Take a Picture

Saturday morning, the entire photography class peacefully assembled at a local studio in Makati along with the professor. The key objective: work on a modeling assignment.

One by one, everyone of us cautiously entered the studio and signed up for the shoot. Once we were through affixing signatures on the dotted line, the project got underway.

"Since we are all here today, I want to divide everyone of you according to roles," the professor opened. "Who here brought their SLR cameras with them? Raise your hands if you have one."

A total of 13 students hoisted their hands, including Michelle and Philly. Unfortunately, I was unable to bring one.

"Okay you can lower your hands now," the professor continued. "All 13 of you will snap some images today."

The remaining 23 of us remained unsure of our roles, however. Even Erin and Taylor were anxious to learn of their responsibilities.

"Now who has the most photogenic and alluring figures in this class?" the professor continued speaking. "Raise your hands if you naturally possess them."

Six ladies, including Erin and Tricia, lifted their hands up. Sadly, I was not yet ready to pose for the cameras myself.

"Now for the guys with the strongest and most handsome figures," the professor added thoughtfully. "Let me see your hands, guys."

Seven gentlemen, including Taylor, hoisted their hands up. They even went as far as strikingly showing their shapely physiques to the professor.

"As for the remaining 10 of you, all must properly assemble and operate the lights and reflectors," the professor promptly informed us. "Hope you don't destroy each of them. Good luck."

"But who will do the makeup for our models?" Erin inquired the professor.

"Well, the models themselves will work collaboratively on their makeup," the professor responded heartily. "The studio has a makeup room with five mirrors inside. They'll be arranged into two groups of five and one company of three. But only five models will be allowed at a time."

Almost immediately the 13 models sorted themselves accordingly. Taylor was on the first group while Erin and Tricia were on the second group.

"Without further ado, good luck to all of you," the professor concluded. "I hope for the best."

And so we went to work on this class project. While the photographers fine-tuned their shots and the models touched up their faces, my group assembled the lighting, reflectors and props.

"Be careful out there," I promptly shouted as one of my classmates climbed the ladder to tweak one of the lights.

It must be a tedious and hectic day for all of us involved. However, as the clock reached 12:00 p.m., our stomachs were grumbling with hunger.

"Professor, can we take a break?" one student humbly asked. "We're starving right now."

"Did you assemble the lights already?" the professor inquired back.

"We did ma'am," he replied.

The professor walked directly to the studio for an inspection. Pleased with the result, she allowed all of us to go on a lunch break.

An hour later, we proceeded with preparations for the shoot. The models, now in full make-up, were given three sets of clothing: swimsuit, formal and casual attire.

First up were the swimsuits. As my fellow classmates adjusted the settings of their cameras, Jamie's group walked to the studio and began posing in front of them.

"Look at Taylor," Michelle commented as she prepared to capture a shot. "Doesn't he look robust?"

"Lights, camera, pose," the professor exclaimed delightedly as she launched the proceedings.

Taylor flexed his muscles like a bodybuilder, his body sweating from the intense lights inside the studio. So did the rest of his group as brilliant flashes of light flickered from the cameras.

Next up were the group featuring Erin and Tricia. Dressed in two-piece swimsuits, the two appeared as if they were about to join a beauty pageant.

"Erin, you rock," I yelled enthusiastically upon looking keenly towards her.

Erin briefly gazed at me before focusing her attention to the cameras. She then posed gracefully, convincingly showing her innate beauty and sensuality amid the flashing lights.

Tricia, for her part, looked just as curvaceous. She showed a serious gaze to the photographers and showcased her alluring body in front.

Moments later, the casual wear section of the project began. As Taylor made their way from the dressing room, one student shouted, "You look awesome" before they posed for the cameras.

Erin and Tricia were also given a similarly positive reaction during their turn. Next came the formal wear portion where each group emerged in tuxedos and long gowns.

"And cut," the professor justly concluded as the shoot drew to a close.

All of us were extremely relieved and satisfied, notwithstanding the sweat we endured from the fiery, bright lights. From the inevitability of failure, a second chance arrived, and we did not squander any time capitalizing on it.

But before wrapping up the activity, the professor uttered one last request to us.

"Students, on the following class, each of you must bring P 3,000 as payment for the replacement lights inside our studio," the professor promptly announced. "I don't care if it's cash or check, just present the money to me next week. Are we clear with that?"

"Crystal madam," the whole class exclaimed fiercely.

"That's all for now," the professor concluded. "See you next week in class. But for those who assembled the lights and reflectors earlier, kindly remain and disassemble them in an orderly fashion. And then you can head home."

"Alright madam," my group replied in unison.

As some of the students dispersed their way home, I stayed behind with a few others to arrange the local studio back to its basic form. Michelle and Erin also remained inside as they wait eagerly for me.

Shortly after, I caught up with both Philly and Tricia for a brief talk.

"We're gratified this trouble is now over," I happily commented on the shoot.

"No doubt about it," Philly smilingly replied as she looked thoughtfully at the dark studio. "We merely thought it was all over when Avril broke those lights. But the professor was glad to oblige. Now I hope Avril learns a hard lesson. She rightfully deserves plenty of punishment."

With the sun about to set, all of us promptly left the studio and returned home safely. As darkness loomed, Michelle transported me to a drive-thru restaurant and ordered some chicken burgers.

Then it was back to my humble abode. My one-day weekend can't come soon enough.