Monday, October 13, 2014

Exposure

Self Portrait, Vivian Maier

©2014, Susan Noyes Anderson

Just when I think that I can see
all of the angles that are me,
another flashes into view
and makes me question what I knew.

So much depends on light and lens.
Great captures fade to try-agains;
and shutter speed, while in my hands,
falls short of what my heart demands.

I thought I had a good eye. Strange,
to watch the composition change
without my knowledge or intent,
by happenstance or accident.

Despite my heartiest denials,
no matter how I twist the dials,
control eludes me and the frame
finds parts of me I cannot name.

I miss the days when I felt sure
of ISO and aperture.
Exposure offers ways to see,
but is it friend or enemy?

∞§∞

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23 comments:

Janet Martin said...

Beautiful and brilliant!

SilverGardenia said...

Nice reflection. Lovely poem.

Justin Lamb said...

Clever. The answer to the question at the end could be both yes and no.

Leovi said...

I like your question at the end of exposure, but is it friend or enemy? In my case I think it's almost always friend!

rel said...

Sue,
There are so many facets to each of us it's hard, sometimes, to capture the whole with one shot. I do love the adventure of discovering myself.
Nicely done; makes my mind work. :)

jen said...

Is it friend or enemy? That is the truest line ever. I'm beginning to see more of the enemy than friend, and I would think it would be the opposite as I age . . .

Anonymous said...

thoughtful..!

Gail said...

Terrific.

I drew a blank on this one.

Brian Miller said...

i think that if we can find new facets of ourselves it is not a bad thing...if we can learn to appreciate those facets...when we are young i think we see too clearly...and mislead ourselves in thinking we have the whole picture...smiles.

Other Mary said...

We are all quite comples, and new facets may come to light that surprise us. How beautifully you've expressed it Sue.

steveroni said...

Gosh, a straightforward declaration of thoughts, written in good old-fashioned poetry. Loaded NOT with words I can neither understand nor pronounce, I could read your poetry purely for pleasure far into any night--or day.

And in the end, what do we EVER really know? Friend, or enemy? We just don't know.

Thank you for your visit to mine! And now I know YOU!

SImple and Serene Living said...

My only camera is now the one on my new Iphone. I haven't even got it figured out yet :)
xo
Laura

EG CameraGirl said...

It's true that we only partially know ourselves. There are times when I totally wonder why I've done something or have been surprised that I knew or could do something. Good and bad, for sure.

Bekkie Sanchez said...

I really love your take it's clever and beautiful.

Carrie Van Horn said...

Yes the more we know the more we know what we don't know. Great writing Sue!

21 Wits said...

I think it can be both. Very thought provoking post Sue.

Tess Kincaid said...

This made me smile...

Grandma Honey said...

I've been wondering actually since General Conference if exposure is a friend or enemy. There was a talk about how we need to be authentic in media. So does this mean we need to expose more of ourselves? How much privacy do we let go of? I'm trying to figure out these answers.

Great poem. Very thought provoking.

Friko said...

You really are a whizz at this rhyming lark.
Excellent!

Silent Otto said...

I like the way you are taking ownership of all parts of yourself ! Cheers

Anonymous said...

I can empathise with the long-lost certainty of knowing ISOs and apertures... digital technology is great, but it does rather remove the understanding if you rely on it too much!

LeAnn said...

This is one to ponder and it rings true. I loved the analogy of the poetry.
Blessings and thanks for this one!

Karen Sue said...

I think this changes with age...like bifocals, every obvious thing seems to change a bit..