#Caught Light Photography Limited

[leicamoments]

A Season in Preview

Knaresborough Town Women have had a good ‘summer of 2024’ preseason, maybe not in results, but in looking to play some fantastic teams from higher in the FA pyramid. The actual final scores in some of those games were not as important as getting minutes in the legs [yes that is a cliché] and an understanding of how the new faces in the team gel with the returning squad of players.

The real action started just over a week ago – with Town’s first game in Division One being an away fixture against Golcar United, that ended in a hard-fought victory. That has been followed this last Sunday with a home win against Brayton Belles.

The 100% start means that Boro sit second in the table, just behind Thackley on goal difference, and two points above third placed Leeds Hyde Park Firsts.

Who Will Town Be Playing This Season?

Looking at the teams in Division One, it is important to realise that this league is probably the most ‘settled’ league that Knaresborough have played in to date. The teams that find themselves in the division are ones that are there on merit, rather than having been newly formed and placed by the regional FA.

Taking each team in order that they are currently placed in Division One…

Thackley were relegated from the Premier Division in 2023/24, playing 18 games with a record of four wins and 14 losses. They had a goal difference of -45 and ended up with 12 points.

Leeds Hyde Park ended the last season third in Divison One, missing out on a promotion spot by a single point. Their goal difference was slightly superior to Farsley Celtic’s who gained promotion having finished second. Leeds’ record for last season was played 18, won 14, drew one, and lost three. They had a goal difference of +57 and ended the season on 43 points.

Ackworth Girls, like Leeds, were in Division One last season, putting in a solid set of results to end in fourth place on 31 points. They won ten games, drew one and lost seven with a goal difference of +7.

Golcar United (fifth at the end of the season) had an almost identical record to Ackworth, except their goal difference ended up being -15.

Huddersfield Amateurs ended last season in sixth place, winning six, drawing one, and losing 11 games, with a goal difference of -22 and a points tally of 19.

Brayton Belles ended in seventh place with a points tally of 16 having won four, drawn four and lost 10. They had a goal difference of -34, three goals better than Hepworth United who ended the season in eighth place.

Hepworth won five games, drew one and lost 12, ending the season on 16 points; with Republica Internationale taking ninth place in the league having won two, drawn four and lost 12 with a goal difference of -23 and a points tally of 10.

Bradford City U23s were promoted alongside Knaresborough Town last season, and I’ve written about how good a team and set up they have had in the past two years since being formed. They are a fantastic team and have got this season’s campaign started this past Sunday with a 1-1 draw away against Leeds Hyde Park.

Thoughts

The summary of what the teams have done in the past is one thing – what do I predict for this season?

I think that Thackley and Leeds Hyde Park will push for those top two spots in the league – as they did last season. I also believe that Ackworth and Golcar will challenge at the top of the league. All four teams have a great pedigree in Division One and know a lot about each other.

I believe that both Bradford City and Knaresborough Town will also be in the mix for those top two positions but will be a relative unknown for the other teams, which may be a plus for them.

I think Thackley will be the overriding favourites to regain their Premier League status, with the other teams fighting for the remaining promotion spot.

Knaresborough Town Women

Town have had, by anyone’s standards, an extraordinary two years of success. The club has an ethos of maintaining a small squad of players, ensuring that they have the right mix of skills, rather than having a larger pool of players to pick from.

Mike Bligh has recruited superbly over the past few months, keeping the core of the team that has been so successful together, but has managed to add a few players that take the positions they play in, to the next level.

There are a number of players that haven’t featured for Town in the first two games of the season, waiting impatiently on the sidelines for clearance to play – they will also add to the depth of talent available on match days.

Competition within the team for individual places is strong, no one can take their place in the starting line-up for granted, and this is how it should be. The club needs the increased internal competition for places to be reflected on the pitch against what will be, some of the best teams they have played against in their short history.

What I do know, is that Knaresborough Town will be near the top of the league this season. They can be more than a match for any of the Division One opponents that they will face during the 2024/25 campaign, but will have to understand that several of the teams in the league may well be as good as them – with the smallest of margins determining who takes the points on any given day.

My Prediction

As I write, Thackley and Boro’ occupy the top two spots in the league after just two games. I believe that come April when the final whistle goes, these two will still be occupying the top two spots.

Knaresborough Town would love to be league champions [who wouldn’t?], but the focus will be on winning as many games as they can and when the fixtures are complete, they will simply want one of those top two places and promotion to the Premier Division.

I believe that Leeds Hyde Park and Bradford City will only be a few points adrift at most, with Ackworth and Golcar United having a big say in the overall order of the top six.

The Past, The Present, The Future

As many of you already know, I have been working alongside the amazing team at Knaresborough Town Women for the initial two years that they have been in existence. My involvement has been related to helping set up their media presence, including website content, photos, video, match reports, interviews, working with local radio and news outlets, marketing, and social media.

The initial aims were simple – make people aware that the team existed and grow a following of people that are interested in the players, the team, and the club. By any measure, this has been a success – massively helped by the tremendous achievements (back-to-back league title winning promotions) on the pitch.

However, it is time for me to move on and over the course of the past couple of months, I have handed over the reins to Amelia Eggleston, a young and talented student who I know will take the club to the next level.

I would also like to thank Connor and Avie for their help over the past two years – with them being involved in taking photos, interviewing the manager and players, and writing match reports.

The role I have undertaken has been a voluntary one, which has given back some great rewards – getting to know a fantastic group of players and being accepted within the team; working with a brilliant management team…Mike, Austen, Scott, James, Ged, Nick, and Nigel…to name just a few; and being able to work with a blank canvas to create – something that can be daunting, and is actually a rarity.

What’s next? Well, that is still to be decided and something that I will be working on over the next couple of months. I will be continuing to be involved in grassroots sport in the local area – as I am passionate about supporting those teams and clubs that deserve to be shown off to a wider audience.

I would also welcome chats with any agencies that would like to work with me on new and existing projects.

Note: These thoughts are my own, independent of the club, and not reflected by Knaresborough Town AFC Women.

[quojae]

-where taking photos of idols turns into more that you ever would have guessed-

f!reader, sunoo x reader, fan x idol, fluff, meet cute, kissing

a/n: hello loves 𖹭 i hope you enjoy this fic i tried my best to make it cute and fluffy but it definitely gets raw and intimate towards the end, happy reading o(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)o

wc: 11.3k

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you went to school for photography, photography had always been one of the loves of your life, you would see a scene and just have the urge to take a photo. although looking back, you almost regret getting your degree in it, people always say not to mix your passion and your work. you should have listened, photography is one of those professions where finding stable work feels like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. the industry is oversaturated, and the competition is fierce. jobs hard to score, and the pay is often inconsistent, making it hard to rely on it as a full-time career.

at the time, you were stuck working part-time at a mcdonald's in a rundown part of town. the job paid just enough to cover rent and bills, but the hours were long, the work was grueling, and the atmosphere was depressing. you had a camera, of course, but it felt more like a distant dream you once held as a naive college student than something real. that is, until one evening, when one of your coworkers - someone you didn’t really know that well - approached you with an unexpected proposition.

they had an idea - a suggestion so simple yet so completely outside the box that, at first, it felt almost too good to be true. you’d never considered anything like it before, it wasn’t a big corporate gig, or some trendy magazine cover shoot, or even a commissioned project for a local business. it wasn’t even a photoshoot in the typical sense, but that was exactly the point. it was something raw, something spontaneous, and - most importantly - a reason to use your camera again, reignite your childhood passion.

your coworker, the one you barely knew and could hardly remember the name of, was a fan of a particular idol. the idol wasn’t incredibly popular, they rarely made headlines but was a recognizable, familiar face, you had been interested in idol’s at one point but eventually had to abandon the hobby in favor of paying your bills. this idol was attending a private, high-profile event - an exclusive gathering with limited access - where fans rarely got the chance to meet them in person, let alone snap a photo. 

somehow, your coworker had managed to get tickets to this event, which in itself was a pretty rare feat, they had an idea: "why don’t you come with me as my plus one?" they asked casually, almost as if they were offering you a ticket to a normal night out. but then came the twist. "i’ll pay you for the photos you take while we’re there. you know, of the idol. if you’re up for it."

the offer caught you off guard. at first, you weren’t sure if you heard them correctly, pay you? to take photos? of an idol? you had spent years hustling to scrape by, working part-time jobs just to keep the lights on. you’d never even thought about something like this - photographing an idol for money on the spot. there was always official photos, and some fans took photos from their phones, but going into these events with a nice, high end camera taking candid photos of idols, the idea wasn't necessarily ground breaking, people have done it before, but it made your heart beat a bit faster.

the more you thought about it, though, the more it seemed to make sense. here was a chance to finally break out of the routine you’d been stuck in. you could do something different, something that didn’t involve working under fluorescent lights flipping burgers at mcdonald's. it wasn’t a perfect opportunity, but it was an opportunity. something real, something that could get you one step closer to doing what you loved for a living. 

sure, there was a risk. not getting good shots or you freezing up under the pressure. you weren’t sure, but then again, there wasn't anything to lose. it was a chance to take your photography out of the mundane and into the world of exclusive events, star power, and actual exposure - something you’d always dreamed about but never quite reached. 

you agreed, of course. you had to. the idea, while risky and untraditional, was too intriguing to pass up. it wasn’t the glamorous photoshoot you’d always imagined, but maybe this could be your shot. so, you packed your camera and tagged along, unsure of what to expect but knowing that this could be the break you needed. 

when you arrived at the event, the energy was electric—idols sitting at their tables ready to sign posters and chat with fans, photographers buzzing around, and security everywhere. you were just another face in the crowd, but with your camera in hand, you felt a strange sense of possibility. the idol you were there to photograph was charismatic, surrounded by an entourage, but the moment you snapped the first shot, it felt like the world had opened up in a way you hadn’t expected. 

sure enough, the photos you took that night were more than just decent, they were actually pretty great. the light was perfect, the atmosphere electric, and the idol looked natural in front of the camera, by the time the night ended, you had a batch of photos that would go on to be worth more than you had imagined. it was in that moment that you realized how little you had known about the potential of your work. you had been so focused on following the traditional paths, waiting for commissions, applying for jobs that never seemed to come through, that you’d never considered going outside the box.

your coworker was absolutely thrilled with the photos you took. they couldn’t believe how good they turned out, and the way the idol had looked so natural and approachable in each shot. the pictures weren’t just great, they were special. your coworker practically couldn’t stop talking about them. the excitement in their voice was contagious, and you could tell they were more than just happy with what you'd done; they were impressed. they handed over the agreed payment, which was far more than you expected for something that felt like a spur-of-the-moment gig. you’d never made that much from photography in one night, it felt like you were finally reaching your dreams, it felt like you were finally being acknowledged for your passion.

the real surprise came a few hours later, when your coworker posted the photos on their social media account. They tagged the idol, shared a few behind-the-scenes captions, and - just like that - the photos took off. almost immediately, the reactions started pouring in. fans of the idol who had been eagerly following the event began commenting on the post, captivated by the authenticity and energy you had managed to capture. the photos weren’t just snapshots - they were a window into a moment, and it felt like people were getting a glimpse behind the idols polished public persona.

at first, the comments were more along the lines of casual appreciation like, ‘my bby looks so cutee’ or ‘the lighting on these OMG.’ But as the hours went by, something bigger started to happen. fans were flooding the post, asking for more. a few commented on how they’d never seen the idol look so relaxed or how these photos felt so much more real than the usual, heavily edited promotional shots they were used to seeing. then came the requests: ���i LiTERALLY NEED MORE RN’ or ‘can you post more pics like these… i love the style of these pics’ others tagged their friends, begging them to look how great their bias looks. then, more offers to purchase came through.

