dave lackey
Veteran
You (we) are not physically the same person you were a few moments ago.
For the last year, I have watched a few of the thirteen episodes by Charlie Rose.... about the brain. Here is one free link to the first episode:
http://www.pfizer.com/think/episode_1.jsp
I tried the Charlie Rose website but keep getting errors.
So, I have been thinking about the brain and it's relationship, indeed it's being the critical part of photography. It seems that each moment, each experience creates, physically, changes in the brain. New synapses and interactions with a physically different brain.
Unlike the camera which does not grow or change with each shutter release (outside of some wear and tear), the brain goes the other way. So, with the right experiences, we can all become physically better photographers. With the wrong experiences, I presume that we can all become less.
Which is why the fight against depression should be waged with every waking moment. That is hard to do, BTDT. I think maybe the positive changes to the brain from positive experiences can cancel most of the negative changes to the brain but not sure if it a 1:1 relationship. Probably not as those negative experiences create negative synapses.
Photographically, IMO, we need to keep improving and enjoying our passion, or fall into the trap of having a brain influenced and physically changed by negatives.
Gets right back to: Enjoy life! It is later than you think.
For the last year, I have watched a few of the thirteen episodes by Charlie Rose.... about the brain. Here is one free link to the first episode:
http://www.pfizer.com/think/episode_1.jsp
I tried the Charlie Rose website but keep getting errors.
So, I have been thinking about the brain and it's relationship, indeed it's being the critical part of photography. It seems that each moment, each experience creates, physically, changes in the brain. New synapses and interactions with a physically different brain.
Unlike the camera which does not grow or change with each shutter release (outside of some wear and tear), the brain goes the other way. So, with the right experiences, we can all become physically better photographers. With the wrong experiences, I presume that we can all become less.
Which is why the fight against depression should be waged with every waking moment. That is hard to do, BTDT. I think maybe the positive changes to the brain from positive experiences can cancel most of the negative changes to the brain but not sure if it a 1:1 relationship. Probably not as those negative experiences create negative synapses.
Photographically, IMO, we need to keep improving and enjoying our passion, or fall into the trap of having a brain influenced and physically changed by negatives.
Gets right back to: Enjoy life! It is later than you think.
Sejanus.Aelianus
Veteran
The problem with depression is that it has two components, Dave.
The mental component can be influenced by training. The physical component is not amenable to any treatment of which I am aware and I've had the better part of 50 years looking. There are palliative treatments, of course, and I've found a regime that works, pretty much, for me.
Still, we're in good company, such as Winston Churchill and Spike Milligan!

The mental component can be influenced by training. The physical component is not amenable to any treatment of which I am aware and I've had the better part of 50 years looking. There are palliative treatments, of course, and I've found a regime that works, pretty much, for me.
Still, we're in good company, such as Winston Churchill and Spike Milligan!
gavinlg
Veteran
Now this is interesting - have bookmarked to watch tomorrow. Thanks Dave!
zauhar
Veteran
The problem with depression is that it has two components, Dave.
The mental component can be influenced by training. The physical component is not amenable to any treatment of which I am aware and I've had the better part of 50 years looking. There are palliative treatments, of course, and I've found a regime that works, pretty much, for me.
Still, we're in good company, such as Winston Churchill and Spike Milligan!
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Depression is tricky from another angle - it can represent a distinct physical pathology (I'm thinking of my late friend who suffered with manic depression throughout most of his life), or it can be a reaction to one's circumstances. Anyone who just lost their job and has no prospects in sight is depressed (plus panicked, angry, frightened), and for good reason.
Dave, maybe you are thinking of those on RFF who get frustrated and put their camera down to "take a break"?
Randy
dave lackey
Veteran
Depression is tricky from another angle - it can represent a distinct physical pathology (I'm thinking of my late friend who suffered with manic depression throughout most of his life), or it can be a reaction to one's circumstances. Anyone who just lost their job and has no prospects in sight is depressed (plus panicked, angry, frightened), and for good reason.
Dave, maybe you are thinking of those on RFF who get frustrated and put their camera down to "take a break"?
Randy
No, just me.
As we keep our grandkids a lot while their parents are working, I am more than ever conscious of giving them good life experiences. One of those is teaching them about photography and appreciation of art.
A fun job working with 6 and 7 year olds. Today, we are putting up our Christmas decorations with their help...a first for us. Then we will have our 12 days of Christmas culminating on Christmas Eve.
robert blu
quiet photographer
"One of those is teaching them about photography and appreciation of art."
They are lucky to have a grandfather like you
Yes, brain changes, we change, we should try to learn daily something new, maybe a small things...but keep trying...
robert
They are lucky to have a grandfather like you
Yes, brain changes, we change, we should try to learn daily something new, maybe a small things...but keep trying...
robert
paulfish4570
Veteran
i have one. i think ... 
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