Acidents
Sep 21, 2017 09:49:05 #
John Martin wrote:
I was just wondering about photographers in general. Sometimes I know that we get very focused on the camera, its settings that we lose site of our surroundings like [the dark, wet conditions, icy footings. etc...]. Recently I fell in dark conditions and nearly broke my hip, I know of a fellow photographer that was backing up to capture that perfect shot when he fell backwards over a bench and broke 3 ribs. Any thoughts?
I'm not losing any sleep over it. I just go about my business and always try to be safe.
Sep 21, 2017 10:05:29 #
AZNikon
Loc: Mesa, AZ
My most embarrassing one was when I stepped backwards off the curb at the Clinton Library while looking through my viewfinder. Two elderly black ladies helped me up and I had a huge black & blue bruise on my hip for months! Lesson learned!
Sep 21, 2017 10:07:04 #
Closest I came to serious injury was sitting atop a six-foot fence shooting a rodeo. I took a backward dive when a bucking horse tried to kick my face, but a couple of alert cowboys caught me before I hit the ground. 
Sep 21, 2017 10:08:50 #
Have done it many times out in the wild. You get so focused on your subject that you forget about your surroundings. Two rules to remember: 1) keep looking around you, especially each time you move. 2) insure your equipment.
Sep 21, 2017 10:57:27 #
Hal81 wrote:
The worse thing that happened to me while shooting a wedding is when I stooped down and my paints split from stem to stern. I had to tie the arms of my jacket around my waste. Black paints and white shorts, hard to hide.
How embarrassing. Well, at least be glad you were wearing underwear!
Sep 21, 2017 11:16:21 #
Sep 21, 2017 11:25:11 #
I was shooting as a spectator at Maple Grove Raceway one year and Top Fuel Driver Tony Schumacher was being towed out to the starting line. I was so engrossed in taking his picture that my wife had to grab me and pull me out of his way. I some how had got myself in the way of his rear slik. He just smiled at me and waved. Can't imagine what he thought.
Sep 21, 2017 12:26:20 #
John, I have been taken out once or twice in a season, very easy to do. Lucky so far that's been only equipment that has been broken, my insurance covered the lens.
John Martin wrote:
I was just wondering about photographers in general. Sometimes I know that we get very focused on the camera, its settings that we lose site of our surroundings like [the dark, wet conditions, icy footings. etc...]. Recently I fell in dark conditions and nearly broke my hip, I know of a fellow photographer that was backing up to capture that perfect shot when he fell backwards over a bench and broke 3 ribs. Any thoughts?
Sep 21, 2017 13:03:58 #
Giving a photo tour with 14 folks. Stepped to far back on a steep slope. As I began to fall one of my guests tried to grab me. We both tumbled over the edge. My camera, on its strap around my neck, flew into the air and the front of the lens hit me square in the forehead as it arced around. Had a smiley face cut in my forehead for about two weeks. Guest was alright. Guide was embarrassed. Tour continued.
Sep 21, 2017 13:21:35 #
I was in the Galapagos Islands last week, just off the zodiac on the beach. Saw a couple of sea lions fighting and I ran towards them with a 5d and 28-300. Next thing I hear is a 500 pound male sea lion rearing up and shouting at me- I had almost stepped on him. I did hold the camera up as I fell backwards. My back was almost completely healed after a couple of days. Great shots of the fighting sea lions. Whatever it takes to get the shot!
Sep 21, 2017 13:30:53 #
newnanphoto wrote:
I was in the Galapagos Islands last week, just off the zodiac on the beach. Saw a couple of sea lions fighting and I ran towards them with a 5d and 28-300. Next thing I hear is a 500 pound male sea lion rearing up and shouting at me- I had almost stepped on him. I did hold the camera up as I fell backwards. My back was almost completely healed after a couple of days. Great shots of the fighting sea lions. Whatever it takes to get the shot!
If you haven't already, you should post some of those pictures. I bet there are great.
Sep 21, 2017 13:46:24 #
It's easy to become so focused on the photography that we lose sight of our surroundings. Always be aware of where we are and what dangers are around us.
Jack
Jack
Sep 21, 2017 14:01:17 #
Perhaps a small rear view mirror mounted on the camera, or Nikon or Canon could add a backup camera that we could watch on the view screen
Sep 21, 2017 14:02:42 #
I have a similar image that ricardo7 posted taken at Horseshoe Bend of the Grand Canyon. I had it done so my wife could say "...see the stupid things you do when I'm not along to stop you!"
Sep 21, 2017 14:05:45 #
John Martin wrote:
I was just wondering about photographers in general. Sometimes I know that we get very focused on the camera, its settings that we lose site of our surroundings like [the dark, wet conditions, icy footings. etc...]. Recently I fell in dark conditions and nearly broke my hip, I know of a fellow photographer that was backing up to capture that perfect shot when he fell backwards over a bench and broke 3 ribs. Any thoughts?
Watch what the hell you are doing. Out in the brush, around here anyway, always look behind you as something might be gaining on you. Around here bears, mountain lions, wolves. You could be like the photographer in Alaska where they got the great pictures of the bear out of the camera after the bear got him.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.