There is a strange phenomenon that happens to me when I put a camera in my hands. For some reason I act as though I am invincible.
At the Blue Hole Billy was adamant that when we came up to the ledge EVERYONE was to stay on the ledge and he would attract the sharks up to him - out over the blue water. As soon as they started coming in I swam out into the blue and started filming. Unfortunately the water was so stirred up that the sharks were barely visible.
Later I remember what he told us. Oh well!
Just like the time I was shooting a building at 9th & Harrison Street in San Francisco one Sunday morning. It was an old beer warehouse and it was being torn down. One side was ripped off exposing hundreds of huge tanks. I set up my tripod and Mamiya 2 x 2 camera from every angle and was just not satisfied. Finally I stepped into the middle of the intersection (5 lanes each way). WALLA! There was always a lull between traffic coming from each way. I would run out, take some readings, run back to the curb, and then run out again. Finally I had everything set and started to shoot when traffic was approaching - I simply held out my hand like a traffic cop and stopped them while I got my shot. Again - later - I had to question my sanity. But hey - the shot is great and I even sold one 11 x 11" one for $250. That was in the mid 80's.
I guess a camera is like a nerve pill.