Intentional Photography: Fewer Shots, Better Results

Taking fewer, more intentional photographs is a powerful strategy that many photographers overlook. It's not about capturing fewer moments, but instead about being mindful with each press of the shutter.

Coming to you from James Popsys, this insightful video tackles the struggle of balancing quantity and quality in photography. Popsys visits the Portuguese coast, specifically Nazaré, renowned for massive waves, intending to challenge his habit of taking hundreds of nearly identical shots. The goal was straightforward: become more intentional, emulate the constraints of a film photographer, and develop a deeper connection to each captured moment. Although he initially found himself reverting to old habits, snapping over a thousand photos on his first day, Popsys candidly acknowledges the difficulty in breaking this routine. His reflection on the inefficiency of shooting excessively is a crucial takeaway—less time behind the camera potentially enhances both the quality of your shots and your enjoyment of the experience.

As Popsys moves on to Ericeira, another scenic coastal town, he begins to notice a subtle but meaningful shift in his approach. Rather than fixating solely on volume, he consciously reduces the number of shots, noticing immediate benefits like increased mental clarity. Popsys points out that by pressing the shutter less frequently, he has more mental bandwidth to experiment creatively, exploring diverse compositions without overwhelming himself. This insight underscores a practical advantage of intentional photography—by eliminating excessive shots, you streamline your workflow, saving hours of sorting and editing time later. The video makes it clear that intentional photography isn't just a theoretical exercise; it's a practical strategy that enhances the creative process and improves outcomes.

Popsys further illustrates this idea by reflecting on capturing a particular moment—a man sitting on a bench. Initially taking 44 shots to capture the ideal expression and posture, he questions whether fewer shots might have yielded the same results. It's a thoughtful exploration that invites you to reconsider your photographic habits. By highlighting the expressive nature of people, especially in vibrant locations like Southern Europe, Popsys subtly emphasizes the importance of observation over sheer repetition. The video suggests an intriguing question: can you achieve the same or even better results by taking fewer, more deliberate photographs?

Embracing intentional photography doesn't just impact your photographic practice; it can influence your approach to life more broadly. Popsys touches on decluttering his gear, selling unused equipment to streamline his kit, and ultimately freeing up space and attention for the tools he genuinely values and uses. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Popsys.