'Photo bombing' can irritate, but it's funny

Features writer Rob Young (right) hangs out with a couple of friends at a wedding reception. But who is that bozo in the background?

So, it's got a name. "Photo bombing," the fine art of ruining other people's photos.

Perhaps it represents a postmodern approach to photography, epitomizing convolution, incongruity, re-evaluation and the abandonment of truth and belief in the perfectibility of man.

Or perhaps it means mucking up somebody's picture.

A victimless crime? Not entirely.

In photo bombing, the original objet d'art, i.e. the poor sap(s) smiling, posing or primping, is the unwitting accomplice of said bomber's ploy.

In other words, easy quarry.

Much of it harmless. Imagine some random guy or gal making a face or grinning madly in the photo.

But there are other grotesqueries: a fellow purposely picking his nose, an obscene gesture, and nudity, lots of nudity.

The flash of body parts, a buttock or two.

Or the gentleman riding bareback. On a sculpture of a horse. In a fountain. Behind a newly married couple.

You get the point. It's annoying, and all kinds of funny.

We'd link any number of Web sites, as is our wont, but we cannot. Seriously. Many of the photos aren't safe for work, or for Junior.

So, take pause, enjoy the shot on this page, or comb the InterWebs for more. Proceed at your own peril.

Remember, it could be worse. It's nowhere near as irritating as handing your camera to a stranger and having him chop off your head.

That might be a new art, actually.

The "photo guillotine." Coming soon to a Web site near you.

Reach Rob Young at 937-5518 and ryoung@postandcourier.com.