EINSTEIN'S OFFICE, a photo from New Jersey, Northeast

Photographer's Note

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY

Founded in 1930-'31 by the Bamberger family (of the department store fame), the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, has been one of the great think tanks of America. Abraham Flexner, who had earlier been a driving force in elevating the Johns Hopkins University Medical Center into a preeminent institution, was visiting the University of Oxford in the late 1920s. Oxford is a federation of thirty-odd colleges, and Flexner had come upon one college—All Souls (founded in the fifteenth century)—that had scholars but no students. He was impressed by the notion that cutting-edge scholarship could be carried out by scholars who were unencumbered by the need to teach classes, hold office-hours, and otherwise perform routine academic tasks. Upon his return to the United States Flexner convinced the Bambergers of the benefits of establishing a similar institution in America. The Bambergers became enthusiastic, granting Flexner five million dollars for the enterprise and purchasing seven hundred acres of choice Princeton landscape.

Flexner was appointed the first director of the Institute, and one of his initial projects would be to try to recruit Albert Einstein, recognized already as the most famous living scientist. Flexner immediately journeyed back to Oxford, where he found Einstein “hanging out between jobs,” and offered him a position at the new institution. Einstein responded that he “had offers from Princeton University, Oxford University and Caltech to join their faculties, but was still undecided.” He added, “however, [he] was leaning toward the offer from Princeton University.” (Princeton was the first academic institution to accept relativity.) “But then,” he asked, “at your place (also to be located in the town of Princeton) I would not have to teach?” Assured that he would have no classes (Einstein was a notoriously poor lecturer), he accepted the job. Then the question of salary became an issue. “How much do you think you would require for a salary?” Flexner asked. Einstein, with his considerable mathematical prowess, answered, “Three thousand dollars a year would be just right.” “That cannot be,” countered Flexner, “we are paying everyone else $16,000. We should pay you at least as much.” Einstein protested, “$3000 would be satisfactory.” Flexner, reluctantly agreed to pay Einstein only $3,000 a year. But fortunately for the Einstein family, Mrs. Einstein renegotiated, and Einstein started receiving the standard $16,000.

As a theoretical physicist I’ve had several stints at the Institute for Advanced Study, beginning in 1974, nineteen years after Einstein had passed away in 1955. I even had an office one summer located next to the one Albert Einstein had used. When I had an especially difficult problem, I would put my head against the wall, but there was no help. The vibrations had long since attenuated. Nonetheless, the place was one of inspiration.

I shot the photo in 1986, using a Nikon F camera loaded with Kodachrome 25 slide film, and only recently scanned it for posting on TE.

Angshu, gracious, Traveller, Tezic, stego, sothy81, keribar, salvator, dareco marcou esta nota como útil

Critiques | Translate

Angshu (56760) 2006-12-28 0:34

Hello Bulent
I like this shot...first from the visual aspect & secondly the subject. As a photograph the ingredients are right with the path bounded by snow leading us to this building which I consider as landmark. The scan quality is excellent too. A well written note which helps me know something new..I like the last but one para, I'm sure it would have been quite an experience
Withing you the very best for the new year
With Regards
Angshu (B subject exponent)
PS : I'm searching for your book Math & Mona Lisa in India...hope I'll get it

gracious (20025) 2006-12-28 0:50

Hello Bulent,
great composition with clarity, nice colour, details all round.
The subject is well presented!
thank you for sharing
cheers
Tony
Happy new year!!

ayniLL (0) 2006-12-28 1:17

çok etkileyici ve guzel fotograflarla bize gezdiginiz yerleri tanıtıyorsunuz... fotograflarınıza bakmak ve infoları okumak büyük bir zevk
teşekkürler,iyi yıllar

Tezic (17867) 2006-12-28 2:04

Merhaba Bülent Bey,

Fotoğrafın derinliği ve kadrajı harika olmuş... Nikon F ve Kodachrome 20 yıl önce bile olsa sayenizde enfes bir birliktelikle harika bir iş çıkarmış... Tebrikler...

***MUTLU YILLAR***

atilgone (0) 2006-12-28 4:15

Merhaba Bülent Bey,

Sizde muhteşem bir fotoğraf arşivi var. Çok güzel anılarınızı paylaşıyorsunuz bizlerle. Çoşkun Bey'in dediği gibi 20 yıl öncesi ekipmanlar çok iyi iş çıkarmış. Paylaşımınız için teşekkürler.
Selamalar...

UnTrained (0) 2006-12-28 9:34

Hi Bülent,
thanks for this excellent historical note enriched with this capture. It is a bit blue, but very high quality for a scan in light and sharpness. I do not talk about the nice composition with the leading road to the building.
Cheers, Ulf

stego (24132) 2006-12-28 12:42

Hello Bulent,

These scans of relatively old films allways impress me very well, both for themselves and for the interesting stories on your well written notes. This one s another example of that.

It's a beautiful photo, with a wise pov and charming winter atmosphere.
The only things less good are the blue dominant (consequence of the combined efect of the sky, snow and scan?) and the slight tilt.

Best regards,
José.

thea0211 (1365) 2006-12-28 13:50

hello bulent,
good capture, as angshu says - both the image and the story - i'm sure it was quite interesting to be there ... maybe the vibrations where still there - maybe you didn't listen long enough :)
thanks for sharing and take care,
dora

maximage (15537) 2006-12-28 15:53

Bonsoir Bulent,
Très belle image bien composée avec une belle lumière. Excellent cadrage.
Note intéressante.
Amitiés,
max

sothy81 (9646) 2006-12-28 21:43

Hi Bulent, what a great shot here. Very sharp, and the cloud adds more attraction here. A photo that brings great feeling of coolness. Excellent note, and brings me to the old time of great people and great place. Sothy

kmarscher (2887) 2006-12-29 12:58

Congratulations on being selected to work at this prestigious institution with such a poignant legacy.

