A Very Monday Monday

One of my hopes for this blog is that it will force me to get better at photography.

When I was a local news reporter I shot a lot of my own video, but I never felt like I really mastered the art of getting the perfect shot. Plus, I think still photography is even trickier than video.

So I’ve made it my personal mission to finally learn how to properly use John’s DSLR, which I’ve picked up about two times since he got it a few years ago.

On Monday, I had a light workload (for once!) and wrapped up everything on my to-do list by mid-afternoon. Perfect! I thought. This was the chance I’d been waiting for to take out the camera and get in some quality time behind the lens (that’s what the pros say).

I charged up the camera’s battery and wrangled all the various lenses and cords from the cabinet above the fridge where they live. I packed a backpack with a blanket and water, lathered on sunscreen and made the trek in the mid-80 degree heat to the George Washington Bridge, which is about a 20-30 minute walk from our apartment.

Instead of simply setting up at the first spot I came across, I decided to take my time and find the perfect vantage point. I was out to get some great shots, after all! I might as well put in a little effort.

After walking back and forth another 10 or 15 minutes, scoping out the scene with my photographer eagle-eye, I finally decided on a spot on the banks of the Hudson River under the southeast side of the bridge. Did I mention it was hot out?

Beginning to feel my tank top sticking to my back, I set up the tripod. I installed the little connector that lets you mount the camera on the tripod. This was going great! Excited, I flicked the camera’s switch to ‘on.’

…Nothing.

I’d left the battery sitting on the charger next to my kitchen sink.

Oh, Monday.

I hadn’t come all this way and sweat my face off to not get any photos. So what was supposed to be a lesson in DSLR photography turned into a game of ‘how many different iPhone photos of the GW Bridge can one woman take?’

Without further ado, I bring you my Monday Fail Photo Gallery.

Stay tuned for the next edition, where I’ll probably do something like get caught in a downpour after picking up my dry cleaning. I hope the rest of your week is more productive than my Monday.