What if....

What if the most fantastic sunset you've witnessed in years was right in front of you and you had no camera to capture it? Such was the case tonite. My wife and I went out for dinner and when we left the restaurant, you could tell the sky was ripe for a great sunset. We drove down County Line Road toward McClellan Reservoir. The suns rays and colors were fantastic...it turned the reservoir red! All I have is the memory in my mind of a great sunset. How many of you have experienced a great scene unfolding but no way to capture it?

I know how you feel Jack. Sometimes you just have to realize that you don't have a camera with you and just enjoy the beauty. As I recently told a friend of mine, there are going to be tens of thousands of sunrise and sunset opportunities. At least because of photography you appreciate it more, and have a lot more opportunities to see these beautiful scenes.

I've never missed a sunrise OR sunset I've wanted to photograph. My uncanny ability to predict them well in advance and react has a 100% success rate. If I don't photograph it, it wasn't worth photographing in the first place, and anyone who did just wasted their time.

And you call yourself a photographer...

Just take a shot of a crummy gray sky and use PS to turn it all sorts of psychedelic colors. Its much easier than getting up at the crack of dawn--just look at how grumpy that's made Todd

Truth be told, the absolute worst case scenario for me was back when I was shooting concerts. If I got into a show but my camera didn't (either couldn't sneak it in in the early days, or no photo pass once I went legit), I just sat there and stewed about it, and had a hard time enjoying the show. These days, if I miss a great sunrise or sunset, it kinda sticks in my craw, but I just tell myself—over and over and over and over— that there will be others.

I feel your pain, Jack. I think it bothers me so much because there are so few opportunities available because of life's responsibilities. I truly envy those that are able to make the commitment to be out there a majority of the time because that really increases their chances of getting those great light situations to shoot. The thunderstorm that went through Castle Rock last night was south of me and it was epic. Unfortunately I am sick this weekend so all I could do was look out my window and enjoy it for it's grandeur. And really, that should be enough.

I think this has happened to most of us more times than we can count. What's worse, IMO, is when you have your gear, but can't position yourself to take advantage of a stunning opportunity. We roll with the punches.

I was just talking about this with someone on vacation. We agreed there are going to be so many times when you see somethign great without a camera nearby that you really just have to learn to appreciate the beauty and soak it in. It sucks.

I feel your pain. I was at Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ one evening last Spring. Not much happening, so I gave up and headed back to the car. From the parking lot (with a high ridge now between me and the river overlook) the sun poked under the clouds for one of the most amazing light shows I have ever seen. I can only image how gorgeous the river and cliffs would have looked in that beautiful light...