Under the Red Umbrella

     Cars streamed slowly into the carpark in dribs and drabs, rain starting to fall on the scene facing the grimacing occupants, by now wondering if all may be lost. This hardy group of varying age Camera Club members, wouldn't give in that easily by steadily falling rain, or even the cold for that matter.  
     Shooting in rain is not necessarily conducive to concentrating on photography while jostling coats, hats, cameras, tripods, monopods, at the same time as holding an umbrella. With one finger on the shutter, trying to hold the camera in place long enough to focus the lens, was not easy. Juggling the umbrella placed within the crook of an arm, not wanting to remain there for long enough to press the shutter button, without the camera first changing positions - thus the umbrella upended and the camera ended up sideways, while rain dripped slowly onto the new lens! But as a keen photographer, intrepid plans of battle were drawn up, soon to be put into practice. Determination was of serious necessity in these conditions.
     Good subject matter was thrown aside like straws in the wind - holding the camera still long enough, after setting the correct exposure, took all the willpower one may possess. I gave up any macro photography with flowers - standing back to admire the prettiest ornamental cabbages I've ever seen.  Raindrops had nestled in amongst the scalloped leaves of pinks, mauves and greens. Nearby was a very healthy looking herb bed. That caught my attention.
     Giggles, cursing and groans wafted out from flower beds, lakeside walks and from under umbrellas, particularly a red one - that was mine! The will not to give up, as raindrops continued to appear on new camera lens and hastily wiped off before quickly re-appearing, I was not to be daunted. The red umbrella woefully inadequate, too small and twisting constantly over my shoulder, persistent rain, with puddles underfoot, did not let up for a moment, but this amateur photographer was also persistent, not about to give up. Juggling a camera with heavy lens, was no easy task. It kept disappearing beneath an oversized coat, woefully wet by now. A mental note was made to spray it with fabric protector for the next time. What next time? A small broken, red umbrella, baseball cap forever falling over my eyes, can be hazardous, the two at odds with each other. The red umbrella won the battle, knocking aforementioned cap off its perch more than once and the decision to pocket said cap, was quickly achieved. 
     Along a rain-soaked path, where reflections fell among a few intrepid members paddling through puddles, an interesting flowerbed presented itself. There weren't any flowers, except ornamental pink and green frilly-tipped cabbages, with a good sprinkling of herbs around them. Time to investigate further. Sage, rosemary and thyme, interspersed with chives and parsley, were duly nibbled and tasted. A handful of chives was snipped off with thumb and forefinger, expertly executed and placed for future 'reference' in a rain-soaked coat pocket. To my mind, they were there for the delectation of all, providing very small amounts were sampled and consumed, otherwise, why were they planted in the first place? Well, chives do grow better when picked frequently, so my philosophical brain believed. My own chives had not done nearly as well as these beauties.
     Frozen fingers, a paper towel already soaked, the shoot was not about to improve! Other Camera Club members seemed to be experiencing similar troubles, but a hardy lot we were! No one but me, battled with an undersized umbrella. With common sense eventually prevailing, many headed back to the carpark.
     Upon returning to 'headquarters', a comforting mound of warm, homemade scones, together with huge bowls of raspberry jam and whipped cream were greeted with delight and gratitude, as members munched their way through the lot! Not a single one was left, the remainder of the day and Bootcamp weekend coming to an end with the annual dinner at night, held in a large restaurant.
     The organizers had achieved their goals in what had been a well planned and well executed photographic weekend. Much new information had been gleaned and stored in the minds of many- new friends made - camaraderie amongst members thoroughly enjoyed, the rain slipping into the background, becoming a distant memory. 
     The day before was also packed with not only several talks on all things photographic, but a visit to the National Steam Centre with cameras in tow. An enormous variety both indoor and out of Melbourne's Steam Traction Engine Club having many exhibits from working engines dating from 1890's to steam tug engines, steam rollers and even an early de Havilland Engine Co. Goblin Mk 35 Centrifugal flow turbojet engine. The first jet engine to enter squadron service with the RAAF. This proved a very different and interesting place for photographic challenges and subjects. A place I could have spent several hours and forgot time completely. I was last to leave.
     And the red umbrella? It was cast into the bin upon return home, a promise made to replace it with a much larger one for the future.