Topic: Fear and great images

[Francois]

Just a simple question that gives me a chance to talk about last night's missed moment.

It was dark in the yard, just before bedtime. I saw something move on the sidewalk. It was the first time I had seen this animal in the wild.
I first thought of getting my camera. I was thinking about the best shot of the year. Then I thought I'd need to get out my flash. Would EI 320 be enough?
Then, the smell came to me as a reminder. I stopped myself and decided it was best for me to admire this lovely striped animal from the inside.
The skunk had a great time searching for bugs... and I didn't get the shot...

[LT]

no shot is worth the Skunk odour. I've only smelled it once, but it has never left my olfactory memory - ever.

Near WIlmington, Delaware - August 1987, 2000 hrs, side of road. Bam! stinkeroo.

[SLVR]

now that you mention it, whilst shooting my first photo essay i'll be putting together i had my first legitimate "scare" in my life. My legs were shaking and my spidey senses were tingling but i still worked through it and went for the shot.

more to come when ive put everything together.

[Late Developer]

I don't like heights. Actually, it's sheer drops that give me the willies. However, as a fit young man and a mad-keen walker, I've ascended and descended almost all of the fells in the Lake District. Using the "three points of contact" technique, I managed to subdue the fear factor but one walk, in particular, springs to mind.

It'd be the early 1980's when a gang of like-minded friends ventured forth up Striding Edge to see the view from the top of Helvellyn. The top is so broad and flat, some fella managed to fly and land old plane up there. However, Striding Edge is a wholly different affair.

We were traversing the edge in low cloud and at one of the most precarious sections, the clouds opened and I decided it would be an opportune moment to take a photo back down the line of walkers. To get them all in shot, I needed the 28mm on my OM2n, so I ferreted it out of my bag and started about removing the 50mm.

Somehow, I lost my footing and lurched towards the chasm - all the while juggling with the lenses. Frantic, I managed to grab the 50mm but the 28mm escaped and was last see bouncing the 1500 feet or so down the rocky fell side. I have never been so scared in my life and I never want to be again.

Looking forward to seeing your shots, TinTin and it's a shame you didn't manage to capture the skunk, Francois. Maybe it was "Pepe le Pew"