Behind the Lens

I've always been fond of picture taking.  Maybe because taking pictures means that I'm not the one who's being photographed.  I was reminded by Hallie yesterday of the duress that often comes with being a photographed subject.

  "Tuck in your chin just a bit.  Tilt your head toward the left.  Sit up straight and smile."

I remember when my turn would come up, having my picture taken for the school yearbook.  I dreaded facing the camera, but only half as much as I dreaded getting the white envelope with a plastic window exposing 2 5x7's and 48 wallet me's staring awkwardly with a braced smile.

There's something I'm learning about picture-taking.  I am learning slowly, but I am learning.  True picture-taking means looking through the lens and attempting to capture the essence of beauty undisturbed.

Butterflies don't smile and sunsets don't sit still.  In all our efforts to make things look just like we want them we may be missing a sweet fleeting moment.

I intend to dictate less and open my eyes

for then there will be smiling behind the lens.

Life is best unposed!