By Shelley Penner
Website: shelleypenne0.wix.com/pennergallery
Email: shelleypenner@gmail.com
Peacock’s Tail Apophysis 2.0 –
fractal #1
Two definitions for the word ‘fractal’:
- Patterns in chaos – the tendency for similar or related elements to grow and
act in similar ways, which creates repetitive patterns within the apparent
randomness of nature.
- Artwork created by applying color gradients to mathematical equations that create detailed and virtually infinite repeating patterns.
Frosty Grass Ultra
Fractal – fractal #2
Gerber Daisy Center
Ultra Fractal – fractal # 3
The average human brain is only designed to recognize and deal with a very
limited amount of data at one time. Any excess just confuses us and we perceive
it as an indecipherable, unmanageable mess, which we call chaos. But in
actuality, there is no such thing as chaos.
Sea Foam Ultra
Fractal – fractal # 4
Nature only appears chaotic when viewed at close range, because our minds are
overwhelmed by all the countless and minute details of which nature is composed.
Step back and take a larger view – the details disappear and chaos assumes a
flow and rhythm of repeating patterns. For example, waves pounding a shoreline
-- each wave is individual and unique; each wave is generated and directed by a
multitude of varying factors and influences too numerous to comprehend. Yet seen
from a hundred feet in the air, they all follow a set series of patterns that in
turn erode the shoreline into a repeating pattern of curving beaches and
headlands. Each wave is different, each shoreline is uniquely detailed, but the
overall pattern is repeated again and again with infinite small variations on
coastlines around the world.
Tidal Pool with Sea Anemones Ultra Fractal –
fractal # 5
So what is it that creates these patterns in nature? What gives order to the
chaos of details?
Potential, or rather the limits of potential, provide the guidelines that
marshal the details of nature into ordered patterns. Each tiny element of
creation has its part to play and a finite amount of energy with which to play
it, and when similar elements have similar limits to their potential, the same
outcome gets repeated over and over with just enough variation to spread the
results out into a pattern.
Tent Caterpillars Ultra Fractal
– fractal # 6
Artificial fractals created by mathematics work in a similar way. By dividing
the results back into the equation many, many times, you get a repeating pattern
of increasingly small numbers. Apply a range of colors to the numbers and you
can create images of incredible beauty that, interestingly enough, sometimes
reflect similar forms and patterns to those observed in nature.
Captive Barred Owl Apophysis
2.0 – fractal # 7
Frost on a Window Ultra
Fractal – fractal # 8
Viewed from close and personal range, nature is often messy, painful and cruel.
But viewed over a lifetime of seasons, the flux and flow of nature assumes the
dynamic power of waves on a shoreline, and viewed from the standpoint of
planetary biological history, it takes on the grace and elegance of a repeating
pattern of rise and fall, in and out, Creation breathing and pulsing with the
vigorous, dynamic energy that permeates all matter.
Pale Swallowtail
Apophysis 2.0 – fractal # 9
Apophysis is a freeware program created by Mark Townsend, who says he gives it
away for free because he “wants to promote the creation of beauty”. Every time
you open the program, it generates new equations, which you can then color and
manipulate in a multitude of ways to create new images. Apophysis fractals are
called ‘flames’. You can download Apophysis software here: http://apophysis.org/downloads.html
Nootka Rose Ultra
Fractal – fractal # 10
Ultra Fractal is a dynamic fractal explorer that starts with equations created
by talented mathematicians. You can zoom deeper and deeper into the details,
apply color gradients and algorithm and stack layers to change the patterns.
Cost ranges from $39 to $129 US, depending on which edition you buy. I really
recommend the Creative Edition ($69 US), which can do layers. Layers add a whole
new dimension and are so fun to play with! You can purchase Ultra Fractal
here: http://www.ultrafractal.com.
Shelley Penner is a professional artist and amateur photographer, living and
working on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The website below includes many
galleries of her photos as well her paintings, fractals and other art forms
.Website: shelleypenne0.wix.com/pennergallery
Email: shelleypenner@gmail.com
Links to additional Resources on Fractals & Chaos
-
Ultra Fractal software for Macs
Credits: The Canadian Nature Photographer
