Random Musing No. 1

The human eye has a range of 120°, mostly peripheral vision, compared to the camera’s typical 200° or more. That is why the figures sometimes seem distorted at the edges of a photograph. We make up for this seeming deficit by moving our focus (in movements called “saccades”) around a scene to build up a gestalt awareness of its appearance.

A painting, curated by human intelligence, is superior in every respect to a photograph, except for how long it takes to make it. If cameras took three hours to create the exact same image as they do now in a split second, there would be no question as to which medium people would choose when they needed an image recorded.

Portraits, Etc.

Just a few recent portraits to show you. I’ve been working on a follow-up to the Panhandlers of Harvard Square project, but until then here are the results of the few portrait opportunities that have come my way. I’m also throwing in a couple of odd paintings that don’t really fit in an of the other categories–I guess I could have included the Pitcher Plant painting with the flower paintings–before I set up for the grand finale.

Annabelle

A co-worker of my wife who wanted her portrait done. I’m happy with the results.

Chris

A model at Kate Huntington’s Monday night portrait session in Providence.

Eugene

Another Monday night model.

Sunday Morning

Had some friends over Saturday night and this is what the back porch looked like the next day.

Greta

I was actually setting up a little flower painting when Greta decided she needed her portrait done.You can see the vase in the background.

Pitcher Plant

My wife’s hanging plant turned out to be almost frighteningly vigorous.