a cautionary tale

I never post a sub-standard image here.  Well, you might think they're not all that great but to me if it isn't good, it doesn't make it.  Today though I'm breaking that rule by showing you an image that was made out of pure frustration!

Earlier this month I had a few days where I was feeling really quite ill.  Besides the usual bone pain and fatigue, my nausea was worse than ever, I was suffering really bad headaches and (bizarrely) a lot of pain in my mouth.  I know, sorry.

Anyway, after 72 hours of this malaise I felt I just had to get out and take a picture, and figuring I'd rekindle my love of a simple landscape photograph I dragged the family and the dogs into the foothills of the Brecon Beacons to take a picture I'd always said I would whenever we pass that location.

Just past the village of Penderyn, the A4059 to Brecon just opens up, affording a lovely view of Pen y Fan and Corn Du.  Just (so many "justs"!) off the roadway there is a dry stone wall providing the perfect leading line into the scene and so with the promise of some post-storm light off we all toddled.

On arrival and parking right next to where I needed to be, I could immediately see that getting to the wall would be impossible due to six-feet high bracken and grasses.  Never mind, the light was just sublime, kissing the mountains and looking ever so dramatic.

I composed my shot and set my exposure.  But I completely missed focus.  Somehow, even at f9 not one part of the image is sharp!  I can only put this down to the headaches having affected my vision, as in my camera's viewfinder it all looked rosy.  But on a larger screen?  Well, not so!

Anyway, here is the image; posted as a warning to never attempt to get a long lusted after image while not 100% fully fit.

Just no!!

Fujifilm X-H2, Fujinon XF10-24mm f4 @ 24mm
1/45th of a second at f9, ISO 125
tripod, remote shutter release