What Happens When Plan B Fails?

Photographers tend to be organized creatures.

In part, this is necessary. If something exciting happens before our eyes, and our camera isn't where it's supposed to be, we miss the shot. Nothing makes a shooter more crazy.

But it doesn't stop there. What if I reach for my camera and it isn't working? Then I reach for my backup camera and still get the shot.

Ah Ha! Plan B: the photographer's best friend.

When I used to shoot weddings, I had two cameras, two flashes, two flash cables, and extra cards and batteries. I didn't want to be that photographer in a panic grabbing cameras from guests' hands because his went toes up. That's awkward.

But what happens when Plan B fails?

I still think of this special moment that I experienced at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. I had the entire place to myself. But the battery light on my camera began flashing. No problem. I had a backup set of cells.

What I failed to realize at the moment was that I had forgotten to charge my backup set, and they were drained also. Plan B failed.

This happens in life all the time. We try to cover all the details and devise alternatives for when things go wrong. And then those alternatives go wrong? There's no law that says having a backup plan will save you.

I didn't get any pictures that morning at the Lincoln Memorial. But I stayed for over an hour and was touched deeply. To this day I can still feel the moment.

When Plan B fails, we live with it. For reasons often unknown to us, some plans were never meant to be.

I know this now. Maybe if I had a working camera at the Lincoln Memorial, I would have missed the whole point of being there. I might not have read the entire Gettysburg Address or felt the coolness of the marble.

I might have come away with pictures, and nothing more. I learned an important lesson that day.

Never, ever, forget to charge your spare batteries.

-Derrick

On Phenomenon and Lens Flare

After college, my first full time reporting job was with a school of metaphysics.

The responsibilities included covering the various classes, putting together a monthly magazine, and serving as staff photographer. Since I had been shooting for years already, I was most excited about being the camera guy.

The school had an SLR with a kit zoom that I could use. It was fine, but I'm picky about my gear. So I opted for my Contax 139Q with three Zeiss lenses: 35mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.7, and 135mm f/2.8. I loved that camera and the images I could produce with it.

There were two co-founders for this operation. One, a photography enthusiast himself, loved my work. He used to tap on the darkroom door when I was printing and visit with me while the images came to life in the developing tray. 

He would say, "I love the blacks in your prints."

The other founder wasn't so much of a fan. She was more of the mystical type and believed that metaphysical phenomenon was part of daily life. Her favorite pictures weren't mine. Instead she loved streaks of white light cutting through the frame. For her, those images proved the presence of energy.

This all came to a head when they were planning a tour to Egypt. I had never traveled there, and so wanted to see the pyramids. I was left behind in favor of another who shot with an inexpensive point and shoot camera.

My inability to capture phenomenon cost me the trip of a lifetime. Actually, my lens shades and optics with Zeiss T* multicoating were the culprits. 

I learned two lessons that year. First, know your audience. And second:

The perfect shot isn't always the best one.

-Derrick

Two New Very Good Mobile Options

It's been a great week for mobile photographers.

First Adobe announced Lightroom Mobile. There are pros and cons around their choice for cloud syncing, but the fact of the matter is, Lightroom users now have a powerful version of Lightroom for their iPads.

Then Dropbox dropped Carousel on us. Again, some concern about how much this will actually cost heavy users. But if you're already a fan of Dropbox, you now have a terrific app to organize, view, and share all of the photos stashed in various folders.

Personally, I'm excited about both of these announcements. After initial testing, Lightroom Mobile and Carousel by Dropbox both performed well. Lots of thought and effort was poured in to these apps.

I'll be covering them both on Tuesday's TDS Podcast. It will be an informative and illuminating show. As a photographer, I'm quite pleased right now.

I wish we had more weeks like this.

-Derrick

Accessorize for Passion

Years ago, a peer remarked to me, "the basic outfit is nice, but you should focus more on accessories."

She was talking about my wardrobe.

It's true that a stylish belt, contemporary watch, or handsome pair of shoes can transform jeans and a black shirt into business meeting attire. Accessories can also spruce up your photo kit (which is what I thought she was talking about in the first place.)

If you have a camera you like, but don't feel that you're shooting with it enough, accessorize.

I've noticed that a new case, strap, filter, lens hood, or heaven for bid, optic, reignites the embers of shooting passion and gets that estranged camera back in my hands.

As for my wardrobe: I was going to buy these great looking Italian shoes.

But, you see, there was this lens...

-Derrick

City Day

I'm ready to head to San Francisco for a day of meetings.

In my opinion, SF is one of the friendliest cities for Nimble Photographers. Yes, I do have to drive the hour south and go across the majestic Golden Gate Bridge on the north end of town. But after that, I park my car and am on foot, riding BART, or catching a cab for the remainder of the day.

I love not having to drive. Personally, I think navigating a car in a congested metropolis is a waste of time, money, and patience. Save that task for the cabbies.

When I'm on foot with my Urban Reporter messenger bag slung across my shoulders, I feel like I have all of my options available. I can stop for a coffee. Take a picture. Grab a bite to eat. People watch. Walk to my next meeting. Do nothing.

When driving in the city, I basically only have the last option. Although I do manage a little people watching too.

So it's time to put on a good pair of shoes, don my sunglasses, and head to the big city.

I'll post a shot or two on Instagram.

-Derrick