Measuring the Blueness of the Sky

 

The Cyanometer, an instrument invented in 1789 by Horace-Bénédict de Saussure and used by the famous explorer Alexander von Humboldt to measure the blueness of the sky. Originally a scientific tool used to study the atmospheric moisture and particle content, a darker blue reading indicated less water vapour, while a lighter, whiter blue suggested more moisture or pollution.  The original design consisted of 52 or 53 shades of Prussian Blue on a circular card. Contemporary interpretations of the cyanometer have appealed to artists, particularly as a guide for accurately mixing sky colours in paintings. They range from DIY YouTube tutorial videos using watercolours to studies of the optimal combination of modern pigments needed to simulate the sky's full chromatic range.

This video was prepared by an AI, Google’s Notebook LM, to summarise some key sources that collectively establish the cyanometer's historical significance, its scientific function, and its continued relevance as an artistic and educational tool for studying colour and the environment.

Colour Composition - complimentary colours

Complimentary colours, those on opposite sides of the colour wheel generally make for an interesting composition.

Color Matters is an excellent site to brush on some of the basics of colour theory

BLUE Colour #photoassignment

Looking in my camera bag I can see some important stuff for keeping my Camera Healthy and Clean, which just happens to be Blue. For the lens there are the blower and lens pen and that black microfiber cloth supplied with your camera. The blue "fannel" is also microfiber and ideal to wipe down the outside of the camera (every day after use). You can wash microfiber cloths in the washing. The Blue zip wallet has a spare battery and extra SD cards.

Camera hygiene can be as important as washing your hands as well.

Look @ Me

A peacock shows off for us

Choosing can be the challenge

It was a very grey overcast afternoon, not that exciting for summer or photography. Yet there are a few flowers bringing a little brightness to the garden. Now the problem is choosing which should be my daily photo post?

Wow I’ve made it to my 50th. Daily Photo.

PhotoFriday :: Blue Hour Skyline

For PhotoFriday‘s topic Skyline

PhotopFriday :: Water Planet I

Water Planet I :: A polar transformation of the surf

For PhotoFriday‘s topic Circle

PhotoProject :: In Search of the Blue Hour

The past two night have had the classic crescent moon close to a bright planet Venus not long after sunset. This is the blue hour when you can get some wonderful photos as the sky is still partly light and the deep sky is still a little blue not yet black. However this is the time of extended long exposures, so A tri[od is pretty essential, and keeping if vibration free can be a hassle. First step is turning off the anti-shake and the second trick is to use the self timer (I just use the 2 second delay). The other big issue at night is focusing, which can be a challenge for most autofocus system, so it if better to manually focus.Finally there is lost of advice about exposure setting for night scenes,and it a compromise between higher ISO (and inevitable higher noise) and lower F-stops (so decreasing depth of focus) and slow shutter speeds (giving high risk of camera movement blur). These compromises are not so well handled by the light meters in most camera, so it is usually much better to work in manual mode and take a few test shots.A similar configuration of the moon and venus will exist during the blue hour for the next couple of days.

PhotoFriday :: Into a Distant Blue Yonder

Somewhere over Java

For PhotoFriday‘s topic Distant

Seeking Shelter (before the storm)

Ibis seeking shelter as the storm front arroves

PhotoFriday :: Blue

Flight into the Blue Yonder

For PhotoFriday‘s topic blue

Blue Skies

I was taking some clouds when a jet flew over leaving a long contrails ( or chemtrails if your a  conspiracy theorist) or maybe it was dumping fuel, but it did leave a fascinating bright streak across a bright blue sky.

Yellow Spires

Light Breeze

PhotoFriday :: Blur in Blue

 For PhotoFriday‘s topic Blur

ThePatch :: Toy on Parade & Transportation

It is the last outing for my virtual creation the Blue Lego Guy on the Patch, and it was about transportation. I was down at Point Lonsdale and a lot of the things to move around looked like fun, but they where possibly more sport than pure transportation. Anyway why deny the Blue Lego Guy some fun.

I had photographed cars, boats & even container ships, but the guy didn’t look happy. Then I realised he needed to be with lego, real lego. So my young grandson helped out again. This time building a technical lego monster truck. The Blue Lego Guy was in his element helping out.

PhotoFriday :: Into the Abyss

into the abyss

not the film, more into a deep reflective dream

For PhotoFriday‘s topic Moody

PhotoFriday :: Solitude

 

For PhotoFriday‘s topic Solitude

PhotoFriday :: Big Sky Panorama

Another Big Sky Multi-image Stitched panorama, finished with “hand painted” (using Corel photo paint) edges. This series was taken about 5 minutes before the dark skies over the lake series.

For PhotoFriday‘s topic Sky

PhotoFriday ::Vanishing points (and posts)

For PhotoFriday‘s topic Perspective