Fortunate Mishaps

Sometimes accidents and mistakes have the ability to add an element of spontaneous, unplanned flair to an image that otherwise would had been static and almost clinically planned. Sometimes its an element that one conciously is trying to incoroporate (candid 'hip shots', using toy cameras like the Holga with unpredictable light flares, etc) - and sometimes it's just - an accident.

Regardless of how an accidental element got into your creative process I feel it's important to not discard the final result simply because it was not what you had intended to capture. Look at the results with an open mind and who knows - you may be surprised as to what you find.

Below are a few examples of photos that did not come out at all as I had planned - through accidents..and mistakes.

Hasselblad 500C/M, 80mm Zeiss lens, Tmax 400 film

The photo above was taken at Fort Funston just outside of San Francisco early in the morning.

I had just setup my tripod and composed the photo and was waiting for the wave to come in to where I wanted. As I squeezed off the cable release - the dog walks into the picture.

Did this accident create a 'better' image? I don't know - it definitely created a different image and I decided that some accidents are good - even the ones that walk in on four legs - and have a really nasty smell when wet :)

Leica M3, Summicron 50/2 lens, Tri-X 400 film

This photo was taken at the SPCA in San Francisco in the "Cats looking for a home"-section.

I had one of those absent-minded moment and for some reason I thought I had fully re-wound the film but opening the bottom of the camera told me otherwise. A part of the film got exposed to light but going through the contact sheet I realized that I was more attracted to the photos that had these accidental light effects on them.

I liked this photo as it shows some built up anger/frustration in the cat - and the harsh white-out effects seemed to enhance that mood. Printing the whole image including the sprocket holes added to that very basic, primal feeling.

So embrace your accidents - heck even seek them out :)