One day at work, you coworker was talking to themself “i mean, these are really good,” they said, scrolling through the growing number of comments. “i bet people would pay for these. like, seriously.” 

they were right. what had started as a casual favor to a coworker had quickly turned into something much bigger. the more your coworker engaged with the comments and shared the photos, the more requests started to come in - both from fans and even other photographers who wanted to know how you’d managed to capture such a raw, intimate vibe with the idol.

your coworker, now buzzing with new ideas, suggested something that would change the way you thought about your photography moving forward: “what if you could do this more often? go to events, take these candid shots, and sell them to fans? it’s like, exclusive content. i know so many people who would eat it up.” it was a wild idea, but as they continued to scroll through the endless stream of enthusiastic comments, you couldn’t deny it - there was something there. something more than just a one-time gig, and secretly you looked forward to going to another event to take photos. seeing the idols was breathtaking. at the time you had been so caught up in your camera you forgot where you were, who you were actually seeing. you could feel the happiness growing in your chest as you thought about that day.

that moment, when your photos started to go viral, you realized just how much potential there was in capturing these raw, behind-the-scenes glimpses of idol life, it wasnt that you wanted to stalk them home or anything, but being able to capture their raw emotions at events, the real them, excited you beyond belief. it wasn’t about posing for the camera, it wasn’t about perfection - it was about getting a fleeting, authentic moment and making it available to the people who longed for it. you had even longed for it yourself, and sharing it with others was such a great feeling.

the more you thought about it, the clearer it became, why not take this momentum and build something on your own? you didn’t need a fancy studio or a corporate client to make a living as a photographer. the fans had spoken loud and clear; they wanted real, behind-the-scenes moments, glimpses of their favorite idols captured in an authentic way. So, you decided to seize that demand, and to evolve your approach.

the first step was creating an online platform - a website, a social media page where you could post and sell your photos directly. it was a relatively simple concept, but it gave you control over your work. no middlemen, no agencies, no waiting around for a call back. just you, your camera, and the people who appreciated what you were capturing. the platform would allow fans to request specific photos they wanted, and you could price them fairly based on the level of access and the quality of the shot. 

you didn’t have to reinvent the wheel, there were plenty of online photography stores, but what made yours different was the personal, exclusive nature of the photos. the idea was to capture the moments that no one else was - candid shots, spontaneous interactions, and moments that felt intimate or unguarded. tt wasn’t about just selling any photo; it was about selling the photo, the one that told a story or showed a side of the idols their fans had never seen before.

the next step was gaining access to more events. you’d have to be creative, find ways into concerts, premieres, fan meet, maybe even award shows, or private parties where idols were likely to show up. this meant networking, finding connections, and sometimes even pulling a few favors, but you learned quickly that where there’s a will, there’s a way. whether it was through your coworkers, friends of friends, or even just by paying attention to social media and learning about events before they happened, you became skilled at getting your foot in the door.

once you were in, it was all about capturing those moments. you’d snap a few candid shots, focusing on moments where the idol was relaxed, in a natural environment. you’d also make sure to get a couple of highly polished, high-quality images to use as teasers. it was all about creating anticipation. you’d post a few shots on social media, teasing the full set of photos, and maybe even share a quick, behind-the-scenes video or an outtake to drum up interest. the goal was to make the fans feel like they were getting an inside look into the world of their favorite idol, something they couldn’t get anywhere else.

the best part? the fans responded just as they had before, eager, excited, and hungry for more. the teaser posts on social media would ignite the excitement, with fans commenting, sharing, and tagging others. requests would pour in, ‘he looks so hot here, i want moree’ or ‘i need the entire set or i might just break down’ the beauty of this model was that it wasn’t about a few one-off sales—it was about building a relationship with a community. as you gained more followers and more fans, it became a cycle. you would post teasers, people would request more, and you could offer them full, high-quality images for a fair price.

as time passed, your online platform began to grow. word of mouth spread, and more fans began reaching out. you found yourself getting access to bigger events, seeing familiar names pop up in your inbox, and even having idols or their teams inquire about using some of your shots for their own promotional purposes. each new photo was a stepping stone, each set you posted was not just a transaction, but an opportunity to connect with your audience and further build your brand.

being an idol fan yourself, this entire experience felt like a dream come true. you had spent so many years admiring these idols from afar, watching them shine in the spotlight, and now you were not only in the same rooms as them but capturing intimate moments of their lives through your lens. after being broke and not having any time to keep up with them, to being so close to them and actively in their world was incredible. the fact that you were interacting with the people you once looked up to - and even more incredibly, that they were appreciating your work - was surreal. it wasn’t just about taking photos anymore; it was about sharing the same energy, the same excitement, and being able to offer something special to other fans who shared that same passion. you were no longer just a passive admirer, you were now creating something that allowed others to connect with the idols you loved so much.

as your platform grew in visibility, so did your reputation. word spread quickly, and what started as a small side hustle became something much bigger. you became a recognized name in the idol photography world, known for your unique, authentic approach to capturing moments that no one else was able to. 

one of the benefits of your approach to this whole new life was the anonymity it afforded you. no one knew your face, and that made all the difference. you could attend high-profile events, interact with the idols, and enjoy the atmosphere without the pressure of being recognized or approached. you were able to experience these moments as both a fan and a professional, without the hassle of the typical fan interaction. there was no need for the autograph hunts or trying to get the perfect selfie; instead, you had the freedom to enjoy the event, capture meaningful moments, and leave without the distraction of unwanted attention. it was the ideal solution - living the dream of being close to the stars, but still having the privacy and space to appreciate it on your own terms. it felt like the perfect balance between work and passion, what you had always dreamed of.

✩₊°.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

it was supposed to be a normal event, just a fan meet, nothing too fancy, nothing too extravagant. you’d been to these kinds of things before, but this time you had put a little more effort into your outfit. you reached into the back of your closet and pulled out a blouse that felt just right, simple but elegant. you paired it with a cute black pleated mini skirt that gave off just the right vibe, mature, yet playful and cool. you accessorized it with a delicate necklace and some minimalistic earrings, thinking you looked polished without being overdone. you felt good about it, maybe even a little proud. this was your chance to blend in with the crowd but still stand out, to look like you knew what you were doing, like you belonged here.

but, of course, it was just your luck that, within the first five minutes of arriving, disaster struck. you hadn’t even made it past the entrance when you bumped into someone - just a girl in a hurry, not really paying attention. in the blink of an eye, her coffee went flying, splashing all over your pristine white blouse. your stomach dropped. of course, the one thing you had worked so hard to get right - your outfit - was ruined. the girl immediately started apologizing, her face flushed with embarrassment, but you waved it off, trying to brush it off as no big deal. "it’s fine, really," you assured her, even though your mind was racing. you just needed to get to a bathroom, quickly, before the stain set in and ruined your entire day.

you made your way toward the restrooms, hoping to fix things up. but, as luck would have it, the first two bathrooms you found were packed with girls, all standing in front of the mirrors, touching up their makeup, chatting, or taking selfies. there was no space for you to even get close to a sink, let alone grab some paper towels and start trying to clean up the mess. the minutes ticked by, frustration mounting as you realized that every second you spent standing around, the stain was likely becoming more permanent. finally, when you thought things couldn’t get worse, you spotted an empty bathroom at the end of the hallway - an oasis in your streak of bad luck. no one was around, the door was open, and you rushed toward it with relief, thinking you might still salvage your blouse. 

in your rush to get inside and fix things, you completely missed the sign posted outside the door. a simple, overlooked word, mens. you didn’t even register it before you burst into the bathroom. you grabbed a handful of paper towels, dampened them with water, and began dabbing at the stain with the urgency of someone trying to undo a mistake. it was already too late - the coffee had soaked in, and now you could only hope to minimize the damage. You could feel your heart pounding, trying to keep calm as you worked, praying that no one would walk in and catch you in the middle of your panic. 

a toilet flushed behind you, its sound startlingly loud in the otherwise quiet bathroom. you were so absorbed in your task, desperately rubbing at the coffee stain with a damp paper towel, that you didn’t even register the sound at first. your focus was on nothing but trying to salvage your blouse, one dab at a time. the stain seemed to mock your efforts, refusing to lift. you were lost in the rhythm of it - dabbing, dabbing, dabbing - when suddenly, the sound of footsteps broke your concentration. a man’s shoes tapped lightly against the tile floor, and before you could react, he was standing next to you, casually washing his hands at the sink.

it wasn’t until he looked up at the mirror that you noticed him. his eyes locked onto your reflection, and a squeak - more of a startled gasp - escaped his mouth. the noise was enough to make your heart skip a beat, and without thinking, you whipped your head around to see what had caused the reaction. the instant you turned, your eyes locked with his, and your stomach dropped, and you realized, you’re in the wrong bathroom. your pulse spiked as your mind raced, the embarrassing realization dawning on you at the worst possible moment.

for a brief, breathless second, there was complete silence between the two of you. your eyes widened, and before you could stop yourself, you let out a shriek of your own - a high-pitched gasp of shock and embarrassment that echoed off the walls. the man froze, hands still hovering over the sink, clearly just as surprised as you were. the realization that you had just walked into a men’s bathroom, had been standing right next to him, not even noticing until now, it hit you all at once. your face drained of color, and a flush of mortification spread across your skin, from your neck to the tips of your ears. you wanted to sink through the floor, to disappear entirely, but all you could do was stand there, paralyzed in the awkwardness of the moment. 

the man, equally stunned, stared at you for a long, excruciating beat, before his face turned a shade of red that could rival yours. every fiber of your being screamed to just run out of the bathroom, but you were frozen in place, desperately trying to act like you weren’t a complete disaster. you slowly took a step back, hoping to salvage what was left of your dignity - and maybe just run away before you could cause any more damage.

"i-i’m sorry," you stammer out, your voice faltering as your face burns with embarrassment. "i was in such a hurry i didn’t realize..."

"it’s okay," he replies, still blushing as he glances down at your blouse, his eyes briefly lingering on the stain. "you, uh... look like you’re dealing with quite the mess there."

"yeah... today is just a disaster," you admit with a sigh, your frustration evident in your tone.

he gives you a sympathetic look, then hesitates for a second, as though considering the best way to help. "it probably won’t come out with just water at this point," he observes, his voice trailing off as if he’s thinking through the best solution. without warning, he unzips his hoodie and pulls it off, handing it to you with a slight, sheepish smile. "here, use this. it should cover up the stain," he says, his eyes crinkling into cute little crescents as he smiles at you.

you blink in surprise for a moment, caught off guard by his kindness. "thanks," you reply, your voice soft, and you quickly slip the hoodie on, zipping it up. it’s a little big on you, but it feels warm and comforting, and you can’t help but return his smile, feeling a small spark of connection in the midst of your awkward situation.

"hey," he says, his voice hesitating for a moment, like he’s unsure of how to proceed. "i know this is kind of random, but… could i get your number? or, like, your instagram or something?" he looks sheepish, clearly embarrassed about asking, and you can’t help but find his shyness endearing.

you smile, feeling the awkwardness melt a little. "sure," you say, your heart beating just a little faster. he passes you his phone, opening a new contact, and you quickly type in your name and number. your fingers move quickly, but it feels like time slows down as you finish and hand the phone back to him.

"so, your name’s y/n?" he says, his eyes bright as he glances at the screen. "it’s pretty." he smiles again, and you feel your cheeks heat up at the compliment.

"thanks," you reply, feeling a little giddy despite yourself. "well, anyway, it was fun meeting you." you let out a small laugh, trying to diffuse some of the lingering awkwardness between you two. "i’d better get going so i don’t miss the start," you add, raising your camera to gesture to the event outside. "i’ve got photos i need to take, and fans i have to feed."

he chuckles, nodding in agreement. "yeah, fans have been pretty starving for photos lately."

you hesitate for a moment, unsure whether to leave or say something else. you stand there, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot, but decide to settle on something that feels right in the moment. slowly, you back toward the door, giving him an awkward wave and a smile. "text me," you say, the words leaving your mouth before you can overthink it.

he grins, his eyes still crinkling with amusement as you turn to leave. "i will."

as soon as the door closes behind you, you collapse against the nearest wall, your heart nearly pounding out of your chest. the rush of adrenaline, combined with the sheer mortification of walking into the wrong bathroom, has your pulse racing, but now there's something else, too. the encounter - the way he smiled at you, how effortlessly kind he was, the way your conversation flowed once the awkwardness wore off—it’s all a whirlwind in your mind. and then, there’s the fact that you’d just met the cutest guy you’ve seen in forever, and he’d asked for your number. your face feels like it's on fire, but there’s a grin spreading across your face anyway.

you squint up at the ceiling and slowly squat down into a little ball, clutching the wall for support as your heart continues to beat like a drum. the hoodie he’d given you smells faintly like him - fresh, with a hint of something sweet and comforting - and you close your eyes, inhaling deeply, trying to savor the feeling. the moment feels so surreal, so unreal, but you can’t help but feel like it’s the start of something unexpected.

for a moment, you allow yourself to daydream, imagining the possibilities. your heart is still racing, and it feels like it might actually burst from the excitement. you can hardly believe it - what are the odds? a mistake, a coffee stain, and suddenly you're having this perfect, bizarre, heart-thumping interaction with someone who, in any other situation, you might have never crossed paths with. if this keeps up, you might literally die from a heart attack - your heart can’t seem to slow down, and you can’t stop grinning like an idiot.

✩₊°.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

sunoo collapses against the sink, heart pounding in his chest, face flushed from the unexpected encounter. at first, when he saw her - y/n - he had just assumed she was some overzealous fan trying to snap pictures of him in the bathroom, which, crazy as it sounded, had happened before. it was a wild situation to even think about, but it wasn’t totally unheard of. the thought that she might be after some candid shot of him in a vulnerable moment made his skin crawl. but then he had noticed something that completely threw him off: she wasn’t even looking at him. instead, she was fixated on something else—the stain on her shirt. there was no glimmer of recognition in her eyes, no sign that she had any clue who he was. the realization hit him in an instant—she wasn’t here for him at all.

the more he watched her, the more he saw her quietly trying to clean up the mess, the more he found himself charmed by her. when she realized she’d walked into the wrong bathroom, it was so obvious how mortified she was. her face turned the brightest shade of red, and she stammered out an apology, looking like she might just melt into the floor. it was almost adorable. instead of being embarrassed for himself, he couldn’t help but find her genuine discomfort endearing. and on top of that, the way she casually interacted with him - it was like she had no idea who he was. no fandom craziness, no over-the-top fan-girling. just... a normal conversation between two strangers. it was refreshing in a way he hadn’t expected.

on a sudden impulse, he’d asked for her number. it felt like the most natural thing in the world. how could he not? a stunning, confident girl who was totally his type had just wandered into his life by accident. dating someone while being an idol was looked down upon, but as long as he hid it well it would be fine, it wasn’t even like he was the first in the group to get a girlfriend. heeseung had had a girlfriend before, and the members had all been through their fair share of relationships. still, the thought of a girl not knowing who he was felt almost unreal. he hoped she wouldn’t find out and suddenly treat him like a celebrity, though. it would definitely complicate things.he hoped when she learned that he was part of enhypen, the group she was supposed to be taking photos for, things wouldn't get weird. he hoped she wouldn’t suddenly act awkward or distant. he just wanted to be seen as... well, just him, the real sunoo, and despite his usual confidence about his appearance, he found himself hoping she would find him attractive, something he had never worried about before. 

he sighed, running a hand through his hair, and stared at his reflection in the mirror. things had been going so well, but now the uncertainty was creeping in. would she text him back? would she even remember him the way he remembered her? maybe he was overthinking it. he was always so fixated on how he looked, how others saw him. but with her, it felt different. like it wasn't just about appearance, but about a genuine connection. the last thing he wanted was for that to get ruined by the whole idol thing. the thought of her walking away, thinking he was just another fan-chasing idol, made his stomach churn. but all he could do now was wait and hope.

