Lens vision!

I yearn to learn and capture good landscape and I do try to get out as much as I can but in the country I'm in, you must travel quite a while away to get to the 'sweet spots'. Yesterday I nagged the wife into coming along with me and explored some awesome places I will be visiting very soon again (more of a discovery trip, but got some shots).

At the end of the trip I was at a really nice spot where I walked down a cliff to get some nice shots, and as I was walking up the same path I noticed a good photo op. But to get the shot I'd have to be at an edge and looking downward.

The reason I titled this lens vision is because looking through the lens at 10mm it looked like I had ample amount of space and I had the frame stuck in my head while I honestly felt completely safe and in no fear of falling off the edge. Only after my wife was adamant I not take the shot (the way I wanted to) did I realise how dangerous it actually was.

I just wonder sometimes, where do you draw the line in situations like this? Has the urge to get a particular shot ever put you in serious trouble? What can you do to avoid this?

Good thing your wife was there.

In the garages at a Nascar race I was almost hit by a race car as I was photographing it. I didn't realize how close it was until it brushed my pants leg. Fortunately they were pushing the car by hand but it definitely got my attention.

Snakes are a concern here. It isn't a good idea to be in a dangerous position and be startled by a snake, or anything for that matter. Being bit is bad but being bit and falling over a cliff would be worse.

Just use common sense and always check your footing before stepping out onto something. Also, don't do any "foot zooming" with the your eye glued to the viewfinder...always be mindful of the situation.

Always keep both eyes open... one eye on the viewfinder, and the other on everything else!

I had a similar experience shooting fireworks from a rooftop........seemed like a good idea at the time.

A few years back I saw a Japanese tourist nearly walk off a cliff at Bryce. She appeared to have a p/s digicam permanently glued to her face and was utterly oblivious to the 'real world' scenery all around her. Kinda sad, not to mention potentially deadly.

Shooing in the Sonoran Desert, you quickly learn to NEVER move without looking first. Approximately 98.3% of the plant and animal life will gladly bite, stab, sting, poke, impale, or otherwise envenomate you. I've had several snakes, as well as one very pretty Gila Monster, 'sneak up' on me when shooting thunderstorms and lightning. Always look!

Same boat: I think I use photography and "getting the shot" as a way to fake courage in doing dangerous and stupid things. I've sat on top of my roof with a lawn chair, camera, and tripod during a thunderstorm! Looking back I don't think it was the best idea I've had... Just a few weeks ago I wanted to sit on the median in the middle of a busy highway/curvy bridge at night. I thought a long exposure of the cars with a model lit up by flash would be sooo freakin cool.. but my model (girlfriend) thought I was crazy and wouldn't do it with me.. Good thing our ladies have more sense than we do sometimes.

never go on location alone! Always have at least one adult with you.

To quote Dirty harry Callahan, "A man has got to know his limitations".

I do get myself into some crazy situations while trying to get compositions I really want, but safety always comes first. It definitely helps to work with a tripod more often than not. If a tripod can't stand somewhere safely, then I probably can't either!

The phrase "a photo to die for" is not meant to be taken literally.