Photo
May, 2012Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in 2009 when I was a senior in high school. I used to take my tiny Nikon Coolpix P7900 around with me to classes and get insider portraits of my classmates whenever I could. I know there was a time when New York City public schools were cracking down on the amateur photography; I hope that with all the smartphones kids are sneaking into school these days, someone is carrying the torch for me with an iPhone. People just don't act as naturally with a large camera.Time
Time of day didn't much matter to me, considering that grim fluorescent lighting.Lighting
As I was saying before, fluorescent lighting is both unflattering in a way that only the faces of 17-year-olds can weather, and great for capturing little details and a panoramic perspective. I wish I still encountered my friends in such a well-lit setting, but then again, they'd probably hate me for it and untag all their photos.Equipment
Just a Nikon Coolpix P7900, 7 megapixels, possibly with masking tape holding the battery door on. It was already a 5-year-old model at the time. I had just bought a Canon G10 but wasn't taking it to school because of some weird paranoia about it being stolen.Inspiration
I believe the camera was either school property or one of my classmates' cameras. Julia, in front, turned it on her eye and I thought it was a fun and freaky magnification. I have several similar pictures from my high school days – it must have been one of those pre-Instagram trends.Editing
Nooooooooooooo...!In my camera bag
I usually tote around a Canon G15, but these days I sometimes just take my iPhone 5 for even more inconspicuousness – though I often miss the zoom and my bounce flash (which I take to parties).Feedback
Find your niche or your milieu and get pictures no one else can capture :) it may be more within your reach than you think!
