Examining Leonardo's "Brain", a photo from Glasgow, Scotland

Photographer's Note

Please click here for a larger version of this photograph on "beta" TE.

We were very fortunate in Scotland that Glasgow's Kelvingrove Gallery recently hosted not only "Dippy" the Dinosaur but also several original drawings from the Royal Collection of Leonardo da Vinci's works.

Of course, this "Leonardo Exhibition" proved to be very well attended and so very busy and it was quite difficult to spend much time examining each of the dozen or so drawings which were all quite small. Not only that, but the light levels were very low, presumably in an effort to reduce as much as possible any damage to these drawings which were over 500 years old. Obviously, flash photography and tripods were prohibited.

This lady was spending some time studying (and photographing with her mobile 'phone) one of Leonardo's anatomical drawings - this one being of a dissection of a human brain, a wonderfully detailed and accurate sketch.

I'm afraid that this picture is a bit grainy but this was the best I could do considering the low light levels.

ISO 2500, 1/30 sec at f/4, focal length 40mm.

I shall add a photo of the drawing itself as a workshop.

Tue, pajaran, jean113, papagolf21, snunney, Royaldevon, COSTANTINO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (93536) 2019-05-09 10:09

Hello John,
I think the Italian Renaissance artists spent a lot of time in morgues dissecting corpses to find out what humans look like inside, so these sketches should no doubt be quite correct. It's fantastic that so much remains from Leonardo's production more than 500 years ago, so seeing some of his sketches, and to be able to take photos of them, is certainly a "decisive moment". The inclusion of this woman makes your photo more interesting. I wonder if she liked what she saw on her screen.
Kind regards,
Gert

Tue (82988) 2019-05-09 10:12

Hello John,
A great photo with a good encounter between the museum visitor and the beautiful drawing by Leonardo. Your picture reveals the details of the drawing very well. The composition has also got a good balance between the art and the lady with her phone. Very well done.
Lars

jean113 (22533) 2019-05-09 12:48

Hello John, an interesting post, and how fortunate for you to be able to view some of Leonardo's drawings.
I like the balance of the composition with the framed work and the woman with her camera/phone.
Thank you for the extra shot showing the piece in close up.
Kind regards Jean.

papagolf21 (152603) 2019-05-09 23:13

Bonjour, cher John,
Parfois, lors d'une visite de musée, l'on se demande ce qui est plus intéressant, la posture du visiteur, la mise en image, etc.
Bravo pour le résultat très réussi.
Très bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

emka (153340) 2019-05-10 0:01

Hello John, I am sure that our friend Bulent, Leonardo expert would be delighted to see this exhibition. Amazing that so many drawings are well preserved. Nice picture with the visitor examining the view of the brain. Leonardo was very accurate in his sketches, useful not only as of the works of arts but probably also for the medical students. Excellent composition.

KInd regards Malgo

photographer_sg (6059) 2019-05-10 0:24

Hello John
A simple but very appealing composition with the woman photographing a sketch. Excellent framing and the woman's dark clothes contrast very well with the grey and light brown tones. Very good light and sharpness.
Cheers!
Satya

lousat (130545) 2019-05-10 0:54

Hi John,i'm happy to see a post dedicated to one of the most famous genius of my country! Nice composition as the main pic,made in Rob "Alvaraalto" style...ehehe...and the WS showing the brain is absolutely perfect despite the difficult light and no flash available as i can read in your note,well done! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Nicou (193806) 2019-05-10 1:34

Hello

Une petit image pour revoir à la maison cette œuvre d'art quelle vue et scène et ce tableau très belle scène de cette dame dans cette exposition superbe.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

snunney (130967) 2019-05-10 2:09

Hello John,
Excellent capture from the exhibition. You have been able to create an interesting juxtaposition between the 500 year old sketch and the twenty-first century lady with her camera smartphone. I wonder Leonardo would have made of that?

Royaldevon (76672) 2019-05-10 3:38

Hello John,

This is a really good interior shot.
Your high ISO worked just as you intended.

I find it absolutely amazing that we still have access to works, like this, which are so old and not necessarily produced to be displayed.
Your close-up of the drawing and the interested visitor makes an excellent shot.
There is a perfect link between her, her camera and the drawing.

When I started posting on this site, I would never have considered cropping the side of a head but we can see just how well this close-crop, composition works!

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

carlo62 (81265) 2019-05-10 8:37

Ciao John
abito a pochi chilometri dalla casa natale di Leonardo da Vinci.
Mi piace molto la tua foto, anche io cerco sempre di inserire una persona vicina a una pittura o un disegno.
Buon we
Carlo

CLODO (45094) 2019-05-11 5:51

Hi John

I feel I saw this exhibition in Manchester in late February, and as you I intended to take pictures with the people looking at them. I remember the darkness of the room, I feel you post processed in order to have brighter tones. Not sure of the result of the iphone.
Cheers
CLODO

[workshop] [compare] +

claudeD (47754) 2019-05-12 7:16

Hello John,

well choosen title and excellent note. Very good picture with an perfect sharpness and excellent light management. I like your contribution to TE here very much.Very well done.TFS.

With regards frpm Luxembourg

JC

Silvio1953 (206937) 2019-05-19 4:09

Ciao caro John, great view of fantastic Leonrdo's work, lovely composition with photographer in action, splendid sharpness and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

COSTANTINO (104975) 2019-05-21 12:54

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day
original version
a photo we usually see in our days
welldone and wellseen
regards
Costantino