Why I photographed them this way

Using lasers to study micro organisms.

Why did you light it that way and why did you compose it a certain way are questions I not only get asked, but ask myself as I am working.

In the photo of the two lady researchers, I was asked to photograph their micro organism research.  Now when I get to these labs they do not have it setup most of the time. I first have a conversation and then I listen for the visual cues that can help tell their story.

The computer screen is actually a photograph through a microscope of what the laser is passing through and doing some measurements.  So for their research they wouldn't have this in the room setup like this.  I asked to put it there so you could quickly read what they are working on. I also wanted to show the laser so I also made this show up in the photo.

I chose the blue color to set the tone for research, but also realized it would complement the red color of the laser.

Do you think the photo reads quickly and yet at the same time makes you stop to look at it?

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Wearable computer research.

A cyborg is what this research is about.  This is where the human and machine are intertwined with each other. The wearable computer small screen is at the eye where the subject can use the information to do something. Here the information is to help the subject navigate around a city with information.

When I showed up I asked to see the information on the screen. I then asked if the information can be seen on some other monitor and the researcher pulled out their small monitor. I tried to bring everything closer together to help communicate what the researcher is seeing in their heads up display.

How did I do with this one?

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Another wearable computer

This was taken a couple years earlier than the photo above.  One thing I was noticing is the wearable device was getting smaller.

In this photo I was able to show the operator using the device to help repair a circuit board where the schematic could be in the viewfinder.

If I could redo this photo, I would have had a small monitor maybe showing what was in the viewfinder. Do you think it works this way, or would you like to see the contents on a screen in the photo?

What I am discovering over time is each time I encounter the newer technology, it builds upon earlier research. I can this the evolution and this often helps me understand some of the nuances of the advances in the research.

While the story in each situation was about what is on the screens and how the wearable technology is being embraced in more and more industries, there is another aspect that the photo helps communicate over time--the size changes and maybe even how they are developing more style with each new device improvement.

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Using virtual reality to help cure the fear of flying

Many of the research projects I get to photograph sometimes would work better as a video. However, your major newspapers and magazines primary audience is often the printed page. You still need to capture as much of the story in a single image and in a way that engages the viewer.

Combing elements into one image helps tell the story much better. Here the virtual head gear display with the computer screen in the background help communicate a little about what is going on for the subject. What would you suggest to make this more successful?

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Injection mold research

Does it get your attention? Hey that is the first point with all good photography--it has to stop the reader.  I put separate light and gel on the mold so you would be drawn to it.  The grid light on the subject is also catching the front of the mold as well.

The researcher is trying to help with making more accurate parts through injection molds. Depending on the materials a mold may have to be adjusted in size to make up for how the part either will shrink or get bigger through the process of making it. Many times these parts come out and then are put into a kiln and heated to very high temperatures. This is done a lot with ceramics, which is what is used a great deal in our products we use.

How did I do with this photo?