Visualize This
So I came across an interesting talk on TED the other day. Yes, I know all the talks on TED are interesting but this one really spoke to me. David McCandless hits the nail on the head when it comes to visualizing data. He refers to graphically representing information as almost another language which is so true.
In my job, I'm responsible for communicating both up and down the food chain. Primarily up. I have people who in turn communicate up to me. I'm constantly harping on my people about the importance of visually representing the information they are trying to communicate. I'm big on clear, accurate, simple, colourful graphs, charts, displays, etc. I don't communicate well with numbers and words. I don't know if it's a form of dyslexia but even while I'm having a conversation with a colleague that pertains to any form of data, I need to visually represent that data in my head. I'm often, if not always, instinctively grabbing several colours of dry erase markers and going up to the whiteboard to 'draw' our conversation.
Now, i know this presentation is on how visualizing data can put greater perspective on information and not necessarily how visualization is necessary for better understanding. I, on the other hand, can only comprehend information through visualization. So when McCandless starts to go through his slides and talk about how this opens up opportunities for communication, I could completely connect with what he's saying.
It's possible if not probable that everyone is like this. I know there are people, even on my team here at work, that can 'talk numbers'. I envy them. And they don't understand why I send back their reports and ask them to add 'more colour'...
Bardwell & McAlister Spotlight
Went to a moving sale for a photo studio on Saturday. They were selling the stuff they clearly don't use anymore... for many reasons. And they've been around for many years.
I was hoping to get some stands and softboxes to put together a mini home studio but the only decent stock they had was sold before we got there. However, they did have this keg style modeling spotlight with barn doors on sale. I have no idea how old this is but it works! And... it's cool!
And it was cheap. Very cheap. At the very least, we could gut the insides and turn it into an actual lamp which our loft desperately needs.
Anyway... that was the highlight of our weekend.
Ready for Class
So it took much longer than I was anticipating. I couldn't settle on just 12 images. I think I have just over 20. Some of which are now on flickr.
It's late so I'll talk more about the class later. What I can say now is that I really, really, really dig taking nude photos.
Good night.
Stay Tuned
So my weekend has comprised of whittling down 200+ photos from my last photo class to 12 decent shots. I thought I was going to have a hard time finding 12 but it's even harder to decide which ones are better than others. That's not saying I have dozens of Life Magazine worthy photos and really deserve to present them all to display my greatness... it's just hard to pick out a few from so many. You certainly start to question your judgement. I try and pretend that it's all about what I like but really? Is that true? Don't we really do what everyone else likes? I could select photo 'A' and delete photo 'B' because I like photo 'A' more. But really, photo 'B' may be the 'better' picture. Thoughts like that cripple me.
Anyway, I'm down to 62 pictures. I need to delete 50 more. Sigh.
Did I mention they were nude photos?