Five minutes, Five frames- Challenge

Today I set myself a constraint: five minutes, five photos, and only the space around my laptop. It was an exercise in looking closely at what’s familiar and framing it creatively.

1.   I started with my own hand on a fluffy pillow. The rich, dark polish on my nails pops dramatically against the creamy-white texture — an example of colour contrast. The soft fabric also adds texture which frames my fingers and makes the colour stand out even more.

That single pop of colour tells a small story about me inside the neutral space of the room.

2. Next, I turned my camera on the bouquet nearby. I used rule of thirds and layering — placing the large blue hydrangea off-centre and letting the surrounding lilies and tiny blossoms lead the eye into the frame.

The mix of pastel blue wrapping and fresh green leaves create natural colour harmony that feels bright and uplifting.

3. The third image was of my window with the curtain blowing inward. Here I leaned on leading lines and framing: the dark window frame creates a natural border, while the translucent curtain draws the viewer’s gaze toward the outside world.

It adds a sense of motion and freedom, even though I’m physically confined to the room.

4. Then I captured my plush toys gathered next to my laptop. I arranged them in a loose triangle composition so the bright blues and soft browns form a playful pyramid.

The repeated round eyes and faces create a rhythm that makes the photo feel cheerful and lively despite the small space.

5. Finally I photographed my laptop screen, showing the very task I was doing. I used a shallow depth of field so the text is readable but the background softly fades, with the curtain’s pink hue giving the shot warmth.

   It’s kind of interesting— my assignment inside my assignment — but I think it sums up the exercise nicely.

Working under such a short time limit and in one room was surprisingly freeing. It taught me that good images aren’t about exotic locations but about how you look at the everyday life. By applying rules like colour contrast, rule of thirds, leading lines and framing intentionally, even a small space in a five-minute window can yield five distinct stories.