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:

  1. Janet MartinOctober 13, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    Beautiful and brilliant!

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  2. SilverGardeniaOctober 13, 2014 at 11:07 AM

    Nice reflection. Lovely poem.

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  3. Justin LambOctober 13, 2014 at 11:34 AM

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

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  4. LeoviOctober 13, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    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!

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  5. relOctober 13, 2014 at 12:16 PM

    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. :)

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  6. jenOctober 13, 2014 at 12:22 PM

    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 . . .

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  7. AnonymousOctober 13, 2014 at 12:44 PM

    thoughtful..!

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  8. GailOctober 13, 2014 at 3:47 PM

    Terrific.

    I drew a blank on this one.

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  9. Brian MillerOctober 13, 2014 at 6:51 PM

    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.

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  10. Other MaryOctober 13, 2014 at 7:56 PM

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

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  11. steveroniOctober 14, 2014 at 12:24 AM

    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!

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  12. SImple and Serene LivingOctober 14, 2014 at 3:21 AM

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

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  13. EG CameraGirlOctober 14, 2014 at 5:08 AM

    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.

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  14. Bekkie SanchezOctober 14, 2014 at 8:34 AM

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

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  15. Carrie Van HornOctober 14, 2014 at 9:41 AM

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

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  16. 21 WitsOctober 15, 2014 at 7:15 AM

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

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  17. Tess KincaidOctober 15, 2014 at 8:19 AM

    This made me smile...

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  18. Grandma HoneyOctober 15, 2014 at 8:53 AM

    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.

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  19. FrikoOctober 15, 2014 at 3:18 PM

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

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  20. Silent Otto October 16, 2014 at 5:52 AM

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

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  21. AnonymousOctober 17, 2014 at 4:35 AM

    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!

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  22. LeAnnOctober 17, 2014 at 1:03 PM

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

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  23. Karen SueOctober 29, 2014 at 5:37 AM

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

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