Deciding whether to stick with a scene or seek a new one is a crucial skill in photography. The five-minute rule offers a straightforward approach to making this choice with confidence.
Coming to you from James Popsys, this engaging video explores the challenges and rewards of a day spent photographing in Wales. Popsys recounts a previous visit to Criccieth, where he had to cut his trip short due to rain. Now, he's back, determined to make the most of his time and capture some stunning images. He emphasizes the importance of getting out regularly with your camera, not just for work, but for your mental well-being too.
Popsys shares his experience of constantly switching locations, a common instinct when you haven't been shooting much. He admits it's a weakness of his, always thinking the next spot might be better. Despite this, he has developed a useful technique for deciding whether to stay at a scene or move on. He calls it the "five-minute rule." This rule involves staying in one spot for five minutes and observing what happens. If nothing interesting appears within that time, it's a sign to move on. This approach helps in gauging the likelihood of capturing a good photo without wasting too much time.
The video then illustrates this method with a practical example. Popsys spends most of his morning at a seawall, waiting for the right moment. He explains how paying attention to the movement and frequency of people or elements in the scene can help you decide whether it's worth staying. If you see a lot of activity in five minutes, chances are you'll get an interesting shot soon. If it's quiet, it might be best to move on. This method isn't foolproof, but it turns guesswork into a more educated decision-making process.
One of his favorite shots from the day features a seawall with reflected light, creating a pleasing effect despite the harsh midday sun. He appreciates the details and textures revealed by the light, as well as the curiosity sparked by a couple looking out to sea. Popsys emphasizes that sometimes leaving elements to the viewer's imagination can make a photo more engaging.
Another shot he discusses shows three boats in varying conditions, representing a balance between human activity and nature. He enjoys capturing scenes that explore this relationship. Despite some elements he dislikes, such as distracting background objects, he's pleased with the overall composition.
Popsys concludes with a few examples of near-miss photos—shots that had potential but didn't quite work out. He explains that interesting elements within a scene don't always translate to an interesting photo as a whole. This honest reflection on his process provides valuable lessons for improving your own photography. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Popsys.
I love the commentary at the end about having interesting things in a scene but not interesting enough or not prevalent enough to make the photo as a whole really work. This sort of self curating skill requires you look both at the details and also zoom back out and look at the photo as a whole, all while still removing yourself from the experience of taking the photo. That actually might make for a good curating system: Details, Overall, and removing your own bias in the creation process.
The five minute rule might be enhanced by relocating to get a different angle. I have had some, IMO, good shots watching a sunrise over a river. Sit in the same spot and let the sun move for you. Cloud movement in the AM sunrise can result in a variety of shots. Like the old saying in photography, "Let's wait and see what develops."
I've always done this, usually before I even take the camera out. I always curate my ideas before holding the camera.