A camera in hand: What I learnt from the Perth storm of 2010

Today was a big day in Perth’s history, a massive storm hit the city and caused a lot of damage and chaos. I was lucky enough not to be on the roads when it hit, I was sitting in a cosy building at my university. That didn’t last long though, because a few close thunder strikes later, the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate the building and stand outside (still under a shade, but out in the cold). While we were out there, we witnessed some of the intense battering that the university buildings and trees tried to withstand. All the while, I couldn’t capture anything, because I had no camera on me, not even my point and shoot. I had my phone camera, but that didn’t really do well with the scene in front of us so I gave up with that after a few shots. I really wish I had my DSLR with me but alas, I had to just enjoy watching the events unfold.

The biggest lesson learned from today? If you don’t have a camera on you when you least expect a great moment, you’ll have to watch it pass you by. It doesn’t matter how great the camera in your closet is if you can’t use it when the (literal and metaphorical) storm hits.