Ever since I have taken up photography as a serious hobby all the books I have read and all the sites I have visited have all recommended somewhere along the line ” check your gear before a photo shoot”.

Now how stupid do these people think I really am? Your camera is your tool of the trade, of course you are going to make sure all is okay before heading out on your adventures! Right! I mean would anyone go on a journey without making sure there was enough fuel in the car first?

A few months back we had a festival here in Broadstairs, along the lines of a carnival week, we call it Folk Week. On the last weekend there is a colourful parade through the village with fireworks etc. I planned to shoot this and even went as far as to plant he best vantage point, time I should be there and so on. I pushed through the crowds to my strategic position, camera in hand and feeling rather please with myself for taking the time to prepare for it. The bands came first down the High Street followed by the Folk Dancers, absolutely brilliant, these shots were going to be out of this world. I set my camera, focused, pressed the shutter button, and yes, the dreaded message popped up ” Battery Low“, and yes the spare batteries were at home on charge! Idiot!

Last week I got up early to take some sunrise pics, as I have not had the opportunity for a while, due to work commitments. Blurry eyed and wishing I was still in bed I venture out into the cold dark morning. The wind was howling off the English Channel but as you know photography is not all about comfort to achieve the pics you want. I even took my tripod that morning as it was the topic of conversation that week on the site. The sun did eventually decide to pop up and I clicked away, fingers numb and teeth chattering. Once home again I down loaded my pics only to realise that the camera was set on the smallest pics possible! I had not checked it from the last time I had been fiddling with it’s settings!!! Delete, delete, delete! Idiot!

What has prompted me to write this is that I have just been out with my new camera and wanted to take the sun through the clouds after a big hail storm. I have just downloaded my efforts and realised that I did not check my lens and have ended up with a few rain drops that settled on it! Every pic is ruined with a blur from the droplets! Yes I know what you are thinking, Idiot!

So folks, just a gentle reminder to check your gear before you venture out and during your shoot!