Blog of Dean Oros Photography + Design

Symmetry in nature and life / article

Dean — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:29:20 +0000

Over the years, I’ve found myself taken with life’s symmetry. It’s everywhere – it surrounds us, even in the most unlikely of places.

Sky reflecting off water in the Waikoloa Anchialine Ponds Preservation Area, Kohala Coast, Hawaii. (© Dean Oros Photo + Design)

As an example, what attributes make a person’s face more attractive than another? Is it subjective or is a symmetrical face considered more attractive? Is it perceived perfection or imperfections? Perfect symmetry, it’s said in science, is a sign of strong genes.

Portrait of young girl. (© Dean Oros Photo + Design / Images of a Promise)

As I see it, symmetry begins in nature, which in turn shows up in human function and how we express ourselves via art, music, architecture and our process of discovery. It’s how we function in life. You’ve heard the expression: “The ebb and flow of life”, or Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion in physics: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

Swaminarayan Mandir / Museum, Toronto Canada (© Dean Oros Photo + Design)

In fact, I’d say there are different types of symmetry. They interact and are related to each other, much like chemistry’s periodic table.

A display of nature's perfect symmetry. (© Dean Oros Photo + Design)

One example of nature’s incredible symmetry is the human brain. It has two physically separate, symmetrical left and right hemispheres. Though they communicate with each other via the corpus callosum, they process information differently, which effectively complement each other to allow harmonious function. In very broad terms, the right hemisphere takes the world in via pictures, movement and sound, while the left hemisphere views the world in a serial, methodical and linear fashion.

Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroanatomist – a brain scientist who studies the anatomy and physiology of the brain. In 1996 she experienced a stroke, and documented how, over the course of four hours, her brain functions shut down one by one, until she was left as “an infant in a woman’s body.” The functional symmetry of her brain experienced life-threatening disorder. You can watch Jill tell her fascinating story on TED Talks here:

Oxford mathematician, Dr. Marcus du Sautoy, said “Symmetry is the way that plants and animals communicate. It is an indication on meaning in the natural world.”

If you find this interesting you may want to read Dr. du Sautoy’s book, Finding Moonshine: A Mathematician’s Journey Through Symmetry.

Symmetry and by extension, patterns, are some cornerstones of life. Perhaps, next time you decide to look, you may see symmetry.

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Is inspiration for amateurs? / quote

Dean — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:27:56 +0000

For those who use creativity daily, Chuck Close, a famous painter, said the following:

“Inspiration is for amateurs – the rest of just show up and get to work.”

Here at the studio, we honestly don’t believe that. Inspiration comes at you even when you’re not looking for it. Being receptive to inspiration when not seeking it, is the key.

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To Spring / conceptual / William Blake

Dean — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:00:22 +0000

Ahhh, the arrival of spring! It reminds me of the beautiful poem, “To Spring” by William Blake.

Torontonians, aka residents of Toronto, are happy this week because of spring’s long awaited arrival. The warmth of the sun has finally shone on our fair city. Many people could be seen wearing shorts and t-shirts, myself included.

To Spring

William Blake (1757-1827)

THOU with dewy locks, who lookest down
Through the clear windows of the morning, turn
Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,
Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

Conceptual, abstract floral expressionism. (Dean Oros Photo + Design)

The hills tell one another, and the listening
Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turn’d
Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth
And let thy holy feet visit our clime!

Come o’er the eastern hills, and let our winds
Kiss thy perfumèd garments; let us taste
Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls
Upon our lovesick land that mourns for thee.

O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour
Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put
Thy golden crown upon her languish’d head,
Whose modest tresses are bound up for thee.

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Thank you / weekend read newsletter feedback

Dean — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:07:57 +0000

This past weekend the Studio emailed our Spring e-Newsletter. It was a new layout designed to better accommodate not just photography but also short articles and background story.

To subscribe to the Dean Oros Photo + Design Studio e-Newsletter click here.

The Dean Oros Photo + Design Spring Newsletter has been your favourite to date. Thank you.

I was happy to receive email from several readers who enjoyed their weekend read. Thank you very much! Your feedback helps to deliver relevant content you’re interested in.

You tell a story as effectively with words as you do with your images. I look forward to receiving your quarterly e- newsletters. ….Mythili

You work speaks to me – without knowing why, often I am awed by your capture of what for me is powerful beyond identifiable adjectives. Thanks so much Dean. ….Elizabeth

Nice stuff man! ….Rory

To subscribe to the Dean Oros Photo + Design Studio e-Newsletter click here.

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Be Original / not a copy

Dean — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:22:11 +0000

Ever since Anne Geddes swathed a baby in fabric and beautifully captured that image, photographers around the globe have copied her. It shows how UN-creative photographers can sometimes be. There, I said it. Anyone that will listen will hear me preach the priceless value of documenting heritage and the importance of capturing your story with an original vision that is true to you, not someone else’s idea of what is cute.

I learned a long time ago in my film and TV days that every story has already been told. The challenge is to tell it differently, with an original voice.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This especially applies to maternity, baby-bumps and newborn photography. Strive for natural beauty and story in documenting this beautiful time. There’s more to the new life you’ve brought into the world, then wrapping your baby in a blanket curled up on a bed or couch.

Some time ago I wrote a relevant and helpful article on maternity photography entitled: No Cheese with my Maternity Pics Pleez! It contains useful information on how to prepare for your maternity photography session. It’ll make the session even more enjoyable, and will allow you to be in the moment. If you’ve commissioned the Studio, we will also spend as much time as you need during pre-photo session consultations to bring out the best in everybody. We’ll work with you and guide the photo session to capture not just your body, newborn or toddler, but a piece of your personality and the journey of creating a family.

