Wada Basin Fractal
by seebrown

Comment by macrothing:

Originally posted by seebrown: Unfortunately the only way to shoot this requires the lens to be in the shot ...

Have to say that after looking at that web page, many of those shots either; the lens cannot be seen or, it has been well hidden. A couple of examples;

Crisp Contrast in the basic pattern

Gorgeously rendered Wada Basin in blues, gray, white, yellow and black

Zoom on area in Wada Fractal above ...

An interesting website. Here is a link for those interested in 'learning': An Introduction to the fascinating patterns of Visual Math

Now if I had seen something like this some of the "Interior Relationships" in the Mandelbrot Set in the Challenge - wow. But for sure it would have been 'doubted' but then 'validated'. No idea how this has been achieved, seems a natural pattern, somehow 'captured'. Different technique, but equally interesting. I'll 'research it later'.

In the end these shots are very 'abstract' (if indeed that's an apt word for this technique), and while may not BE 'digital art', border on being viewed as such, in my opinion. Unless the viewer understands what it is they are looking at they're likely going to assume it is 'created'. I guess as long as it can be seen AS a photograph (difficult), then it should 'make the jump'.

As for your comment in the thread "All in all I can understand now that images like this one do not belong on the DP site" - I don't agree (incorporating the above 'photograph' statement of course). There are many other shots, especially far less 'creative' on DPC, or just different styles/tastes, which perhaps 'do not belong on DPC', but it is a matter of opinion and - ultimately - what has made/makes DPC so unique - the variety. This 'fractal image', while not 'new ground', has a lot of potential in my opinion, plus is educational, which I for one, always like.

DPC is, and will be, 'shaped by contributions'. I think this shot is a good contribution.

Wada Fractal Pattern
by seebrown

Comment by seebrown:

Originally posted by DrAchoo: Hmm, some of the other pattern pics I commented that the pattern was not prominent enough. Here, I'm afraid the pattern may be too prominent. There isn't much left for us to grasp, such as context. My first split-second impression wasn't too interested, but when I read your description, I was intrigued. It's too bad that you couldn't have zoomed back so we became aware that this was, in fact, four christmas tree ornaments, but still have the pattern emphasized. My first guess was a kaleidoscope which seems sorta boring. The composition is very centered, which is good for pattern, but not good for dynamics. The colors are soothing and not oversaturated. In the end, I guess we are left a little dazzled and confused and move on because we don't know what we're really looking at.

Thanks a bunch for the criteque ... much appreciated. I really feel you hit the nail on the head with the comment "I guess we are left a little dazzled and confused and move on because we don't know what we're really looking at". Makes sense considering how many 5's were received

Wada Basin Fractal
by seebrown

Comment by seebrown:

Originally posted by macrothing: This one is a little better (clarity wise) in my opinion, but you can still see the lens. Looks like a difficult technique/method to nail. edit:typo

Unfortunately the only way to shoot this requires the lens to be in the shot ...

Wada Fractal Pattern
by seebrown

Comment by seebrown:
Give a little more background here. The shot is actually in perfect focus ... though macrothing is right about it appearing out of focus, due to the the fact that the christmas tree ornaments that I used were not perfect sphere's. Anyhow, I'm starting to realize that because 99% of voters had no idea what it was probably did not help with the scoring.

Message edited by author 2006-01-04 19:20:08.

Wada Fractal Pattern
by seebrown

Comment by DrAchoo:
Hmm, some of the other pattern pics I commented that the pattern was not prominent enough. Here, I'm afraid the pattern may be too prominent. There isn't much left for us to grasp, such as context. My first split-second impression wasn't too interested, but when I read your description, I was intrigued. It's too bad that you couldn't have zoomed back so we became aware that this was, in fact, four christmas tree ornaments, but still have the pattern emphasized. My first guess was a kaleidoscope which seems sorta boring.

The composition is very centered, which is good for pattern, but not good for dynamics. The colors are soothing and not oversaturated. In the end, I guess we are left a little dazzled and confused and move on because we don't know what we're really looking at.

Wada Basin Fractal
by seebrown

Comment by macrothing:
This one is a little better (clarity wise) in my opinion, but you can still see the lens. Looks like a difficult technique/method to nail. edit:typo

Message edited by author 2006-01-04 18:19:41.

Wada Fractal Pattern
by seebrown

Comment by macrothing:
I gave this a 3. I did not 'think too hard' during voting of what this may have been or how it was achieved but on the quick look (which is usually all you get from most voters), my thoughts leaned toward this being a shot of a kaleidoscope pattern, or similar. I admit that I voted partly on that, that you 'just took a 'straight shot' (versus unique/unusual) of an existing pattern'. It is not until I now see your photographers comments that I see you set this up. That is a moot point anyway as 'we' don't get that inside information. Your title may have counteracted that presumption, had I know what a Wada Fractal Pattern was, or looked it up (which I didn't and didn't). I also cannot recall paying attention to the title in this. My voting was based mostly on the quality; the colors were a little too harsh and the focus was off (looked like it was too close/needed to be a macro). Just a note re now knowing what this is, looks like the camera lens can be seen in the reflection, so had I 'known', I would likely have voted this 'down' for that as well. The concept was good but perhaps a fraction more 'context' (to see these were ornaments) or else just a better focus, would have made this better in my opinion. Finally, just looked at that web page and see that this 'method' does seem to have some good potential, keep trying, you'll hit a winner sooner or later (and yes, I have just learned what a Wada Basin Fractal Pattern is). edit: added 'Basin'

Message edited by author 2006-01-04 18:26:12.

Wada Fractal Pattern
by seebrown

Comment by talmy:
I think the real problem with this is the belief that putting a lot of hard work into a photograph will yield a high score. It just doesn't work that way. I expect you lost points because it doesn't appear sharp and is too complex.

Wada Fractal Pattern
by seebrown

Comment by MayaM:
I am bumping this way up, because althouhg the focus could be sharper, I love the color and composition on second view.

Wada Fractal Pattern
by seebrown

Comment by hutch699:
Interesting....took me a minute to figure out exactly what I was looking at. Still not sure, but I think I like it ;-)