FrankHartzell.com

I have been getting a lot of flak on my trip blog, especially why it has not ended, or reported on the wedding that was its theme.

Aunt Maje wrote and wondered where the wedding photos were last night, so its time.

I have been struggling with the whole idea of a blog. What is it, legally and morally?

I have been a newsman for 25 years and I know the rules of privacy concerning newspapers. Basically everything I have been writing here, plus most of the photos, would be out, in some cases illegal.

In news, consent is required for any photo in a private residence. In the public street or at a public meeting, the first amendment rightly applies.

But I’ve been reading blogs all over and they appear to have no rules.

It’s private, yet its more public than a newspaper could ever be. One factor that would seem to allow me to put up anything I want is that it is located on FrankHartzell.com.

It’s my name and you have to type it in to read anything.

But what if somebody who was on private property didn’t want to be part of it.

I stopped myself from sending it to my sister, Christine, (which is my way of posting) several times. Most touching and yet troublesome to me was the wedding ceremony itself. I recorded a video of the vows being said with my camera. Amy’s father performed the ceremony due to the untimely death of the beloved pastor of the church a few months ago. He was doing fine until he started asking his daughter for her vows, at which point his voice cracked. He was really having trouble but he made it through. “I promised I wouldn’t but I turned to mush,” he said at the end.

So I have the video. But should I post it. I woke up several times with conflicting ideas on this.

I decided to resolve the issue this way. I will post photos taking at the reception and at the official photo session and outside the sanctuary. Everybody expects photos there and they posed for them.

I will wait. If any reader has an opinion on the tender moment of this lovely wedding, please write. If nobody does, I will post it. That will mean those willing to type in my name aren’t offended by this.

I have some other shots and videos I will send to the bridge and groom though, as they just don’t feel like public domain.

The internet is a brave new world, without the order, structure and rules of old journalism.

I prefer newspapers. But then again, newspapers don’t let me rant and put up pictures of tarantulas!