Get in touch today and we’ll tell your story in all its natural beauty. We serve Toronto (Canada) and surrounding areas. We travel to you, too.

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Do we have a photography workshop for you!

Dean — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 02:13:24 +0000

Join us for our 2013 Photography Workshop Season. My First Camera: Essentials for Everyone is now open for registration. Visit the Education area of the website for all the workshop details.

We’ve designed new half day photo-walk workshops guaranteed to stimulate and educate the photographer in you. We’re excited about what we’ve in store, and are celebrating!

On Facebook? This is for you:

That’s right! Like us on Facebook, and save 80% on your next workshop.

Not on Facebook? Not to worry. You can save 80% as well. Click here.

For a limited time only.

See you at the next workshop.

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New Artwork Now Available / special introductory pricing

Dean — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:00:13 +0000

We’re happy to present “View of waterfront home architecture during winter storm.” Captured this past winter on Toronto’s beach waterfront, the blowing snow throughout the frame makes for a truly beautiful scene.

We’ve priced this piece to suit almost every price point, so if you’re new to art collecting, this is a perfect piece to begin with.

To help you get started, you can own it for as little as $85. That’s 50% off! Place an online order and use promotional code BeautifulWinter during checkout.

Click here to view in our Store Gallery.
Use promotional code BeautifulWinter to save an incredible 50%.
Limited time offer expires in two weeks. *

This is a photograph meant to be viewed in a large format. We love to show it off, so get in touch to see it in person.

* Limited time offer expires May 1st, 2013. Sales tax and delivery will be added to your order.

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Sun shines on a sunflower field / Hungary

Dean — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 22:35:22 +0000

In 2003 I travelled to one of my favourite destinations: Hungary. While there I captured some images. I wasn’t photographing professionally at the time, but didn’t travel without a camera. I still want to have a return visit.

The interesting point for me to remember is that in 2003 I was only shooting with medium format and 35mm film. Digital photography was in its infancy. So, these pictures have a bit of history, as they were captured on film, but enhanced digitally.

Golden sun shines across a sunflower field in Hungary. Agriculture is important to Hungary’s economy. Hungary produces wheat, corn, sunflower, potatoes, sugar beets, pigs, cattle, poultry, and dairy products. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is in the family of Asteraceae. It has a strong central root system and several rich side roots. Its stalk is strong and depending on the type it is 1.5-2.5 metres tall. Sunflower is the one of the most important industrial crops in Hungary and has the highest annual production in the group of oil plants. The oil produced from sunflower is mainly used for food purposes, but is also an important raw material for margarine and soap manufacturing. The by-product arising after cold pressing is rich in proteins and is used as an animal feed. “Green” fertilizers and other feeding materials are also produced from sunflowers.
(© Dean Oros Photo + Design)

I also remember most of Europe was experiencing a heat wave, and I prayed as the miles passed that the air conditioning in my host’s Lexus (which he imported from Canada), would not die out. We put in a lot of mileage all over Hungary during my stay. I was researching Hungarian wines, and visited both small and large wineries. And as a side note, there are wonderful wines produced in Hungary that do not make it to Canada.

My host, Laci, was a Hungarian-Canadian TV journalist. We produced a one hour documentary together about Dora De Pedery-Hunt during her 90th Birthday, 4 years before she passed away in Toronto. Dora was a Hungarian Canadian who designed many of Canada’s coins. The documentary is part of Omni Television’s Signature Series. You can view more about it here.

What I didn’t know prior to my arrival in Budapest was that sunflower production is a mainstay of Hungarian agriculture. Acre upon acre of sunflower fields adorned either side of our country road driving. Sunlight shimmering across vast fields of tall sunflowers is beautiful to see.

Though I didn’t make a lot of images from that trip, there is a small collection in the studio store. I’ll feature some of them on the blog in the coming weeks. Or, you can visit the Hungary Collection in the store here.

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Matthew / pop-up kid in black and white

Dean — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:26:46 +0000

We’ve been sharing pop-up kid portraits in colour lately, which means we haven’t been sharing in black and white. Seeing that the project originally started as the latter, let’s change that up.

Introducing Matthew! As usual with most children I photographed for this project, we had fun, but only for five minutes max. We did something to make him laugh and appear so bashful. Wish I could remember…!

About the 100 Pop-Up Kids Series:

By connecting with children in five minutes or less, my hope was to bring out a characteristic each child wanted to share. What captured my attention was the inherent intelligence and personality children displayed while having fun in front of my camera.

One of the things I love about this series is that kids were photographed no matter how they looked. Crazy-messy hair? Perfect! Wrinkled t-shirts? Fine by me. Portraits were created using a pop-up studio. No make-up, hair, or wardrobe stylists were used.

You can view the on-going Pop-Up Kids Series by clicking here.

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You Don’t Make a Photo Just with a Camera. So said Ansel Adams.

Dean — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:32:18 +0000

I came across an interesting quote by Ansel Adams. While I agree with what he said, it’s really just scratching the surface:

“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” – Ansel Adams

I’d add to it:

“You bring with it everything experienced in your life to date, and infuse it with an innate feeling of the moment, with perhaps, an eye towards your view or understanding of the future.”

When I came across this school portrait of a little me, I was reminded how innocent and hopeful we can be as children with our entire lives ahead of us. And how we view the world because of it.

Little Me

Philip Guston, I think, said it best. I learned about him two years ago when visiting the Art Gallery of Ontario for the Abstract Expressionist New York exhibit (which you can read about in an earlier post here).

He was quoted as saying:

“I should like to paint like a man who has never seen a painting.” – Philip Guston

That quote has always stuck with me. Imagine having a completely blank canvas in your mind when viewing and photographing the world. That state of mind can never exist. But if it were possible, I imagine it might be beautiful and ethereal.

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