With many things in life, timing is everything... and the same applies to photography. A few split seconds too early, or too late, and a photo can tell a completely different story to the one you had in mind. But that’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes the outcome is a hilarious and epic tale of a moment before disaster that no-one saw coming.

Often, these photos start out innocent enough, until someone slips, a bird swoops in, a stranger runs by or a gust of wind picks up and turns the entire scene into something magically chaotic. It's the kind of comedy gold that's too good not to share.

And that's why Bored Panda has scoured the net to find the funniest perfectly-timed pics that people have posted over the months and years. They're the ultimate reminder that the best photographs don't always need oodles of planning and elaborate set-ups. Sometimes, it's just a matter of terrible, or great timing, and the universe stepping in to add a dash of comedic chaos.

We also explain why perfection is not always the most rewarding goal when it comes to photography. You’ll find that info between the images.

Discover more in “Dangerously Close To The Creek”: 70 Interesting And Funny Photos Taken At Just The Right Time

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#1

Cardinal Showing Off

Bright red cardinal flying just above snowy creek area, captured at just the right time showcasing nature's perfect moment.

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If you're old enough to read this then you're probably old enough to know that life is full of surprises, and sometimes, the best thing to do is to embrace the chaos. This can apply to photography as well. Your most amazing photos can come from the least expected scenes.

"Make photos in situations where you're uncertain what the final photo will look like," suggests the Eric Kim photography site, adding that photography would be boring if everything was totally optimized and predictable. Kim deliberately seeks out "chaos photography," and here's how...

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    #2

    Summoning Demons

    Cat reaching out amid sunlit smoke indoors, an interesting and funny photo taken just at the right moment near the creek.

    frituurgarnituur Report

    #3

    Had My First Revolutionary War Reenactment Yesterday And One Of The Horses Was Prepared For The Camera

    Two men in historical uniforms on horseback with one horse making a funny face near the creek in a forest setting.

    User Report

    To get some great and unpredictable outcomes, the expert suggests shooting through reflections, mirrors, and textured surfaces. You could also use a flash, especially with reflective surfaces.

    "Shoot film, because you’re not going to know how the scene will render on film," advises the site, adding that you should "shoot a bit randomly at times; experiment with super low angles, or take little risks of shooting photos that might be bad, but might be good!"

    #4

    Photographer Fell Down While Taking A Wedding Picture, Here's The Picture He Ended Up Taking

    Wedding party posing unexpectedly with surprised expressions, captured at just the right time near the creek.

    Richard_Worthington Report

    #5

    Dog Catching A Chicken Nugget

    Dog with funny expression catching treat mid-air, capturing a perfectly timed moment dangerously close to the creek.

    strallweat Report

    #6

    Clicked At Just Pefect Time

    Small dog catching a soap bubble mid-air, showcasing perfect timing for funny photos taken dangerously close to the creek.

    User Report

    Experimenting under different lighting situations, like sunrise, sunset, incandescent lighting, indoor, or outdoor conditions can produce some unexpected photographic results.

    "Shoot blurry photos by moving your camera while shooting; you’ll never truly know what the final photo will look like," Kim writes. Another trick they suggest is to try double exposures, or other surreal photography techniques.

    "See yourself like a visual scientist," writes the artist. "When you make photos, treat them like small visual experiments. Experiment and have fun!"

    #7

    Managed Perfect Timing While Soap Bubbles Flown Between Camera And Kiddo

    Child sitting dangerously close to the creek surrounded by a giant transparent bubble on rocky shore in bright daylight

    _Abnormalia Report

    #8

    Took A Perfectly Timed Photo Of My Brother Shooting A Basketball. It Blocked Out The Sun To Make It Look Like A Solar Eclipse

    Three people playing basketball dangerously close to the creek under a bright sun on a clear blue sky day.

    MDPPatrick Report

    #9

    Perfect Timing

    Man in striped sweater sitting on subway with hat perfectly aligned above his head, a perfect moment close to the creek.

    yumpop278 Report

    Shoot first and ask questions later... Don't overthink the shot nor try to predict the outcome too much. "Allow randomness and chaos to positively influence your photos," advises Kim. But most of all, the expert says you should aim to have fun. And not only when it comes to photography...

    "Allowing more chaos and craziness to permeate your life will make your life more fun and rewarding," notes the site and we couldn't agree more.

