Fucking Cameras, How Do They Work?
December 13, 2020 2:28 PM Subscribe
Bartosz Ciechanowski explains how cameras and lenses work by building a simple camera from first principles, aided by plenty of interactive simulations.
I've only skimmed it, but this looks really thoughtful. I look forward to using it (with permission, hopefully) when teaching. Neat!
My first year in college, a professor told us at the start of a class that we'd be skipping all of geometric optics because "everybody knows it already and it's boring," or something similar. I sure as hell didn't know it and had to learn what little I know now on the fly while building novel instruments for which the optical elements shouldn't have been the hard part. Can't say I've used much of the stuff that we actually did cover in that particular class.
posted by eotvos at 3:27 PM on December 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
My first year in college, a professor told us at the start of a class that we'd be skipping all of geometric optics because "everybody knows it already and it's boring," or something similar. I sure as hell didn't know it and had to learn what little I know now on the fly while building novel instruments for which the optical elements shouldn't have been the hard part. Can't say I've used much of the stuff that we actually did cover in that particular class.
posted by eotvos at 3:27 PM on December 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
Also, I've learned the hard way that ICP magnets references only work for a very, very narrow range of audiences today. But, for what it's worth, I giggled.
posted by eotvos at 3:30 PM on December 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by eotvos at 3:30 PM on December 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
One thing I've learned from hanging out on MetaFilter is that ICP and their crew are less icky than one might think from viewing them from the outside. Tolerant and accepting to begin with.
posted by hippybear at 4:06 PM on December 13, 2020 [12 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 4:06 PM on December 13, 2020 [12 favorites]
This is the guy with the best interactive essay about the Earth's tilt, orbit, and consequent seasons!
That thing is great, and I'm off to go read this one. I've got high hopes that I will once again be shown something I thought I understood, only to be given new perspective.
posted by Acari at 5:11 PM on December 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
That thing is great, and I'm off to go read this one. I've got high hopes that I will once again be shown something I thought I understood, only to be given new perspective.
posted by Acari at 5:11 PM on December 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
All I really need to know I learned in The Flintstones.
posted by fairmettle at 1:46 AM on December 14, 2020
posted by fairmettle at 1:46 AM on December 14, 2020
The amount of work, dedication and skill that went into this ... nothing to add other than: wow. A masterpiece.
posted by romanb at 4:34 AM on December 14, 2020
posted by romanb at 4:34 AM on December 14, 2020
All I really need to know I learned in The Flintstones.
It's a living...
posted by DreamerFi at 6:46 AM on December 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
It's a living...
posted by DreamerFi at 6:46 AM on December 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
This is amazing. Forwarded to many people.
posted by notsnot at 7:21 AM on December 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by notsnot at 7:21 AM on December 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
One thing I've learned from hanging out on MetaFilter is that ICP and their crew are less icky than one might think from viewing them from the outside.That several ICP artists, GZA, and Dolly Parton have turned out to be among the most thoughtful and outspoken celebrity musicians of the last few years is not something I would have predicted. High-school me would be embarrassed by the dismissive things I'm sure I said about them. I think I owe that knowledge to mefi.
Like skateboarders, I don't fundamentally understand their aesthetic choices, but I'm pretty sure they all make the world better rather than worse.
posted by eotvos at 11:52 PM on December 14, 2020
I love interactive essays like this, with sliders and graphs and diagrams. Thank you!
posted by swift at 2:44 PM on December 17, 2020
posted by swift at 2:44 PM on December 17, 2020
This was, indeed, excellent.
If I could talk to the author, I would offer my thanks and appreciation. And make a plea for a 'significant digits / measurement uncertainty' essay. I know that it would be amazing!
posted by Acari at 12:31 PM on December 18, 2020
If I could talk to the author, I would offer my thanks and appreciation. And make a plea for a 'significant digits / measurement uncertainty' essay. I know that it would be amazing!
posted by Acari at 12:31 PM on December 18, 2020
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posted by bz at 2:50 PM on December 13, 2020 [1 favorite]