Shots you missed

[nshirley]

Although I don't usually indulge in this kind of thinking, I was going back through my collection and I starting to remember shots that I missed that have always stayed with me. I'll give you one of mine, do you have any of your own?

I had just moved to Europe and in one of my first travels my Nikon D60 was stolen off a train. It was the first digital SLR that I ever owned and I was distraught for a few weeks. After some time though, I decided I had to go back out and take pictures again, even if it was just with my 4 year old point and shoot backup.

I was still getting to know the city that I had moved to and I just started wandering. I found myself in one of the cities older cemeteries just as a funeral procession was leaving. Maybe I was off my game not having my preferred camera or maybe because it was such a personal moment, but there is one specific part that I won't forget.

Leading the procession was a boy. 10-12, chubby, wearing his traditional Austrian clothes and a big tuba around his neck. He was really the pictures of a stereotype. On his face though was the saddest expression I've ever seen. Dried tears on his cheeks, red rimmed eyes, feet dragging behind him in the rhythmic step of someone elses last march. The depth of emotion displayed so openly, makes me almost cry even now.

I'm torn even today. This was their moment, but that picture. I wish I had taken it.

[tinton14]

For me it was 3 years ago, it was the first time I went to Japan. I was in this busy street with many people around and there was this Japanese couple in their kimonos. They were just standing there holding each other's hands and staring at each other. It seemed like nothing mattered to them even though around them were lots of people and noise, it was like they were in their own world. It was one of those moments that I wish I could've captured on camera, I was sharing my aunt's camera at that time with her (I didn't have my own) and couldn't get to take that photo. I wish I could've taken it.

[Artrina]

This morning I went out around 7:30 to get the newspaper from my mailbox across the street. As I looked to my left to check for any cars coming down the street I saw a group of small birds bathing and having a ball in a large puddle! I stood there watching for a couple of min until a car came down the street and they all scattered.
Who would think they should take their camera with them to cross the street on a normal weather day! (I have taken my P&S on mornings after a fresh snow and gotten some lovely pix)

[Photologyst]

Oh, there are so many photos that I wish I could have taken and didn’t. The primary reason was always intrusion on the privacy of others.

A monster SLR is always intrusive and noisy as well. I tend to take a small, digi-cam for such moments. Pretending that I am reviewing my photos rather than shooting seems to work.

Lugging a huge telephoto lens is not the way to go in a city. I often pretend to be taking a panorama, when my real aim is a particular person.

Having my big SLR hanging at the right angle from my neck for unobtrusive street photos also makes things easier. I can simply push the button without having to aim. Obviously, one must take multiple photos in the hopes of getting one. I have taken lots of such photos in Japan and in Europe. Playing the “only speak English” dumb tourist is also handy.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

Last year on a trip to Europe my hubby and I visited Salisbury Catherdral in England. I did not have my DSLR back then, but was snapping away with my little P&S. After we'd toured the inside of the cathedral we came out in to the cloisters, where there is a cafe. Sitting there having his lunch was a very old priest. Just sitting at a small table with his little tea pot, cup and saucer, and the remains of his lunch. I guess he eats there every day with all the tourists buzzing around. I wished I'd taken that photo but it seemed like an intrusion on his quiet moment. And I was already feeling a little disrepectful after having taken so many shots inside the church - even though everyone else was doing the same thing.
It is the one shot that I regret not taking on that trip.

[windrider86]

When I was younger and considerably wilder I dated a ton of celebrities. Most of which I have no photos of. Could have been a gold mine

[Digidave]

Originally Posted by windrider86

When I was younger and considerably wilder I dated a ton of celebrities. Most of which I have no photos of. Could have been a gold mine

And your not going to drop any names!!!??? Come on!!

While driving home one night I saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile had rear ended a car that slowed to make a turn. Man did I wish I had my camera then. The entire rest of the drive home I was thinking of all the great captions that would of worked.

"Car rear ended by Giant Wiener"

For those that have no idea what an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is:

[freybear3]

Originally Posted by Digidave

And your not going to drop any names!!!??? Come on!!

While driving home one night I saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile had rear ended a car that slowed to make a turn. Man did I wish I had my camera then. The entire rest of the drive home I was thinking of all the great captions that would of worked.

"Car rear ended by Giant Wiener"

For those that have no idea what an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is:

Or "got it in the rear by a weinermobile", lol

[nshirley]

Originally Posted by Digidave

While driving home one night I saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile had rear ended a car that slowed to make a turn. Man did I wish I had my camera then. The entire rest of the drive home I was thinking of all the great captions that would of worked.

"Car rear ended by Giant Wiener"

This one will keep my laughing all day.

I think the privacy/intrusion observation is a valid one. Trust from the subject does seem to offer better opportunities. I watched "War Photographer" yesterday and it is strange to watch Nacthwey getting so close to people in such personal situations.

Along with shots that I wish I'd taken, there are a lot of shots that I have that I just wish I'd gotten closer.

[BCampbell]

Every time you take aphoto, there are billions of shots outside the frame that you missed.

I don't worry about it too particularly much.