The formulas on the blackboard haven't been solved yet, but my gaze has already drifted away from the answer. The inspiration for shooting this set of photos was actually very simple: I just wanted to present a classroom atmosphere that blends an intellectual and professional vibe. I wore a blue-and-white fine-striped shirt layered with a dark blue suspender miniskirt, paired with sheer black stockings and black pointed-toe high heels on the lower body. This pairing visually possesses the rigor unique to a teacher while also showcasing a somewhat different tension through the cut of the clothing.
To better fit the scene, I casually wrote a few mathematical formulas on the blackboard, such as quadratic equations in one variable and inequalities for finding ranges, and drew a simple stick figure wearing glasses next to them. The pointer in my hand and the red employee ID badge hanging around my neck were small props specially prepared before the shoot. When actually standing in front of the wooden podium, facing the yellow triangle ruler and protractor, that sense of immersion instantly kicked in.
This shoot used a Sony A7CR paired with the FE 50-150mm F2 GM lens. This equipment setup demonstrated tremendous advantages in a limited space like a classroom. The focal range from 50 to 150 millimeters allowed me to flexibly adjust framing, whether it was full-body environmental storytelling, half-body close-ups, or even capturing facial micro-expressions with ease. The F2 constant large aperture provided excellent light intake under indoor lighting while bringing a very soft background blur effect. The handwriting on the blackboard and the wood-grain walls were blurred, creating distinct layers and making the main subject stand out even more. Combined with the camera's built-in FL Creative Look, the straight-out-of-camera colors presented a rich retro film texture; the low saturation combined with warm lighting and shadows made the whole frame look quiet and full of storytelling.
The hardest part of the shooting process was actually maintaining posture. Standing next to the podium in high heels while keeping an upright posture was quite a test for core strength. To capture natural expressions, I tried different eye-gaze directions: sometimes turning to look at the lens while holding the pointer, and sometimes lowering my head to tidy up the ID badge. The photographer was great at candid shots, using the natural light filtering through the window to outline the contours of the side profile and body. Those seemingly casual actions, such as holding the pointer upright in front of the body or leaning gently against the edge of the podium, all required repeated angle adjustments to find the most suitable perspective relationship.
The most important thing when shooting photography of this occupational role-playing nature is the unity of clothing, props, and environment. Simply changing clothes is not enough; behavioral logic is also needed to support it. For example, the strength with which one grips the pointer, the focused expression when looking at the blackboard, and the relaxed state when sitting on the edge of the podium. The overall color tone remains unified, and the combination of black stockings and the pointer forms a collision of geometric lines and curves within the frame. From preparing the costume and conceiving the set design to communicating light and shadow usage with the photographer, every link was carefully deliberated. This was a very pleasant creative experience and also gave me a new level of control over indoor portrait lighting and shadows.