Picture the scene - a beautiful early spring day in Worcestershire, and warm, wall to wall sunshine predicted for the whole afternoon.
Straummy needs: To lose weight (again)
Straummy likes: Taking photographs
So, I decided to combine the two activities by packing the basic essentials for snapping a few shots into the panniers on the back of my mountain bike.
Checklist:
- Camera
- Standard lens
- Telephoto zoom
- 2x Extender
- Extension rings
- Inflate bike tyres to correct pressure
- Fill water bottle
I have the route planned - I'll swing down by the river and on to the towpath of the Worcester to Birmingham Canal. Then cycle across town and follow the towpath out into the countryside - there's sure to be plenty of picturesque canal and lock-related images to capture once I'm clear of the city.
I've even planned my return to divert back by the main road bridge over the River Severn in the heart of Worcester to grab a few shots of our stunningly beautiful cathedral.
So, after about an hour's cycling, I find the ideal spot to park up and start taking a few photos. The sun's still shining and it's a little hazy, and bearing in mind most of my planned images will feature the canal, I decide to attach my circular polarisers to both lenses. Bugger. I knew I'd forgotten something. No polarisers. Still, no biggie, the light's good and I'm generally going to be shooting with the sun at my back - I'll just have to remember to pack them next time.
First shot is going to be of a very old brick-built bridge over the canal, surrounded by foliage. Nice. Even better, about a minute ago, I passed a (typically brightly painted) narrow boat heading towards said bridge. I can get a few shots in advance and then snap a few as the boat steams under the bridge. Nice.
Ok, here we go. I plan to start off by using Aperture Priority mode at around f8 - that should keep everything I need in focus and if camera shake's going to be a problem I can always open her up a bit.
I compose the shot and half depress the shutter to focus, and to allow me to check the shutter speed.
Then.....I see this in the viewfinder:
[accompanied by profuse swearing]Arrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/accompanied by profuse swearing]
It would appear that I've left the SD card in my computer after transferring some images the other day.
Oh well, at least I'm getting a couple of hours of much needed exercise, and mentally making a note of some good viewpoints for further expeditions.
Well, I've just got back in the house and gone to retrieve the SD card from the slot in the front of my PC..... and it's not there.
It's not on the desk, on the floor or down the side of the comfy chair.
I check my camera flightcase for it. It's not there either. Or in the soft case. The two spares are, but not the card I'm looking for.
And then it dawned on me....
Arrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I remembered that out of habit, mainly to prevent me from accidentally deleteing anything on my SD cards, I always 'lock' them before I stick 'em in my PC.
And the feckin' thing has been sat in my camera all along....
All I had to do was whip it out and unlock it......
Arrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lesson learned
