It's one of the classic photographs of all time, taken by
Harold Edgerton, a pioneer in high speed photography, in 1957. No more
than a drop of milk falling on a plate. But until someone attempted to
examine what it really looks like, who knew that it would produce such
a captivating image. There is apparently a great deal of scientific information
that can be culled from the use of high speed photography, but for me the
most important lesson to be learned from that tool relates to the unexpected
beauty of the natural world. My own small contribution to the ever-expanding
body of knowledge to which masters candidates are required to add is no
doubt destined to go unnoticed by the vast majority of humanity. But that
doesn't mean that when viewed under the proper circumstances it isn't a
thing of beauty.
