Here comes another metaphor with some deep richness. I'm certainly not the first to think of this one, but I did enjoy exploring it to see if there were new elements for me, personally. Maybe there are some things here for you as well!? I'm going to focus (pun intended very much) on concepts instead of any specific meaning and give space for you to develop the latter.
Background
A friend of mine recently let me borrow his canon lens kit (thanks, McCall!). He's got a few incredible and expensive lenses that I have never used before. I was out this morning shooting with them to see what type of images they could produce and... WOW! I mean, did you see the leaf up there!?!? I was shocked at the images I was able to record by simply using a different lens.
Here I'd like to outline some elements of photography that are useful to know in case you don't already know them.
Elements of the Metaphor
This is the body (of the camera) that I have. Many cameras, especially higher end cameras, have a body that allows you to switch out components, like the lens. This allows some real control and flexibility over what you can use the camera for! In the middle of the body is a sensor. This is one of the most important parts of the camera. It is the thing that detects light. Inside the body are components that serve as processors of the light as well as a place for the depiction of light to be stored like a memory.
The Body is necessary to capture the light. We can perceive light through a lens, but the body has the senses, processing, and memory necessary to record the light that we see.
Left - Borrowed, right - my own.
These are 2 lenses that I shot with this morning. You might be able to notice some differences in their shape, size and build. Bear with me as I break down some technical differences. It might matter in the overall metaphor...😜.
The one on the right is mine. For reference, it is a Canon RF 24-105mm lens. I use it regularly; 75% of the time my camera is in use. It is a lower cost generic lens, designed to cover a broad spectrum of uses. It's like a boy scouts' Swiss army knife of lenses.
The lens on the left is a borrowed lens. It is a Canon EF Macro 100mm lens. It is a "fixed" or "prime" lens meaning it does not zoom in or out. It is also a "macro" lens and it has really powerful abilities to capture objects up close. It is a specialist tool, like a scalpel.
Let's dive into some images produced by this macro lens in the "Close" section!
This photo was taken from less than an inch away with the macro lens! and it still focused. You might try doing that with your phone and see if you are able to do it (I know I can't with mine as of 2023!)
Cropped in a little more (Look at the frosted hairs!)
With this macro lens, I was able to see closer and more clearly things that are small; the fine details of the subject. It shed light on a greater reality and offered more intimacy.
I'd like to share another example. The next image below was taken from a different borrowed lens that allowed for a wider view. The image 2nd image below was taken with my regular lens. What differences do you notice?
Expansive view from a borrowed lens.
Parhelion aka "Sun Dog" with a borrowed lens.
The photo above was taken using this zoom lens from about 10 miles away and yet it was able to capture the scene (plus that's a pretty sweet sun dog, am I right?)! The lens was designed to be able to take things that are far away and bring them closer. What is the possible meaning here?
The camera body I have is made by the same company as the one my friend has, however it is a different era model. The lenses I borrowed would only fit my camera body with the assistance of an adapter. One cool element here is that most camera bodies have adapters that can fit lenses from other companies, a Canon camera can use an adapter that allows for Nikon lenses to work and visa versa!
What could adapters possibly relate to in our metaphor?
Summary
I know this is a barrage of thoughts, examples, and ideas loosely developed, but when collected together, there is an important message about the way that we view the world.
“We see the world, not as it is, but as we are – or, as we are conditioned to see it. When we open our mouths to describe what we see, we in effect describe ourselves, our perceptions, our paradigms.”
Stephen R. Covey // Book Title Or Episode
Being given the chance to see differently is a blessing. We may learn something that we never knew, or see something more clearly, or feel a greater level of intimacy with a person; all because of using a different lens.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly;
1 Corinthians 13 // New Testament KJV
Now that I have used my friend's lenses, I have a strong desire to have some of them in my own kit. I mean this figuratively (and literally!). I can purchase/work for these lenses and own them (though it will take me a while to be able to budget for the literal ones 😆 💴).
