The 10(plus) most useful tips-to-self before taking the shot

[Quantumcat]

Make certain your shirt is tucked in the back and your belt is tightened before bending over for one last look under the darkcloth.***

Dammit Jim, I am a Photographer not a Plumber!!




















*** applies mostly to "Norge Men".

[David Schaller]

Don't drive away for the weekend without your tripod.

[lab black]

Tap down on the top of the tripod prior to heaving your precious USS Enterprise on top so that you don't watch the bow sink during a long exposure from a sorta'...kinda.... I thought it was tight enough... front tripod leg.
I feel...well...not better, although perhaps a greater sense of bonding, knowing that I am not completely alone by pulling a holder with a $20.00 sheet of film with one hand after a 45 minute exposure while holding the darkslide with the other hand.
Chicken sacrifice... a true classic and one of the funniest things I have ever read on this forum...

[AA+]

For myself, my most helpful tip is to fire the shutter as practice before I pull the darkslide. When I do this I save myself a bunch of errors.

Best wishes --- Allen

[David Lobato]

If you want the wind to die down when you're all set up and ready, the shutter is cocked, darkslide has been pulled; then walk away from your camera. Far enough so it takes several seconds to run back. Guaranteed you will be too late for that one sure break in the wind. Another tip, lose concentration and start to daydream. Aeolus will be happy to demonstrate his quiet skills when you're not paying attention, or when too far away to do anything about it.

[Doug Herta]

N+1. After removing holder, check that focus and composition haven't been ruined as you kicked the #@mm tripod.

I feel so much better hearing someone else does this! It is my personal, chronic dumb move. I kick the tripod after the darkslide has been removed before exposure.Then I sit there and debate whether to "back out" (reinsert darkslide, remove film holder, open shutter, recheck focus and composition).

[StoneNYC]

For myself, my most helpful tip is to fire the shutter as practice before I pull the darkslide. When I do this I save myself a bunch of errors.

Best wishes --- Allen

This seems to help me too.

Also, don't forget long pants and long sleeves when shooting at a lake at dusk... doh!!! Seriously I must have about 100 mosquito bites from today... Ugh... I hope the shot comes out...