Shutter Sisters

Captured

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There have been so many times in my life when I’ve uttered the dreaded phrase; I wish I had a camera. Too many to count actually. Like the time when we were in Spain and the battery in my camera died on our long, meandering walk through the countryside of a tiny village where we had spent our day. We were roaming up and down sloping hills, and as we dropped into a still valley, through the tall brush rose the ruins of an old church. Dark, time-worn stones still held a sacred shape on the overgrown holy ground. And right above the still pointed tip of the remaining peaked wall was the glowing moon, dangling in the late afternoon sky; a sight so breathtaking I was weak in the knees. And yet, I had no camera to capture it. At least not a camera that worked.

Photography is an art that can often take us by surprise. A moment we weren’t expecting happens right before our lens and-click-we grab it just like that. Events and expressions happen around us everyday that are photo-worthy. Although I don’t carry my camera everywhere I go, there are times, by a stroke of good fortune or maybe even synchronicity that I’ve had my camera with me at the perfect moment.

The other day as I was driving away from a portrait session, down the steep hill away from my client’s quite street, I headed toward the hustle and bustle of an LA Blvd. As I slowly approached the signal, there before me was an impossibly blue sky, dreamlike billowy clouds and this architecture that made the whole landscape come alive. It was as if everyone came out to play and I had stumbled across the fun. Sitting beside me, in the passenger seat was my trusty companion. What luck! Click.

Are there any pictures you’ve captured when you were especially glad you had your camera? Share your clicks.

Comments

  2. i have my little camera with me always but my nikon is too heavy to have in my bag all the time. i love this shot – outside today i am looking at grey rainy skies and this has cheered up my morning!

  8. I actually now carry a bigger purse so I can throw in my DSLR camera with my 50mm lens when I’m out. Was so glad to have my camera on my desk for this shot in my backyard:

    http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/02/03/snowy-deer/

    and this series of shots on a road trip last week. Just love the clouds after the storm. I actually had my camera at my feet instead of packed away in the back of the car.I’m getting much better at having my camera at hand.

    http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/04/12/road-trip/

  15. That picture is stunning, Tracey! The perfect clouds that seem to be hovering inches above the building, the amazing colors…I love it!

    There are so many moments when I wished I had my camera with me, but I’m getting much better about bringing it along as much as possible, especially now that I have my new Nikon SLR and can’t seem to put it down! 🙂

    Here are a few "so glad I had it" moments (none of which are with my new camera because those have all been pretty purposeful so far)

    A funny one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2300586775/in/set-72157603976765521/

    A great timing one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/370202918/in/set-72157603976765521/

    A PERFECT timing and SO glad I thought of taking a picture before I remedied the situation one 🙂 http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2299483802/in/set-72157603976765521/

    A recent favorite where I decided to grab the camera right before taking the dog for a walk: http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2348032003/in/set-72157594501622427/

    A sweet moment when I was holding the camera and my son brought me a gift: http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2384033564/in/set-72157594501622427/

  16. Tracey, that is a stunning shot — anything under that sky would be nice, but that building is so whimsical that the whole thing just makes me smile!
    Last year in Paris, I ran into a bakery to get a loaf of bread. My husband is a celiac — can’t eat wheat of any kind, no bread, no pastries, no cake. I was standing in line and looked out the window and saw him looking in the bakery window so wistfully. I happened to have my camera, but I still can’t quite believe I was able to capture the moment.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelpasch/1682495690/in/set-72157602605232466/