The Five Minute Assignment

As large format photographers it is imperative that we know and understand our equipment. The challenge for this assignment is straightforward. From a point in time, for example beginning right after lunch, take 10 minutes to find an image you want to make. Then within 5 minutes try to set up the camera, determine the exposure, make the image and repack your equipment.

The purpose of this assignment is two-fold:

1. It will challenge you to set aside predetermined “subject matter” and find an image quickly. Look for details, or abstractions; use specular or diffuse light; landscape, portrait or still life. The object is to find a subject and see it clearly and quickly.
   
   
2. It will also force you to practice setting up your equipment quickly and efficiently. You never know when that winter storm may clear over a valley in front of you.
   
   

During May, 2001, I was fortunate to be in Scotland for almost a month. For the first two weeks my family and I explored Scotland together. Traveling with two young sons didn’t allow me unlimited hours to find the “right” photograph. During the time I was traveling with my family I only carried the 5x12 view camera (loaned me by my good friend Jack Darrow). I had never worked in that particular format so I challenged myself to work with it exclusively for those two weeks. One evening my wife and I took an evening stroll. The sun was setting on a beautiful evening. I took my camera and two film holders. I made a couple of images then turned a corner to head back to the hotel. The setting sun was striking the figures on the front of this church. I had a very little time to set the camera up, figure out the exposure, and make the image before the light left these figures.