No Time? Lunch Shoot!

What to do when life gets too busy to shoot?

I had just completed the second day of a month-long project and life got ahead of me. Things came up, shortening my time significantly, forcing me to take the day off. However, I decided to give up my lunch break in order to get some shooting in.

I ate a light lunch and shot locally. In doing so three things happened. I shot in the light I don’t often use, I came away with something pretty good, all while walking for 30 minutes.

Take a look at the contact sheets below and see what you think.

When is the best time?

Any time. Whenever you have 30-45 minutes take your camera, a single lens, and go. Walk around the block, check out what’s near your hotel, or even shoot on your commute into work.

Any time is a good time.

Station Squatter

Typically it is a couple of old guys drinking one-cup sake, but today it’s a smartphone and reflections.

Why bother? It’s only 30 minutes.

Thirty minutes is enough time to capture something great. It is also enough time to make plenty of mistakes, mistakes are important. I hate making them, but love the knowledge that comes wrapped in them.

Taking that 30 minutes always gives me a reset. I have used my mind to do something creative and left my analytical side to process the morning. It does me wonders.

Shadowy Zombie

Birds-eye-view from a pedestrian bridge, at Kawaguchi Station.

How do I fit it in/do it?

The simpler the better. Take one camera/one lens to the closest location and shoot. Have fun, go wild, it is your time, enjoy it.

If you need to schedule it, don’t. Bring your gear with you to work and the right time will present itself. This is less an exercise and more of a meditation.

I shoot like this in the same locations often. Some days I feel like I have exhausted all the possibilities available. When this happens I add a simple direction, for example, taxis. All shots must have a taxi in them. The color blue, umbrellas, or reflections, anything will do.

Phone Booth Smoker

On this day my direction was color. I often shoot for black and white, this challenge was fun and brought a new perspective to a well-shot location.