The Angles of Angulo

Nicolas Angulo joins the digital media department full-time

Ethan Malka, Writer • 71 Views

September 18, 2024

Surrounded by his students, Mr. Angulo demonstrates the process of developing an image in the darkroom. He transferred the paper from the developing chemical to the stop bath using a pair of tongs. To protect the light-sensitive paper in the darkroom, students must leave their phones, watches, and other devices with lights outside.

Former digital media artist-in-residence Nicolas Angulo changed his perspective of the school when he became a new digital media teacher. Originally from Peru, Mr. Angulo moved to the United States at age five, embracing the opportunity for a new life. Now, Mr. Angulo has found a creative outlet in photography, a medium he discovered in 2018 while studying at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

“What got me into photography was the need to pursue a creative career, one where I had complete control,” Mr. Angulo said. “(I love) the ability to capture an idea, a message, a scene, or a moment and turn it into the exact vision you saw in your head.”

Mr. Angulo is a new photography teacher who was previously an artist in residence. He teaches the Photography One class, which is an introductory class typically taken by digital media freshmen. (Mia Salvador)

Although Mr. Angulo said he “never imagined” himself as a teacher, he decided to take a chance and join the vibrant community after a former professor at FAU told him about an opportunity to teach a photo class.

“I did not expect to be greeted by such amazing people—the staff, the faculty, and the students,” Mr. Angulo said, “all made me feel like Dreyfoos wasn’t just a school but a family and a community as well.”

Gesturing with his hands, digital media teacher Nicholas Angulo explains layers of light in a pinhole film photography demonstration.

Ruhaan Sood

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Ruhaan Sood

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At the front of his classroom, Nicolas Angulo gives a lecture to his Photography One students. In this lesson on Aug. 29, students learned about pinhole cameras, which are one of the oldest forms of photography.

Mia Salvador

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Mr. Angulo hopes to one day create a gallery space for student exhibitions and aims to host a photography workshop at Grand Teton National Park, blending his interests in travel and landscape photography with hands-on learning.

“Meeting all these students, forming connections, and helping them become their own artists, their own person, is my favorite part,” Mr. Angulo said. “I have never felt so much gratitude and fulfillment before.”

Dipping film into chemicals with bleaching agents, Mr. Angulo demonstrates the process of exposing photos in the darkroom.

Ruhaan Sood

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In the Building 9 photography darkroom, students dip their film photo strips into various chemicals such as developer, fixers, and stop baths to achieve unique tones in the final print.

Ruhaan Sood

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Mia Salvador

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Mia Salvador

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About the Contributor

Ethan Malka, Coverage Staffer

Ethan Malka is a first-year staffer and coverage staffer on The Muse. Outside of The Muse, Ethan makes films, plays the piano, and plays basketball as well. Ethan works for a Latin newsmagazine called The Reviewer Magazine, where he serves as an editor covering entertainment news, also advancing his knowledge of journalistic writing. Outside of communications, Ethan has a passion for music, which often manifests itself into his filmmaking. He composes and directs his own creative videography projects for his company, EthanTainment Studios. Ethan wants to contribute to having the most creative atmosphere possible in The Muse this school year.