Good Gig, Bad Gig.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Let's say that if a camera fails, then the secondary camera and the backup, would a photographer using a phone, for example, be acceptable? If they're very good at their job, they should still be able to get passable shots with that and while it would not look incredibly sexy on the day, the end result may justify it.

Same way that if our main playout failed, followed by the backup, surely using our phone via an aux cable to play music would be our pis aller?

My main playout is a MBP

My backup (which is always running in the background anyway) is a MBP

Professional is as professional does, there's no excuse to anyone who is charging money not to have a decent backup.

[rth_discos]

Let's say that if a camera fails, then the secondary camera and the backup, would a photographer using a phone, for example, be acceptable? If they're very good at their job, they should still be able to get passable shots with that and while it would not look incredibly sexy on the day, the end result may justify it.

In that highly unlikely circumstance, I'd expect the photographer to find a guest who has an SLR (someone always does) and use that for the remainder of the day.

[Excalibur]

In that highly unlikely circumstance, I'd expect the photographer to find a guest who has an SLR (someone always does) and use that for the remainder of the day.

He did. Benny. And the answer was in line with what I'd have expected. Let's just say I disagree with that course of action. A lot.

[Benny Smyth]

My main playout is a MBP

My backup (which is always running in the background anyway) is a MBP

Professional is as professional does, there's no excuse to anyone who is charging money not to have a decent backup.

My main playout is a Traktor S4. My backup is a Traktor S4. I have two laptops that are exact mirror images of each other.

And back in the van, there is a pair of Pioneer CDJ400k and a DJM400k.

I'm very confident that I have every eventuality covered, but I could not rule out with 100% absolute certainty that all three systems could fail at the same time.

[Excalibur]

I'm very confident that I have every eventuality covered, but I could not rule out with 100% absolute certainty that all three systems could fail at the same time.

Nor a meteorite strike on the local electricity sub-station, widespread flash flooding, earthquakes or civil war. Sometimes, we just have to take chances.

[rth_discos]

I'm very confident that I have every eventuality covered, but I could not rule out with 100% absolute certainty that all three systems could fail at the same time.

No, but I think you've taken every reasonable step you could to cover any eventuality.

[rth_discos]

He did. Benny. And the answer was in line with what I'd have expected. Let's just say I disagree with that course of action. A lot.

Ah, but Benny isn't a guest - he's a supplier.

As a supplier I'd have had the same reaction as Benny.

However, that should only occur after exhausting the second camera and the backup camera. Not when your one and only camera fails. I'm still amazed, shocked and disappointed that a photographer turned up with just one camera.

[Imagine]

Ah, but Benny isn't a guest - he's a supplier.

As a supplier I'd have had the same reaction as Benny.

However, that should only occur after exhausting the second camera and the backup camera. Not when your one and only camera fails. I'm still amazed, shocked and disappointed that a photographer turned up with just one camera.

The big problem here is that just suppose Benny had let the 'tog borrow his camera.
The 'tog would have been paid (I dare say an awful lot of money) and the B&G would have been none the wiser that he had no backup kit. The 'tog then moves onto the next wedding, and the next, and it fails at a point more important than the cake cutting such as dad giving the bride away or vows or something similar.

All the time he's been fleecing people whilst being a complete amateur. And he'll keep doing it until he's either caught out or gets scared enough to invest in backup kit.

<Begin rant>

I'm afraid I sit with Benny and Gavin on this one. There are far too many amateurs in ALL professions who get involved in weddings because they see it as a way to make a quick buck. It doesn't work like that I'm afraid. A wedding takes a lot more work, preparation and indeed backup (i.e. investment) to do it properly and to make the happy couple's day as special as it deserves to be. The sooner amateurs like this 'tog are weeded out of the game the better.

</End rant>

I feel better now

[rth_discos]

The big problem here is that just suppose Benny had let the 'tog borrow his camera.

Agreed, and that's why I'd have had the same reaction as Benny. And why I recommended he borrows a guest's SLR. That way, he has to admit to his problem. He doesn't 'get away with it', but for the benefit of the bride and groom, can hopefully salvage something using someone else's camera.

There are far too many amateurs in ALL professions who get involved in weddings because they see it as a way to make a quick buck.

Agreed, yet sadly, the only time someone finds out is when it goes wrong. Obviously that's rare, but brides and grooms are booking entertainment without being aware of the risks.

Many budget operators are getting a bit better at saying how great they are - but they naturally don't reveal the corners they've cut to achieve the low price they're going out at. I can't see any way you can ever get around it either. I know that some form of "accreditation" gets mentioned for the wedding industry/DJs but how do you manage it, and where do you set the barrier to entry? It can't be too high - and then how do you monitor/enforce it?

A few will get burnt sadly - and hopefully they can spread the message loud enough to help others.

In the meantime, wedding Facebook groups are full of "how much did you pay for xxx" with brides posting what they've paid and how great a bargain it is and how there's no need to spend any more - but this is before their wedding, so they don't even know what the outcome of paying £xxx is!

Fascinating as always - fortunately there's enough people around who are aware of the consequences - I've had a few people grill me on "what happens if" before booking me - if only everyone was as diligent!

[Excalibur]

Right then, boys and girls, we're drifting a long way from " good gig, bad gig " here, so back on topic please. I can feel a thread cpming on in a few days.

A little teaser from tonight: Currently playing Birdie, Agadoo, and Oops. I've fallen from the path of righteousness.