Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/08/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Folks! Reaction time and stimuli are, scientifically, paired in an extremely interesting way. Reflexive reactions, such as the 'hammer on knee' check you might receive in a medical check. The 'flexor reaction' of your leg when you step on something that hurts, is VERY fast -- in some less than 10 milliseconds (the signal does not have to travel to the higher areas of the central nervous system. They just need to pass through the spinal cord and a couple of synapses). Yes - you are eventually aware of it, but it will happen with your eyes closed and ears not hearing a thing! Others, such as the trick of having a person hold their thumb and index finger 6 or so cm. apart, while you hold the bill vertically with the bottom edge between them. Ask them to catch it with their two fingers when you drop it and they can keep it. MOST of the time, they cannot (so watch the amount!) because that action is not reflexive, they it's the "ocular" path so to speak, that one of you had mentioned. There is a lot of processing that needs to take place from when the 'catcher' sees it fall and pinches her fingers. Wild animals are blessed with some actions that are reflexive for them, but most people, that help them evade predators or get dinner etc.... that sometimes makes photographing them, birds especially, very difficult. It also depends on the size and type of the neurons, type of muscle and junction, use of smell, etc....However, I suppose the point I am after is this -- most neuroscientists would agree that we can all be 'wired' differently, with multi pathways that provide the same end. Maybe some of the better 'peak action' photographers can be so in tune with their subject, camera, environment that their photography becomes more reflexive than contrived. Their camera, it's lag time, the sound and feel of it, becomes part of the whole. Perfect blend of human and machine working in harmony, such as great sports superstars or people who just 'know' what to do under certain circumstances. There are many possibilities! Really very interesting to think on! Ed - -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html