really sold on the left/right brain explanation either.
Yes, I have an OMD – EM5. There’s been so many reviews and coverage of this camera and I’m still in the “dating phase” of my relationship with it so I’ve not felt a need to say much here. Let me just say I’m very impressed so far and it’s one of those camera that possibly exceeds it’s specifications. As good as it is, I feel there’s certainly still a place for a good DSLR and so I’m keeping my D700 until I decide on an upgrade path for it. However, it’s the best street/travel kit I’ve ever used.
Thanks on the image.
Ah, Italia!
That’s the right spirit, fire of those creative engines and get lost. Italy is a good place for this.
Buon vacanza, Earl!
btw, interesting test, that. For a second, I saw how she rotated counter-clockwise, the second later, she had turned around. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make her turn around again.
She turns in different directions for me…but I have no idea how I’m doing it. :-)
Thanks, Ove. Yes, a second trip to Europe in as many years. But as my wife, Bonnie, reminded me, once we’re fully retired these type of trips may not be so easily done…so we do them now. :-)
Earl – maybe you are telekinetic over the internet? :-)
I saw her rotating clockwise for the longest time, and tried to see her spin the other way and couldn’t. Then I looked away, looked back, and she was spinning counter-clockwise. Then she switched again. I am convinced there is some guy on the other end messing with people that visit. :-)
OK, so you went and changed the blog again! Restless after that hack the mac episode?
BTW, cool shot. What do you think of it with about 10% of the top cropped off?
Mark, you may be right about that guy playing with our minds with this dancing girl. It’s strange how the same thing can be seen so differently.
Well, you know the stability and additional speed of this new “Hac Pro” leaves me a lot of extra time…so, I thought I’d totally change up the blog. ;-)
Looking at this photo again, I’d probably agree about cropping a little more off the top to get rid of the “hot spot” on the upper right.
I know you will love the vacation and will share it with us through images and stories. I’m glad you’re back behind the lens.
Thanks, Monte. My heart breaks from the continuing bad news of the wildfires in Colorado and all those who are loosing everything. I hope you guys soon find cooler temperatures, calm winds and some rain.
The High Park fire is settling down a bit as we received some rain yesterday evening. However, there are two more fires now going, one near Grand Junction and one west of Boulder. The Waldo fire near Colorado Springs is raging, taking out complete neighborhoods. We could use 24 hours of nice steady rain.
A great looking image and one that is very well named. The dancer seems to have directions whenever I choose. An interesting test.
Don, thanks!