Why Photographers don’t like Zorb Balling

I wrote this Story as a a part of my Creative Writing Class. I was handed the Homework last wednesday, and finished it about 10 minutes ago. I was working on this for literally no more than 20-30 minutes. We chose a picture each that was up front of the classroom, my one was a picture of a sunrise with a Zorb Ball in the middle of the screen. We are told to write from the point of view of the photographer. Have a read of this, its not very good, but it might be. Enjoy, Maybe.

As many of you readers know, I have been on a circumnavigation of New Zealand armed with nothing more than $2000, clothing and my film camera along with 10 Rolls of Film. As today was my last day before heading back down under I decided I should go and take a photo to sum it all up. 

To set the scene, I had 1 exposure left on my film this morning and the previous day I spied a spot where the sunrise would look absolutely magic. As it was a public holiday yesterday and too early for any shops this morning, I couldn’t get hold of any more film. I decided to make the effort, and get up before the crack of dawn to shoot a beautiful landscape for use in my gallery.
I was atop the hill by 5:00am, the sun was scheduled to rise at around 5:30. I made sure the camera was set-up exactly as required. Tripod, F/8, 1/60 Second. All was ready to go. All that was left was the sun to be in exactly the right position and BAM, I would fire. It was just after the entire sun appeared. I had my eyes shut because of the brightness, I opened them at that moment and looked over the white sands below, it was beautiful. I knew for sure that I was on an award-winning shot. I shut my eyes, Pushed the button, then kept my eyes shut for another 10 seconds, to savour that winning feeling inside. My journey was complete, I survived for 20 Days, and had used the last of my 10 rolls of film. I had won.

I was so excited about seeing the winning shot. I knew that no Photo-Labs were open for at least another 3-4 hours. I calmed myself down and then went for a cuppa and breakfast. Read the paper cover to cover just so I could whittle away some hours until that magic time of 9:00 when the Camera Shop Opened. When that clock ticked over I jumped and ran… Across the road to the camera shop. I walked up to the desk and announced triumphantly “Caaaan I get just the last exposure on this roll developed please?” the Lady behind the counter replied “You Certainly can, $2.80 Please!”. The longest 5 seconds of my life then took place as I opened my wallet to find nothing but a Ferry Ticket from Last Week. I was Flat Broke. I used my last $5 on that DAMN coffee. I explained to the lady how much it meant to me and she eventually gave in and said that I could have the photo for free. I could have kissed her at this point, it saved my day. I drooled over some cameras for the next 5 minutes or so then she returned, print in hand. I was about to see the most amazing photo of my life time.

“No. This is not my photo. There has been a mistake.”
“This is certainly your photograph sir.”
I walked out in disbelief. That “Zorb” Ball rolled directly through the middle of the photo. Blocking out the beach and white sands completely. I didn’t even see it. Damn my closed eyes. I walked in silence still staring at that photo the entire way to the airport. Cars and people were rushing by. Yeah, I had some other nice shots I think from the trip, but none were as good as this one would have been. I am sitting here, some 35,000 feet over the Tasman Sea still in disbelief, but writing this blog post. I will get over it. One day, but not today.


 So, What did you think??? Let me know down below. Cheers, Sam

It’s Time for Change

Warning: The topic of this post is very heavily debated, and some may be offended. Reader’s discretion is advised. Hello, and welcome to another Benaball blog post. Sit back, get some snacks. This will be…

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