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'Let there be fractals!'
'Let there be fractals!'
dsidwell


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Chaos (Advanced Editing I)
Collection: Macros & Other
Camera: Sony DSC-F707
Location: Duchesne, Utah, USA
Date: Apr 3, 2004
Aperture: f 8.0
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/800
Galleries: Abstract, Sky
Date Uploaded: Apr 4, 2004

 According to chaos theory or nonlinear studies, seemingly complex systems can be broken down into fractals, and mathematically, fractals don't have to be all that complex. They just look complex when viewed as a set. A mathematician named Benoit Mandelbrot came up with a mathematical formula to create such a set of fractals that now bears his name: the Mandelbrot Set. Clouds are a good example of such a set, and indeed resemble the Mandelbrot Set of fractals. Check Google for mathematically-derived Mandelbrot sets. They're kind of groovy.

These are just clouds. Rather than add a lot of contrast, I just dodged the clouds' highlights at 5% and added a touch of blue. Then I slid the middle slider in LEVELS toward the dark side just a touch. It may be too dark for some, but I like dark photos!

My wife thinks this will do poorly. Maybe it will! It all depends on how much folks know about chaos and chaos theory, or if they interpret clouds to be chaotic, even if they don't know about fractals. I will be interested to see who is confused by the title.

Statistics
Place: 38 out of 85
Avg (all users): 5.3684
Avg (commenters): 5.8000
Avg (participants): 5.1724
Avg (non-participants): 5.4690
Views since voting: 1327
Votes: 171
Comments: 8
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 04/12/2004 07:33:38 PM
Good to see a properly mathematical approach to the subject ... though as you expected, it was misunderstood. A privilege to be a neighbour in the placings too ... in fact a little grouping of some seriously talented photographers.

E
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
 04/12/2004 12:35:46 AM
I too am surprised that this didn't do better, but the group just doesn't know fractals. Congratulations on your original thinking anyhow!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a55
Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 04/12/2004 12:27:33 AM
I read the book on the mandelbrot fractals back in highschool and I admit that it is the first thing that came to my mind when I read the challenge topic too. I figured not a lot of people would be familiar with it though, which was obviously the case. I gave this an 8 and think it should have scored much higher.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
 04/11/2004 10:30:55 PM
This sky shot just doesn't hold my interest. It doesn't seem to really have anything unusual, colorful, or dramatic about it to me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D70
 04/08/2004 12:11:27 AM
i dont really understand clouds as fractals...perhaps...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon PowerShot S330
 04/06/2004 03:24:58 PM
Great, moody shot, and your title helps me fit it to the challenge theme.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-30D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 04/05/2004 09:01:12 PM
Sunset has anything to do with chaos ? Nothing interesing going on 1.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
 04/05/2004 05:12:15 PM
I"m so glad you did this. I didn't enter since I could not figure out how to photograph Chaos Theory (after my cauliflower refused to cooperate). You did a fine job with this. Hope you get lots more 10s.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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