Dorin and Seb worked on developing their photos. After dipping the film in solution and pinning the photo paper on the clothes line, they went back to their seats and waited for them to dry. They were allowed to step out of the room while the others were still working on their pictures. Josiah and Anastasia estimated that it would take them about 6 hours to print all the photos. They told the others to take an early lunch, and for those who have finished to be back by 3 pm.
Seb and Dorin decided to spend their time looking at the other photographs. The dry ones where taken to the main lecture hall to be displayed. They studied the compositions as Josiah and Anastasia put them up, one by one, ready for the guest judges to view.
"Look at this one Seb," Dorin called his friend's attention, "He used the light coming in from the window, you could see the dust mites in the air floating down on the doll on the chair..."
[I like the composition of this picture better.] Seb points the slab on the picture of a tree full of lanterns. Several insects were attracted to the light.
"Oh, look at this one... the front and background are both blurred... so you can do that with a wide aperture, huh?"
[Yes, there are many more stuff you can try when you have the time.]
"And this tree silhouette against the moon..."
[That's typical. Try this one, mist rising in the graveyard.]
"There's a graveyard here?"
[Just outside town. Perhaps the photographer lives near the place.]
"What's this one? Some kind of colored lines?"
[Those are headlights.]
"Headlights?" Dorin thought of people with their heads lighting up.
"Electric lights on vehicles." Said someone from behind them, "Taking photographs of light moving at high speed will result with that kind of image." Dorin turned around and was face to face with a tall man in his mid 20's. He wore his long blond hair in a loose pigtail and had thick silver rimmed glasses on.
[Professor Dupont, are you here as a judge? You're here early today?] asked Seb. The professor looked at the slate, a bit surprised, then smiled at him.
"Why yes, as one of the consultants in the Photography Club, I guess they have no choice. I've even suspended my class to be here today," he gives off a hearty laugh. "That's a mighty fine trick you've got there, Sebastian," he gestures at the slate, "did you get an artificer to modify it?"
[Something like that.] wrote Seb, [I had no choice since I got my writing hand injured.]
"Yes, I heard that there was an accident down at the military division, I had no idea it was you..." he frowns, then looks at Dorin who was staring at Seb. "And who might this young fellow be?" he asked with a friendly smile.
[This is Dorin, he's here for the Photography Class.]
"Dorin Silvius, sir." Dorin extended an arm and shook hands with the professor.
"Professor Jacob Dupont, alchemy department," replied the professor. “Ah, static!” The two pull their hands apart.
"Oh, you teach alchemy?" said Dorin, rubbing his hand. "There are so many things I've been wanting to learn about chemistry and stuff..."
The professor laughed.
"Is that so?" he said with a grin, "Then I suggest you join my class this coming semester. For now, I would like to enjoy viewing the pictures in my Photography Club!"
"Oh, sorry, you're right, this isn't the time or place for that..."
"It's fine, a mind that is constantly in wonder is a mind that is never idle!" he declared, "...or vice versa..." he added bashfully, "and as the school motto goes, 'True education, never ends!'"
[Here's another one with headlights, and another with a light drawing.] Seb called their attention, pointing at 2 pictures side by side. One showed headlights going through the flyover in a highway, the other, the silhouette of a man holding a light stick, drawing images in the dark.
"I tried to do something like that, but the image didn't come out that well," said Dorin. "I guess my hand wasn't steady enough. I didn't bother getting them printed."
"You should use a tripod when it comes to photos such as these," Dupont suggested. "I would like to see your shots after the class..."
"I can show you the negatives now..." Dorin was about to take them out, but the professor stopped him, holding his arm.
"I much rather not," he said, "as a judge I would like to be as un-biased as I can." he explained, "As you can see, the photos don't have names written or pinned next to them. That way, us judges wouldn't be able to distinguish who took them and choose the best picture based on what we actually see, not who we know."
[That way new photographers and professionals alike, would have the same chance at winning.]
"Hmm, that does make sense." says Dorin
They spent the rest of the morning looking at the other photos. They were appreciating a photo of a woman, half her body in darkness, a light behind her, and a lacey shadow covering her intimate parts, when Dorin's stomach began to grumble.
Professor Dupont laughed. "I think it's time for a break," he said, "Why don't you guys join us for lunch?" he called to Anastasia and Josiah. "What say we have some lunch in the main building?"
"The others are still printing their photos..." said Josiah, sticking more dried prints on the bulletin boards.
"It's okay, president, I can handle them," said Anastasia with a smile, "Just bring me something back to eat!"
"I'd much rather you go with them..." Josiah frowned, looking at Dorin.
"Nonsense!" insists the vice president, "You've been here since morning and you haven't even had breakfast yet!"
"You haven't?" Dorin asked wide-eyed in disbelief.
"It's okay, we won't be long," said the professor, "Besides, the Magic Division's main dining hall is nearer compared to going all the way to the Science Division's building."
"Question!" Dorin raised his hand, "Isn't it forbidden for non-magic students to enter the Magic Division's main grounds?"
"True," the professor answered with a grin, "but not when a professor is with you."