    #10

    Watson's First Flight Attempt

    White cat captured mid-air jumping near window, showcasing perfect timing in a dangerously close to the creek moment.

    ShineyMine Report

    #11

    Just A Seal... That Ran Into The Glass

    Seal upside down close to the creek edge underwater, showcasing a funny and interesting moment taken at just the right time.

    jayRokk Report

    #12

    My Perfect Timed Picture

    Golden retriever yawning indoors with a framed photo of a yawning wolf, capturing a funny moment taken at just the right time.

    User Report

    Photography blog 500PX reveals that chaos can be beautiful. "In photography, doesn’t have to mean clutter or confusion," notes that site. "Instead, it can represent the raw energy, movement, and unpredictable beauty of a scene."

    Embracing chaos in your images - and finding beauty in disorder - can create dynamic compositions that captivate viewers and evoke emotion, adds the site. One way to do this is to observe before shooting...

    "Before pressing the shutter, take a moment to study the scene. Identify elements that stand out—whether it’s contrasting movements, vibrant colors, or intersecting lines," advises the site. "Chaos often has patterns hidden within it, waiting to be uncovered."

    #13

    Horse In Cornwall

    Horse poking head out of stable, humorously captured just in time near the creek in a funny and interesting moment.

    Equivalent-Rain-3218 Report

    #14

    My Identical Twin 7-Year-Olds

    Two boys in swim trunks diving into the creek waves, captured in a perfectly timed action photo.

    anthnysix Report

    #15

    Perfectly Timed Picture At The Beach

    Man dangerously close to the creek with a large wave almost covering his face near a sandy shore with palm trees.

    User Report

    Aim to be a storyteller. The site reveals that often, a chaotic scene can tell multiple stories at once. "Instead of overwhelming the viewer, guide their attention to one central narrative by emphasizing a focal point," it advises. "This could be a single subject standing out against the disorder or a specific action within the scene."

    500PX's experts say that the key to photographing chaos is to balance the unpredictability of the scene with intentional composition and technique.

    #16

    Pictures Taken Moments Before Disaster

    Orange cat dangerously close to the edge of a bathtub in two funny photos taken at just the right time.

    Thankfully it was empty! He was fine, just a bit embarrassed about his fall being captured on camera.

    nkl5483 Report

    #17

    A Wasp Flew Into My Friend's Photo

    Two men showing shocked expressions at an outdoor event, capturing a funny photo taken just the right time near the creek.

    roomiccube Report

    #18

    One Of The Kayakers On My Recent Trip To Antarctica Caught A Penguin Jumping Into Their Group

    Kayakers dangerously close to the creek with a penguin jumping out of icy calm water in a stunning nature moment.

    InterTim Report

    #19

    Photo My Mom Took Today. Deer Slipping On Ice

    Deer dangerously close to the creek on thin ice in a winter forest with bare trees surrounding the scene.

    joebediah Report

    #20

    I’d Like To Point Out That He Was Like This Long Enough For Me To Grab My Phone And Snap A Picture

    Funny cat lying upside down with paws in the air, a perfect example of photos taken at just the right time near the creek.

    ahealinghuman Report

    #21

    My Silly Dog

    Dog dangerously close to the creek jumping near a large tree catching a blue frisbee in a sunny park setting

    Just to clarify, I was trying to take pictures of my dog catching the frisbee as my friend threw it. My friend is bad at throwing frisbees, and this happened. My dog was fine, although when I went back and saw this picture, I was amazed he didn't break something.

    jcbouche Report

    #22

    Very Tough Photo

    Child dangerously close to the creek with water splash perfectly frozen in midair on a sunny outdoor day.

    zimvi Report

    #23

    At A Family Birthday Party, I Thought I Would Do The Fatherly Thing And Play A Little Soccer With My Daughter

    Man wearing glasses getting hit by soccer ball near creek while girl kicks ball in grassy park, capturing perfect moment.

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #24

    I Did Not Know Horses Could Do This With Their Bottom Lip

    Funny close-up of a horse showing its teeth near a creek fence with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

    His name is Leroy, he is 13 and behaves like a mischievous imp. Seems to have acrobatic lips. He belongs to my wife but I sometimes brush him.

    slimejumper Report

    #25

    I Took My Daughter Sleeding For The First Time. This Is Her Trying To Avoid The Ramp

    Child on a green sled airborne over snow, captured at just the right time dangerously close to the creek.

    theyork2000 Report

    #26

    Happened To Snap This Pic Of Ozzy And His Ball At The Perfect Time

    Dog with a round ball stuck in its mouth, capturing a funny moment dangerously close to the creek.

