Know Your Gear

The other day my family and I went to the annual San Diego County Fair. One of our favorite things to do is watch the Pig Races. (I know, we’re easily amused!)

That day, I took a super-lightweight camera that I have not recently shot with, my Canon G16. I’m “mostly” familiar with it. There are certain features I don’t use very often.

At the Pig Race, my son Sean was selected to be our pig’s (there are 4 racing pigs in each race) Cheerleader. He went down to the front, and I took a few photos as the race was about to begin. Here’s where it gets interesting.

I’ve shot a LOT of videos with my iPhone. I’ve hardly ever shot video with my G16. My iPhone was in my pocket and my G16 was in my hand. Instead of taking the time to fish out my iPhone (I might have missed the race), I decided to use the G16 in my hand to record video of Sean cheering our pig in the race. Right before the starting bell, I pushed a button on the top of the G16, WHICH on my X-T1 is the video record button. The problem was that on the G16 that button is the power button. Instead of recording video, I heard my camera shut down. The race began and was quickly over. No video. A lost moment. Instead, I chose to enjoy the moment and watch our pig come in last.

Fortunately this was a trivial event. No real heartbreak will come from not recording a video of my son cheering a last place pig.

Imagine how you would feel, though, if you missed an irreplaceable, valuable, once-in-a-lifetime shot because you didn’t know your gear, flipped the wrong switch, pushed the wrong button.

How sad.

Know Your Gear. Learn about it NOW during non-stressful, no pressure times.

Practice.

Before the pigs start running.