jlg1000 Loc: Uruguay / South America

I try always to carry a camera with me, at least the one in the cellphone. Yo never know what you can find.

I also like to take long walks on weekends, on which I carry my trusty Sony RX100M3 in a belt pouch.

Last Saturday I took one of my walks at dusk, and forgot to take the camera with me. I had a second opportunity 2 o 3 blocks from home, but for no reason I decided not to go back ad grab it... after all, I was about to complete the same circuit as ever, and there should not be anything new, right?

Wrong.

Big, BIG, mistake.

As I was 5 o 6 kilometers from home, I discovered an unexpected food-truck fest on the riverside with live music, classic cars and even two restored vintage firetrucks !

They started to light fireworks !!

And I didn't even carry a crappy cellphone !!

And worst of all, because of my schedule, I knew that I had no time to WALK home and DRIVE back to take any pictures.

So, I learned the hard way: always, ALWAYS carry a camera, or whatever thing capable of taking pictures.

Next time, I might just miss that one historical UFO landing with aliens willing to pose for the camera :-)

AndyT Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire

Good story. I always have a small camera with me and have gotten many good images over the years. Right now my choice is the Lumix ZS100.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

You and I both chose the ZS100. I chose for two reasons, the price had dropped to $500 while the Sony had not yet introed their new model... second and more important to me, the reach... longer zoom. Both Sony and Panasonic and now also Canon cameras are excellent and fit in pouch or pocket easily; all take excellent photos and with post they challenge many DSLR.

My old saying is that "any camera is better than the best DSLR if the DSLR is at home on the closet shelf."

I do not believe in the supernatural except for "odd sock disappearance phenomenon," Phillips and Straight screwdrivers swapping availability opposite of need, and events happening when your camera is at home.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I buy two pocket shirts, pocket one has a notebook and pen (I have carried those ever since I was in 3rd grade, doesn't everyone?) and the second pocket has a little Panasonic DMC-ZS6, 9 year old model, but it works - I do hate trying to use the screen in sunlight, I usually just look over the top and hope I get the subject framed correctly. When it dies I get a pocket zoom with a viewfinder or I will start carrying a small bridge camera in a belt pouch.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Don't fret too much over it, there will be many other festivals. Perhaps you will have a camera with you at one of those future events.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I always have a Sony RX100M4 with me for such occasions.

markinvictoria Loc: Victoria TX

Reminds me of the time I was kayaking the shore around Coleto Lake which I have done many times. This particular time I decided to leave my camera in the truck and just do a leisurely paddle. As I entered this one cove...water was flying all over the place...I paddled up to within 10 feet of all the commotion. After about 15 seconds watching this the action stopped...a bobcat with a nutria in its mouth was staring at me for about another 15 seconds. The bobcat then dropped the nutria and ran off...the nutria then swam off. Figured I saved that nutria's life that day. Around the next bend a eagle was perched in a tree.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm afraid that's typical. Ignore one detail, and that's the one that will come back to bite you. Leave one tool out of your tool box, and that's the one that you'll need.

rvharvey Loc: Southern New Jersey

You Hogs never heard of Murphy's law?

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Hey, jlg, once burned, twice learned. Been there, done that! We all have!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Seems to happen every time!

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

SO RIGHT......you'll never get that one in a million shot if the camera's sitting on the shelf or in the trunk of the car. and remember to remove the lens cap.....yeah.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Me too! RX100 3 or Fuji X100F are my regular companions... I often hide the Sony in the car for just those moments.

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

Must be the "blurry effects" that we put in our store security camera.
I hear "do you recognize this criminal" on the TV a laugh.

Stash Loc: South Central Massachusetts

At the very least I always take my Nikon S9500 with me when I head out the door. It fits nicely in a shirt pocket. I've learned from the past when I've said "darn, I wish I had a camera with me."