“Something you have to understand is magnification and how it relates to ‘life-size.’ If your magnification ratio is 1:1, your subject is said to be at ‘life-size.’ Half-life-size is 1:2 magnification. Good macro lenses let you shoot at 1:1. Personally, I use a lens that can go to at least 1:2, and ideally 1:1, to give me as much flexibility as possible. For this project, I’ll let you use my camera and lens,” she said.
“Thanks.”
“Let’s talk about working distance.”
That was how far you were from the subject when you snapped the picture.
“You don’t want to get too close because you can block the light, or if it’s a small animal or insect, you might scare it off. I try to get within six inches of the subject if I can.”
“Okay,” I said, sounding unsure of myself.
“Just give it a try. You might surprise yourself,” Ms. Saunders said with a smile.
What I was unsure about was when I might have the time to do this project. I’d hoped that the workload would taper off before I had to leave at the end of the month.
◊◊◊
Since we had a game tomorrow, I got out of lifting before practice. I spent my time productively by shooting the shit with the guys. They were amused that I was in a whiny mood about all the stuff I had to do before leaving for LA.
“I’ve got all my finals next Friday, and I’m trying to get all my flight time in so I can take my test to become a pilot. My movie role changed, and I now have to learn to play golf. Thanksgiving is next week, and I have family coming in. Then today, I received another project I have to do in photography class.”
“What’s your project?” Wolf asked, obviously playing the straight man for now.
I could tell they were stringing me along.
“I have to take macro photographs.”
“What’s that?” Tim asked.
“It’s where you get up close to something small and take its picture. The subject must be an inch or smaller. It’s kind of cool because it makes it look huge,” I explained.
“You could take a picture of Phil’s dick,” Wolf suggested.
My brother said some inappropriate things that I refuse to repeat. We all ignored him because it
“Ooo, I know. Take pictures of girls’ nipples,” Tim offered.
“Jill’s would never work, they’re too big,” Phil said as he shared too much information.
They gave him another ration of shit. My brother was not the sharpest spoon in the drawer sometimes. I remembered when I’d been young and stupid. He would eventually learn.
“Wolf and I could be your helpers and screen the applicants,” Tim suggested.
I planned to text Tami later. We’d see if he got to be a ‘helper’ or not. I know that was mean, but I was sure he deserved payback for some other transgression he’d done to me in the past. What were friends for?
The guys offered me a list of people they thought I should get to volunteer. When they started to list a few supermodels and other celebrities, I slowly began to come around to their way of thinking. Then I took a step back and decided it might be too much work in the short time I had. Perhaps this would become a long-term project I’d do on my own. I could see it becoming a book that you would display on your coffee table. I would much rather look through that than some landscapes.
◊◊◊
After practice, we were all sweaty, and when Wolf pulled off his pads and jersey, I had my inspiration for the photography project. I could do a series of belly buttons.
“Freeze,” I ordered, and dug into my locker to get Ms. Saunders’ camera.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Relax, I just want to take a picture of your belly button.”
I got close and snapped the shot. I showed Wolf what it looked like. His dark skin and the glistening sweat reflected by the harsh lights of the locker room turned out okay.
Then I took Tim’s picture. His belly button was an unusual shape. It looked like a snail shell as it wrapped in on itself into the center. He also had hair that trailed down from the bottom that added to the shot.
I had several guys volunteer. I hadn’t really thought about how different each one was before. They all seemed unique, like you would expect a fingerprint to be.
My brother disappeared. I think he was afraid I would take one further south of his navel. It really would make him look huge. I didn’t see a downside to it for him; well, other than I would share it with all my friends. Then again, I would probably be guilty of breaking some law or another and go to jail. Tami was right; I shouldn’t go with my first idea.
◊◊◊
When we arrived at Monical’s, I was shocked that it wasn’t bustling. After all, it was Friday night. We commandeered several tables and pulled them together. Greg’s stalker, I mean Monical’s assistant manager, came out of the back with some appetizers.
“Where is everyone? Aren’t you usually packed on a Friday night?” Tracy asked.
“Our business has steadily dwindled since his restaurants opened,” she said, nodding towards me.
