Confessions of a clumsy globetrotter: My most ridiculous travel photography mishaps
Ah, travel photography. The pursuit of capturing stunning sunsets, majestic landscapes, and that perfect Instagrammable moment. But let’s be honest, it’s not all glamorous locations and envy-inducing feeds. Sometimes, travel photography involves a healthy dose of self-deprecation and the occasional misplaced (or should I say, lost?) piece of equipment.
Here’s a glimpse into my personal hall of shame, a collection of the most ridiculous photography gear I’ve managed to lose while jet-setting around the globe, or even just driving across the country.
So many cool action shots lost
Crikey! Where’d the Dundee Go? (Far North Queensland)
Ah, the thrill of wildlife photography! The adrenaline rush of capturing a predator in its natural habitat. Well, that was the plan, at least. This time, however, my FNQ adventure turned into a classic case of digital disaster.
Imagine the scene: I’m on the edge of my seat, heart pounding, camera gripped in sweaty hands. There he is – a magnificent crocodile, and a croc handler, a true “Dundee” in the making, lumbering from the water. This is IT – the shot I’ve been waiting for! I slam my finger down on the shutter button, unleashing a burst mode frenzy worthy of a paparazzi pit. Hundreds of frames captured, perfectly documenting the croc’s every menacing move.
Except… in my excitement (and maybe a touch of heatstroke), I make a rookie mistake. Instead of waiting to turn my camera off before it finished writing to the card, to quickly change an almost dead battery. I mean I didn’t want to miss any of the action. The camera clicks ominously, the red light blinks mockingly, and my heart sinks faster than a stone in a croc-infested billabong. None of those shots saved properly!!!
Did I just dump the digital equivalent of Steve Irwin wrangling a grumpy saltie? You bet I did. Hundreds of action shots, gone. Poof. Vanished into the digital abyss. Thankfully I threw in a spare SD Card (and a fresh battery) and kept shooting, But I had already lost those first killer shots.
Willunga Beach – I hope my lens cap and allen key are very happy here
The Great Lens Cap Caper (Willunga Beach, South Australia)
Gorgeous beach at sunset? Check. Even a romantic stroll along the water’s edge? Check. Lens cap mysteriously MIA? Double check. Apparently, my lens cap needed a permanent beach vacation. I’m sure it’s buried in the sand there somewhere. I also lost the Allen key from my tripod there too. I hope the Allen key and lens cap will be very happy there. It is a beautiful spot.
Drone almost lost over Bass Strait
The Disappearing Drone Debacle (Port Arthur, Tasmania)
Imagine soaring over the breathtaking coast of Tasmania, capturing the dramatic landscapes from a bird’s-eye view. Except, my drone control skills resembled that of a drunken bumblebee. I didn’t know that the cliffs were made of some mineral that interfered with Wi-Fi signals. One wrong nudge on the joystick, and poof – drone went rogue, disappearing into the vast southern ocean. It would probably still be circling somewhere over the Bass Strait if an errant buffeting breeze blew it far enough out to see to get signal back. I flew it up high and over the cliffs to bring it back in. But it was close!
Safer flying drone inland
Lessons Learned (Maybe)
These travel photography mishaps have certainly taught me a valuable lesson (or two). Triple-check your memory cards and don’t turn the camera off before it’s finished writing the images. Lens caps and fallen keys are not optional (and have a tendency to wander). And maybe, just maybe, leave the drone piloting to the professionals.
So, the next time you see a travel photographer looking slightly bewildered, don’t judge. They might just be reminiscing about the time their camera equipment went on an unplanned adventure of its own. Because hey, at least the travel stories are unforgettable, even if the photos aren’t.
