Things to remember before taking photos

[arej]

Learnt this one the hard way tonight:
I decided I was going to do some timelapse of the stars from the back garden as it was a clear night, it was cold outside so set everything up inside, then took the camera and tripod outside and took a few test shots.
They came up pretty black on the screen but thought they would show up better on the computer and thought nothing of it.
Set the timer going and went inside. Just less than an hour later, went to check everything was OK as it was pretty cold - wait for a time between shots to shine a torch at the camera, making sure there was no condensation, point it at the lens and the bloody lens cap is on!! I hadn't noticed it when I started it going as I had the lens hood on to block any light from the house.
What a waste of 100 photos! At that point the clouds had started coming over so gave in for the night.
To make things worse the condensation from bringing the lens inside has only just finished clearing an hour later.

So:
No. 1 - take the lens cap off!

Feel free to add your own.

Lets hope it is clear tomorrow and I know what I'll be double-checking!

[olimeads]

No. 2, ensure you have inserted a battery and not left it at home on charge.

[Mr E Driver]

3. Remember to put an empty card in the camera

[4hero]

4. remember to take your camera everywhere

[dudleybloke]

5. remember to ask her if she's over 18!

[//dean]

Check the ISO! So often overlooked.

[muppetdave]

7. Disable the mirror lock-up (and avoid having a heart attack think you've broken the camera!). That said, I now very quickly cast my eye over all of the settings as I start.

[Simpo Two]

Next time, punch 50 tiny holes in the lens cap with a pin. Voila, stars.

[onomatopoeia]

Mr E Driver said:

3. Remember to put an empty card in the camera

After an afternoon testing a friend's car at Kemble I know that one. The other people testing there were Brawn GP. I know they would be there so I bought the DSLR and 70-200/2.8 lens and took a load of pictures.

Got home and realised there was no CF card in the camera.

[racing green]

Make sure the sensor is clean - little black spots all over a sky can be very annoying if like me you don't use photoshop. Definately agree with the batteries and spare cards aswell.

[MonkeyHanger]

Mr E Driver said:

3. Remember to put an empty card in the camera

Or set the camera up so you can't take a "shot" on a non-existant card....

[theaxe]

Someone should invent a clear lens cap with "LENS CAP YOU FOOL!" highlighted in red text on it.

I'd buy one!

[Don]

Before taking photos please consider this:

They absolutely but positively will find their way onto the internet.

Still want the shutter pressed?

[4hero]

Read The Fukcing Manual