Aperture and Math

Aperture is a space through which light passes in a photographic instrument.  Light gathering power is determined by the area of the lens or mirror.  The area of a circle equals pi times the radius squared.   

Bellows Extension Compensation

When doing close up work in large format photography, there are several mathematically based formulas to figure out how to compensate for the extra space that the light has to travel.  Because the light has to travel further to hit the film plane, typical light meter exposure has to be adjusted. Here are a few formulas:

BE=bellows extension  FL=focal length    

Zero to Infinity in Nothing Flat

On helasculpt.com, you can see the sculpture of Helaman Ferguson, who expresses mathematical equations through sculpture.  His process is equally weighted with the mental (mathematics) and the physical (sculpture).

I found this artist, Eric Hammel, who makes digital art from fractal dimensions.  A writer of military history books, Hammel became interested in this type of art when Kai's power tools plug in was first released for windows photoshop.  Now he uses applications such as Ultra Fractal and Apophysis.  A 8.5 x 11 print sells for $75!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-fcRzvRBqk&feature=related

Infinity + mirrors = fractals

I just moved into this nice new apartment- already furnished and with several large mirrors hanging. I just realized last night that two big mirrors face each other at either end of the main hallway- you can basically look into infinity in either one although they're only about 15 ft away from each other. The images are self-similar and repeat endlessly...
It reminded me of this famous Dutch painting although i guess Jan Van Eyck's mirror doesn't repeat endlessly- BUT while i was searching for the image i also found this intersting image/info about another mirror.
Tibetan, 17th Century
Divination Mirror of the State Oracle of Tibet
"Seven metal" silver alloy, gold, and turquoise.
"When advising the Dalai Lama, the State Oracle wears an elaborate costume, including this mirror on his chest. In deep trance, he looks into the mirror, not directly, but through another mirror held by an assistant in front of him. Through this doubly distant vision he foretells the future and gives advice."

Lego Sculptures

These mathematical lego sculptures were made using computer code, which reminded me of what we've been learning about fractal computer programs in class. I think these are especially impressive because the shapes are so curvy even though they are made up of lots of small rectangular blocks. Also, legos are awesome.