Life of a Photographer: The Truth About Water Damage
- Donovan Evans-Foto Dono
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
(and Why Rice Won’t Save You)
Life of a Photographer 🎞️ — You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve heard this:
“I only dropped it in the pool for a second. Can’t I just dry it out in rice?”
Let’s clear that up right now — rice doesn’t save cameras. It just gives you false hope while corrosion quietly eats your gear alive.
Water damage is one of those things that looks harmless at first, like a little sprinkle on your gear bag. But inside, that water is busy shorting circuits, rusting connections, and turning your once-trusty camera into a costly paperweight.
I once had a customer who dropped their camera in a pool during a destination wedding. They immediately put it in rice, left it for three days, and proudly told me they “fixed it.” It turned on… for about 15 minutes. Then it died for good. That “success story” cost them a $2,000 replacement.
Here’s the truth: pool water, saltwater, even tap water — it’s all corrosive to electronics. Once the camera is powered on while wet, it’s game over. And no amount of jasmine, basmati, or long grain can fix that.
Repairing a water-damaged camera requires completely disassembling it, cleaning every board with isopropyl alcohol, and replacing any corroded parts. That’s hours of labor and hundreds of dollars — with no guarantee it’ll ever be reliable again. That’s why most service centers won’t even attempt it.
💡 Pro Tip: If your camera takes an unplanned swim, don’t press any buttons. Pull the battery immediately, dry the exterior gently, and take it to a professional repair shop for an evaluation. Then, if you’ve got insurance, start your claim.
👉 Reality check: If your camera took a dive, rice won’t save it — but insurance might.
📸 Next up in Life of a Photographer: When a Repair Actually Makes Sense — and When It Doesn’t.
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