Snaps and splicing

As I have discussed before, one of my big interests away from embedded software, is photography. I am pleased that it is a popular activity, with, I understand, more photographs being taken each day than on any day before. Of course, camera phones account for a lot of the volume, but that is fine – it is all photography.

People use photography for many purposes and the most significant reason why a snap is taken is to preserve a memory. At any family event, camera flashes are a common sight – birthdays, baptisms, weddings …

I have taken a personal interest in wedding photography recently, but not because I would like to practice more of it. It is really quite a specialized field and requires a unique set of skills – both photographic and people oriented – which I do not believe that I possess. But, nevertheless, I have been asked to do photography at a few weddings. One was for family, which was OK – I just did my best. The others were for friends, with different outcomes.

The first friend was trying to keep costs down. I reluctantly agreed to help out, but made the clear [I thought] condition that I would not do formal, group shots. Instead I would take lots of informal pictures to try to catch the atmosphere of the day. My friend agreed to my condition. But, on the day, it was not like that. Before I knew it we had “the bride and groom”, “the groom’s family”, “the bridesmaids”, and so on. And on and on. The photography took place after the ceremony, before the meal. When the meal time arrived, it turned out that they had forgotten to book me a seat. I went home.

The next time I was asked, it was by a very close friend with whom I knew there would be no misunderstandings. I agreed to do informal shots, but strongly recommended that they hire a pro too, as I knew they could afford it. The wedding took place over a whole weekend and was a wonderful event. The pro was hired and took lots of shots before, during and after the ceremony. He charged a fat fee and delivered a very competent album. I shared my pictures with my friend and, five years later, combined them with the work of another photographer friend, who had been snapping away like me, to create “The Alternative Wedding Album” as an anniversary gift.

I have recently realized that there is a modern way of making pictures that might work rather well in the 21st Century. There is a common problem, which is that families get “reconfigured” – people get divorced, remarried or someone is out of favor. Unfortunately, photos from weddings etc. cannot really be changed – they show the evidence of a past that many would like erased. I think that this is a business opportunity. May I introduce EditYourWedding.com The service that I will provide is very simple. I will just take pictures of people at your wedding [or any other event], but I will take them individually and build up composite “group shots” for the album. If, at a later date, you need a new version of a shot, with someone removed or added, I will be easily able to accommodate your request [for a small fee].

Any takers?