Calibration of my eye and mind
Calibration at zero point when sea and sky are joint by invisible line
What is calibration?
Calibration is the process of finding a relationship between two unknown quantities. The device with the known or assigned correctness is standard. The second device is the unit under test, in my case, the photographer's eye (or mind). Calibrating white balance in digital cameras is adjusting colors to the natural. To assure proper colors we calibrate instruments and printers, and we calibrate monitors. Manufacturers calibrate lenses, and we should calibrate them on our camera too. But how to calibrate the photographer’s eye and mind?
Calibration of the human eye and mind refers to the process by which our perception of reality is aligned with external stimuli and objective information. Our senses, particularly our vision and cognitive processes, are not perfect and can sometimes lead to biases, inaccuracies, and misinterpretations. Calibrating the human eye and mind involves several factors:
Perceptual Biases and Illusions: Our eyes can be susceptible to various perceptual biases and illusions, where we misinterpret visual information due to the way our brain processes it. Calibrating involves recognizing and understanding these biases and learning to perceive things accurately.
Sensory Adaptation: Our senses can adapt to different stimuli over time, which can affect our perception. For instance, spending time in a dimly lit room can cause your eyes to adapt to low-light conditions, making brighter environments seem overly intense when you step outside. Calibrating involves being aware of these adaptations and accounting for them when interpreting sensory information.
Cognitive Biases: Our minds can also be subject to cognitive biases, which are systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment. These biases can influence how we interpret information and make decisions. Calibrating involves being aware of common cognitive biases and actively working to minimize their impact on our thinking.
Confirmation Bias: This bias involves seeking out and interpreting information in a way that confirms our preexisting beliefs. Calibrating involves consciously seeking out diverse perspectives and information that challenge our assumptions.
Critical Thinking: Developing strong critical thinking skills is an important part of calibrating the mind. This involves evaluating information, sources, and arguments in a logical and objective manner to arrive at well-reasoned conclusions.
Learning and Education: Continuously learning about various subjects can help calibrate the mind by expanding knowledge and providing a broader context for interpreting new information. Education helps to refine our understanding of the world and reduce misconceptions.
Feedback and Correction: Regularly seeking feedback from others and being open to correction helps us identify areas where our perception or understanding might be off-kilter. Adjusting based on constructive feedback can aid in calibration.
Mindfulness and Self-awareness: Practicing mindfulness can help us become more aware of our own thoughts, biases, and emotions. This self-awareness is crucial for recognizing when our perceptions might be skewed and making adjustments.
Scientific Method: Embracing the scientific method involves forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and rigorously testing assumptions. This approach helps in aligning our understanding with empirical evidence.
Personal Growth: Engaging in personal growth activities, such as meditation, introspection, and self-reflection, can enhance our ability to perceive the world more accurately and make more informed decisions.
When to calibrate?
Views and feelings of the world around a photographer drift over time. It is necessary to calibrate it at regular intervals and ensure feeling the world is still there.
My basic visual calibration process and frequency of interval depend on the environment.
I calibrate myself when I don’t see composition and detail when I pass by colors, street scenes, or portraits.
I use calibration for:
a new travel
after a long period of inactivity
before and/or after a critical photo session
after a shock, exposed to an adverse condition that may have put me out of human feelings
whenever observation appears questionable
How to?
How do I recognize fine art calibration standards? Empty flat space, monochromatic, with or without a line dividing the observation window. It can be more than a line, it can be a curve, a color, or two. It is like an empty canvas in front of a painter, a nightmare for all artists. But this nightmare is calibration. An empty canvas or empty space is a new beginning, which is the calibration zero point. When I find my zero point I reset myself and make a shot. If I can see emptiness I know I will see the beauty of the surroundings. Now I have a zero point, but how about the maximal value? How to find my range of seeing? I check for a colorful element, it can be anything with a multi-color surface. More colors, more colors cacophony, better my eye and mind calibration.
Overall, calibrating the human eye and mind is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, critical thinking, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt one's perspective based on new information and experiences.
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