A Mandelbrot Set

I have written in the past about my love of fractals and always welcome the chance to illustrate my latest find. I ran into this YouTube video that is simply amazing and could not resist showing it. The complexity of such simplicity is amazing. Keep in mind as you watch the figures flow that each movement is a mathematical formula that is ever shifting.

I stumbled upon it while looking for something else (isn't that always the way) and was taken by the work involved . I think you will be too.

When The Old Is New

There is an expression that if you wait long enough, what is old will become new. Every now and then you encounter something that proves the point. I like to wander through thrift stores and frequently find great gems that others have thrown away. The picture below is an example. As usual, click the photo for a better view.

I've beveled it for effect but take a really good look at the two women in this photo. There is something about it that simply called to me. If you take a quick glance, it almost appears that there in the 1920's one of them is checking her iPhone. That was my first take on it. 

It does not tell who took the photo (and it is a real photo) but there is something ever so pleasing about these two quite fashionable women in Paris (my take on it)  deep in a conversation that is very important to them. I guess you could say that is the magic of photography, that here is a simple moment in time that somehow seems just as intriguing today, almost a hundred years later.

I bought the photo and hung it in a very prominent place in my Den, as it gives me something to aspire to in the art of photography. Now that you understand the mystery for me, go back and look again!

The Man Del Brot

For a good number of the general population it is difficult to imagine that math can be fun, or even mysterious. I discovered that fact when Alex decided to become interested in creating fractals as a art form.

The more I got into it, the more exciting and mysterious it became as he produced image after image. I marveled that each represented a mathematical formula and how beautiful that could be.

My great take away from all this was that even in chao there is order. I decided to write about it today because I ran into a article about finding the lost fractals of Benoît Mandelbrot.

To illustrate the point, I found a video on You Tube that seems to highlight the world within worlds that is the fractal. You may never look at the world in the same way...

Impressions at the Beach

Despite the heat, Summer is slowly winding down and a day at the beach becomes precious. The Labor Day holiday offered a chance to spend some leisurely time enjoying a quiet day of play in the still refreshing waters of the Atlantic.

What surprised me as I took pictures was the results I received near the end of an almost perfect day. As usual click each photo for a better view.

I never use filters so I am always amazed how light will play in a photo. I particularly liked this photo which is slightly out of focus, yet gives an almost Monet feel of broad outlines cast against an early evening sky.

Again the play of light. I moved a little and once again took another shot that is now more in focus with a blue cast. There is sharper focus but the figures still have the outline effect which somehow I find appealing.

There are always walkers on the beach and this bird is taking his (or her) evening stroll while looking for treats left on the beach by sunbathers.

And yet... this walker somehow seems very similar to the little bird as he and his dog have been caught in mid stride. I am fascinated by the way the man is looking up and off into the distance and the dog seems to be dragging him along, straining to get to some unseen something in the sand.

I like Vilano Beach because it is a somewhat undiscovered area that after 6pm is ruled by dogs. This miniature poodle, named Paris, caught my eye as she walked along the beach. What got my attention were her paws which appear like little high heels as she stepped lightly along the sand.

If you are a regular follower then you know I like taking pictures of the commonplace to illustrate how the things we see everyday possess a degree of uniqueness. I too took a walk down the beach and was struck by the patterns made in the sand as waves moved back and forth against the beach shore.

The patterns demonstrate a random beauty that when viewed in isolation can truly amaze you. This shot was taken a little before sunset and the patterns are a marvel for the eye. I never tire of viewing it as my eyes seem to roam the shot and wonder how the water flowed to create each line. If I had not told you what it is what you would have guessed?

Yes, we are in the heat of Summer but each day reinforces to me the preciousness of a day at the beach.