Talking Pictures
“Seize The Moment”

Shutterbug Staff, March, 2007

My wife and I were on safari in Tanzania. It was our last day at Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest waterless caldera (a volcano that fell in on itself). It’s 7500 ft so you can’t see the crater due to the mist.

© 2007, Larry D. Jackson, All Rights Reserved

I finished breakfast and was going to our room to get our luggage as we were leaving shortly. I was going past the observation area and stopped for one last look. The mist was gone and the clouds were rising. What a beautiful view! I didn’t have time for a shot—the trucks were being loaded. But for me this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I ran to our room, unpacked my camera gear, and set up for the shot.

I exposed for the sky and foreground. I shot the foreground but when I was ready to shoot the sky, the porters started taking luggage to the trucks and my tripod was shaking like a leaf blowing in the wind (the observation area is built like a boardwalk and not real stable). The clouds were rising and the sun was almost fully exposed. Finally, the porters were gone and I took the shot. The porters returned and the shaking started again. I only had a chance for one shot, so that would have to do.

I was late for departure, but I think the image was worth it. I’m so glad I took the time for the last chance I would have for a photo of the crater.
—Larry D. Jackson
Pittsgrove, NJ