✩₊°.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

on your way to the main event, you spot a merch table tucked off to the side. surprisingly, the line is practically nonexistent—something that’s unheard of at events like this. on impulse, you decide to hop in the short line, intrigued by the merchandise on display. as you glance over the items, your eyes land on a pretty album titled simply ‘romance untold’. it looks cute, with soft, pastel-colored artwork and a sweet, romantic vibe. even though you have no idea what the idols look like yet, you feel a tug of curiosity. there’s something about the way the album is presented that draws you in. you’re sure you’ll fall in love with the group once you see them today, and it’ll be the perfect thing to flip through when you get home, a little memento of the day.

after making the quick purchase, you make your way into the main event space. you find a spot near the edge of the room, a nice angle where you can get some great shots of the idols. the excitement in the air is palpable, and the sea of eager fans around you buzzes with anticipation. you try to ignore the faint sense of discomfort as the crowd surges forward, pushing their way closer to the front. it’s always like this at big events - everyone wanting to be as close as possible, desperate for that connection with the stars they adore. you can’t help but feel a little bad for the boys, though. constantly surrounded by this intensity, always being viewed as more of a commodity than as people. of course, you know there are fans who genuinely care about their personalities, who want to see the candid moments behind the performance. but it’s hard to ignore the way others only see them for their fame. it must be exhausting, being unable to have a real, personal connection when you’re constantly on display.

the event officially kicks off when the boys walk on stage, and the crowd erupts in deafening screams, fans shrieking in excitement. you raise your camera instinctively, ready to catch the perfect shot. but as the boys make their way across the stage, your eyes widen in disbelief. standing right there, just a few feet in front of you, is the cute boy you met in the bathroom earlier. it’s him. the same boy, the one who had helped you with your coffee stain and awkwardly asked for your number. he’s up on stage now, dressed in a sleek stage outfit, his smile shining as the crowd goes wild for him. you freeze, your heart thumping as you realize the person you’d spoken to in such an unexpected, ordinary setting was a part of this incredibly popular group, standing in front of thousands of adoring fans. 

your fingers hover over the camera, caught between snapping a picture of him on stage and trying to process the surreal realization. he's an idol. you can't help but feel a mix of emotions, shock, excitement, and maybe even a little disbelief. everything from the moment you met him in the bathroom suddenly feels like it was all leading to this. and now, as you watch him interact with the crowd, you can’t help but wonder if he remembers you - or if your interaction was just one fleeting moment, lost in the sea of faces he meets every day. either way, you can't deny it - seeing him up there, doing what he loves, surrounded by the energy of his fans, makes him all the more captivating.

✩₊°.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

You get home to your small studio apartment that night with a jumble of feelings in your stomach, you really aren't sure how to feel about this whole situation. you can’t help but smile, remembering how he’d been so cute, but also completely sweet, offering you his hoodie as you stammered through an apology. for those few minutes, he was just a friendly, kind stranger who made you feel like a bit of a mess.

seeing him later on stage was like looking at an entirely different person. the easygoing, endearing guy you’d met in the bathroom had somehow transformed into a star everyone had come to see. the cheers, the eyes on him… it was like watching two different versions of the same person, both mesmerizing but worlds apart.

you wander to the tiny kitchen and pour yourself a glass of water, glancing at your camera where all those shots are stored - photos of the day, of him, some of his group mates too, but while at the event your camera couldn't help drifting to take more shots of him. you’ve always had an eye for capturing people in the in-between, those glimpses when they forget about the camera and just are, having those photos of him felt intimate and you almost didn't want to share them. 

you settle into an armchair by the window, watching the glow of the city outside. tomorrow, the photos will be waiting, and maybe when you look, you’ll find the boy from the bathroom shining through the idol on stage. for now, you close your eyes, feeling his kindness settle like a secret between you both.

✩₊°.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

a notification on your phone startles you awake, and you realize you’d fallen asleep in your armchair while trying to detangle the events of the day. the screen casts a faint glow in the dim room, and you blink a few times, getting your bearings. ten pm. not too late, but late enough that you’d be dragging tomorrow. you pick up your phone and open the notification—a text from an unknown number. your heart skips, then flutters just a bit.

unknown: hey, it's late but i wanted to text you. i hope i didn’t freak you out too much when you saw me on stage today, and i’m sorry i didn’t say anything… it was just so nice meeting you without all the screaming, you know?

a smile spreads across your face as you read it. the way he texted was just like how he talked - a bit of a ramble, slightly scattered, but somehow so sweet. he was trying to explain himself, worried he might’ve left you confused, even a little hurt. but underneath the words was that same earnest charm you’d seen in his eyes back in the bathroom, that natural warmth he’d shown before you’d known who he really was.

you type back, fingers moving faster than your sleepy brain can keep up.

you: well, it was definitely a shock, but once i got over it, i think i actually managed to get some good photos haha

a pause, and then you bite your lip, feeling that tug of nervous excitement. he’d reached out - he hadn’t had to, but he did. part of you wants to say something clever, something that hints at how surreal the whole day has felt, but instead, you decide to let the moment be simple.

his next reply comes almost instantly.

unknown: can i see them sometime? the photos, i mean. it’d be fun to see your side of the day :)

another rush of warmth fills your chest. he wants to see your work. you quickly save his number, tapping in a name that feels right, even if it’s a little embarrassing: my cutie. maybe it’s cheesy, maybe even cringe, but it fits him somehow - the endearing guy behind the idol.

before you can think twice, you hit send.

you: absolutely! i’ll go easy on you and choose only the coolest shots… mostly.

my cutie: so merciful 😌 

you laugh, covering your mouth as if he could hear you from miles away. the way he teased you, with that same lightheartedness, made it easy to forget who he was. at this moment, he wasn’t an idol, a star, or even the guy in your photos. he was just someone who’d crossed your path in the most unexpected way.

you lean back, watching the messages pop up one by one, each more endearing than the last. it’s not long before the clock creeps past midnight, and you’re still talking—about everything and nothing. he tells you about the foods he misses from home, you tell him about the weirdest photoshoots you’ve done. eventually, his last text appears on the screen, the letters a bit more spaced out as though he’s getting sleepy too.

my cutie: hey, don’t think too much about today, alright? i liked meeting you… just you. i hope you can think of me like that, not all this other stuff. sleep well, my photographer :)

you stare at the screen, reading the words over and over, your eyes catching on the last two words, my photographer. Maybe you were reading into it, but your heart raced and a blush creeped up your face

you: sweet dreams..

✩₊°.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

you woke up the next morning with a dull headache, the kind that reminded you you’d stayed up way too late. the soft morning light filtering through your curtains did little to ease the fog in your mind as you sat up and rubbed your temples. you really shouldn’t have stayed up so late. the night had been a blur of messages and thoughts, and now, in the quiet of the morning, it all felt almost surreal. your mind couldn’t help but wander back to the previous night, replaying the texts and wondering if it was all real. 

you grabbed your phone off the nightstand and unlocked it, scrolling through your messages. sure enough, there it was - your conversation with him, still fresh on the screen. your heart skipped a beat as your eyes scanned his words, and a flutter of giddiness spread through your chest. it was a feeling you hadn’t experienced in a long time, something light and warm that made you smile to yourself like you were holding onto a secret. 

you stretched and groaned softly, trying to shake off the lingering haze of sleep, but the thought of him made it hard to focus on anything else. after a few more minutes of half-hearted attempts to wake up, you started getting ready for the event you had scheduled today. normally, you'd feel excited to be at another idol meet, camera in hand, ready to catch those perfect moments. but today, something was different. you were a lot less excited about meeting the idols after meeting him. sunoo, with his sweet messages and even sweeter personality, had somehow made the whole idol experience feel less… important. how could you focus on anyone else when he was already occupying so much of your thoughts?

still, you pulled yourself together, slipping into your outfit and grabbing your gear. you left the house and made your way to the venue, your usual excitement returning as you walked through the crowds of fans, eager to capture the perfect moments for fans. you focused on your work as best you could, snapping photos with precision, but a part of your mind was always wandering back to the messages with him. your fingers hovered over your camera, your heart racing every time you thought of the next time you’d get to talk to him again. 

the day passed in a blur, each hour slipping by faster than the last. by the time you got home, you could barely keep your eyes open, but there was something more pressing than rest now, you needed to go through the photos. you decided to post a few teaser shots on your instagram, and checking your website to see if there were any new purchases. it was something you did every day, a small ritual, but today it felt like the least important thing on your mind. 

after a quick check of your sales, you set your phone down and settled onto the couch for a while. your excitement for the evening overtaking the exhaustion from the day, you picked up your phone again, your fingers itching to text him, to pick up where you left off. you couldn’t help but feel hopeful about the possibility of talking to him for hours, the way he made you laugh and made you feel seen - even if it was all still so new.

you jumped as the phone in your hand vibrated, the sudden buzz breaking the silence of the room. you glanced down, a smile tugging at your lips when you saw the name on the screen.

my cutie: hey, you free?

your heart fluttered. it was funny, you’d been just about to send him a message yourself, and now here he was, texting you first. you couldn't help but feel a little giddy at the thought.

you: yeah, what's up?

there was a short pause before his reply came through. you could almost imagine him typing, fingers hesitating over the keys, like he was still unsure.

my cutie: well, nothing really, just wanted to talk to you again…

your heart skipped a beat at his words. it was so simple, but the way he said it made you feel… special. he wanted to talk to you again. you smiled to yourself, feeling that warmth bubble up inside. 

you: that's fine with me haha, so how was your day?

there was a brief pause before he replied, and when his message came through, it felt so… gentle. his words were easy, like you were two old friends catching up after a long day.

my cutie: pretty good, actually. spent most of the day rehearsing, but it wasn’t too bad. honestly, it was nice to have a quiet day after all the craziness, and i kept thinking how nice it would be to talk to you again. so here i am. 😊

your heart skipped a beat. the way he said it was so sweet, and it made you feel like you were part of his day, something he looked forward to. you couldn’t help but smile as you typed your reply.

you: haha, glad! my day was pretty normal - took a bunch of photos, posted some stuff online… just the usual grind. but talking to you now is definitely the highlight of my day. 

you paused, then added another message

you: so, what did you get up to today besides being a super idol lol

a beat passed, and you could almost hear his laugh through the phone. when his reply came, it was exactly the kind of sweet, teasing tone you’d hoped for.

my cutie: oh, you know, just being a super idol... rehearsing, eating my weight in snacks, pretending to be a professional 😅 but honestly, i was kinda looking forward to this all day. 

you laughed, 

you: i bet the snacks were more important than rehearsal, at least they would be for me haha

my cutie: hey, snacks are an essential part of the idol lifestyle! gotta keep the energy up, right :)

you laughed out loud, feeling completely at ease now, like you’d known him far longer than you actually had. the conversation flowed easily between the two of you, natural and comfortable, and you found yourself getting lost in the rhythm of it. everything felt so normal despite everything that made this situation anything but.

you: i’m sure the snacks were well worth it. so, do you often just, like, have an evening off where you can do nothing?

my cutie: ha, you have no idea how rare that is. but, yeah, i get the occasional evening off. Although i usually just lay on the couch, eating snacks, and watching k dramas. sometimes i just need to forget for a bit. 

you: sounds pretty perfect, honestly. no better way to recharge.

there was a brief pause, and when his message came through, it was a little more thoughtful than the previous ones.

my cutie: yeah, it is. but honestly, talking to you like this is kinda the best recharge i’ve had in a while.

he quickly sent another message

my cutie: actually… i was wondering… how would you feel about meeting up sometime? we could, you know, hang out. maybe grab some food or something, just the two of us?

you blinked at the screen, your heart racing. it was such a simple invitation, yet it made your stomach flutter with excitement. He wanted to spend time with you, just the two of you. you quickly typed your reply, your fingers moving faster than you could think.

you: i’d love that. when were you thinking?

the reply came almost instantly, his message light and happy.

my cutie: how about this weekend? we can pick a spot, no pressure, just a nice, easy time together.

your heart skipped a beat at the idea of finally meeting him in person. it felt like everything was falling into place, and you couldn’t wait to share that moment with him.

you: that sounds perfect. i’m honestly so excited for it. 😊

my cutie: i’m really looking forward to it too. we can pick a spot, no pressure, just a nice, easy time together.

his words felt so relaxed and sweet, and the thought of a simple, carefree time together made your heart swell with affection.

you: can’t wait! talk soon, cutie. 😊

my cutie: talk soon! get some rest, okay? i’ll be thinking about you. 😌

You blush as you realize you called him a cutie over text. it wasn’t just a passing thought - no, you actually typed it out and sent it to him. You basically called him a cutie to his face, albeit through a screen, and now you're not sure if you're more embarrassed by the words or how quickly they slipped out.

