Phew...busy day

Had a fantastic day today. Spent all afternoon with a mate of mine called Mark. Now, Mark is a Mod, right down to the tips of his fishtail parka. The guy also has a fantastic Lambretta, a TV175. Now I like Lambrettas. To me, they are achingly beautiful. Stylish, with great lines that ooze coolness. Not built for speed but when they look this good, why would you not want people to see you.

Anyway, Mark and I had been talking for a while about getting him and his Lammy down to my studio for a while, and today was that day. Luckily, the sun went in for a bit so we nipped down to an old derelict mental hospital nearby for a few outdoor shots, and then back to the garage, I mean studio, for some more messing about. Output is posted.

My only regret from today? I turned down an offer from Mark to ride it!! Doh.

What the........

Came across this video on YouTube this afternoon having just finished a conversation that went along the lines of (edited highlights of course):

Caller: Hi, I'm looking for a photographer for our wedding

Me: Great.  Have you had a look at my website?

Caller: Yeah, and I like your pictures

Me: Fantastic.  So, what sort of thing were you looking for? 

Caller: What we would like is for you to get the whole ceremony, stay for the speeches and the disco, and if you could get some "getting ready" shots, that would be great

Me: No problem.  Are you looking for an album?

Caller: Not really. We would then take a CD from you and buy the photograph we like 

Me: Uhhh huhhhh

Caller: Yeah.  We have a look at the pictures, and if we see one we like, we will pay you for that picture.

Me: (Silence)

Caller: 'cos everything is digital now, you can do this can't you?

Me: Not really

Caller: What?

Me: In any quote from any photographer, a certain amount is for the time taken to actually take the photographs.  Are you suggesting I photograph your wedding, and all you are prepared to budget for is the price of one photograph?

Caller:  Yeah, but a big one.  You know, for the mantlepiece

Me:  I'm sorry, but I can't agree to that

Caller: Why not? Why do you have to charge so much when there will be other people taking photographs at the wedding.  Besides, their is a credit crunch on, and you must need the work

Me: Sorry!

Caller: Yeah.  Friends and family have got cameras and they will be taking photos.

Me: Great.  Why don't you ask for their pictures after the wedding and get prints made that way?

Caller: Because your pictures would look better

Me: That's why I charge

Caller: Oh.  There are other photographers cheaper than you, you know

Me: I do know.  Do you like their pictures?

Caller: Not really.

Me: Would you like to have a think about this and give me a call back when you have had a bit more time

Caller: Yeah.  OK.  Bye

Now, I love taking photos, and I love dealing with people, and have, in the past, been known to offer my services at, shall we say, a generous discount, but sometimes you have just gotta say No.

Men

I like Calvin and Hobbes.  And I am a man.  Therefore, this strip I think positions the attitude of men everywhere beautifully, and identifies that the "ask for help" gene is absent at birth in males!