Learn from my fail...

[ALwin]

This happened to me quite a while ago, just remembered:

When you're using a speedlight, keep in mind that it doesn't cycle fast enough to shoot at high FPS. Some shots will have the light from the speedlight firing, others will not. Always keep track of which settings you are using.

[D Pentney]

So.. this so far, is really just about being prepared, and it seems that every now and then we're all caught out with something!

But even when you've gone out of your way to make sure you've got everything you need and know how to use it there are still things that can go wrong! A while ago a friend and I were out camping; we'd catch the sun going down, then do some night shots, get some sleep and be onsite to catch sunrise. Lovely idea, it's worked loads before and since. Knowing how much I'd be shooting I took two spare batteries. However, it was an extremely cold night, and I'd left my batteries and camera in my bag on the floor in my tent, and when I got up (for what was an absolutely epic sunrise on the Devon coast) I only got 10 minutes in before they were all dead.

The fail here is not realising just how much cold temperatures and long exposures can suck the life out of batteries. Always keep spare batteries on your person so your body temperature keeps them warm! And if you do any sort of extended trips, I'd strongly advise actually having your batteries in your sleeping bag at night!

[ALwin]

Speaking about batteries, yes, carry spare batteries. But also remember to check their charge status. A friend of mine at work decided to do some night shots up in the mountains, about 20-40 minute drive from where he lived, only to get their and find out his batteries were almost empty and didn't have spares. I'm sure he hasn't ever made this mistake again.

I usually carry about 3-4 spare (sets) batteries in my bag. I'm too paranoid about this and making sure I have enough memory cards.

So.. this so far, is really just about being prepared, and it seems that every now and then we're all caught out with something!

And yes, this is about being prepared and making sure you have at least a mental check list of what you need to do before you forget something. This thread hopefully will also allow us to make anecdotes from our experiences and share a few laughs After all, we are supposed to be a friendly community.


Which just reminds me of another personal fail (which turned out well in the end).

This happened a few years ago, I became extremely busy at work that I had to hold off on taking out my camera for some photo trips that my gear was just sitting at home doing nothing. At the time I had a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 lens and during some wet climate season I left it sitting near a humid spot in my room. Moisture started gathering inside the front element of the lens after a couple of months and I had to send it back to get it cleaned. I was sure it would cost me a fortune to have it serviced, even under warranty. Luckily Sigma just serviced it for free and since then I have always kept my gear properly stored away when not in use.

That is of course until sometime early this year when I accidentally dropped my D700 + Nikkor 70-200 (sold my Sigma and switched) breaking the protective filter in front of the lens, having the shards of that filter scratch the front element of the lens, having the flash hot-shoe mount on the D700 get bent and cost me around $1000 for repairs. A very expensive lesson indeed.

Of course this wasn't the first time I had an accident and dropped my camera. My first accident was while on my bike with my first D90 + Sigma 18-50 lens around my shoulder, swerving to avoid a bus, falling of my bike only to see the D90 get run over. Luckily the lens survived with only minor scratches on the exterior, the D90 wasn't that lucky however.

[D Pentney]

The more I look at the phrase 'mental chcklist' the more I feel that's where we're all going wrong. There might be an app for it, but I'm going to write one out - on waterproof paper - and put it in my camera bag. Of course, there'll be another fail when I realise I've missed something off my bloody list!

I do love the way the outcome of avoiding a bus was you'd damaged your camera rather focussing on the fact you avoided the bus!!

PHOTOGRAPHY CHECKLIST:
1. Avoid buses.......

[Troy]

1. Avoid buses.......

2. Avoid ALwin - he has bad luck with cameras.

[ALwin]

I only said 'at least' a mental check list. I actually have a check list on my phone, ipad and printed copies in my bag. Before I go on any trips or photo sessions, I usually prepare a couple of days in advance, creating a list in word or excel and double, triple, quadruple checking and refining the list with what I need to take or use. Then the evening before the trip or shoot, I just go over my list and gear checking things off to ensure everything is packed. You might even say I often over pack, but it's better to have the gear in your bag and not use it than not have it and need to use it.

[simon3116]

If you have more than one tripod make sure that the attachment that is on your camera is the one that fits the tripod that you've carried on your back, across a field, up a hill and set up to get a great long exposure sunrise because you'll be mightily pi***d off when you realise your mistake, trust me!!!!

[Rosie]

Ahh yes i know that feeling Simon!

[Troy]

If you have more than one tripod make sure that the attachment that is on your camera is the one that fits the tripod that you've carried on your back, across a field, up a hill and set up to get a great long exposure sunrise because you'll be mightily pi***d off when you realise your mistake, trust me!!!!

If that was me i'd have MADE it fit!

[simon3116]

If you have more than one tripod make sure that the attachment that is on your camera is the one that fits the tripod that you've carried on your back, across a field, up a hill and set up to get a great long exposure sunrise because you'll be mightily pi***d off when you realise your mistake, trust me!!!!

If that was me i'd have MADE it fit!

I'm pretty sure that was how the monpod was invented!

[ALwin]

If you know that some famous celebrity is coming to visit where you work, and the fact that the official photographer of your office knows that you are also a photography enthusiast, always bring your good gear with you on the day of the event. Chances are he might ask for your help in covering the event and you'll be stuck with using a wide angle lens and pop-up flash from a long distance.

Case in point, using a D90 + 17-55 f2.8 and SB-400 flash (which is just a tad bit better than a pop-up flash). This photo is a center crop of the original. Luckily I got a good vantage point from above and by chance this photo was taken at exactly the same moment that the official photographer took a photo, so the light from his flash helped highlight her face.

http://www.ilo.org/dyn/media/mediasearc ... &p_lang=en

[Richampton]

If, like me, your kit bag has endless amounts of zips and what not - make sure you double check they are all done up....before standing up...trying to chase a lens as it rolls down a valley in yorkshire is not funny....not at the time anyway

[ALwin]

If, like me, your kit bag has endless amounts of zips and what not - make sure you double check they are all done up....before standing up...trying to chase a lens as it rolls down a valley in yorkshire is not funny....not at the time anyway

Happened to me once, my old 50 1.4D fell out and a tiny bit of the plastic manual aperture ring broke off. Had to superglue it back on.

Yup so definitely always make sure your bags' buttons, zips, clips, whatever you use to close them... are all secure before lifting them up or turning them upright.

[D Pentney]

That's one of the (few?) useful things the army drill into you; always physically check your fastenings are always done up. When you first start training the types of punishments seem a bit extreme for having a button undone but as shown above the consequences can be extreme too (possibly less so in photography!). I'm now in the habit of everytime I move from one location to another I always pat my pockets down to check what I had in there is still in there and then check all the zips. It's saved me more times than I care to admit.

Something related; try and get into the habit of carrying a small torch. You won't always need it but if you do drop something in low light the chances of finding it increase substantially. Doesn't have to be any bigger than an LED. I tend to carry a head torch so I can still use my hands.

And something else about shooting in low light; if you're anywhere precarious (edge of a cliff, near a waters edge) consider marking the edge of the known safe area with glow sticks (Cyalumes). This 'fail' saw a friend having to be rescued by air ambulance and was lucky to get away with a broken leg. He thought he knew where he was - apparently not! If you're careful about placement they don't even interfere with long exposures.

[jaqulinefarnandes12]

Kreg Tool Company, manufacturer of the Pocket Hole Kreg Jig. Learn how pocket hole woodworking jigs can speed, Kreg Tool Company, manufacturer of the Pocket Hole Kreg Jig. Learn how pocket hole woodworking jigs can speed.

Thanks for sharing.

Kreg Jig