Pinhole, Higher Learning
Copyright© 2024 by Fanlon
Chapter 8
Using my basement as a studio was, in theory, the perfect scenario. It would be as soon as I got some lighting and some way to control the background. I tried to create another image like I had before: using the light and subsequent shadows to highlight certain areas, emphasizing them, and using the shadows for the opposite reasons.
Dana was willing to do anything I asked—more than willing, and eager on top of that. She knew something wasn’t right, though. I moved her from pose to pose, tilting her head this way and that, leaning back, to the side, everything I could think of to create the lighting I needed, and nothing worked.
“What’s going on? Am I doing something wrong?” Dana’s voice was shockingly hesitant.
“No, you’re perfect, beautiful—”
“Perfect and beautiful?”
“Well, I mean. I uh...” Dana was grinning wickedly as only she could. “Don’t give me that look. You know you’re hot. So don’t act like it’s some big surprise now.”
“Thanks.” She winked. “What’s the problem then?”
“The light is ... well, it’s terrible.”
“Terrible? There is plenty of light in here. How could it be terrible?”
I wasn’t sure how to explain it exactly. It’s not like I knew everything either. I tried to tell her what I meant, and I think she understood, but not completely. In the end, I told her that I just needed to get some lighting and maybe some different colored blankets and things to hang on the wall.
So, the two of us started trying to make a list of what we thought I needed right that minute. We made a second list of questions I should ask Professor Zarnick and she would ask Mr. Watts. We were so busy racking our brains that we didn’t hear the basement door open, or the footsteps of someone approaching.
“How’s it going down here?” Mom asked.
I nearly jumped completely out of my own skin. Dana just barked a laugh, not bothering to cover herself. That’s when I realized she was still completely naked. She is still naked, in front of my mom!
“We were trying to figure out what else Josh needs down here. I guess the light sucks, or so he says. I think he was just looking for an excuse for me to stay naked a while longer,” Dana answered.
“That’s not true!” I snapped and both Dana and Mom started giggling.
“You probably should cover up a little, Dana.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Dana moved over to the old recliner where her clothes were still piled, and started putting them on. She didn’t bother with her panties, just pulling on her jeans and shirt.
“Thanks.” Mom nodded. “I don’t think we need my husband seeing you like that. He’s insatiable as it is.”
“Mom!” I whined.
“Oh, settle down, Josh. Now what’s this about lighting?”
I started explaining everything to Mom just like I had to Dana. She nodded along while I talked but after a few minutes Dana saved me.
“He wants shadows.”
“Oh, why didn’t you just say that to start with, Josh?” Mom stated. “Why don’t you go and get your desk lamp from your room and then one of the lamps from the living room?”
“Why would I want those ... oh! That’s a great idea, thanks, Mom!”
I raced upstairs and grabbed the lamp off my computer desk. I didn’t bother wrapping up the cord in favor of just dragging it behind me. Then I went to the living room to grab the lamp from the corner table next to the couch where Dad was sitting watching me with a confused look. My feet pounded down the stairs as I ran with the two pilfered lamps.
“What are you doing down there?” Dad’s voice boomed.
“Just getting some lighting setup. Don’t worry,” Mom answered before I could.
“He just stole one of your expensive lamps.”
“I know, I told him to grab it.”
“Okay then. Don’t blame me if he breaks it.”
There was no further discussion than that. I plugged in both lights and realized that sitting the two lamps on the floor wasn’t going to work. It would, kind of, but not how I had hoped.
“You’re going to need some tables or something to prop those up. Until we can figure something out, hopefully that will work.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I smiled.
“We should probably make some sort of sign or something for the basement door. We can’t put a lock on it, though. What sort of mother would I be if I allowed my son to lock pretty, naked, girls in the basement with him?” Dana laughed.
“You don’t need to worry, he’s harmless,” Dana said and then winked at me.
I was already beyond mortified from getting caught with Dana completely naked. I didn’t think I could be any more embarrassed, but I was wrong.
“I’ll leave you two to it then,” Mom announced before taking her leave.
“Uh, okay...”
With that, Mom went back upstairs, closing the basement door behind her as she went.
“So, want to try again?” Dana was already lifting the hem of her shirt over her head.
“I can’t believe that just happened.”
“Your Mom’s really cool. I wish mine was more like her.”
“Yeah, she’s alright.”
“Dude, you just got caught with me, butt naked, in your basement. She’s awesome, trust me.” Dana had tossed her pants and shirt on the floor next to the recliner again. “So, where do you want to put the lights?”
It took me about ten or fifteen minutes to get everything set up. Dana helped, but I needed her on the stool to get everything right.
This might actually work. Not quite like before, but this should do just fine.
After a few more minor adjustments, I had the living room’s lamp shade angled so the light seemed to gently kiss the left side of Dana’s body. My little desk lamp helped to illuminate her from below just enough to notice and that was about it. Her right side was shrouded in shadows—not quite as dark as I would have hoped, but dark enough for now.
What really made all the difference was turning off the ceiling lights. Now that I had it as good as it was going to get, it was time to take the picture.
“Look off to your left, towards the light but not directly.”
“How’s this?”
“That’s good. Now chin up, perfect.”
“Put your hands in your lap and cross your legs.” She did as I asked, and I didn’t like it. “Try crossing them at your ankles instead. Yes, just like that.”
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