✩₊°.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

sunoo was lying on the couch, completely sprawled out, his legs draped lazily over the armrest as he kicked his feet and grinned at his phone. he felt like a teenage girl, the way he was giddily tapping away, heart fluttering with every message from y/n. it was all so… effortless. so natural. talking to her felt like slipping into a warm blanket, and no matter how many times they texted, it never felt boring or dull. she was just so perfect in his eyes, so easy to talk to. the way she made him feel special without even trying, how her words were like little sparks of joy that lit up his day... he couldn’t help but smile at the screen, his heart swelling in his chest.

the conversations were always light, casual - never forced, always just right. but beneath the surface, sunoo felt something more. every message, every response, was like a sweet little secret they shared, even if neither of them had said it out loud yet. he was starting to realize he was way too invested, maybe even falling for her without meaning to. it was becoming obvious to him, but he still hadn’t figured out how to make her see it. 

his heart skipped a beat when he thought back to last night - he’d worked up the courage to ask her to meet up this weekend. well, he hadn’t exactly called it a date - he didn’t want to scare her off - but he had definitely dropped enough hints, he felt his face heat up at the memory of how nervous he’d been.

as excited as he was, there was a wave of uncertainty. he was so down bad for her, so caught up in these feelings that he couldn’t quite control. the reality of it hit him in waves, especially when he realized just how badly he was falling for this perfect woman. he couldn’t help but feel like he was a little out of his depth.

it had been so quick, but it felt so right. every time he saw her name pop up on his phone, he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. and the best part was, she seemed just as genuine, just as real as when they first met, she always treated him like a real person, like he wasn't a global superstar, it was nice. and yet, there was still that little doubt gnawing at him. was she feeling the same way, or was he reading too much into their conversations? it didn’t help that his group members were starting to catch on. they’d tease him relentlessly, calling him out when he’d get all starry-eyed and distracted. 

sometimes, when they all gathered together, they’d look at him with knowing smirks, teasing him even more. but it wasn’t just his groupmates that were noticing. he couldn’t help it, he just stop thinking about her, couldn’t stop replaying their conversations in his head, imagining how things could unfold if they really took a step forward. it was terrifying and thrilling all at once.

and despite all that nervousness, that overwhelming feeling of uncertainty, sunoo couldn’t help but get even more excited. maybe it was reckless, maybe he should take it slow, but when it came to her, all he could think was what if… what if she felt the same way? 

✩₊°.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

you woke up early on sunday, excitement buzzing in your chest. you knew today was the day. you wanted everything to be perfect - especially the way you looked. it was silly, you told yourself. you wanted him to like you for you, for the person you truly were, not just the way you looked. but still, there was that little part of you that wanted to catch his eye, make him think you were cute, maybe even a little alluring. just the thought of him noticing you in that way made your heart flutter.

you picked out a soft, fuzzy sweater that felt like a warm hug, paired it with a cute skirt and tights, something simple but put-together. it wasn’t over-the-top, just enough to feel confident, maybe even a little special. you took a few moments to do your makeup, just enough to highlight your features but not make it obvious. you wanted to look effortless, but also effortlessly cute. after a quick check in the mirror, you grabbed your bag, checked the time, and rushed out the door, heart racing with anticipation.

the coffee shop was just a short walk away, and you arrived a little earlier than you had planned. upon checking your phone, you realized you had arrived twenty minutes early. you smiled to yourself, relieved that you had plenty of time to settle in. you thought about grabbing a table to wait for him, maybe look over the menu or just check your messages, but when you walked in, your eyes immediately landed on him. 

there he was, sitting at a small table by the window, already looking at you with those warm eyes, a slight blush creeping up on his cheeks. just like the first day you saw him, he looked effortlessly cute - his hair a little messy in that endearing way, his smile soft and inviting. he’s already here? your heart skipped a beat as your own cheeks flushed, warmth spreading across your face. 

for a moment, you just stood there, taking in the sight of him, suddenly unsure of yourself. was he waiting for you? was he nervous too? but before you could think too much, your legs carried you toward the table. you smiled nervously, trying to keep your cool as you sat down across from him. you sat down across from sunoo, the nervous energy in the air palpable. there was a slight flush on his cheeks, the same adorable color you saw the first time you met him, and the way he smiled at you made your heart flutter. 

“hey,” you said softly, smiling as you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. “i’m glad you’re here.”

“me too,” sunoo replied, his voice a little breathless. he adjusted in his seat, fidgeting with his cup before looking back at you, his eyes soft. “i, uh… i hope i’m not making things awkward. i don’t really do this often, you know? go out on, um, dates…” he trailed off, clearly trying to sound casual, but you could tell he was a little nervous. it was endearing. the way his words came out, a little stilted and unsure, but with a warmth that made you feel safe.

you couldn’t help but smile, feeling your nerves settle a bit. “it’s okay,” you said gently, reaching for your drink. “i’m nervous too, honestly. but it’s nice, right? just getting to know each other in a quiet, relaxed place.”

sunoo nodded eagerly, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “yeah, i agree. i like this. it’s nice not having to worry about people... you know, staring at us, or... getting distracted.”

the way he said it, so simple, made you feel a sense of calm. the pressure was off. it was just the two of you. the conversation flowed easily after that, like old friends catching up. you talked about everything—the coffee shop, your favorite books, movies, random little things that made you laugh. time seemed to slow down, and the more you learned about him, the more you liked him. 

as the conversation continued, sunoo’s nervous energy seemed to settle, and he started to relax more, his gestures becoming a little more fluid. you noticed how his hands would gesture softly when he talked about something he loved, and how his eyes sparkled when he smiled at you. there was something magnetic about him, even in the small, intimate moments.

after a while, you both finished your drinks, and sunoo suggested moving on to the second part of the day. “so, i was thinking... do you want to go to the aquarium after this? i know it’s a little cliche, but i think it could be fun.” he looked at you with those wide, hopeful eyes, waiting for your response.

you smiled, feeling a wave of warmth fill your chest. “that sounds perfect. i love aquariums. it’s kind of romantic too, don’t you think? all those beautiful fish, soft lighting... it could be peaceful.”

sunoo’s face lit up. “yeah! exactly! i thought it might be nice, too.”

you both stood and walked out of the coffee shop together, the air crisp against your skin. sunoo seemed to walk a little closer to you now, and you couldn’t help but notice how your arms brushed occasionally. you could feel the electricity in the air—those small moments of closeness that made everything feel more meaningful.

when you arrived at the aquarium, the dim lighting and soothing sounds of water immediately set the tone. it was quieter here, peaceful. the gentle sway of the sea creatures and the soft glow of the tanks made everything feel almost dreamlike. as you strolled through the exhibits, you found yourselves walking slowly, side by side. sunoo kept glancing over at you, a soft smile on his face.

“this is nice,” he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper. “i’m glad we did this. it’s just… calm. and we can just… talk, you know? no pressure.”

you nodded, your heart swelling. “yeah, i feel the same. it’s nice to be able to take it slow. no rushing.”

there was a slight pause, the quiet around you only amplified by the soft bubbling of the water in the tanks. you stopped in front of a large tank filled with glowing jellyfish, their bodies floating gracefully. the soft light made everything feel even more serene. sunoo glanced at you and then at the jellyfish, his voice barely above a whisper. 

“i think i like that about you,” he said, his words a little hesitant but so genuine. “you make me feel like i can just be myself around you.”

you looked at him, surprised by the tenderness in his voice. your heart skipped a beat as you realized how much it meant to share this moment together, you responded softly, your gaze meeting his a slight smile on your lips, “i’m really glad i’m here, with you.”

sunoo’s expression softened, his eyes searching yours for a moment before his lips curled into a small, shy smile. “me too. i didn’t think it’d feel this… nice. i guess i was kind of nervous, but now…” he trailed off, taking a small step closer. “i don’t want this to end, you know?”

you could feel your breath catch at his words, and before you could stop yourself, you reached out gently, brushing your fingers against his hand. his eyes flickered down to your hand, then back to your face, a soft blush creeping up his neck. “i don’t either,” you murmured, your voice barely audible. “i like this. being with you.”

there was a moment of silence, the world around you fading into the background as you both stood there, just looking at each other. the soft glow of the aquarium illuminated his face, and for a second, you felt like you were the only two people in the world. everything felt so simple, yet so perfect.

sunoo took a deep breath, as if summoning the courage for something. “do you maybe… want to do this again sometime? i mean, not the aquarium. but… you know. like, a real date. with you.”

your heart skipped, and you couldn’t help the smile that spread across your face. “i’d like that,” you said softly, your voice filled with warmth. “i really would.”

sunoo smiled back, the shy, endearing boy you’d come to know so well, and for a moment, it felt like everything was falling perfectly into place. the date was everything you had hoped for - and more.

✩₊°.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

you left the aquarium, your mind still buzzing from the experience, but there was something else now - an undeniable tension in the air between you two. it felt different, almost electric. you couldn’t quite put your finger on it, but every time your hands brushed, it felt like something more than just a coincidence. 

then, as you walked side by side down the sidewalk, sunoo’s hand gently found its way into yours. the warmth of his fingers wrapping around yours made your heart skip a beat. you didn’t even have time to process the action before a blush crept up your cheeks. looking over at him, you noticed his cheeks were flushed too, and his eyes were slightly widened, almost like he was still surprised by his own boldness. it was the sweetest thing you’d ever seen.

the two of you continued walking, your steps a little slower, savoring the moment. when you reached a quieter part of the sidewalk, you stopped and turned to face him. sunoo paused too, his eyes searching yours with a hint of curiosity.

you felt your heart race, your mouth suddenly dry. "i was wondering..." you started, unsure of how to phrase it, the words coming out more nervously than you intended. "would you want to come over and watch a movie?" 

as the question left your mouth, you immediately felt heat rise in your face. it sounded so simple in your head, but now that it was out in the open, it felt much more vulnerable. “i-i’m just not sure i want today to end yet,” you mumbled, barely able to make eye contact, your blush deepening.

for a moment, the air seemed to hold its breath, and you were starting to feel like maybe you’d overstepped. but then you saw it—the way sunoo’s eyes softened, his lips curling into that familiar, shy smile you’d come to adore. he looked at you with a sense of warmth that made your heart flutter.

“honestly, i would love that,” he replied, his voice gentle, and there was something about the way he said it that made you feel like everything was falling into place.

your heart swelled with relief and excitement as you both continued holding hands, walking back to your place. the city lights around you were soft, casting a warm glow as you made your way to your apartment. it felt like the perfect end to a perfect day, and yet there was a sense of anticipation in the air, like something more was about to unfold.

once you got inside, the familiar comfort of your apartment seemed to settle around you. you slipped your shoes off and sank onto the couch, the soft cushions inviting you in. then, without really thinking about it, you moved a little closer to sunoo, leaning into him just enough to feel the warmth of his body against yours. you were suddenly aware of the way he tensed up a little, but it didn’t last long - he quickly relaxed into the position, and you could feel the slow rise and fall of his chest as he settled beside you. 

you could both feel the electricity of the moment, the growing closeness that you both had been dancing around all evening. your stomach fluttered with nerves, but it felt right. it felt like you were both figuring out what this was. you grabbed the remote, trying to distract yourself a movie. you chose one of the first films that popped up on the screen—something lighthearted, you thought. but as the opening credits rolled, you suddenly realized you had made a terrible mistake. you hadn't checked the rating, and it was definitely not the kind of movie you’d intended. the film was rated R, and as the characters in the movie started to get closer, you felt the heat rise in your face again.

you tried to keep your focus on the screen, but every time the camera panned to the characters, your eyes couldn’t help but dart over to sunoo. you caught him quickly glancing away, a nervous chuckle escaping him. his whole body was a little tense, like he was trying to avoid acknowledging the fact that you were both watching an incredibly intimate scene. 

the background noises from the movie only made things worse - moans and heated whispers. the tension between you two was palpable, like you could cut it with a knife. you were both blushing furiously, trying to ignore the scene unfolding, but it was impossible.

you tried to laugh, but it came out as more of a strangled cough. you grabbed the remote in a panic, fumbling with it as you quickly skipped ahead, fast-forwarding past the scene with a little too much force. but even as the steamy scene disappeared from the screen, the awkward energy lingered, and you both sat there, still feeling the weight of the moment.

for a long while, neither of you spoke. the movie played on, but it was clear that neither of you were really paying attention to it anymore. sunoo glanced over at you with a nervous smile, the soft lines of his face lit by the glow of the television screen. 

you couldn’t help but lean in closer, the pull between you two too strong to ignore. you knew you probably shouldn’t, considering that whatever was going on between you was still undefined, and maybe rushing it wasn’t the smartest thing to do. but in that moment, it didn’t matter. the space between you seemed to shrink with each passing second, and you just couldn’t hold back anymore. 

you glanced up at sunoo, and the warmth in his eyes made your heart flutter. there was a quiet intensity there, a longing that mirrored your own, and in that look, you found something you hadn’t expected - he wanted this too. 

without thinking, you shifted, positioning yourself so you were now facing him, your body comfortably nestled in his lap. he clearly hadn’t expected the sudden move, and you could feel his breath hitch in surprise, but there was no tension, no hesitation. he relaxed almost immediately, his hands gently settling on your waist, as though he was silently saying, it’s okay, I want this too.

you paused for a moment, just taking him in. sunoo wasn’t bulky, not like other guys you had met, but he was slender and graceful, his body still holding the quiet strength of someone who took care of himself. his frame felt right against yours, and his face - so beautiful, so expressive - made your heart race. there was something about him, something that made every word feel softer and every movement feel like it meant something more. 

his eyes flickered to your lips and back up to your eyes, a silent invitation, and without even thinking, you leaned in slightly. in a moment of shared understanding, he closed the distance between you two, his lips meeting yours in a kiss that was gentle. his lips were soft and warm, the touch sweet. everything about the kiss was tender, but you could feel the undercurrent of desire in it. it was like he was pouring everything into that moment - the way he pulled you closer, his hands now gently resting on the curve of your back, holding you to him as if you might slip away. it was a sweet, almost perfect kiss, just like him - full of emotion, but soft, full of warmth and affection, like he was telling you everything he couldn't quite say with words. you broke the kiss, your faces still inches apart, both of you breathing a little faster, hearts racing. the air between you was thick with unspoken words, but there was an understanding. whatever this was between you - however undefined or new - it was real.

he broke the silence with a simple sentence “i don't want to go on anymore dates that might not be dates,” he said with a laugh, “i really want to go out with you for real, i’m in love with you.”

you smile, your heart still racing, “me too, i'm in love with you too.”

