Somebody up there liked me that day.
Every once in a while I find myself going through old images and will generally stop on one that brings back fun (and not so much fun) memories.
I was hired by Lowell Williams design who was hired by an oil company in London…Oil Tools Limited. They were to begin drilling in Asia and wantd to create a high quality tabletop book that they could give out.
They sent the designer and myself to Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines to photograph whatever I wanted that would visually represent the culture of the countries.
We had a driver that would take us all around the cities: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Jakarta, Indonesia, and Manilla, Philippines. We would also travel around the countryside outside these three cities as well. If I saw something interesting I would tell the driver to stop while I got out and took pictures.
We were driving down the highway outside Kuala Lumpur and I looked out into the field and saw this young woman tossing water on her Water Buffalo. I asked what she was doing and our driver told us that she was keeping the animal cool; it was very hot and humid.
I jumped out, threw my Nikkor 300mm F/2.8 on an F3 motor drive, loaded a roll of Kodachrome 25, hooked it up to my tripod, and started running out towards her. I made it about thirty yards before I started bogging down in the mud.
I quickly set up, started waving at her, and began shooting. I can only imagine what she was thinking since I was pretty sure I was the first one to ever do whatever it was that I was doing!!
Well, the photo Gods were with me that day. She smiled and continued throwing water while I was shooting.
I waved to her and headed back to the car with a huge smile spreading from ear to ear. I couldn’t believe my good fortune as I thought I had at least one good shot; hard to tell in those days since it was on film and no way to see what I had shot.
I got back to the car and needed to change my jeans and tennis shoes. I set the camera and still attached (very big) lens on the top of the car while I changed. I was still very excited at the amazing experience I just had, so excited that I jumped into the car and we drove off looking for more photo ops.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that the camera and lens were still on the top of the car; just where I had left it.
I was panicked to say the least. I didn’t want to yell at the driver because he might suddenly slam on the brakes and any chance of rescuing my equipment would be compromised.
With a very slow, steady, and low voice, I explained what was going on and would he take his foot off the gas and slowly come to a stop; which he did.
Now came the moment of truth when I opened the door and nervously looked up (with both eyes barely opened) to where the camera had been. I couldn’t believe my luck…it was still there!!!!
The photo Gods were looking out at this fool that day.
Btw, I’m always telling my online students with the BPSOP and my fellow photographers that join me in one of my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops to always know where your equipment is at all times; and to always check the area around you before you leave.
Visit my new website at: www.joebaraban.com, and check out my workshops at the top of this blog. Come shoot with me some time.
JoeB
