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All photos are mine
unless otherwise noted.
After two weeks I can report that I have new eyes. The surgery to replace the lens and correct the astigmatism in my left eye has been wonderfully successful. I have new sight, 20/20 for everything beyond 5-6 feet and drugstore reading glasses for reading and computer viewing. All the glasses prescribed over the years are now to be donated to an organization that I believe uses the frames to help those who can't afford glasses to have a pair or two.
I have what is called a Toric Interocular Lens implant which as a treatment for astigmatism became available only in 2011, so there are no regrets about not having this done sooner. Enjoyment of clarity of sight begins today, this hour, this moment and it is a delight to have crisp vision. My first visit to the local supermarket, a huge place, was startling as the vegatable and fruit displays are lit with greater intensity than the rest of the store to highlight the colors of the produce. I got a little dizzy with the intensity of the view with this new implanted lens.
Also the clarity of the computer screen is equally amazing. It's almost as if I was practicing my photography with a blind man's cane. This is not to say I could not see just that I always had a somewhat difused view of the world. My old friend and mentor Tad Mosel used to say that he hardly used his glasses as the world looked better without them. I agreed with him as I could not see things with perfect clarity and learned to deal with that in the creative and work dealings I spent most of my life around.
What a joy! I now have the opportunity to improve on my creativity through photography in a new way that promises to shift some of my viewpoint around photos in a slightly different direction. This involves some change in technique and that is good as it is the nature of the ever changing world of digital photography. There are always new things to learn along with old ways of doing this work that can be improved. In so many ways I am awed by the world we live in and what is available to learn from.
The first image is difused and those that follow can be an example of my new vision.
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Here is a photo taken on Saturday that is difused yet still a good impression of the day at a Nordic ski center in Waterville, Maine. I have been moving somewhat in the direction of impressionism for awhile now and will continue to develop this side of my creative seeing in the future.
Best seen full screen - click on the image to bring it up -
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The storm that caused limited visibility is passing through
and the heavens that are always there
show their face to those who look up
with new eyes.
Winter scene in Acadia.
My plans are to spend one day a week in Acadia to see and photograph all that I love there with a different perspective and some new techniques that presented themselves this last week. The image above is an example of small changes that are gratifying for me - perhaps not obvious in general yet I know they are there.
The Nordic Center in Waterville, Maine
Walking the dog under the grandeur of Maine scenery
Young Beech trees do not lose their leaves in Winter
as they offer color to enjoy while waiting for Spring to explode.
Taken outside the front door I go out of every day.
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I reworked this photo with my new eyes to test the doctor's work.
I am pleased.
Taken last Summer at a garden in Southern Maine.
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Two views of dangerous ways to live ......
No matter where we are in the world,
a box to seclude ourself in is ever available.
Hidden in seclusion, some sit in dark corners
and pick at the wounds that may never see
the healing light of day.
Living on the edge over the Androscoggin River in Brunswick Maine these ice fishing enthusiasts are in danger as the temperature is around forty degrees and the river is moving beneath their shacks. Why do they put their huts so close to each other when so much space is available? Well, perhaps it is the herd instinct, or is it the beer and not wanting to drink alone. Both Photos taken on Sunday.
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Some Humor:
Until next week,
Peace, Bill Lagerstrom
