Neuroscience behind photography

[Ramsden]

Hi folks

I'm currently reading a book by Daniel Levitin called 'Music as Medicine'. It's quite an academic book and delves into the way inner parts of the brain work together. Yesterday I started a chapter which references, and uses, another book (which I own) by Daniel Kahneman called 'Thinking Fast and Slow'.

Here he discusses how Kahneman's System 1 and 2 theory works with us, as humans, when engaging with music. 

Briefly, System 1 makes rapid, intuitive decisions based on first impressions. System 2 is slower, more deliberate and analytical.

So, here's my thoughts and questions. Has anything been published similar to this work, but linked to photography? If so please let me (us) know.

In my photographic journey, I can relate to these ideas as I struggle with composition, camera settings and equipment.

While listening to music, sometimes it's a wall of sound, and other times I can hang on to every note. To draw a parallel to my photographic journey, I often just take my camera on a walk around the country lanes, and shoot plants, animals and landscapes (wall of sound)!

Other times, I may be on a specific theme, such as my next project of shooting old (19th Century) horse troughs in Yorkshire,  using monochrome. 

I've got several books on how to be a good photographer- emphasis on the 'How To'. But I would really like to know more about the neurological processes of linking what we see, the environment and through to the technical decisions we make with the equipment in our hands.

I hope this post isn't too 'left field' for the Canon community and as ever you'll come up with goods.

Ramsden 

[Ramsden]

 

[Ramsden]

 Good afternoon Rodger 

Your reference to how you 'trained' your daughter by using film, reminded me of my late father. Born in 1920, he was drafted into the Royal Artillery to fight in WW2. So when this photograph of was taken in 1942, he was still a young man. But what always puzzled me, was how he got a camera out to the rain forest. We're not sure whether this was Borneo or Malaysia. 

But I will always remember his enthusiasm for photography, and we had a cellar in our house, which, apart from keeping food cold, served very well as our dark room. So I grew up with film, and thats probably why I still spend most of my time on One Shot.

I fully agree with your criticism of the 'youngsters' firing away with their fancy cameras, but I can't see the enjoyment in that process.

I've just been looking at your cameras. That's a very impressive set of equipment, but thankfully my EOS 90D meets my needs for country walks etc.

Take care

Ramsden