tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9493601.post1027452119954378924..comments2024-01-11T15:12:49.433-05:00Comments on Tao of Photography by Andy Ilachinski: Joyful Meditations in a Subterranean Cosmos: Part IIAndy Ilachinskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572501787099507666noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9493601.post-51400794832161465612011-04-12T16:38:14.419-05:002011-04-12T16:38:14.419-05:00What is physics? And, more to the point, how does ...What is physics? And, more to the point, how does mathematics relate to physics?<br /><br />I posit, for your review and consideration, the following: <br /><br />Physics is the study and understanding of nature as we find it. To "do" physics, one cannot create his own nature. Rather, he must work with what there is. The physicist is forever tied to that which is in front of him. An astronomer, for example, cannot make the heavens as he would like. He must deal with the heavens as they are. The galaxies are not positioned to one's liking; one must enjoy the galaxies, study them, just where and how they are.<br /><br />Now, mathematics. Mathematics, in contrast, does not necessarily find itself bound to nature. One can "do" math without regard to the real-world. Non-Euclidean geometry, while related to nature through Einstein's theory of gravitation, was not originally studied with that intent. Non-Euclidean geometry was first studied for its own sake. <br /><br />But, mathematics works with physics so that a physicist has a language and vocabulary necessary to describe the universe. It is this joining that gives one a way to exploit them both to make more than each offers on its own. <br /><br />We know more about the universe because physics can employ mathematics for its own service. Likewise, mathematics gains prominence because physics (and other disciplines) use it. Mathematics is more than intellectual curiosity; it is the language of nature. That language allows us to know nature.<br /><br />What has this to do with your post?<br /><br />I posit that what you must do at Luray Caverns is similar to what a physicist must do with nature. Both must study and understand the environment as it is. You cannot move the galaxies---you cannot bring the sun inside the caverns. What you have, what you find, what is there, is all there is. You deal with each (nature or photography) as you find the environment.<br /><br />Your tools as a physicist are mathematics. Your tools as a photographer are your camera, you imagination, and your insight. These are very similar, eerily so. A mathematician must see relationships in his world that often obscured by his own bias. You have to create art in a new world and not allow your bias to obscure the beauty before you. <br /><br />So, while you lament the caverns for what they do not have, what you say are limitations, the reality is that this is but another nature, another universe if you will, for which your tools stand ready to help. <br /><br />May your explorations yield a bounty beyond your expectations.<br /><br />One a similar note, we should explore the use of your computer, the world wide web, Photo Shop, and Wolfram Alpha, as they enable us to deal with other universes of study. But that's for another time.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02236449128797878326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9493601.post-42108597282272722812011-04-03T14:57:40.139-05:002011-04-03T14:57:40.139-05:00Great blog, Andy. I'll follow along. Looking...Great blog, Andy. I'll follow along. Looking forward to reading through some of the older posts as well as the new ones!SJCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15593622630542448989noreply@blogger.com