Photo disasters and how to avoid them
The camera slipped out of my hand… my hard drive broke… and it was then I realised all my kit was halfway down the cliff. We’ve all had our share of mishaps and accidents when it comes to taking photographs. What are embarrassing and painful moments at the time soon become amusing and life-learning tales. To help you avoid your own photo disasters we’ve rounded up 24 of our favourite stories from professionals, AP readers, and the AP team. You may laugh or cry (most likely with laughter) but pay attention, as it’s always best to learn from others’ mistakes.
Wildlife watch
Claudia Popescu
I have desperately wanted to see puffins for the past two years, and when I finally got the chance on the Isle of May, it was extremely windy (extremely is an understatement!). Most of my shots were a disaster.
Rock ‘n’ roll
Dawn Fletcher-Park
When I was photographing Muse at the Glastonbury Festival, the lead singer hurled his guitar in my direction. I was taken completely off guard, and I saw this object come flying towards me. Forgetting that I was seeing it in the zoom lens, I instinctively jerked my head back, only to smack the woman behind me full on in the face with the back of my head, giving her a nosebleed. And I missed the shot.
Tripod basics
Claire Russell
A few years ago, my bestie Marlene Hazlehurst and I found ourselves in Sweden trying to photograph the Northern Lights. Neither of us actually owned a digital camera so we borrowed her husband's and hired a tripod – it gives you
