The Perception Of Proportion

“How big is it? How long does it last? These are the most basic questions a scientist can ask about a thing. They are so basic to the way people conceptualize the world that it is not easy to see that they imply a certain bias. They suggest that size and duration, qualities that depend on scale, are qualities with meaning, qualities that can help describe an object or classify it. … Scale is important.”
~ James Gleick, Chaos: Making a New Science

I had spent years trying to click people free photos or cropping them out completely, until I realised the importance of scale. Of the need for a point of reference to aid perception. Especially in the case of monumental architecture or spectacular landscapes.

I do still forget sometimes. Here are a few instances where I didn’t (or just got plain lucky.):

A devout Buddhist nun meditating beside the Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath.

The two red clad figures at the base of the Tianlong (Sky Dragon) Bridge help percieve its dramatic proportions.

These tiny Masai figures on the floor of the Ngorongoro crater demonstrate the vastness of that space.

A young girl dwarfed by the humongous columns of the hipostyle hall of Karnak Temple.

The stepped Pyramid of Djoser – believed to be the earliest large-scale cut stone construction.

First sight of the Treasury at Petra. This is the accidental/lucky one: I waited a long time for that people free shot and finally ran out of patience!

Happy travels….no matter where life takes you.

PS: The thumbnail features Oscar Niemeyer’s  Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Niterói  (MAC) Brazil.