When time is tight, creativity often feels like the first casualty. But imposing thoughtful limitations can actually improve your photographic eye and sharpen your skills.
Coming to you from Jason Row Photography, this practical video demonstrates how limiting yourself to just one camera, one lens, and one hour can significantly boost your creativity. Row chooses Durham, a compact city, to show how simple constraints can encourage you to see details you might otherwise miss. He starts early, leveraging the quiet morning to capture striking reflections on the river and playing with different aperture settings to highlight textures and subjects like dandelions and boats. Throughout, he emphasizes patience, suggesting you take your time with each shot instead of rushing to fill your memory card.
The value in Row’s approach is how it encourages thoughtful composition and mindful photography, rather than chasing quantity. He smartly points out that if you’re shooting in a larger city, you shouldn’t feel obligated to cover vast ground. Instead, pick a single neighborhood or street and explore it thoroughly, absorbing the smaller, unnoticed moments. He also provides practical insights into working effectively with challenging light conditions, adjusting exposure compensation and using bracketing to capture detail in tricky lighting situations. Row demonstrates these techniques clearly, framing Durham’s classic views—like cobblestone streets and medieval bridges—in fresh ways.
Another standout aspect is Row's methodical approach to composition. He revisits previously captured scenes, challenging himself to improve upon them by adjusting depth of field or changing perspectives. This method teaches you the value of revisiting familiar places, emphasizing how familiarity can inspire rather than bore you. Row also advises paying close attention to your surroundings, reminding you to look behind you frequently, as some of the most intriguing scenes might be the ones you've just passed. This practice sharpens observational skills and enriches your visual storytelling.
Throughout the exercise, Row remains mindful about not pressuring himself into capturing as many images as possible. Instead, he focuses on making each shot count, which ultimately leads to stronger images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Row.
