Done over

A photocall with the local Labour Party today. And I got done over by a combination of the weather and other more-experienced and, more significantly, better-equipped photographers. The plan was to head outside after the launch of the document for a group photo. Earlier on the weather had looked good - bright but not too sunny. Trouble was, when it came time to go outside, the sun was out. 'Oh good', everyone said. Everyone except the photographers I expect. The plan was to shoot southwards with Heriot's school in the background - towards the sun in other words, and get everyone grouped around. The lack of a wide-enough lens and a decent lens hood meant this was the best I managed. Too much flare, not quite everyone in. We did try another shot afterwards but it wasn't as good a backdrop. Would have been good to have taken people along the road to get the Castle behind, but there wasn't time, unfortunately. Oh well, live and learn!
The photocall, with exactly six months to go until polling day was for Labour Party in Edinburgh to launch its Consultation Document for the 2012 Council Elections. With all their council candidates selected, Group Leader Andrew Burns introducd the document, Moving Edinburgh Forward, to a room of candidates, MSPs and MPs in central Edinburgh today. The party also re-launched its website in the city and introduced Twitter and Facebook pages that will use social media in the run up to the elections in May next year. The idea is to consult widely and inclusively and as Andrew said, if the group's manifesto is the same as today's document, they probably haven't done it right.