[Leica] #2 --- YOUR RE-ACTIONS TO THIS LEICA short story FOR THE BOOK?

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca)]

Only two for today. :-) Your comments appreciated: Good, bad or ugly. Thank 
you Remember a proper editor will be editing the copy.
==========================
 Cold Water, Dry Camera



Photographers do some dumb things in the pursuit of pictures; quite often

not thinking of the consequences of their actions. One rarely, if ever, 
considers it might be fatal! It's always, " get the picture!" Or nearly so!



It was a cold January day in Ottawa. Temperature 20 below zero,

ice crystals in the air over the open water of the fast flowing

river creating hoar frost on trees. It was magical as a photograph!



I tested the ice a couple of times by jumping up and down, not a very good 
move in the event you were on a weak spot, splash!  It appeared to be solid 
enough so I didn't give it another thought, being more intent on the picture 
possibilities.



Shooting as I made my way along the ice, I inadvertently moved farther 
toward the open river for a better angle of the sun and trees.  Suddenly 
there was a sharp crack and I dropped straight down and found myself 
standing on the river bottom up to my armpits. Instinctively I reached up to 
keep the camera dry and reached towards the ice still attached to shore.



Photographers are concerned about their gear first and body second or it

appears that way.  Standing in the water wondering how the hell I was

going to get out I made my first move.  Pulling my hat off, I put my camera

in it and placed it on the ice in front of me, pushing the bundle as far as

I could towards shore.



It never fails, there are never other photographers around to photograph 
you,

if nothing else assisting in your recovery.

With some effort I managed to pull myself onto firmer ice and crawl to

shore pushing my hat & camera ahead of me on the dry ice.



By the time I reached my car, clothes, camera and I were beginning to

freeze solid.  Shivering uncontrollably I managed to start the car and get 
the heater on.

Then drove home for a hot shower and dry clothes.



I was extremely lucky in this case, sometimes getting the picture is the 
last

thing a photographer ever did.



The saying, "My last pictures will be my best!" isn't always true.