“His Learning Curve” [Reflections On Michael Freeman's Book 35mm Handbook Philadelphia: Courage Books, 1980 - intro]

The world can use the photograph
As serious; to make folks laugh;
To wonder “Why?”; Or record keep;
To fauna shoot while neighbors sleep.

Incessant is their search for “good”,
Or “Best” shot in their neighborhood;
They speak of “Style is unique to you”,
Or copycats with hackneyed view –

As fads and fashions come and go
With boredom’s rise, as people know
“Just How that’s done in Photoshop” –
Distrust arising, then folks stop –

There awe at seeing really great
Photography, which artists take;
But things are changing – quiet comes
As once more “Mystery-process” runs.

This guy says learn technique (first round),
Then stop – start shooting – circle ’round
The lighthouse in a spiral rise;
Don’t saturate – stop, use your eyes.

In second part he demonstrates –
With low control, participate;
Says further techniques tailored are
To using what you’ve learned so far.

As new fields are then introduced,
The need for more control in use
Of new equipment and techniques,
Is anchored to a world of need.

He claims that otherwise its use
Is split from life, hence the excuse
So many tout – “What can I shoot?
How can I on the net make loot –

“For others got here earlier,
And the dominate the field” – defer
Attacking work ’till morrow comes
Until their working life is done.

Last segment deals with amateurs,
Professionals – whose apertures
Are used for different ends, so each
Has role in life, extent of reach.

Today, he claims, it’s hard to tell
The Pro from amateur, so well
Are cameras made to “Auto-click” –
So use “Fresh look” to boost your pix.

But now I see one other part
Of photo-work – just do your part
As body of Christ Jesus – shoot
To implement His last pursuit –

Defeating evil in the world
(That’s Him, not us), lest in the swirl
Of shooting photos we lose sight
Of those mired down in what’s not right.

For, in the end, it’s people, man,
Who matter most, so, freeing can
Enable those who now are stuck
To step to Kingdom-layer from muck.

For Christ an inspiration is;
Assigns the work He claims as His,
That it can now effectual be –
His body in photography.

But I don’t want to picture sin –
I walk away, do not begin
To do that sort of photo-task;
I’d rather let such photos pass.

For I am an “Encourager”;
Of photo-info, “Importer”;
I do not like to teach, or train –
Just free folks up with photo-bang.

“Well, that’s the point, there Stuie babe –
Discerning Spirits, folks thus saved
From where they’re stuck now in the mud –
The mess folks made since Noah’s flood.

“So ‘rainbow’ photos are your shtick –
Relieve despair, and contexts fix;
Not saying ‘Peace’ if there’s no peace
Just rubber boots from mud release –

“Not back to world where it’s all mud
But onto Kingdom-layer which flood
Saw Ark rise up above, for life
As refuge from that waiting strife.

“Not everyone must work the same –
It’s body-life – My larger game
Has many parts, so enter in
To what in life has never been.”

Thanks Lord for this.

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