The Best Photo I Didn't Take
May 15, 2012 22:19:00 #
A couple of years ago I was heading south from Chicago to visit my son for a weekend at the University of Illinois. It was late in the afternoon and to the right, looking west, there was a farm field being tilled.
The farmer and his John Deere tractor, throwing up clouds of dust, were silhouetted by the setting sun. It was a perfect picture that I didn't take - I was doing 70mph and I hadn't brought my camera anyway.
I always think about that shot. It's a bit like the fish that got away - nobody can appreciate it (or believe it) but you.
You all got any stories about the one that got away?
The farmer and his John Deere tractor, throwing up clouds of dust, were silhouetted by the setting sun. It was a perfect picture that I didn't take - I was doing 70mph and I hadn't brought my camera anyway.
I always think about that shot. It's a bit like the fish that got away - nobody can appreciate it (or believe it) but you.
You all got any stories about the one that got away?
May 15, 2012 23:13:38 #
I have wanted to take pictures of longhorn cattle. Was visiting family in TN and was told a farm just down the road had a heard of them. Got caught up in a movie and forgot about it. Had to leave next morning before light! Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
May 15, 2012 23:20:38 #
May 15, 2012 23:28:33 #
I was driving Semi truck and passed a field where there was an old windmill standing at the base of a large electric windmill. Couldn't pull over because the road was too narrow, so lost the moment.
May 16, 2012 00:51:10 #
I started on the best photo I didn't take this morning...it will take me several days to complete, and may or may not turn out to be so good. Who knows!?
It's been "in my head" for many years.
It's been "in my head" for many years.
May 16, 2012 01:05:12 #
Was driving down the highway. As I topped a hill, I saw the best photo opportunity. Beside the road there was a dead deer with a very large Bald Eagle perched on top of it, surrounded by 4 immature eagles. The large eagle was defending his meal from them. Incredible sight! Had cars behind me, so I didn't stop, but will never forget it.
May 16, 2012 06:13:26 #
cwilliams31
Loc: Salisbury, North Carolina
That happened to me just last Saturday and I had my camera with me.
Looked to my right and there was this covered wagon sitting in the middle of a field with an American Flag on a pole.
Although it's probably thirty minute's from here, I'm going back and get that picture .....
Looked to my right and there was this covered wagon sitting in the middle of a field with an American Flag on a pole.
Although it's probably thirty minute's from here, I'm going back and get that picture .....
May 16, 2012 06:42:09 #
JBTaylor
Loc: In hiding again
This could be slightly cliche but there was a sunset different from any others I had ever seen. Nothing like the countless postcards etc. And the battery in my camera died. Besides the once in a lifetime cloud pattern at the right time of day, this was on a college campus from a building I'll never have access to again.
Maybe it wouldn't have been nearly as significant if it wasn't the one that got away.
Maybe it wouldn't have been nearly as significant if it wasn't the one that got away.
May 16, 2012 07:32:29 #
I drove to a camp sight and saw some friends sitting around the fire and joined them. As we sat around talking, we saw a Deer come out of the woods and started grazing. Suddenly a Panther jumped on the Deer, killed it and drug it back into the woods. It happened so fast! And, my camera was in my truck.
May 16, 2012 07:32:50 #
AnnaZ
Loc: SW Wis.
I was driving home from an early evening wedding reception. I live in the country and came to the last stopsign/turn before home. It had been raining, so still a little drip in the air. Sun was shining and at that last stop I looked across the road where there was tall grass and a few trees...........there was "the end of the rainbow". I can't begin to describe how it looked; you would have had to have been there. And to make it a little more special right across the road was my little country church.
May 16, 2012 07:39:38 #
The one that sticks in my head was when I was in High School and editor of the school newspaper. I went to a local college ground breaking ceremony to take a few pictures of the guest of honor, Governor Nelson Rockefeller.
The wind blew his hat off and it went tumbling across the field. Instead of taking pictures of the event, I handed my camera to a fellow student, ran after the hat and handed it back to him. The Governor then shook my hand and said "thank you son."
Flash bulbs were a poppin' all around me but I never managed to get a picture of the event from anyone (too young and dumb to care I guess.) But I think about that lost opportunity every time this subject comes up. Dozens of pictures were taken of the kid handing the Gov his hat, but that kid never got a copy! Carpe Diem folks!
The wind blew his hat off and it went tumbling across the field. Instead of taking pictures of the event, I handed my camera to a fellow student, ran after the hat and handed it back to him. The Governor then shook my hand and said "thank you son."
Flash bulbs were a poppin' all around me but I never managed to get a picture of the event from anyone (too young and dumb to care I guess.) But I think about that lost opportunity every time this subject comes up. Dozens of pictures were taken of the kid handing the Gov his hat, but that kid never got a copy! Carpe Diem folks!
May 16, 2012 08:14:45 #
About 25 years ago, I had gotten up before dawn to catch a shot of the last sliver of moon before the new moon ( I am somewhat of an astronomy lover). I had the camera setup on the tripod and was waiting for moonrise. As first light came, there was a tall narrow thunderstorm cloud out over the ocean RIGHT where the moon was going to rise. Discouraged and thinking the shot wasn't going to get made, I started to watch some bats flitting about. after about five minutes of that, I looked back out where the cloud was just in time to see the bottom of the slivered moon disappearing at the top of a perfect hole through the middle of the cloud. UNbeLIEVEable!!! I often use that memory to remind myself to stay focused on my plans.
May 16, 2012 08:39:14 #
Just east of Coeur d'Alene Idaho, I-90 passes the north side of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Across the lake are evergreen tree covered mountains.
Sometimes in winter, there are low dark clouds covering the sky and updrafts on the mountains pierce small holes in the clouds. Rays of sun come through and light up mist from the lake.
I've seen this twice, but not gotten the shot. Maybe this coming winter.
Sometimes in winter, there are low dark clouds covering the sky and updrafts on the mountains pierce small holes in the clouds. Rays of sun come through and light up mist from the lake.
I've seen this twice, but not gotten the shot. Maybe this coming winter.
May 16, 2012 09:44:54 #
Last weekend my daughter and I were taking an evening walk around a nearby lake. When this Bald Eagle comes flying across the lake and then dives down and grabs a fish. It was probably 30 yards away. I stood there watching in amazement while my daughter said "that was huge." I didnt even lift my camera.
May 16, 2012 09:45:20 #
I mentioned this Rodney Dangerfield moment on another thread somewhere. Several years ago when I was living in the Chicago suburbs, I was on my way home from work or flying lessons and noticed that the road I had just turned on to had been re-striped. in the middle of the road was a dead raccoon. The road crew painted right over it. I don't recall if the animal was lengthwise or width-wise across the road, but the stripe went almost perfectly down the middle of the body. Talk about no respect.
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