[sluttsumu]

CAUGHT IN 4K COLLAB .ᐟ

౨ৎ in honour of me hitting my 4k milestone im hosting a collab! give me two seconds of mushy stuff before i get to the details. i’m beyond grateful for all of you and your choice to indulge in my content, and interact with me in my lil safe space ♡︎

THE THEME PERTAINS TO THE FOLLOWING: voyeurism + exhibitionism, photo + videography (including leaks), getting caught in the act.

౨ৎ this is an 18+ collab as it’s open to nsfw and dark content, sfw entries are welcome as well! please tag your work accordingly.

DEADLINE: no deadline (i’ll stop taking entries after valentine’s day — feb 14th) fandoms are limited to anime characters (i tagged the big ones, all are welcome!)

౨ৎ TO ENTER: send an ask with your character, fandom, and category! 2 works per character, first come first serve!

once answered, reblog this post and using the tag, #📹 —₊˚⊹ ᰔ CAUGHTIN4KCOLLAB, please tag me in your works and use the dedicated tag when posting.

₊˚⊹ ᰔ ON CAMERA (photography + videography)

jujutsu kaisen

OMG, STEPBRO?! — gojo satoru x @sluttsumu

haikyuu

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! — hinata shoyo + hoshiumi kōrai + yaku morisuke x @shoyostar

WIP — sakusa kiyoomi x @loko4koko

tokyo revengers

WIP — rindou haitani + sanzu haruchiyo x @wakashawty

₊˚⊹ ᰔ ARE YOU STILL WATCHING…? (voyeurism + exhibitionism)

attack on titan

WIP — reiner braun + jean kirstein x @shujistars

tokyo revengers

WIP — kokonoi hajime + inui sheishu x @kentocidal

₊˚⊹ ᰔ CATCH ME IF YOU CAN! (getting caught in the act)

haikyuu

WIP — lev haiba x @pparadiselost

© SLUTTSUMU 2023-2024

[whoslaurapalmer]

twin peaks but it happens in 2010. laura palmer have iphone etc etc

this ask has been haunting me since i saw it last night oh my god okay okay so

i wanted to lead with laura being an influencer but no one was quite influencing in 2010 yet. but the point here being that i think she posts a lot online and cultivates her online image very carefully (very soft, carefree, excited teenager) and has a LOT of followers on everything and always gets a ton of likes. bc it's laura, she's so beautiful and special and popular, of course everyone is following her, of course everyone is liking all her posts to get a piece of her

she has a twitter (laurapalmer93) where she posts a lot of pictures with little captions like.......'morning donuts at the diner!!' with a picture of the donuts and a milkshake or a Coffee To Be An Adult, 'can you believe this guy? <3' with a picture of bobby making a face (or even.........dare i say it...........doing the dougie), a picture of donna and james with '<33333333' (modern emojis were just getting really big then but i myself was not a big emoji user in 2010 yet, so neither is laura), 'don't tell ;)' with a picture of her holding a cigarette (of course everyone still smokes in the high school bathrooms).

one time she gets away with posting the lyrics to if i die young by the band perry (IF I DIE YOUNG! BURY ME IN SATIN! LAY ME DOWN ON A BED OF ROSES!) (FUNNY WHEN YOU'RE DEAD HOW PEOPLE START LISTENING!) bc it's a popular song. it raises a few eyebrows but it's a song and it's laura. how seriously do you take teen angst, even among your friends? that's just what laura does. what's there to really worry about, huh? (the song was released in may 2010 but let's say the lead up to her death is in 2010)

on facebook she posts a lot of volunteer stuff. school dance photos, which she helps organize. buy some cookies to support the french club!! she's very involved with student council, and she organizes the group halloween costume. her facebook is filled with photos of her with other people, but not really any of just her. she doesn't post a lot of statuses, but they're usually about homework or tests or 'feels like summer!' towards the end of the school year. she's friends with her parents. she definitely takes ap classes.

she has a private vent twitter (lostinthewoods) with zero followers that she uses as a diary bc she thinks it'll be safer than having it physically written down. her childhood lisa frank diary with the tiny lock and glitter gel pens that she kept in her bed post went missing, after all. her vent twitter is filled with sooooooo many tweets bc this was still the 160 character limit days and she would just post and post and post especially late at night. (she definitely has string lights in her room.) she is a MASTER of using her phone with no one seeing -- she has the layout absolutely memorized. she was only caught texting in class once and of course the teacher let it go.

bob/leland finds her passwords and breaks into the vent twitter and leaves her horrifying tweets she sees later, instead of the back and forth they have in the diary and leland ripping the pages out.

i think she has a third twitter, for sex, but i'm not sure if that tracks for the time period? (snapchat wasn't a thing until fall 2011.) or like a forum sort of thing? i think it's still super easy for laura to sneak out, even in an increased security camera world. there's still a lot of stress on the, yknow, ~secret unexposed underbelly of the world especially in a time of more eyes on everything~ in the 2010s.

meanwhile, james posts music a lot on facebook, and also acoustic covers of songs. like. yknow. HEY SOUL SISTER. donna loves the original pusheen stickers. they record the picnic video on her flip video camera. mike loves icanhascheezburger, and he jailbreaks his phone. audrey gets really into audrey hepburn quote posting, Aesthetic France, black and white photos, berets, has a photography phase and carries and actual camera bc it's Vintage. she's an early tumblr user. no one else in school has a tumblr yet, so she feels very cool but also very lonely about it.

harry has very little understanding of social media, however cooper is very into all social media, he finds it delightful. he enjoys a good cat video. he looks through all of laura's photos, her tweets, facebook videos, and i think there's, honestly even more of a feeling of tragedy bc of how much more physical evidence there is available of laura's life, lingering fingerprints, last tweets, last posts, passwords to put in and information to see, cold blue computer light, the even worse voyeurism in people expecting so much of your life to be online, in watching it play out online, in the image laura created for herself online to be the person people expected

donna rereads laura's twitter in the dead of night, just over and over again. goes back through their texts. so much of grief has become so much more public with social media and using it as a teenager, and there's this back and forth in donna of not posting anything and then posting the most miserable statuses about losing her best friend.

i know i should get deeper into the investigation but i keep thinking instead of how laura definitely gets a 20/20 special. it's probably definitely called 'the secret life of the american teenager.' (bc there was that show on at the time with the same name) elizabeth vargas visits twin peaks, is appropriately grim, there's a lot of b roll of the town and the woods but without the grace of twin peaks' cinematography. they play up the creation of a narrative big, as they always do on 20/20. the revelation of her 'double life' is at the halfway mark and simultaneously not discussed enough and overestimated. 'laura palmer was your average, everyday teenager -- she liked horses. cats. she got good grades, was homecoming queen, had a boyfriend on the football team. she volunteered on weekends. she had her whole life ahead of her. or was there more to the story than anyone knew? was there a dark side to the all-american girl?' oh, it's agonizing. the trailers play up a lot of potential spooky woods stuff that isn't followed through on in the actual episode.

now 20/20 prides itself on getting the story right, so i feel like it's.........i feel like they have to say it's leland at the end (and they definitely never get into anything about bob). but i also think, for some reason, it could easily have a 'we never found the killer' ending. especially re: s3........the thing is, i feel like laura's death particularly is the kind of thing that shows up on 20/20, but the rest of the circumstances would've ended up on like the unsolved mysteries website (the last revival ended in 2010, before the netflix reboot in 2019) (especially with WELL OUR FBI AGENT WENT MISSING). and there's so much online to put together in a website about it, there's so much for people online to dig into who have never even been to twin peaks, to think they know a town and the people in it and the girl who died even if it's just literally THE MOST DISGUSTING VOYEURISM IN THE WHOLE WORLD i just think there's such a. horror in that. people have the most, just, enraging takes when they get involved in a Murder That Happened Somewhere Else. people thinking they alone can figure out a mystery they've never seen, they can of course see something no one else has. and it's different than the people in the town ignoring it -- i think a lot of the secrets in twin peaks stay the same, no matter the time period, so of course it's still, a terrible dying town killing the people in it, maybe even quieter than it is in the original, some new infrastructure but old buildings, not all of them occupied anymore, ANYWAY -- like of course yes people in the town ignore the same amount they did in the original, all small towns bury things. but just bc the town itself isn't paying attention doesn't mean that some rando online is going to know more, no matter how much they think they will. there's like an entitlement to details of a murder, an I Must Be The Hero, The Savior, bc i'm on a fucking reddit thread about it

now i have zero (0) idea of how medical science and forensics work, but i have to assume there have been some advancements in the field between 1989/1990 and 2010/2011. the town still rushes the funeral, but would albert have been able to find anything else sooner? what is it he would have found to point to leland sooner? oh........dna testing, maybe? would he be able to find out about leland right away? there's more of a sense of urgency, maybe less of a slowness between events, even more of a shattering horror. maybe leland goes missing in an attempt to cover things up. hmmmmmm.

final note -- cooper gets called mulder as a nickname bc the x files happened as a show in this universe.

[girlactionfigure]

LEICA AND THE JEWS

The Leica is the pioneer 35mm camera. It is a German product - precise, minimalist, and utterly efficient.

Behind its worldwide acceptance as a creative tool was a family-owned, socially oriented firm that, during the Nazi era, acted with uncommon grace, generosity and modesty. E. Leitz Inc., designer and manufacturer of Germany's most famous photographic product, saved its Jews.

And Ernst Leitz II, the steely-eyed Protestant patriarch who headed the closely held firm as the Holocaust loomed across Europe , acted in such a way as to earn the title, "the photography industry's Schindler."

As soon as Adolf Hitler was named chancellor of Germany in 1933, Ernst Leitz II began receiving frantic calls from Jewish associates, asking for his help in getting them and their families out of the country. As Christians, Leitz and his family were immune to Nazi Germany's Nuremberg laws, which restricted the movement of Jews and limited their professional activities.

To help his Jewish workers and colleagues, Leitz quietly established what has become known among historians of the Holocaust as "the Leica Freedom Train," a covert means of allowing Jews to leave Germany in the guise of Leitz employees being assigned overseas.

Employees, retailers, family members, even friends of family members were "assigned" to Leitz sales offices in France, Britain, Hong Kong and the United States, Leitz's activities intensified after the Kristallnacht of November 1938, during which synagogues and Jewish shops were burned across Germany.

Before long, German "employees" were disembarking from the ocean liner Bremen at a New York pier and making their way to the Manhattan office of Leitz Inc., where executives quickly found them jobs in the photographic industry.

Each new arrival had around his or her neck the symbol of freedom - a new Leica camera.

The refugees were paid a stipend until they could find work. Out of this migration came designers, repair technicians, salespeople, marketers and writers for the photographic press.

Keeping the story quiet The "Leica Freedom Train" was at its height in 1938 and early 1939, delivering groups of refugees to New York every few weeks. Then, with the invasion of Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, Germany closed its borders.

By that time, hundreds of endangered Jews had escaped to America, thanks to the Leitzes' efforts. How did Ernst Leitz II and his staff get away with it?

Leitz, Inc. was an internationally recognized brand that reflected

credit on the newly resurgent Reich. The company produced cameras, range-finders and other optical systems for the German military. Also, the Nazi government desperately needed hard currency from abroad, and Leitz's single biggest market for optical goods was the United States.

Even so, members of the Leitz family and firm suffered for their good works. A top executive, Alfred Turk, was jailed for working to help Jews and freed only after the payment of a large bribe.

Leitz's daughter, Elsie Kuhn-Leitz, was imprisoned by the Gestapo after she was caught at the border, helping Jewish women cross into Switzerland . She eventually was freed but endured rough treatment in the course of questioning. She also fell under suspicion when she attempted to improve the living conditions of 700 to 800 Ukrainian slave laborers, all of them women, who had been assigned to work in the plant during the 1940s.

(After the war, Kuhn-Leitz received numerous honors for her humanitarian efforts, among them the Officier d'honneur des Palms Academic from France in 1965 and the Aristide Briand Medal from the European Academy in the 1970s.)

