TOTW June 6

[Steve Bedell]

Not so much a topic but an observation of Murphy's Law. Did a HS Graduation today. I take all 160 or so kids as they get diploma. Been doing for years. I have 2 cameras, 1 dedicated to this with it's own jury rigged Sunpack flash and race car batteries that can shoot forever before dying. Tested out yesterday took 100 shots in a hurry, no problem, no misfires. Went to school early, set up, took about 10 test shots, no problem.

Went to do actual graduates, first shot doesn't fire, hold PC cord in tight, OK for 2,3,4, then no flash again.

Grabbed my other camera with 50 mm lens, no time to take 28-75 zoom off there camera, back up, start shooting.

Anyway, about 90 people prepay me for this but I shoot them all, get calls later plus helps to keep in order, so I'm gonna have 3 unhappy people with no grad pic.

The good news is my Nikon SB 800 flash took photos before, during and after this without even breathing hard! I didn't think it could handle all that, probably abou 300 flashes, although most @ f/5.6 @ ISO 400.

More remarkable, this was in a huge tent and we had some torrential rain today, but when they walked in and out, no rain. It was St Thomas Aquinas High school, not sure if that means anything!

[Richard Flaskegaard]

The good news and lesson is that when everything falls apart you were still prepared to do the job.

What did you conclude the problem is? Not enough humidity? Bad karma day?

[genepaltrineri]

Reminds me of the time I did grab shots of President Bush (SR)
Sixteen test shorts - perfect.
First shot with him - no flash
2,3,4 no flash.
Pulled spare (3) and worked.
Flash #1 is somewhere in the Atlantic off the cliff at the Cliff House.
I don't think Don Chick ever agreed to photograph a job with me after that.

[Kim Critchfield]

That's what being a professional is...being ready for anything and everything. I'll bet you didn't even break a sweat, just went to the back-up and finished the job.
Good for you, Steve, you inspire us all!

[Steve Bedell]

I took all 157 or so of them, of course of the goofed images 3 of them had photos. Was able to get something out of them, Skip Foisy also pulled out a little more, so I'll send them the prints and a refund too. Only have about 3 seconds between shots so glad I had my other camera/flash right next to me.

Believe me I was sweating bullets!

[Steve Bedell]

Not really new TOTW but funny story of just how bad I am with details. Did a Class of 1070 reunion a block away from my studio. Took pic, had them prepay, went back to studio and made prints on my old Olympus dye-sub printer. Simple, right?

Well, I made few and brought down a couple for people leaving early while others were printing. When I got there, noticed I had put on '30 Year Reunion' and on way down realized my math was incorrect! Told them I'd redo/fix others when someone else told me I put down the year as '1070' instead of 1970!

Stop the presses again!

Now I'm getting worried because I've used this printer about once in the last 2 years and had printer ribbon and paper for about 50 prints. I sold 20.

Or so I thought!

Each time I ran a handful down, more people ordered!

Ended up with 28 sales and printed all but last one and ribbon ran out! Good thing the last 2 were being mailed.

A simple job turned to high stressed afternoon, just what I need!