The Curse of the Camera: My Bill Buckner Moment

This is a picture of a catastrophic moment that will haunt me forever. The Boston Red Sox were hexed for a long time by “the Curse”. The Curse began with the sale of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $100,000. Ruth went on to be the greatest baseball player of all time. Fast forward to the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets. The Red Sox were ahead going into the 9th inning of a game that if won would win the series. They were down to the final out. Mookie Wilson hit a ground ball to Bill Buckner and the ball went between his legs. Buckner was unjustifiably reviled in these parts. He had a great baseball career. Buckner’s ankles were a mess in the twilight of a great run. The Red Sox lost the game and eventually lost the series. The Curse continued until 2004 when the floodgate finally opened. Bill has since passed away. I long ago forgave him.

My Bill Buckner moment occurred today. I have been practicing at home with my 4×5 camera. This involves acclimating to the routine of creating an image. I have been working with all manner of cameras for many years. I am intimidated by this one. There are many ways to make mistakes. I tend to get flustered by such deliberative and exacting processes.

I packed up the camera and headed out with my tripod with four film cassettes. The holders had been sitting in the bag with the camera for about a year. I did not mark the holders to show the film inside (long ago mistake). I was not sure what film had been loaded but was sure there were at least 2 sheets of Acros. I decided to shoot and develop for the Acros.

I picked a familiar interesting scene at the Sakonnet fishing port. Tuna tails are nailed to the wall of a rickety shack and an old scale is rusting beneath them. I framed up the image, got it into focus and followed the steps.

Problem one arose form the way the lens was mounted in the lens board. I could not adjust the shutter speed or aperture. I removed and remounted the lens to fix that. I took 4 images, intending 2 at F5.6 @500 and 2 at F8@500, I overexposed one.

I got home, not expecting much from the images. I was very nervous during the image making process. My low expectations were amply fulfilled. THERE WAS NO FILM IN THE HOLDERS!!!!!!!.

I take solace in having gotten outside to practice with the camera on a beautiful day. I practiced the steps to making a 4 X 5 image haltingly and with a lack of confidence. I got discouraged.. A younger version of me would have tossed the camera bag into the ocean! Today, I am older and wiser and embrace the process of learning new things. All is good.

Until next time, Louis.