I’d like to share something. This is an excerpt from my upcoming book, “The Entering Light.” It’s part Jane Austen novel, part instruction manual for an Olympus E3 camera.
Chapter III: Exposure
“I dare say,” stated Mrs. Johnson, “I do think Mr. Brimbley will be in town for only another fortnight. It is a shame for such a handsome single man with such a large fortune should continue to go unmarried.”
Dorothea wasn’t listening, but instead looking out the window at the beautiful field that lay before Dunhill Manor. She spied several deer running this way and that nearby. She set her shutter speed to 1/500th of a second in order to freeze their motion, and then turned around to address Mrs Johnson.
“Really, what interest could Mr. Brimbley have in me? It is very unkind of you to propose such an idea, when Mr. Brimbley has made no such advances. He certainly has shown due kindness and gentleness, but I fear that my stature and demeanor find no favor in his eyes.” Her eyes started to water, and her lips trembled, as did her hands. She flicked a switch, and turned on the Image Stabilization.
At that very moment, Mr. Brimbley opened the door. The beautiful morning sun poured in and brightened the room. Dorothea decreased her apeture.
“Dorothea, I’m afraid I’ve made a horrible error.”
“What error is that?” she inquired. “Have you miscalculated your snuff usage, or did you accidentally lend your top-hat to an Irish-man?”
“I’ve made a mistake far graver than either of those offenses.” Mr. Brimbley then procured, from his waistcoat pocket, a ring. It was difficult to see from across the room. Dorothea zoomed in as close as she could. The image in the viewfinder became difficult to see through her tears.