    Alarming-Parsley-233 Report

    #27

    A Second Before

    Person riding an elephant dangerously close to the creek as the elephant sprays water on a sunny day in the forest.

    alena.mentor Report

    #28

    Amazing Photo Taken From A Beach In Hawaii

    Person standing dangerously close to the creek as a huge wave approaches the shoreline on a sandy beach.

    reddit.com Report

    #29

    When My Husband Thought It Was A Good Idea To Pick Me Up While Standing Dangerously Close To The Creek After Our Wedding

    Bride and groom dangerously close to the creek with a surprised expression during a wedding photo moment

    bixnok Report

    #30

    A Perfectly Timed Photo I Took At A Billy Joel Concert Just As The Lights Changed

    Concert stage split between vibrant purple lighting and dark shadows, capturing an interesting and funny moment dangerously close to the creek.

    dahliatimber Report

    #31

    Just A Pic That My Friend Took Down At The Beach The Other Day

    Seagull dangerously close to the creek stealing a large scoop of melting ice cream on a sunny day at the beach.

    sophielola_ Report

    #32

    One Year Ago My Girlfriend Found A 4 Leaf Clover

    Hand holding a four-leaf clover with a person blurred in the background near a creek, capturing a perfectly timed moment.

    reddit.com Report

    #33

    Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Walk Around Barefoot

    Cat pawing at a person's foot from behind a wooden door, capturing a funny moment dangerously close to the creek.

    LOERMaster Report

    #34

    My Bride Asked For A Photo Of My Reaction To Her Entrance. She Slipped And Fell

    Group of men in formal attire laughing near a creek during a wedding, capturing funny photos taken at just the right time.

    User Report

    #35

    My Sister's Perfectly Timed Photobomb Attempt

    Woman in teal jacket jumping mid-air near creek surrounded by autumn foliage, with man smiling in the background.

    mauwsley8 Report

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    #36

    Discipline At All Times

    Group of young men sitting on grass getting sprayed by water sprinkler, captured with perfect timing near creek.

    reddit.com Report

    #37

    My Dad After A Recent Storm We Had

    Man appearing to stand on water dangerously close to the creek near a wooden dock with a red chair on a cloudy day

    reddit.com Report

    #38

    Caught The Best Picture Of My Goat

    Goat dangerously close to the creek with mouth open, about to catch a cookie held by a person’s hand.

    gundam2017 Report

    #39

    That One Christmas When A Champagne Cork Hit Me In The Eye

    Man with a small frog on his face standing next to a woman smiling, a funny photo taken at just the right time.

    User Report

    #40

    My Son Can Sum Up Our Family's Athletic Ability In One Photo

    Boy in blue shirt swinging yellow bat just as ball passes dangerously close to the creek in a backyard setting.

    xrhino13x Report

    #41

    Nuzzling Into A Snowball

    Young man wearing a white hat getting hit in the face with a snowball, captured just at the right moment near a creek.

    reddit.com Report

    #42

    This Penguin I Photographed At The Zoo Yesterday

    Penguin captured jumping off a rock dangerously close to the creek in a perfectly timed funny and interesting photo.

    reddit.com Report

    #43

    My Husband Caught The Exact Moment I Noticed The Second Cat. These Are Our New Neighbors

    Girl kneeling near creek edge, interacting with two cats, capturing a funny moment dangerously close to the creek.

    alli97kat Report

    #44

    She Slipped Trying To Pop The Soap Bubbles

    Man creating large bubbles with a rope in a crowd, capturing a child’s funny moment interestingly close to the creek.

    reddit.com Report

    #45

    If Jesus Really Cares About Us, Why Does He Waste His Time Breakdancing For His Friends?

    Man captured mid-air falling backward into a creek near a dock with friends watching, showcasing perfect timing humor.