The white balance in the snow is very much on the cool side but adds to the seasonal feel of winter. Nicely framed and a good POV.

Kathy

sebcz (2345) 2006-12-30 5:52

Hi Bulent!
This is a nice architecture shot, the white of the snow adds some calm to that picture.
TFS and HNY !
Seb

Polonaise (5802) 2006-12-30 22:41

Dear Bulent...
It is such a joy to get the critique, or e-mail from you, or even a greater joy...To go to your site and look at your posts ALWAYS accompanied by your great notes.
Irresistible duo...Shall we say ?
There are things I want to learn about, things to see in your gallery.
You've offered me this lithography gift...How I can repay you?
OK... I offer you a magic...I will make your photos even more beautiful than they are (if this is humanly possible?).
For, you must love them, those photographs of yours, judging by your notes.
There is so much passion about the things you scribe about.
Let's make them as magical as possible..
They deserve such treatment...
But... Say a word and they'll disappear...Equally magically...
-----------------------------------
All the best Bulent, in 2007...
Be it the fat one, and as politically incorrect as become illegal in our society.

[workshop] [compare] +

kensimage (8563) 2007-01-01 15:48

A beautiful view of the Institute, Bulent, with the road leading the eye right to the main building. I've only been there once, for a week, but it was very pleasant, particularly walking in the late-fall woods to just contemplate.

I think there is too much cyan in the image--George's workshop helps with that.

Happy New Year! Regards, Ken.

keribar (43841) 2007-01-09 23:47

Hello Bulent,
Despite the bluish tone of the image, it is a good one, and of course I read the story related to Einstein and to Princeton. I like it because the roads seems to lead us to the main building and the snow gives us a hint about the winter.
Friendly yours - Izzet

salvator (19110) 2007-02-14 3:42

Hello Bulent Bey,
Wonderfull scenery with the snow, and the old building and the road leaidng to it. It is a wonderfull photo despite its blueish tones, and has a sense of serenity to it.
Best regards. Salvator.

erel (11890) 2007-05-13 15:03

merhaba bülent,
renkler kompozisyon açı kadraj hepsi harika daha ne denilebilir bu fotoğrafa bilmiyorum
tebrik etmek kalıyor sadece bana:)
erel

meltemi (0) 2007-06-14 22:34

Hello Bulent,
intense and impressive lighting and shadow effects really accentuates the appeal of the picture and of the place. I really like the foreground road and the hues there which contrast so sharply with the building. The depth is impressive and the eye discerns the varying contours of the land, the trees and the building. Crisp and clear. Your note is very enjoyable to read.
Warm Regards.
Stella

dareco (17136) 2008-04-01 10:41

I think you must have the most 'educational' gallery here. Another very interesting note. I love the architecture here, and the blue tones through out. Very nice. TFS

BWJ (3094) 2008-11-07 20:10

Hello Bulent,
An exquisitely beautiful winter scene of the distinguished Institute For Advanced Study. I like the place you stood to take the picture where the streets intersect and then winding drive leads up to to the front door. The bare trees, snowy lawn and lovely sky are an enticing combination. The note is outstanding!
Kind regards,
Betty

Crazy-Cat (2) 2009-01-15 9:56

You are right, is a similar POV. I like winter landscapes, it is a nice place to study.
Wishes, Diana.

Photo Information

Copyright: Bulent Atalay (batalay) (41261)
Genre: Lugares
Medium: Cor
Date Taken: 1986-02-00
Categories: Vida Diária
Camera: Nikon F, Nikkor 70-210 f4.5-5.6
Versão da Foto: Versão Original, Workshop
Tema(s): Pre-digital I [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-12-28 0:19

Viewed: 8430

Points: 42

Discussions

To Angshu: Einstein (2)
by batalay, last updated 2006-12-28 03:07
To gracious: Institute for Advanced Study (1)
by batalay, last updated 2006-12-28 12:59
To ayniLL: Einstein (2)
by batalay, last updated 2006-12-28 01:53
To Tezic: Princeton (1)
by batalay, last updated 2006-12-28 02:10
To UnTrained: Institute for Advanced Study (1)
by batalay, last updated 2006-12-28 11:37
To stego: Institute for Advanced Study (6)
by batalay, last updated 2007-01-01 08:27
To thea0211: Institute for Advanced Study (4)
by batalay, last updated 2006-12-29 03:38
To maximage: Institute for Advanced Study (1)
by batalay, last updated 2006-12-28 06:27
To sothy81: Institute for Advanced Study (1)
by batalay, last updated 2006-12-28 10:04
To kmarscher: Institute for Advanced Study (1)
by batalay, last updated 2006-12-29 01:08
To Polonaise: Regarding the workshop... (2)
by batalay, last updated 2006-12-30 11:22
To kensimage: IAS (1)
by batalay, last updated 2007-01-01 04:00
To keribar: IAS (1)
by batalay, last updated 2007-01-10 07:41
To salvator: Einstein's Office and George's magic (1)
by batalay, last updated 2007-02-13 09:32
To meltemi: Institute for Advanced Study (2)
by batalay, last updated 2007-06-15 01:19
To dareco: IAS (1)
by batalay, last updated 2008-04-01 04:20

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Photographer's Note

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Photo Information

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Additional Photos by Bulent Atalay (batalay) (41261)

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