Missed Opportunities

[SebC]

For those outside the UK who may not know, the second of three live televised debates is taking place this evening with the leaders of the three main political parties in the run up to a general election on 6 May.

There I was walking through Bristol city centre this evening, about 100 metres from the debate venue (I live a couple of hundred metres further along the waterfront). There were a lot of people milling around, protestors from various groups, and a large police presence. A few metres away a scuffle broke out between a couple of teenagers and a particularly rought looking group of protestors, prompting a surge of crowd interest and a charge of Police in riot gear (one of whom shouted "Run away ya daft *******s!" to the lads who were standing their ground despite being outnumbered about 6 to 1 by much bigger, tougher looking guys - much to my ammusement). The Police switfly broke up the fight, but the rapidly swelling crowd was growing incresingly boisteous. The Stop the War Coalition marched through. The Police re-grouped, filming trouble makers. This was all happening right around me - I could feel the energy of the crowd growing, of ringleaders feeding off the interest and attention that was focussed on them. More teenagers appeared wearing scarves across their faces and balaclavas, vicious dogs straining at their leads. Tension was building.

My Leica M2 was loaded with TMax 400, with a CV 35/2.5 mounted. I was in the thick of the action.This was my chance for some real, up-close gritty reportage shots. Only one issue: The M2 was at my other flat in Surrey, a good 100 miles away. D'Oh! Right place, right time, but something vital missing!

So, rather than wallowing in could've been, I'd like to hear about your missed opportunities. What's the photo you saw unfold in front of you, but never got to take?

I'd also like to hear about those times when you were somewhere you wouldn't normally be, at a time you wouldn't normally be there, with a camera you don't always carry - and you got the shot. Post examples if you have them!

[FrankS]

I almost always have a camera with me. But not a lot of exciting stuff happens around here. When it does, ... I'll be ready, I hope.

[btgc]

I miss moments every day, by a fraction of second at least! I see - it will happen, and it does while I reach for camera or release shutter. Mostly I don't take picture after failure. Can't remember...who said something like "there's next chance around the corner"?