Why has no one told this story until now? According to the late Norman Lipton, a freelance writer and editor, the Leitz family wanted no publicity for its heroic efforts. Only after the last member of the Leitz family was dead did the "Leica Freedom Train" finally come to light.

It is now the subject of a book, "The Greatest Invention of the Leitz Family: The Leica Freedom Train," by Frank Dabba Smith, a California-born Rabbi currently living in England.

Thank you for reading the above, and if you feel inclined as I did to pass it along to others, please do so. It only takes a few minutes.

Memories of the righteous should live on.

Rabbi Yisroel Bernath

[simonsomeriley]

🐺remus lupin x slytherin!reader

remus is off limits for you. yet you always make your way back to him

you felt the heavy rain pour down and trickle down the hood of your rain coat, hurrying your way through the slippery grass and through the corridors

trying to make your way to the slytherin common room as efficiently as possible, walking through a group of girls giggling about what you could only assume was boy talk, a guy-gang loudly discussing about a shitty frat party, & lastly, a group of three boys walking alongside each other, tightly pressed into one another as if seeking warmth, like a puppy litter

the boy to the right side, with a chiseled jaw, neck-length hair & dark eyes, a visual of what you assumed people were talking about when using the term "tall dark and handsome," seems to be the one iniciating whatever the conversation was about

pressed in the middle, was a tan-skinned, brown-haired, charming boy with circular glasses and a glint in his eye, a clear smug expression on his face

but to the left side of the beaming boy, stood a brown-eyed boy with thick eyebrows, a straight nose with a light cut across it and his hair in all directions

you stood still. beaming boys all in their gryffindor uniforms paid you no mind, strutting aside you and straight to wherever they were going

snapping back to reality, realizing you've stood still for quite a while, you turn around, eyes seeking after the wet foot prints in the grass, only to see a path of footprints leading into the forest, with no boys in sight

.

you don't think about them again until the next day. walking down the staircase, heading straight to the dining hall for dinner, having freshly showered

you weren't the only one freshly showered, it seems

after taking your seat at the slytherin table, in between two girls snickering about something youd already tuned out, strutting into the hall comes yet the same group of boys you saw yesterday, in all their wet hair and glistening skin glory

you watch them maneuver over to the gryffindor table, attempting to focus your listening onto their voices

you hear a little about some owl crashing into a window, my girlfriend got me a love letter yesterday, have any of you done your potions homework yet, did any of you find a spell to cheat on our potions homework yet,

you also hear about finding crystal clear waters in the middle of the forbidden forest.

.

after dinner, you were planning on taking a stroll around the castle before curfew, for photography homework, learning to take a photograph without a psychical camera, pansy having taught you how to snap photos with nothing but a wand

your homework required one of all of the listed:

one picture of an animal

one picture of an exotic plant

one picture of the moon or the sun

and lastly, one picture of you and a friend together

packing your stuff up from dinner, you stand up from the table, straightening your skirt and adjusting your ponytail, one of the girls from beside you says, "hey, if we actually figure this photograph thing out, we could use it to take pictures of whoever we want, right?"

strutting through the corridors, greeting some fellow slytherins on the way to the common room as to not be caught outside right before curfew,

you can see the stars in the sky outside, and if you look close enough, the moon shimmers enough for you to see its reflection in the water

once again, you step out onto the wet grass, although this time, you start hearing footsteps

paranoid, you reach for your wand out your pocket, casting, "lumos," quietly and continuing your path

however the footstops dont stop, they continue, and they come closer

you reach your wand out, "hello? if youre trying to be funny and scare me, its not working!" yet, theres no answer

the grass splatters and sploshes with the wet sounds of the school uniform shoes

the footsteps follow up to a tree, and they stop there

hm?

you walk up to the tree, holding your wand out in front of it, theres nobody there

but it seems like the air is shifting..

rapidly in the moment, you reach your hand out tugging on the shift..

the footsteps have been revealed,

and its the scar-faced boy youd held eye contact with in the corridors yesterday..

.

you wake up the next day in your dorm room, having been able to sneak back in behind Filchs back before curfew, yet with a sore pain in your back after the little amount of sleep youve gotten

you follow your usual routine.

you brush out your hair, you dress yourself, turn off the other girls´ alarm clocks & youre on your way out

but isnt there something youre forgetting?

where are my shoes?

in the place on your doormat where you usually put your shoes, (the "´sup, witches?" doormat pansy had gotten you as a friendsgiving gift during her muggle humour phase), was a letter, not your bow-flat uniform shoes

you pick it up, its not addressed from or to anyone, the outside is blank. yet it looks like its been sealed with red candle wax

so you open it, and inside, it reads:

If you are missing items And need to find where they are lost They may be sentimental Or bought at a high cost

You need to sit down on your own And picture the item you want to find Inhale deeply then exhale slowly And clear your mind

oh, thats great. so this fucker youve never even spoken to, first of all, creepily follows you around on campus in the dark while invisible, holds eye contact with you in the corridors & now he steals your shoes and wants you to play his little game to find them?

its 7:25 AM. you have better things to do.

but then again. seeing his chiseled and scarred face, his red lips and his smug expression...

you think about the poem, "You need to sit down on your own and picture the item you want to find,"

picture. picture the item you want to find.

was this some test for your camera-less photography skills?

after putting your green tie and jacket on, down the stairs you borderline flew. without shoes, into the dining hall, ready to get breakfast over with so you could play this promiscuous strangers game.

.

its 3:35 PM. youre walking along the school grounds, poem in hand, trying to think about any hidden meaning behind it

youre overthinking it. what does he want to do with me? was this his way of revenge after i accidentally uncovered his invisible disguise yesterday? he ran off and into the castles right after...

what if he wants more than just my shoes? what if hes really mad and wants to make sure i regret it if i find them and hes there as well..

you shake away the thoughts, trying to retrace your steps from yesterday. you hum quietly to yourself, what was i doing again? photography homework, through the corridors, onto the grass, right by the trees...

youve pieced it together now. your shoes.. this stranger you dont even know the name of has taken your shoes into the forbidden forest.

thats how him and his buddies have been going there the entire time, wasnt it? throwing the cloak over their shoulders, making a run for the forest and just hoping they wont cross the path of some angry troll or evil creature..

thats what you needed to do. you needed to find a way to the forest, needed to secure that youd be able to get in and get back out

.

you set on sneaking ut in the dead of the night. its cold silent. not a single sound. every student is asleep, in their common rooms by curfew as common practice, you were never really a fan of rules

you made it to the tree you uncovered him by. theres nothing there. but, you spy with your little eye, wet footprints in the grass leading deeper.

it feels like youve been running forever. too scared of what could be hiding in the forest, too scared to meet it eye to eye, you set about making a run for it instead. you have no idea what youre even running for

one second, the wind is cold. your hair is all blown away from your face, your feet carrying you at a pace you knew youd be sore from after

the next second, an excruciating pain. your head hits the ground. hard.

you feel like you just died and came back, mustve lost your consciousness for a second

you come back to your senses eventually, you feel your hand up your forehead and your scalp, checking for cuts or deep dents. you find none

when you finally lift your head from the ground, right in front of you, by the root youve tripped on, is your old trusty pair of uniform-flat shoes.

.

you dont know how you ended up here. you just followed the foot prints, to get your shoes, of course. nothing else. just getting your shoes.

until it was something else.

you dont know how you ended up here, floating in bottomless crystal clear waters that looks like it shimmers in the moonlight.

across from you, none other than the good looking boy youd uncovered the day before.

you dont know how you ended up here, talking to him, having conversations with him, introducing yourself to him

you get closer. he seems like he trusts you.

for some odd reason, you feel the same way.

he inches closer and closer to you. you do nothing to resist his advances

he breaks the invisible stranger-ship.

his lips meet yours and you dont resist him at all

his warmth seeps into you

you dont even know his name.

.

and lastly, you dont know how you ended up here, currently being twirled around like a princess by none other than that same handsome, scar-skinned, dark haired boy you held eye contact with in that corridor

hes in a suit. you mightve fainted when you saw him in it for the first time if it wasnt for the dizzying amount of kisses he had been giving you the night before

your dress is silver. it shines and it sparkles, "pretty," he says, "you shimmer when the rays of moonlight hit you. youre beautiful like the sparkling place i loved you for the first time, sweetness,"

youve never been treated with this kindness before. you didnt know it was possible for someone like you to be treated with gentleness. care, kindness and gentle hands.

"you look handsome in anything you wear. handsome like the beaming boy i fell in love with at first glance in the corridors,"

sorry if it sucks i am sleep deprived 🥲

[riddlesrhymesandfear]

Dork Squad fall for that one reporter who makes photos of them for the newspaper/online news.

Summary: Mad Hatter, Riddler, and Scarecrow falling for a reporter.. (2nd person/ gender neutral)

A/n: I am slowly working on requests again, I have some that are almost done and should be out in the next week :) (also I wasn't sure if you meant 'takes' or not, so I just went that route,,)

||> Mad Hatter

Oh, Jervis wasn't sure who was taking such photos of him with crisp shots and lighting at first, but he does not waste another second finding out! It helps that your name was credited below his recent photo in the newspaper he came across.

He becomes much more careful and observant of what goes on around him, keeping an eye out for anything out of the regular in hopes he may find the reporter that's been taking his photos. And when he does, he doesn't let the opportunity pass.

At first it's curiosity, but it's not long before he grows interested in learning about you. Even outside the fact you take photos of him, the way you do so has him waiting for the next new edition or article to come out to see if there's a new photo of him (or anything really, but himself especially) you've taken.

The lighting, the care in the lack of blure or style, just the entirety of how you take your photos—it's caught him, line and sinker. And it's not long before you manage to snag his heart the same way.

||> Riddler

Finally, someone finally understands and appreciates his person to capture him in polaroid form! And not in an amateurish sense—professionally, for all of Gotham to recognize him! Just who is the individual he has to commemorate (or "volunteer" for his next death trap)?

He's quite enamored with the attention and detail to your photos of him, although depending on what the subject matter and setting of the photo, was, he may have a different reaction. If it's during a time he's out and 'in action,' he's far more likely to seek you out for some words of your talent and appreciation for models and matters of his own essence.

However, if it's during a less appealing moment (facing a nother loss against the Batman), or in a place of private (like his workshop or home), he may be inclined to seek you out for a few selective words and threats...

Regardless, congrats—you've gained Edward's attention, and there's little to nothing that'll pull it away, save for the Dark Knight. Whether you've obtained his liking or his irritation, he'll be on the lookout for any new photography you may have out on the next newspaper or online article.

||> Scarecrow

He's.. put off, to say the least. At first, anyway. Mostly by the fact that your photos have enough speciality to them to give out details of himself that most other photographers would end up blurring. And it frustates him.

The Scarecrow is meant to be a beacon of fear, of terror—people should think twice before walking across his path—but you? You take photos of him in a way that he's certain you've been up close to take them.

He will admit that they catch his likeness, however—most reporters' photos of him are humilitaing, such as being taken back to Arkham or losing to the Bat; or are blurry to the point only the shape of the photo's subject is determinable. But yours, as much as it frustrates him, are taken neatly and without flaw. Many of them even capture his formidable stature—truly give due credit to the alias he dons.

Jonathan has many ways of finding what he wants, and you've caught his attention. Your photos make him wonder what you fear—what limits you have that'll scare you off, or keep you coming back. And he's determined to figure out each and every one of them.

[cosmereplay]

I thought occasional Fridays (ie when I remember) I would send a fic I enjoy out into the ether. Here's my first Fanfic Friday rec!

the night i looked at you by SapphicSpren

Shakadolin modern AU, rated Explicit, 9500 words.

Summary: Adolin volunteers to model for Shallan's art assignment, and he brings his very hot boyfriend. horniness ensues.

Teen rated excerpt below the cut

As evening drew closer, Shallan was caught between anticipation and fear. Somehow, Adolin had convinced her that it would feel more “casual” and “intimate” if he and Kaladin came to Shallan’s apartment to take the pictures. And, like an absolute fool, she had agreed.

On one hand, this made perfect sense – the photography studio was big and cold and impersonal, and the lights were a little intense. Shallan’s bedroom would definitely provide a more intimate atmosphere. On the other hand… fuck. It was difficult enough to act normal and professional around hot guys you were into when they were almost naked and doing sensual poses for you to photograph and draw. It was going to be much, much more difficult when they were also in her bedroom. Heralds above. Why had she agreed to this again? Oh, right. Pure, unbridled horniness. The doorbell rang. Professional, Shallan reminded herself. She looked at herself in the mirror one last time – because even professionals wanted to look nice, right? – and hurried to let them in. Adolin had struck a silly pose leaning against Kaladin’s shoulder with one hand on his hip like he was some over-sexualized anime girl, and he winked at Shallan flirtatiously. No, she chastised herself, not flirtatiously. He was just being funny. Kaladin stood very still, with a look of – honestly, Shallan had no clue what his expression was. Nervousness? Annoyance? This man was harder to read than the goddamn Dawnchant. She smiled and invited them inside. Professional. Professional. Don’t think about the fact that you’re leading them to your bedroom. After the requisite small talk had been completed – Adolin very thoroughly complimented Shallan’s taste in decor while Kaladin stood there like a stone statue, nodding occasionally and shifting his weight from foot to foot like he had somewhere better to be – Shallan took a breath. “Okay, so there’s not a ton of space to work with here. I was thinking of putting the tripod in that corner, and then the two of you can stand in front of the bed to start. I also washed all my sheets and everything, in case you want to do any poses on the bed. It might be a cool angle. Or not. I don’t know. Is that weird? Sorry if it’s weird…” “It’s not weird.” Surprisingly, Kaladin was the one to say this. “It’s probably our best option, with the limited space. Go set up the camera.”

