Most people leave 30 seconds too early.

They arrive, they see the “nice scene”, they take the photo, they check the screen, and they walk away.

And that’s exactly why so many travel photos feel… correct, but forgettable.

Because the scene isn’t the photo.

The photo is what happens inside the scene.

Here’s the rule I try to follow:

When you think you’ve got it, stay for 30 more seconds.

Not to shoot more frames for the sake of it, but to let the world do its thing.

In those extra 30 seconds, one of these usually happens:

• a person enters the frame and gives scale, story, or tension

• the wind moves something, hair, flags, water, reflections

• a boat passes, a shadow shifts, a patch of light opens

• two people interact, someone turns their head, a gesture appears

• the scene stops being “a place”, and becomes “a moment”

The funny part?

It doesn’t feel dramatic when you’re there.

It feels small.

But later, when you compare the frames, the difference is enormous.

So next time you’re about to move on, try it:

📌 One composition. One breath. 30 seconds longer.

Do you naturally wait, or do you shoot and move? 😄

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UPDATE

The "30-Second Rule" was only the beginning. Last week, we talked about waiting. Today, I'm showing you exactly what you should be waiting for. To move from a lucky snapshot to a professional frame, you have to stop chasing subjects and start building the Stage.

I’m breaking down the "Empty Theater" technique today—and how I used the foggy streets of Venice to set the perfect trap.

marcosecchi.substack.co…