This morning I mentioned that I have been focused on photographing tiny things. In February, I was invited to a TEDx event. You can hear my 10 minute presentation by following this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E78UqPgL68g&feature=player_embedded
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Re-discovering photography
During the past few months I have re-discovered photography. That seems odd for a photography professor but it is true. My job took me away from the picture making process for the better part of the last 3 years. As a direct consequence of my winter past time, snowflake photography, I have been motivated to again make new pictures. This has been exciting. I have also taken to promoting my work in the spirit of, "I take pictures of very tine things".
Below is a new photograph I made this week exploring how various pharmaceuticals look under magnification using polarized light. It is a slow process to coax crystals out from the various compounds and much like snowflakes, the outcome is very random. I hope you enjoy.
Below is a new photograph I made this week exploring how various pharmaceuticals look under magnification using polarized light. It is a slow process to coax crystals out from the various compounds and much like snowflakes, the outcome is very random. I hope you enjoy.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Hidden Beauty Exploring the Aesthetics of Medical Science
It has been a long time since I posted to this BLOG but this week I wrote a book review and it seemed like a good time to get back on board with this activity.
Hidden Beauty
Exploring the Aesthetics of Medical Science
By Norman Barker and Christine Iacobuzio- Donahue Foreword by Bert Vogelstein
Exploring the Aesthetics of Medical Science
By Norman Barker and Christine Iacobuzio- Donahue Foreword by Bert Vogelstein
Schiffer Publishing
ISBN 978-0-7643-4412-1
Size 8.5 x 11; 113 - color and b/w reproductions
232 pages; hard cover
ISBN 978-0-7643-4412-1
Size 8.5 x 11; 113 - color and b/w reproductions
232 pages; hard cover
Hidden Beauty, written by Norman Barker and Christine Iacobuzio- Donahue
is nothing short of spectacular. Its release is timely and features
medical as something different than the intentions of their original creation might
have considered. It has been handsomely designed and focused to the general
public in a non-medical way but still contains images that are absolute
scientific medical facts. When scientific images are viewed outside the
environment from which they were created, they often are viewed using different
perspectives. No longer is the subject the subject, but rather the structure,
design, contrast and other graphical elements become the focal point.
Because of their uniqueness, images from medicine when viewed by the general
public who have no frame of reference become simply powerful colors, designs or
abstract shapes. If any of the images in this book included scales, they
would immediately be defined as scientific but without scales, they become
something else. Elegant, beautiful or compelling become part of the
conversation rather than the diagnosis. The images included in this book play
off the power of the human imagination and are very exciting to interact with
on many levels for readers. Many images in the book offer to surprise readers
exploring the unknown. The duplicity of such images can be often hidden until
brought out through projects such as this. Hidden Beauty includes a carefully considered
range of images. The image selections by Barker and Iacobuzio- Donahue are
complete and excellent examples of imaging technologies both prevalent and
relevant today. There are also examples of those technologies that are evolving
into the 21st century. The image choices do not leave the
viewer wishing there was more. It provided a complete satisfying and immersive viewing
experience for me while perusing the 232 pages.
The book’s treatment of content and captions is excellent. Each image is
accompanied by a text passage and is written so that you do not need to be a
trained medical professional to understand the subject. The captions are
thorough and complete enough to satisfy one’s curiosity but not too long. It is
evident that great care was taken in how they were crafted. I particularly like
the elegant layout and treatment of the images. The book is easy to relate to.
Everyone knows someone who has been touched by many of the diseases contained
within the book.
Hidden Beauty represents a powerful example of the interface of applied
arts and science. Each page-spread shares a fascinating image and relevant
science facts in non-scientific ways. With the rise of the Internet and other
electronic media tools, there is currently an insatiable appetite for
electronic images worldwide. People are very curious about
"cool" and not frequently
observed things. This book sits firmly in that category. That being shared, there
still remains no good substitute for beautiful four-color reproductions that feature
extraordinary and unique images. Very few digital images displayed on
contemporary tools can match the tonal scale and richness of well-managed ink
on paper reproductions. The book is an example of very high quality
printing. Technically the book is perfect. The craft of the publisher is
evident in the quality of the printing, paper and finishing. The book exhibits
much attention to detail. This volume will not disappointment and would be
a great addition to any library.
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