"To Photograph Truly Seen"  [Gross and Shapiro - Tao Of Photography - Reflections - Sec. 5 & Epilogue - General] (Psalm 8; Isaiah 42:19-20; Ephesians 5:13-14)

“Can you photograph”, they ask,
“A door so people viewing gasp?”
That’s what this book is all about –
Enjoyment of the world – no doubt –

To those of us “compassion” strong,
Just do this in their lives – not wrong
For those who have the other strengths,
But try it out – it boosts one’s thanks.

Do art for fun, not just for fame;
Stand back and really ask (a game),
“What is this here before my eyes?”
You might be first to see what lies –

Before you – no one really cared
Enough to stop – so be prepared
To see a world that that others missed –
Then by our world you may be kissed.

Or try to notice change and flow
In anything, for all must go
Through cycles, changes, end – then new
Replaces it – quite slow a few.

Then re-present what you now see
In world around, unusually;
Especially things like spoon, and door,
The play of light across some floor.

The photo-frame cuts out some parts,
Like life itself as people part,
And things get lost – then tensions rise,
So capture that for others’ eyes.

What we first see holds spark of awe;
Dwell in that space – show what you saw –
Not just how you responded then,
But how the impact first began.

So wake up, Stu, take look around,
That in your world there might be found
A world within your normal gaze –
Enrich what’s seen, express your praise.

Thanks Lord for this.

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