    AlphaRabin Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #46

    One Of My Dogs Was Stalking Me Through The Window When I Tried To Take Her Pic, My Other Dog Walked By With Her Curly Tail Up

    Dog peeks dangerously close to the creek outside a window behind a curtain in a cozy indoor setting with a black chair.

    ajdemarte Report

    #47

    I Didn’t Know That I Lived With Dobby The House Elf. Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby

    Puppy sitting dangerously close to the creek of a table, biting the edge with a curious expression indoors.

    eyes_on_tango Report

    #48

    This Photo

    Young girl slipping off a playground slide captured at just the right time near a creek in an outdoor setting.

    BigBoyo25 Report

    #49

    My Girlfriend Caught A Fish

    Woman dangerously close to the creek catching a fish mid-air while standing in shallow water near grassy riverbank.

    dubbler26 Report

    #50

    Took This Photo At A Parade Of The Instant This Car's Antifreeze/Coolant Blew Up

    Blue sports car splashing dangerously close to the creek with driver inside, captured in an interesting and funny moment.

    mddctr Report

    #51

    My Sister Was Bitten By The Rabbit And Managed To Capture It At The Perfect Time

    Young woman in tie-dye hoodie reacting with surprise while holding a small rabbit near a creek setting.

    coneman_ Report

    #52

    I Call This One "The Dog Crash"

    Three dogs playing on ice near the creek, captured in a perfect moment dangerously close to the water edge.

    No dogs were hurt in this photo... Just Andy’s ego.

    krisredd22 Report

    #53

    Slip And Slide My Brother And I Built In The Back Yard

    Two men performing a risky stunt at the creek with one flipping in midair and water splashing around them.

    RioTheDragonMan Report

    #54

    Now Gimme That

    Monkey grabbing a man's glasses in a funny dangerously close to the creek moment near a lush green cliffside.

    reddit.com Report

    #55

    I Attempted To Take A Picture With All 3 Of My Cats

    Man holding two cats with one cat looking startled in a funny photo taken just the right time near the creek

    User Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #56

    The Wind Had Some Perfect Timing

    Two women near a creek with wind blowing their hair, capturing a moment dangerously close to the creek and the iconic bridge.

    bvuuu Report

    #57

    Fish & Chips At The Seaside

    Seagulls dangerously close to the creek attacking a person holding a pizza box on a wooden deck by the shore.

    ElwoodJake Report

    #58

    Perfect Timing On This Pic

    Golden retriever wearing a harness standing dangerously close to the creek in shallow clear water on a sunny day.

    drph0o Report

    #59

    My Friend Mid-Fall On The Skateboard

    Teen skater in a red shirt falling off a skateboard at a skatepark, captured just at the right moment near a creek.

    paperhatprophetPHC Report

    #60

    Dad Snapped The Pic Right As The Crayfish Snapped My Finger

    Young boy dangerously close to the creek reacting with surprise while holding a small crawfish near the water's edge.

    mitchrad99 Report

    #61

    A Photo Of Me While I Was Doing Keepie Uppies

    Person in yellow jacket hit in the face by volleyball outdoors, capturing an interesting moment dangerously close to the creek.

    Karlukki Report

    #62

    For My Cake Day, I Would Like To Show You The Exact Moment My Dog Decided He Was Done Playing Catch The Frisbee

    Dog catching a frisbee just in time on the grass near a creek, captured in a funny and interesting moment.

    ozone_one Report

    #63

    I Caught A Street Performer's Expression On The Instant Before A Big Stunt

    Shirtless man performing a stunt dangerously close to the creek with a crowd watching at the beach.

    eternacht Report

    #64

    Our Facetime Perfectly Froze When My Girlfriend’s Dog Was About To Puke On Her

    Person making a funny face while a small dog is close to their face during a video call near a creek setting.

    monkjobs Report

    #65

    The Exact Moment The Fire From A Hibachi Chef Scared My Son. Credit Goes To Grandma For The Perfectly Timed Picture

    Child reacting to large flame at hibachi grill, captured in a funny photo taken just the right time near the creek.

    Dyson_Gimix Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #66

    Mate Of Mine Trying Xiao Long Bao For His First Time In Shanghai

    Man dangerously close to spilling soup from a spoon while eating dumplings at a wooden table inside a restaurant.

    imgur.com Report

    #67

    We Were Trying To Take A Nice Photo With The Dog. Wet Boy Had Other Plans

    Man and woman sitting on grass near creek with playful wet dog close to them on a sunny day

    Historical_Ad6061 Report

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