[thedreamyhummingbird]

Berlin Lights - Preserving the Past

Today's romantic short story plays in Berlin in the 70s and features a group of eastern European students, a camera, leaking ceiling lights, floral wallpaper, a passionate redhead, protests, an old woman selling flowers and an one eyed cat with a missing ear. This vivid story was brought to life with the help of ChatGPT, an AI language model.

Berlin Lights - Preserving the Past

It was the 70s and Berlin was a hotbed of political and cultural change. Vlad, a eastern European student, and his friends had escaped their communist country and were living in the city, trying to make a new life for themselves. They were all hippies, living in a run-down apartment with floral wallpaper and a leaking ceiling light.

One day, while wandering the streets of Berlin, Vlad stumbled upon a quaint coffee shop. As he was about to enter, he saw a young woman with red hair sitting at one of the tables. Her name was Belinda van Dirke, and she was from East Germany. Vlad was immediately struck by her beauty and her passion for photography. She had the latest American camera and wanted to document the student situation in Berlin.

As Vlad and Belinda got to know each other, they discovered that they had a lot in common. They both loved the city, the freedom it offered, and the opportunity to express themselves. They spent their days exploring the city and taking pictures of the sights and people they encountered.

One day, as they were walking down the street, they came across a demonstration in front of a cinema that was about to be torn down to make way for a new office of the communist party. Vlad and Belinda decided to join the demonstration and document the event with their cameras. Their photos helped to preserve the cinema and other cultural buildings. They publish weekly in newspaper.

As the demonstration came to an end, they decided to head back to their apartment. On the way, they encountered an old grandmother who was selling newspapers and flowers. She had a cat with one ear and one eye, which caught Belinda's attention. She wanted to take a picture of the cat but the cat run away.

Back at the apartment, Vlad and Belinda settled in for the night and watched TV together. As they sat there, looking up at the leaking ceiling light, they realized that they had fallen in love. They knew that their time in Berlin was limited, but they were determined to make the most of it.

As the weeks passed, Vlad and Belinda's love for each other continued to grow. They spent every moment they could together, capturing the beauty and the struggles of the city with their cameras. And when it was time for Belinda to leave Berlin by train, she had a realization that she should stay in Berlin because of Vlad and for continuing to preserve the cultural heritage.

Belinda decided to stay and continue her work alongside Vlad, documenting and preserving the cultural heritage of Berlin. Together, they managed to save several other cultural buildings from being demolished, thanks to their efforts.

The old grandmother passed away, and one night after her death, while they were sleeping, a cat came through their broken window. It was the cat from the grandmother's store. It was skinny and hungry. They took care of the cat and it became their constant companion. From that day on, the three of them were inseparable and their love for each other only continued to grow stronger.

Source: Story created in Open AI's GPT-3 Language Model (ChatGPT) and AI-generated image made in Microsoft designer.

[graywhalewatchingbaja]

Baja Lagoons: A Sanctuary for Gray Whale Encounters

The pristine lagoons of Baja California offer one of nature's most remarkable spectacles - the annual migration of gray whales. These gentle giants journey thousands of miles from Arctic waters to the warm, protected lagoons of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, creating unforgettable wildlife encounters from December through April.

San Ignacio Lagoon, Magdalena Bay, and Scammon's Lagoon form the primary sanctuaries where these majestic creatures gather. Each whale watching in Baja Lagoons possesses unique characteristics, with San Ignacio renowned for friendly whale encounters, Magdalena Bay celebrated for its protected waters and marine diversity, and Scammon's Lagoon distinguished as the largest nursery area for mother whales and their calves.

The whale watching experience in these lagoons transcends typical wildlife viewing. Local operators use small, permitted boats called pangas, ensuring intimate encounters while maintaining respect for the whales' natural behaviors. Experienced guides, many from local fishing families, share generations of knowledge about these extraordinary marine mammals.

During peak season, visitors witness countless displays of natural behaviors. Mother whales often approach boats with their curious calves, creating magical moments of eye contact and gentle interaction. The lagoons come alive with breaching displays, spy-hopping, and tail fluking, as whales showcase their grace and power in their natural environment.

Conservation plays a crucial role in these encounters. Local communities have transformed from whale hunting to whale watching in Baja, becoming steadfast protectors of these marine mammals. Strict regulations ensure sustainable practices, limiting boat numbers and maintaining appropriate distances unless the whales choose to approach.

The ecosystem surrounding these lagoons supports an abundance of wildlife beyond gray whales. Visitors often encounter bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, and numerous bird species. The desert meeting the sea creates a unique landscape where marine and terrestrial wildlife thrive together in remarkable harmony.

Accommodations range from rustic camping to comfortable eco-lodges along the lagoon shores. These facilities embrace sustainable practices, using solar power and minimizing environmental impact while providing necessary amenities. Guests enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine, often featuring fresh seafood caught by local fishermen.

Weather patterns significantly influence the watching experience. Morning tours typically offer calmer waters and better visibility, while afternoon breezes can create more dynamic conditions. Professional guides monitor weather conditions carefully to ensure both safety and optimal viewing opportunities.

Photography enthusiasts find endless opportunities to capture extraordinary moments. The clear Baja light, combined with the whales' predictable surfacing patterns, creates perfect conditions for both professional and amateur photographers. Many operators provide specialized photography tours with expert guidance.

Cultural experiences enhance the whale watching adventure. Local communities share their traditions, stories, and deep connection to these annual visitors. Many families have witnessed multiple generations of returning whales, creating a unique bond between humans and these magnificent marine mammals.

The transformation of Baja's lagoons from hunting grounds to conservation areas represents one of nature's great success stories. Today, these protected waters provide safe haven for hundreds of whales annually, while sustainable tourism supports local communities and ensures the preservation of this extraordinary natural phenomenon. https://graywhalewatching.com/gray-whale-watching-in-baja/

[massiekorbin]

Korbin Massie

City of God

World Cinema

Analytical Review of City of God

City of God (2002), directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, dives deeply into themes of poverty, violence, and survival within Rio de Janeiro. Adapted from Paulo Lins's autobiographical novel, the film sheds light on the challenging and often harsh lives of different individuals caught in cycles of crime, economic problems, and social neglect. Although centered on gang rivalries and drug wars, *City of God* goes beyond typical crime drama, critiquing systematic inequality and showing how environments lacking structural support lead people down paths marked by violence, limited opportunity, and the pursuit of power.

One of City of God's standout elements is its nonlinear structure and layered perspective. The story is narrated by Rocket, a young photographer whose detached viewpoint offers insight into the issues of the city. His narration shows flashbacks and present-day events, offering a view into the characters’ pasts and showing how power dynamics change over time.

Rocket’s role as narrator adds a layer of complexity. Growing up in the city, he is both an insider to its struggles and an outsider in his desire to escape through photography. His detachment from the violence, both a way of coping and a product of his artistic aspirations, encourages viewers to assess the unfolding events. Unlike the gang members who seek control through violence, Rocket’s pursuit of a different life path shows a personal struggle for identity that extends beyond the city’s borders.

The film’s style is visually striking, creating an experience that feels both documentary-like and cinematically intense. César Charlone uses handheld shots, quick pans, and close-ups to capture the energy and unpredictability of life in the slums, aligning with the directors’ commitment to realism. The choice to cast non-professional actors, many from similar backgrounds, further enhances the story's authenticity, giving the characters a real, grounded feel instead of making them seem unauthentic. 

The use of color and lighting is also significant. Gritty, sun-soaked visuals emphasize the intense heat and crowded nature of the slums, while faded, dusty hues evoke a sense of evil and hopelessness. Occasional bright colors fill certain scenes, highlighting the cultural vibrancy of the city despite its harsh conditions. This visual style isn’t just for aesthetic effect, it serves as a commentary on the comparison of beauty and brutality that defines life there.

The film’s themes revolve around survival, power, and the brutal cycle of violence that clings to its characters. The city functions as an isolated ecosystem where government and social services are nearly absent, leaving crime as a primary survival mechanism and power gained through violence. Characters like Lil Ze and Benny represent different approaches to navigating this environment. Lil Ze personifies an unchecked drive for dominance, enjoying the violence he brings upon others, whereas Benny, despite his gang affiliation, seeks peace and connection. Their contrasting paths show how responses to the same harsh conditions can lead to drastically different outcomes, though both are inevitably shaped by the city’s boundaries.

[leicamoments]

Keep On...Keeping On

Sunday saw the visit of Golcar United Ladies to Manse Lane to take on Knaresborough Town Women in a WRCWFL Division One fixture.

While nothing is decided in November [that phrase seems to get earlier and earlier]...this was a game that was eagerly anticipated as potentially one of the matches of the season...and it wasn't going to disappoint.

You can read Ged Maloney's match report on Knaresborough Town's website here, with a few photos supplied by Caught Light Photography.

Here are a few more images from the game - all photos are available to buy in digital format for personal use, licence for editorial news, or in print format. Details of the price can be found here.

All images © Caught Light Photography Limited

[taazakhabar07]

The Ultimate Guide to Gadget Reviews: Exploring the Latest Smartphones and Cool Gadgets in India

Welcome to my deep dive into the world of gadget reviews, where we explore the latest smartphone reviews, discover cool gadgets, and keep up with the latest technology news in India. In a rapidly changing tech landscape, it can be tough to find the best products that fit your needs. Fear not! I'm here to help you navigate this exciting journey.

Why Gadget Reviews Matter

Have you ever bought a gadget only to be disappointed? I have, and it’s not fun. That’s why reading reviews before purchasing can save you time and money. With the right information, you can make informed decisions and avoid buyer’s remorse.

Here’s why gadget reviews are crucial:

Informed Decisions: They provide insights into product features, performance, and real-world usability.

Latest Trends: Reviews keep you updated on the latest tech trends and innovations.

Consumer Experience: They give you a glimpse of what actual users think, not just what companies say.

What Makes a Good Gadget Review?

When I look for gadget reviews, I want to know several key points:

Performance: How well does the gadget work?

Usability: Is it easy to use?

Design: Does it look and feel good?

Value for Money: Is it worth the price tag?

Customer Support: What happens if something goes wrong?

Now, let’s explore some of the most talked-about gadgets on the market.

Latest Smartphone Reviews

1. Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Release Date: September 2023

Key Features: A16 Bionic chip, improved camera system, ProMotion display

Price: Starting at ₹1,34,900

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is making waves in the smartphone world. The A16 Bionic chip delivers lightning-fast performance. You’ll love the improved camera system, which captures stunning photos even in low light. The ProMotion display provides a smoother experience when scrolling and gaming.

Pros:

Excellent camera performance

Fast charging capabilities

Sleek design

Cons:

High price point

Limited customisation options

If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 15 Pro feels like a natural upgrade. However, if you’re looking for more flexibility, consider other options.

2. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Release Date: February 2023

Key Features: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 200 MP camera, S Pen support

Price: Starting at ₹1,24,999

Samsung has a reputation for high-end smartphones, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra is no exception. The 200 MP camera is a game-changer. You can capture details like never before. Plus, the S Pen makes it easy to jot down notes and sketches.

Pros:

Stunning display

Versatile camera features

Long battery life

Cons:

Bulkier than other models

Expensive accessories

If you want a powerhouse device that does it all, the Galaxy S23 Ultra might be your match.

3. Google Pixel 8 Pro

Release Date: October 2023

Key Features: Google Tensor G3 chip, exceptional camera, clean Android experience

Price: Starting at ₹1,06,999

The Google Pixel 8 Pro stands out for its camera quality and clean software experience. The Google Tensor G3 chip enhances photo processing, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts.

Pros:

Best-in-class camera software

Regular software updates

Clean Android experience

Cons:

Battery life could be better

Limited availability in some regions

The Pixel 8 Pro is perfect for anyone who values photography and simplicity in their tech.

Cool Gadgets to Check Out

Let’s switch gears and look at some cool gadgets that caught my attention recently.

1. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

Release Date: September 2023

Key Features: Active noise cancellation, spatial audio, improved battery life

Price: ₹26,900

The AirPods Pro have evolved. The second generation offers better sound quality and improved noise cancellation. You can truly immerse yourself in music or podcasts without distractions.

Pros:

Excellent sound quality

Comfortable fit

Long battery life

Cons:

Pricey compared to competitors

Limited features without an Apple device

If you own an iPhone, the AirPods Pro are a fantastic companion for your listening needs.

2. Sony WH-1000XM5

Release Date: May 2023

Key Features: Industry-leading noise cancellation, long battery life, touch controls

Price: ₹34,990

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a fantastic choice for anyone seeking the best noise cancellation. The sound quality is superb, making these headphones great for music lovers or frequent flyers.

Pros:

Outstanding noise cancellation

Comfortable for long use

Great sound quality

Cons:

Bulky design

Higher price point

If you travel often or work in a noisy environment, these headphones are a worthy investment.

3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Release Date: August 2023

Key Features: Body composition analysis, improved battery, sleek design

Price: ₹29,990

The Galaxy Watch 6 combines style and functionality. The body composition feature gives insights into your health. It’s perfect for fitness enthusiasts or anyone looking to improve their wellness.

