We created the hashtag #10secondstohide for all you camo lovers out there! The internet is full of staged pictures where someone works endlessly to get the perfect shot of a person hidden in plain sight. Even without filters it’s not very hard to find the perfect background, lighting and natural covers to disappear in a picture. But what if you want to see how camo works in less than ideal situations a.k.a. real life?

Ghillie suit demonstration for #10secondstohide
#10secondstohide with a ghillie suit

This is where this project comes in. Since we can’t check if everyone is playing by the rules, we just hope that you’re fair.

The rules of #10secondstohide

  • Set your camera to self-timer. 10 seconds. It’s important, that you push the button to start the countdown yourself
  • Take cover! Be sure that you can see the lens of the camera when it releases. This will prevent participants from hiding completely. Like behind a wall
  • Post your picture and mark it with the hashtag

The idea

Taking only 10 seconds to run away from your camera and hiding is a lot closer to how your camo will work when you’re on the move. Setting up totally hidden placements with perfectly mixed natural and artificial camouflage is cool, we all know that. But it says way more about your camo skills and motivation than how a certain camouflage pattern or piece of gear works. Most gear was built to work in less than ideal conditions. And that’s what we want to see.

Me before inventing the rule to look at the lens
Me before inventing the rule to look at the lens

Of course you can even take it further with #10secondstohide. Go for patterns that weren’t designed for the environment you’re in. Or test universal patterns like MultiCam or UCP (ok, maybe not that) in different locations. Mix them up with extra camo material like artificial leaves or ghillie yarn. Mask your face with paint or actual masks.

You don’t have to go full on with your camo. It’s also interesting to see how only the basics work. Don a poncho or a smock in your favorite pattern and take a dive behind a bush. Don’t forget to take a photo.

Camo testing in close range
Use your surroundings but let the camo do it’s job

This is to see how gear works and to inspire experimenting. It’s not a competition and there’s no price. So “cheating” is pointless.