SUNGLASSES

I was deprived of sunglasses growing up. I always envied those who wore shades. They were normal and made the wearer look cool. I, on the other hand, was skinny, bookish, and extremely myopic. My lenses were thick and made my eyes look very small. Only 70 years later, after cataract surgery, could I be normal and finally wear shades. Now I have four pairs and the novelty has not yet worn off. I’m still drawn to anyone wearing sunglasses. Perhaps deprivation has left me with a fetish. We street photographers know that direct eye contact in a photo with at least one person is important to draw the viewer in. Sunglasses seem to do the same thing, while paradoxically they obscure the eyes.