Pros:

Stylish design

Comprehensive health tracking

Good battery life

Cons:

Limited app selection

Works best with Samsung devices

If you want a smartwatch that looks good and helps you stay fit, check out the Galaxy Watch 6.

Latest Technology News in India

Staying updated with the latest tech news is essential. Here are some recent developments worth noting:

1. 5G Rollout

India’s 5G rollout is in full swing. Major telecom providers are expanding coverage, promising faster internet speeds and improved connectivity. This transition will enhance everything from streaming to online gaming.

2. Electric Vehicle (EV) Market Growth

The EV market in India is booming. More manufacturers are launching electric cars, and charging infrastructure is improving. This shift towards electric vehicles can reduce pollution and lower fuel costs in the long run.

3. AI Innovations

Artificial Intelligence continues to evolve. Companies are incorporating AI into various sectors, from healthcare to finance. This technology can improve efficiency and provide better services.

FAQs About Gadgets

What Should I Look for in a Gadget Review?

Look for honest opinions on performance, usability, design, value, and customer support. Reviews should be balanced, highlighting both pros and cons.

How Do I Know If a Gadget Is Worth the Price?

Consider its features, performance, and how it compares to similar products. Look at user reviews to see if others believe it’s worth the investment.

Are Reviews on YouTube Trustworthy?

YouTube can be a great source of information, but ensure you watch reviews from credible sources. Look for channels with a history of honest reviews and a good following.

My Personal Experience with Gadgets

Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of gadgets. I remember getting my first smartphone—it changed everything. I could take photos, browse the internet, and stay connected on the go. Now, I can’t imagine life without my smartphone.

When I bought my first set of wireless earbuds, I felt like I’d entered a new world. The convenience of listening to music or taking calls without tangled wires was a game-changer.

However, not every purchase has been a win. I once bought a smartwatch that promised to track my fitness but fell short on battery life. It’s experiences like these that remind me to always read reviews before buying.

How to Write Your Own Gadget Reviews

If you're keen to share your insights, here’s a simple guide to writing your own gadget reviews:

Start with an Introduction: Explain what the gadget is and its main features.

Provide a Personal Touch: Share your experience and what you liked or disliked.

Highlight Key Features: Break down the gadget's specifications and functionalities.

Discuss Pros and Cons: Be honest about the strengths and weaknesses.

Conclude with Recommendations: Would you recommend this gadget? Who is it best for?

Conclusion: Stay Informed and Make Smart Choices

Navigating the world of gadgets can be overwhelming, but with the right information, you can make smart choices. Remember to check out gadget reviews before your next purchase. Keep up with latest smartphone reviews and stay updated on cool gadgets that can enhance your daily life. Don’t forget to explore the latest technology news in India to stay ahead of the curve.

Technology is constantly evolving. By staying informed, you can make choices that suit your needs and lifestyle. Happy gadget hunting!

[monst]

   I’d like to preface this by saying that in my defense I took an edible like a couple hours ago… Anyways enjoy my high ramblings about: 

       How Tim Drake’s photography skills doesn’t get enough of a shoutout:

   To begin, he hasn’t really been shown to keep up with the hobby in canon but fanon Tim is apparently the fucking goat. However, regardless of which version(s) you're talking about it’s always said that he took photos of Batman and Robin as a kid. And they were so crisp too which crazy difficult considering the circumstances. So let’s get into it-

     First of all, night photography. Low light and mostly long distance shooting would need a camera with a 300mm (250mm lens minimum - I’ll explain later)  he’ll need to shoot with a high aperture to maximize light exposure (About F1 which oh we haven’t even gotten to price or how this can affect the sharpness of the image) and slow shutter speed. We’ll talk about the shutter speed before getting to ISO and flash. 

     To capture moving objects you’ll need a quick shutter speed 1/400-1/600 (being generous) to catch the dynamic duo in action. The faster the shutter speed the less light exposure your image gets. So even using the largest aperture available you’ll be getting even less light. This wouldn't be that much of an issue if this wasn’t Gotham. Where there's little ambiance light except for maybe a few street lamps. But let’s say he can get enough ambient and/or artificial light, it’ll still be blurry because he’ll have to worry about shake. (Will touch on slower shutter speed in a bit)

This can be remedied with a tripod and while he doesn’t have to worry about blurring due to his own hands now (Moving the lens before the sensor finishes recording the image). This now limits where he can take those pictures. This is probably about the time he’d realize he needs to track their patrol patterns if he wants to actually get anything on film! (Fucking film yall, who knows if the body he’s using even has a view finder, film is so expensive especially if you’re developing your images after which he does (Like okay Mr. We’re just well off, with a whole ass darkroom) and film doesn’t really leave you much room in lieu of editing. So if you make a fucky wucky well too bad ig.. I’m mostly just salty that I can't afford to do it(Yet!) don’t mind me… but also the point still stands there is less room for error)

    Taking a detour to talk about ISO since that’s also something you wouldn’t be able to edit on film cameras (Which he uses!) He cannot use flash, like at all. So he doesn’t even have that extra light to work with. Why can’t he, well he’s not trying to get caught!? (Bright side? It’s also something less he’d have to carry…) Now let’s say he was using a digital camera, a lot of people will say that you shouldn’t use a high ISO buuuuutt sometimes you can pull this off without a lot of noise. (Noise-if you’ve ever taken a picture at night and you see that staticy stuff that’s noise) This is usually if the subject is in motion. But let’s say he wanted to catch them on a break this would be reversed he’s need to lower the ISO and shoot on a longer exposure(Slower shutter speed) 

     These are the money shots. You know when fics always talk about those favorite pictures of his usually it’s something like Batman smiling at Robin (Jason), or the bats just having quiet moments. But back to the point- This means that if he wants to capture high pace action shots (The sharp pictures he’s taken in comics of batman fighting) it’ll have to be done on a tripod, large aperture, fast shutter speed (1/300-1/600) and high ISO. The issue with this is that he’d have to be set up in order to capture it. Which means tons of hours of waiting around high traffic violent areas. 

    But the patrol route stills would be easier to take. Slower shutter speed, low ISO, high aperture (Adjusted in regards to available lighting). Now I was talking about the mm of the lens earlier and this is in regards to the width of the lens. This affects sharpness and while most digital cameras are zoom lenses he’s most likely have to buy them for the body of whichever camera he does have. He would need to shoot from pretty far away which is why that’s the minimum he’d need imo. This is mostly to keep himself hidden and safe so depending on how close he’d want to be. (For fic writers this can totally be your excuse as to why the bats never caught him, 300mm can zoom to the craters of the moon, is it excessive? Yes? But he’s got the means. He could be over five buildings over and they’d be none the wiser.) 

     Now for composition, because while some photographers like to go with the flow and not plan shoots he doesn’t have that luxury. But it’s Tim so he most likely loves the challenge it presents. (Do I headcanon that he has orchestrated specific batfam shots? Yes.) This is where his planning skills also show because he’d have to decide on which type of image he wants. Is he staying up the whole night to get dawn pictures? 

    Is he taking silhouettes at dusk? If he is then he needs to be at this building because it’s the perfect height and the light reflects on where they’ll be standing at exactly 8:27pm. (That’s a shot!) Or during one of those rare times when the bat and bird are out during sunset hostage situation bleeding over into day two (The bat’s cape sparkling gold?) 

       Coming back to the action pictures or the ones of them grappling. To take those he’d be using his knowledge of their patrols, and would only need to situate himself to where they’d cross. As a child genius I don’t think it’d have been hard for him to calculate the distance between each swing and which places they’d most likely attach their grapples to. 

 

      (It’s be tedious tho. This means he’s probably had to try different buildings, experiment with different times of the night up until dawn maybe, this would mean constant adjustments within the exposure triangle until he saves his customization. Obviously this would have to be within the patrol route so not all buildings. So he’d have to make due with those limitations. And being a literal child hello?) But back to the action of catching them mid swing. 

     We already said that for those he’d have to have a high ISO, Quicker shutter speed and large aperture but I think that regardless he’d still get blur. And that’s also not a bad thing in regards to this shot because it can look cool. Sometimes it’s a stylistic choice to do this but if he had wanted a less blurred effect the best way would be to take the image from the front instead of the side. This would also require a lot more planning since you’d have to find a building that faces the other within the patrol route’s limitations. This one would look like he’s coming right at you.

   Talk about patience cause after all that he’d have to stay there until they arrived and fire off shots (Take many not just one and hope that one came out great) can you image messing up and missing it after all that prep-

    Anyways yeah it’s pretty impressive. We should talk about it. 

[timeisindifferent]

I visit my eyes

Last year, I experienced some profound dreams and visions that lead me to the Ghanaian folktale, “Ananse”. A story about a spider: a trickster, who was surrounded by wisdom. But in forgetting who he was, went and lost it all. The image of a trickster came to me in the form of a half human - half monkey creature. Both two rebels of the system on a journey for self-redemption and spiritual insight.

The tricker’s job is not to be good or bad, but to perform free will, perfect artistry given by God. But with all this free will comes a test to see how far you can go. To test God’s limitations or become an imitation?

This is a projection of humanity’s lust, greed, and becoming the “perversion” of God’s work. The “primitive” side of human civilization and psyche. Mischief-makers who seek a code of conduct. Like the three legendary mystical monkeys who, “Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil, See no Evil”. The monkey embodies humanity’s plight, caught between the amorality and literality of instinctual expression and drive toward social and emotional evolution.

Photography/direction: Angela Vanderstraeten

Cinematography: Jasmijn van Buytene

Talent: Maud van Dievoet

Hair & Makeup: Vanessa Li

Assistant/light: Matias Batalle

16mm processed by Onno Petersen

[robinsonranch]

Cameraman Stars in Volcano Ordeal : Rescue: Woodland Hills resident is recovering after spending two days trapped in a Hawaiian crater.

By PATRICE APODACA

Nov. 25, 1992 12 AM PT

As a movie cameraman, Michael A. Benson of Woodland Hills has seen harum-scarum disasters and hairbreadth escapes--at least the Hollywood versions--but this time he was the star in “The Great Flight From the Gas-Filled Volcano.”

Benson, who worked on “Terminator 2” and “Ghost” among other films, suffered lung problems from inhaling sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gas while trapped for two days in a Hawaiian volcano crater after a film helicopter crashed. He was in fair condition Tuesday after crawling into a net lowered from a helicopter that plucked him from the crater on Monday after an earlier rescue attempt failed.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Benson said by telephone from his hospital room in Hilo, Hawaii.

“I just have some lung problems because of the gases,” Benson said, adding that he could manage only a few sentences because an oxygen mask made talking difficult.

Cameraman Chris Duddy and helicopter pilot Craig Hosking, both from Los Angeles, reached safety earlier. They had also been treated for lung and eye irritation and released. They could not be reached for comment.

The three men flew into the Pu’u ‘O’o crater of the Kilauea Volcano on Saturday to film a segment for the Paramount Pictures Corp. production “Sliver.” The helicopter lost power and crash-landed on the crater floor about 150 feet below the rim.

About 275 feet below the rim is an active pond of molten lava, according to the National Park Service, which administers the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Hosking was rescued by helicopter from the crash site a few hours after the film helicopter went down, but Benson and Duddy, who had begun to climb out of the crater, could not be found.

Hampered by intermittent rainstorms, toxic fumes from the volcano and poor visibility, rescue efforts continued through Sunday. That afternoon, Duddy, 31, managed to crawl out of the crater.

But Benson, 42, remained stuck on a tiny ledge about 60 feet below the crater’s rim. He was in voice contact with rangers from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and rescue workers from the local fire and police departments and the U. S. military, based on the rim above him.

By Monday morning, a momentary break in the weather allowed rescuers to fly a helicopter level with the lip of the crater and lower a rope with a net attached for Benson--who was out of sight of the helicopter crew. But the net caught on a rock and when Benson freed it, the helicopter, clear of the snag, shot upward. Then the weather closed in again, and the helicopter had to pull out.

A second attempt a short time later was successful. Benson managed to crawl into the net and was flown to safety.

“It was a very dangerous and difficult maneuver,” said Donna Cuttone, a park ranger.

Cuttone said that pilots working for the government are forbidden to fly into the volcano, and that other pilots limit their time inside the crater because the toxic gases damage equipment and cause breathing problems.

“They risked their lives, definitely,” by filming inside the volcano, Cuttone said. “We’ve all been absolutely amazed they all came out as good as they did.”

But producer Mace Neufeld, who worked with Benson on “Patriot Games,” said Benson was not one to take undue risks. “It was an unusual thing that you wouldn’t anticipate happening,” he said. “We did a lot of helicopter shooting over water and desert for ‘Patriot Games’ and had no problems at all.”

“Mike Benson is one of the best second-unit directors of photography in the business,” Paramount spokesman Don Levy said.

The park service estimated its cost for the rescue at nearly $46,000, including the cost of replacing equipment corroded by fumes, such as ropes, respirators and lights. By Tuesday, the movie helicopter and film equipment had not been recovered from the crash site.

Jane E. Russell, a publicist for “Sliver,” said she visited Benson in the hospital and “he looked to be in good condition and feeling well. His spirits are very, very good.”

Russell said Benson had been joined by his wife, Stephanie, and two children.

The volcano scene was being filmed as a background sequence for “Sliver,” a mystery starring Sharon Stone, William Baldwin and Tom Berenger that is being shot mostly on sound stages in Los Angeles.