Another Pink World

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October 25, 2005

party cam?

this morning i started thinking about running web cams during the party. maybe one in the living room and one in the back bedroom-- the places where i already have computers, so it would be easy.

i could make it live on the web, or i could just store the photos to disk and maybe post a few of the best ones to flickr later.

the problem (as i see it) is that there's going to be people who do not realize they are being photographed, and i'm not sure that that's cool.

what do y'all think? fun idea, or bad idea?

mostly, i just want some memories of the party, without having to play camerawoman in addition to hostess.

Posted by lisa at October 25, 2005 06:34 PM

Comments

Maybe you could ask someone else to photograph people, or get a disposable camera and just leave it out?

I think it's kind of you to be concerned.

Posted by: Joseph H. Vilas on October 25, 2005 09:03 PM

if you put a sign up saying there were cameras in use in such-and-such room, i think you would enable the camera-phobic to stay away, while encouraging the camera-friendly to congregate in those areas.

for better or for worse.

Posted by: christa on October 25, 2005 11:10 PM

I like the idea, but I won't be home during the party to watch. How difficult is the slideshow archive to set up?

Posted by: Stephanie on October 26, 2005 09:10 AM

joe:
i did think of disposable cameras. i suspect they would not get used, but it might be worth it to put some out and see if they do get used.

christa:
i think even with signage, there's going to be someone who isn't aware they are being photographed, and i also don't want to make the camera-shy folks uncomfortable. "i can't go into the living room even though the cool people and tasty snacks are in there!"

of course, everyone is going to be in the kitchen, anyway, because they always are :)

steph(anie):
the slideshow archive is trivial to set up, so if i did a web cam, there would definitely be an archive for viewing later.

Posted by: lisa on October 26, 2005 09:29 AM

Maybe you could limit the webcams to one particular room (like your study or whatever you call it), with clear notification for that room. You could even ask people to ham it up in there for your viewing pleasure. Then the only room the camera-shy would need to avoid would be that one. I bet you could come up with adequate warning/notice/whatever for that one place. Nothing will be perfect, right?

Again, I'm glad you're thinking of this. I get tired of being photographed wherever I go without being asked, or sometimes in spite of asking not to be photographed.

Posted by: Joseph H. Vilas on October 26, 2005 10:28 AM

Well of course I will bring my camera. I think if you post a sign or two alerting people to the web cams that would be cool. If it causes a brou-ha-ha you could just disable them and say "sorry."

I have no costume ideas. I'm a loser.

yeah, I could go as a loser ...

Posted by: Lisa B on October 26, 2005 11:02 AM

of course there will be the pants cam! and that is probably good enough.

bottom line is that i want people to be comfortable, because the party will be better if they are. so i think i will give up on the web cam idea.

that's also why i am never a bitch about costumes. wear a costume, don't wear a costume, i don't care. i don't usually wear one. of course, people have a lot of self-imposed pressure when it comes to halloween costumes, but i can't do anything about that. i'm still gonna have the party.

Posted by: lisa on October 26, 2005 11:10 AM

ps, joe, that thing in your front yard is deeply wrong and i love it. is she your new girlfriend? i need to come photograph her.

Posted by: lisa on October 26, 2005 11:11 AM

Lisa, of course it's my girlfriend: she doesn't listen to a thing I say and won't sleep with me. ;) The neighbors put it up as part of Hallowe'en decorating. I have nice neighbors.

Posted by: Joseph H. Vilas on October 26, 2005 06:37 PM

Then again, there are the other folks who will want to hog the camera space...

Posted by: Phil on October 26, 2005 11:39 PM

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