360 Degrees: Through the Fish Eye Lens

Yesterday we talked in class about the poem "The Fish," by Elizabeth Bishop. One of the parts of the poem that stuck out to me most was the author's mention of the fish's eyes.

"I looked into his eyes
which were far larger than mine
but shallower, and yellowed,
the irises backed and packed
with tarnished tinfoil
seen through the lenses
of old scratched isinglass." (34-40)

So, I thought to myself, why not use my blog post to look at things from a fish's point of view? Okay, well not literally a fish's point of view, but through a camera lens called the Fish Eye Lens. I have always found pictures through this type of lens intriguing. They're meant to stimulate the way fish see things, but it's hard to really say whether it is accurate or not. Regardless, I love this picture. And I know that I wouldn't love this picture unless it had been shot in this way, through this lens.

I see things through my eyes, human eyes, all the time. But seeing this through a different set of eyes makes it even more beautiful. The way the color of the rocks roll into the water, and the way the water seems to stretch itself to just barely touch the sky is amazing. The way this picture is curved almost makes it seem like it covers half the earth.

But pciture this. What if I looked at this backwards? I mean literally, beginning in the center of this body of water and rolling towards the rocks? Or what about if I looked at it from a bird's eye view? Or from the top of that tree on the right? Or underwater, looking up? I can visualize this image from so many different perspectives and that is what makes it interesting. If this picture was shot through a normal lens, it wouldn't have sparked a curiosity in my mind about how I look at things because it would all be the same to me, I would've seen it all before.

Seeing things through the eyes of someone else -- an animal, object, or person -- awaken you to the different angles people see things. Just like you might like the taste of broccoli, but someone else doesn't, people look at things in various ways too. To me, this is a picture of absolute beauty, purely because I am looking at it in a way that I have never experienced before. I have seen plenty of sunsets, and I can promise that they never get old, but looking at this one through the fish eye lens reminds me that I can always find something new and interesting about everything I see just by looking at a different way.

So, obviously a fish didn't take this picture because it isn't exactly from under water, but I would love to see it from that perspective too. A simple image, that is really all this is. And yet, it asks me to quit looking at things the way I always have and try something new. All I need is an open mind, and open eyes.

iMedia: Flight of the Frenchies

So, what do you think? 

I found this video a few years back and was unexpectedly struck by it. A few months ago, I revisited it after not watching it for a very long time, and still, it amazed me. I watched it one more time before I posted it here, and I still find myself intrigued by these guys. My dad thinks they're insane, my mom thinks they're downright stupid, and I think they're perfectly normal guys doing beautiful and unbelievable things. 

These base jumping, line walking, high-lining men are really just what our world needs. Now, this is not to say that everyone should be flinging themselves off mountains and buildings just for the thrill of it. However, people should be doing the things they love because they love it, and for no other reason at all. I highly doubt that these guys decided to do this because they wanted fame or money (they probably spend more cash than they make). They did it because they wanted to. How incredible do you think you would feel if this was you? Talk about feeling on top of the world. And everyone has a right to feel that way. If you want to be a musician when you grow up, who has the right to tell you you can't? The same goes with being the president, an athlete, or really anything else. Do what you want to do and don't let anyone or anything stop you. 

Remember two things: Money doesn't buy you happiness and before you can please other people, you need to please yourself first. I can almost guarantee the parent's of these people did not encourage this type of activity, but it doesn't matter because they are happy. What can be better than that? 

I think the thing I love most about this video is that the "frenchies" are scared , and yet they still do these insane things. It's scary taking a risk, no doubt about it, but the outcome is worth every drip of sweat. Do you want to go somewhere in life? Take a risk. Don't think about it, thinking to hard will kill you. Instead, just do it. If these guys thought about how high up they were every time they walked across that line do you think they would do it? Absolutely not. Literally, they jump. Life should be about jumping. Don't look back on life and remember how you looked over the ledge but were too afraid to leap. This video exemplifies a line I try to live by, and you should too:

"Don't fear danger, seek it."