Before You Begin
This exercise is not about finding something interesting.
It’s about noticing how quickly the urge to move appears.
You don’t need a camera with you yet.
And you don’t need to take any photos right away.
Choose a place that feels ordinary.
A corner, a street, a room, a window.
Stay there.
The Exercise
When you arrive at the place, notice what happens in the first few seconds.
Your eyes will probably start moving fast.
Looking for something better.
Something worth photographing.
Don’t follow that impulse.
Instead, pause.
Let your eyes rest on the first thing they land on.
Not because it’s interesting.
Just because it’s there.
Stay with that initial gaze longer than feels natural.
You may feel boredom.
Restlessness.
The desire to move on.
That is part of the exercise.
If you have a camera, you may take a photo — but only after staying with that first look for a while.
If you don’t, simply notice what changes as you remain still.
There is nothing to complete here.
What This Is Really About
This exercise is not about waiting for something to appear.
It is about noticing how quickly we leave the first moment.
It trains patience with what is already here.
Staying, even when nothing seems to happen.
When You’re Done
You don’t need to decide if the exercise “worked”.
Just notice this:
Did slowing the first look change how the place felt?
Did anything become visible only after waiting?
You can repeat this exercise many times.
Or you can stop early.
Either is fine.