People often ask how to photograph an empty room so that it does not feel empty. My answer is usually the same: slow down until you can hear it.
Fewer frames
Working on film forces a rhythm. With ten frames per roll, every exposure needs a reason. I spend more time looking than shooting, and the photographs become calmer as a result.
Let the space lead
Silence in an image comes from structure: a clear horizon, a doorway, a wall that holds the light. I try not to fill those spaces with objects or people unless they add a sense of scale.
- Arrive early and stay late
- Use one lens per session
- Keep the camera at eye level
- Wait for the light to change twice before leaving