Learning more about digital photography

Yesterday I did a basic introduction to digital photography.

Learned where to find everything on my camera, how and why to choose different settings, new techniques and very importantly, how to reset everything back to default settings, when the photo just doesn't come out right because of one forgotten setting that was changed along the way.

It was great to learn from an experienced photographer, who gave us valuable practical guidance and warnings about everything from buying the equipment, weather conditions, what to look out for on every occasion and how he does things.

I would certainly want to do more photography courses, as I am sure that each photographer has a host of important tips to depart. And maybe joining a photography club would also be a good next step.

  

'Delivering the goods' like freshly squeezed OJ

Just read a blog post about how ‘delivering the goods’ aka being great in business, management, leadership, getting hired or keeping your job is like freshly squeezed Orange Juice... It goes for pretty much anybody.

Orange Juice represents getting that ongoing everyday enjoyment from something, even though it is the same thing over and over again, day in and day out. It’s great. It works. It delivers. It does the job. It’s perfect.

Do you deliver the goods the way real freshly squeezed orange juice does?

• It always delivers on the promise
• It’s honest-to-goodness real thing
• It does the job perfectly every time
• It serves a purpose and fulfills a need
• It’s best when present - past success is no guarantee of future results 
• It’s best when on time - every day delivery keeps them coming back
• It’s best freshly squeezed, not frozen, diluted or in any way diminished
• If it’s great in one situation, it won’t necessarily be great in another setting 
• It’s widely accepted in every country and city 
• It makes its mark on the w-o-r-l-d.  
• It's consistent, day in, day out.
• It can be enjoyed everyday!

Think of yourself, your staff, your product, your company as having the qualities and value of orange juice! Set your sights, lock in our trajectory, and set off to deliver the goods like freshly squeezed OJ.

How do you ensure success?

Stick to these points and you’ll go far in this world:

• Striving to be exceptional - a rare commodity
• Showing up on time armed with creativity and enthusiasm
• Being open to communication and dedicated to grow
• Setting glitches or mistakes straight right away
• Being committed to help solve problems
• Making sure that what you provide fits the need 
• Respecting the ecology and well-being of all

They got me so emotional!

This performance group acted out the life stories of a couple of women through abstraction, mostly movement... man-oh-man, I had to bite my lip, think of other things and so forth, but the emotions they stirred in me was almost over-powering... others in the audience also felt that way. It is something about the performing arts that catches you so off guard, there's no scope for hiding from or becoming comfortably numb to it. It makes me wonder, are those the emotions we should be feeling about everyday tragedies around us, rather than just shrugging it off as we need to get on with our lives?

Late afternoon

Late afternoon - the lowering sun releases soft rays, spilling hazily into long deep shadows, and lighting up playful sparkles in white-water of the waves. Gazing at whispers of magic slow-dancing on a global lazer-beam.

How this image came into being

The other day, on walk in the late afternoon, I was armed with my camera and had no plans. Then I noticed a stretch of the see that looked rather magical. I started snapping away at the sparkles, waves and rocks. I was taking the photos into the sun using a macro setting which produced the starry-effect I love so much, and also the very over-exposed two-tone appearance of the waves and the rocks. Before I knew it, I had taken 270 photos and my card was full, and I had to quit. It was so much fun.

Then a day or two later at home, the stitching together began. I chose about 25 of the photos to make up an imaginary scene similar to the one I saw, but including all the different dynamics which happened at different moments, into one image and this 'photo' came about. It is 2.5 meters by 1.05 meters, which is an aspect of the golden ratio. Also used the golden ratio to create the basic layout, and to determine the position of the sun's shine line and the other focus areas of the image.

I was hoping to achieve simplicity, removing detail and leaving aspects of the image open to the imagination. The seven sets of waves and the extra out-of-focus edges of the photo can bring the observer into a very tranquil meditative state.

I think this huge landscape image would look very nice above a black leather couch, on a red or other warm colored wall. Or next to a dining room table - as the dynamism of the waves would reflect conversations and vibrant activities. Also, it could work in an entrance hall of an office or meeting room, to reflect the dynamism and energy of the company and its people.

And now, my next challenge is to find a way to get it sold :-)

Finding magical experiences

To experience something magical this is what to do:

Delve into the unknown,
curious as can be and
act against all odds.

Ask as many questions
as you can come up with.

Chances of having
a magical experience
is always in your favour.

The time is always right,
you are always ready -
let it be - magical!

Approximately 1:1.618

The ratio of approximately 1:1.618 has many names, but we prefer calling it "The Golden Ratio".

We proportion our works to approximate the golden ratio, believing that this ratio offers an aesthetically pleasing proportion.

The golden ratio is found in art, architecture, music, living creatures, and of course our work...

Here are three samples of logos we designed using the golden ratio:

Ideating

Where does the next idea come from?

The ideating procedure begins where you are stumped. Resign to that, however expect the idea to come - unexpectedly...

Fuel your mind by means of any technique, however weird and playful (really) - keep going!

Perceive... observe... notice...

Be on the lookout for the idea, expecting it to arrive at any instant.

When it appears, doodle it down, so it doesn't slip back into the dark depths of oblivion it appeared from.

That's the spirit!

Reads on ideas:
"Lateral Thinking" - Edward de Bono