Fractals

[Richter]

I really like the cross hair thing the first one has going! 

[Jasper]

The space one is now my new netbook background!  Very neat!

[Telarus]

I want to fuck your fractals

--Telarus' girl Mara aka Liv

[E.O.T.]

EITHER

          Your images have reeally advanced since this thread began. These newest ones are fucking cool. And I was sick of "fractals" like, 15 years ago. I'd like to know more about how you base the images and then expand to get these epic fractal-scapes. These are inspiring, for sue

OR

          Butt is it really art?

[E.O.T.]

EITHER

          You know Cram, 'sun temple' is basically the 'Helm of awe', or damn near any of the 'Helms', and really a great sort of, transposition of primal forms. The latter image, the 'outer space' flyfot or whatever, is straight up cave man shit done 2010. I can't tell you how much I like these new fractals! If you're into it, I'd love a low down on your method and what you were thinking.

OR

          The goddess said not to stare directly into the...

[Cramulus]

         Your images have reeally advanced since this thread began. These newest ones are fucking cool. And I was sick of "fractals" like, 15 years ago. I'd like to know more about how you base the images and then expand to get these epic fractal-scapes. These are inspiring, for sue

Thanks much!

I've been exploring fractals since 15 years, but I agree that my work has made progress over the last few weeks.

Mainly, it was experimenting with Apophysis, which is a pretty neat program. It's taken me a number of weeks to start to really figure out how the Apophysis' transform editor works. I still don't entirely get it, but I'm starting to get a sense for how to modify stuff to make it look a specific way.

ChaosPro (the program I was using at the beginning of this thread) is sort of like using a paint brush. You pick a fractal, and then basically zoom in until you have the image you want. You can tweak the palette, but you're somewhat limited in how much control you have. With Apophysis, on the other hand, you even less control. And that's what makes it interesting looking.

Working with the Transform editor is like working with a spray can - the paint comes out of the can, and you can guess roughly where it's going to land, but you never know for sure. Most of what you're doing is moving these little triangular fields around until you have something cool looking. Knowing how to manipulate the editor is like having different types of nozzles for the spray cans. Maybe your fractal has some swirl patterns, or some bubbles. I've found it challenging to make all the elements combine in a way which isn't just noise.

Over the last two weeks I've probably spent 20 hours just playing with Apophysis -- installing different plugins, going through tutorials, trying to figure out how to jockey the math. I still feel like a novice - the cats on deviant art are making much cooler stuff than I.

If you're into it, I'd love a low down on your method and what you were thinking.

This one is called Space Seven. I was trying to make interesting symmetrical patterns using julia transforms. Ironically, I was trying to make really "natural" looking fractals, and was shying away from far out colors like pinks and pastels. When this image emerged from the stew, I thought it would look good on fabric like some sort of Buddhist mandala. The pinks and greens also made me think of the colors you might see in deep space photographs. I tried putting the fractal onto fabric textures, but it wasn't really working, so I picked out an image from the hubble telescope. It's been manipulated a bit to keep everything roughly symmetrical.




I hadn't juxtaposed this with the Helm of Awe - interesting comparison! This image started as a perspective study. I discovered these really interesting details around the circumference and wanted to focus in on those. The gold radial markings reminded me in part of gold filigree and the big sun calendars that ancient people used to measure the seasons. Hence the name, "sun temple".



thanks for asking!


and thanks for the kind words, everybody. I appreciate it.  

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Wow, those really are awesome! Damn. Especially this one:

[Telarus]

I really want to do some 3d work with your fractals, Cram.....


Hmmm, maybe a project for today since I woke up before noon =P.

[phi]

The first of the second batch is like plaid.. pan-dimensional plaid.

I would definitely say that those last two are my favorites.

[fogukaup]

These are beautiful.  I'm taking a class on chaos theory, fractals, crystallography and a lil' bit of programming with Ralph Abraham. He would love your work too! Soon I will know the math behind the mysterious romanesco broccoli  and electric sheep.
Do make music by any chance?

[Triple Zero]

Ralph Abraham! I read a book by him where he was doing "trialogues" with Rupert Sheldrake and Terrence McKenna. Abraham was the only one not talking shit.

I wonder if I still have that book, I never finished it, afaik.

[fogukaup]

Ralph Abraham! I read a book by him where he was doing "trialogues" with Rupert Sheldrake and Terrence McKenna. Abraham was the only one not talking shit.

I wonder if I still have that book, I never finished it, afaik.

It's definitely a treat to watch the bearded genius present lectures out of memory and personal experience.  He won a grant that allowed him to teach the class he always wished he could, so this Math and Art  class is really an excuse for him to write another book, and use the lectures as an outline for his chapters. A genius and an opportunist. turns me on.

[Cramulus]

These are too large to post in-thread without it screwing up your browsing window. I'll post em at thumbnail size, but they should be viewed at full size.

[Bobby Campbell]

GD, Cram! These are crazy awesome too!!

[Ixxie]

Very impressive work! Awesome!