I would like to share this experience i had in the nineties. I had to take photos of 127 children receiving Holy Communion for the first time . I had to capture the precise moment when the priest gave Holy Communion on the tongue. There was just about 5 seconds gap between two children. There was no option of retake and if I missed even one it was bad, very bad not an option either.
I used 36 exposure film and no time to rewind and load,so used 4 cameras. As soon as the film was over picked up another camera and continued.
The flash had to be ready with a very fast recycling time. I had a flash with fraction power but had a big bracket to attach to the camera and since I had to use 4 cameras that was out. So I used a small flash and fast film. It never let me down.
Another problem was all the cameras had manual winding so as soon as a photo was clicked had to remember to wind instantly. Then click at the right moment. It has to be a reflex action.
I did not miss a single shot and did this not once but many times.
But i have to confess,it was a challenge,not an easy job and lots of tense moments.
I would love to hear about your difficult but unforgettable experiences.

I would like to share this experience i had in the nineties. I had to take photos of 127 children receiving Holy Communion for the first time . I had to capture the precise moment when the priest gave Holy Communion on the tongue. There was just about 5 seconds gap between two children. There was no option of retake and if I missed even one it was bad, very bad not an option either.
I used 36 exposure film and no time to rewind and load,so used 4 cameras. As soon as the film was over picked up another camera and continued.
The flash had to be ready with a very fast recycling time. I had a flash with fraction power but had a big bracket to attach to the camera and since I had to use 4 cameras that was out. So I used a small flash and fast film. It never let me down.
Another problem was all the cameras had manual winding so as soon as a photo was clicked had to remember to wind instantly. Then click at the right moment. It has to be a reflex action.
I did not miss a single shot and did this not once but many times.
But i have to confess,it was a challenge,not an easy job and lots of tense moments.
I would love to hear about your difficult but unforgettable experiences.

I do not want to come off as some kind of "MACHO MAN" wise guy or hero but I never found any normal photographic assignment especaill difficult or unforgeable in a negative way, especially in social, family, wedding, special occasion, photography, etc. Well at least in civilian life.

I do not usually care to share my actual
Ñ "war stories" but I did serve in the Vietnam (conflict) war and while shooting aerial reconnaissance from the open door of a gunship, on several runs, we were fired upon by the bad guys- NOT GOOD! Good thing, I was concerned about the exposure settings for Aero- Ektachrome Infrared film to keep my mind off the situation. A can tell y'all that before the third flight, I made sure to visit the LATRINE well in advance. GOSS!

After returning to the world, I worked for a while as a press photogher, and as the new guy on staff, I got all the riots, fires, political commotions, etc- never disturbed me. Then I went back to studio work, portraiture, family stuff, and commercial work. Nervios brides, drunken guests, screaming babies, helicopter mothers, fussy art directors, and MOSTLY many pleasant and lovely experiences- never a problem!

As for religious functions, I've probably been in more churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples than a clergyman. I might be the only Jew who can recite the entire Nuptial Mass. I can interpret Hebrew prayers and blessings and I am working on my Arabic. I have covered, weddings, funerals, first communions, baptisms, Bar Mitzvahs, and Conformations- no sweat!

As for those first communions- those kids never looked great with their tongues sticking out. Receiving the blessing with Holey Water works out better.

I never ran out of film or cards or go stuck wiht defective gear- I always overkill with spares. The only thg that might suddenly die is me- it's an age thing! If that happens, at least, I won't be around to suffer the consequences- most folks will not speak ill of the dead. Anyway- my assistant can pinch-hit!

My clients can cooperate (most will) or not- I can work around that. If plans go sideways? I can usually right the ship. Folks can yell at me, call me names, or throw me out, just PLEASE don't shoot at me! I find that rather perturbing!

I would like to share this experience i had in the nineties. I had to take photos of 127 children receiving Holy Communion for the first time . I had to capture the precise moment when the priest gave Holy Communion on the tongue. There was just about 5 seconds gap between two children. There was no option of retake and if I missed even one it was bad, very bad not an option either.
I used 36 exposure film and no time to rewind and load,so used 4 cameras. As soon as the film was over picked up another camera and continued.
The flash had to be ready with a very fast recycling time. I had a flash with fraction power but had a big bracket to attach to the camera and since I had to use 4 cameras that was out. So I used a small flash and fast film. It never let me down.
Another problem was all the cameras had manual winding so as soon as a photo was clicked had to remember to wind instantly. Then click at the right moment. It has to be a reflex action.
I did not miss a single shot and did this not once but many times.
But i have to confess,it was a challenge,not an easy job and lots of tense moments.
I would love to hear about your difficult but unforgettable experiences.

I do not want to come off as some kind of "MACHO MAN" wise guy or hero but I never found any normal photographic assignment especaill difficult or unforgeable in a negative way, especially in social, family, wedding, special occasion, photography, etc. Well at least in civilian life.

I do not usually care to share my actual "war stories" but I did serve in the Vietnam (conflict) war and while shooting aerial reconnaissance from the open door of a gunship, on several runs, we were fired upon by the bad guys- NOT GOOD! Good thing, I was concerned about the exposure settings for Aero- Ektachrome Infrared film to keep my mind off the situation. A can tell y'all that before the third flight, I made sure to visit the LATRINE well in advance. GOSS!

After returning to the world, I worked for a while as a press photogher, and as the new guy on staff, I got all the riots, fires, political commotions, etc- never disturbed me. Then I went back to studio work, portraiture, family stuff, and commercial work. Nervios brides, drunken guests, screaming babies, helicopter mothers, fussy art directors, and MOSTLY many pleasant and lovely experiences- never a problem!

As for religious functions, I've probably been in more churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples than a clergyman. I might be the only Jew who can recite the entire Nuptial Mass. I can interpret Hebrew prayers and blessings and I am working on my Arabic. I have covered, weddings, funerals, first communions, baptisms, Bar Mitzvahs, and Conformations- no sweat!

As for those first communions- those kids never looked great with their tongues sticking out. Receiving the blessing with Holey Water works out better.

I never ran out of film or cards or go stuck wiht defective gear- I always overkill with spares. The only thg that might suddenly die is me- it's an age thing! If that happens, at least, I won't be around to suffer the consequences- most folks will not speak ill of the dead. Anyway- my assistant can pinch-hit!

My clients can cooperate (most will) or not- I can work around that. If plans go sideways? I can usually right the ship. Folks can yell at me, call me names, or throw me out, just PLEASE don't shoot at me! I find that rather perturbing!