This is Matt Thomas, Baroque Festival Director, and also trumpet player in the orchestra. I just finished my project for them, creating a Flickr account with albums for various events and personnel. If interested, here's the link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/183316591@N07/albums
My next step is to create a report/memo to them with the link, description of what was involved in creating their resulting project, and suggestions for how to frame what they need for any photographer they may hire in the future. I learned a lot from the project and am so happy I was asked and able to do it. And I also learned what an organization needs to provide in terms of framing to make sure they end up with the results they think they are hiring a photographer to do. What they had told me was: (a) capture the feel of being in the audience, (b) try not to be visible during a performance, and (c) just give us about 25 photos that capture all the events. That was (a) not helpful but also (b) not possible. Hoping they'll find it useful!
I'm sure they were more than happy with your work - this shot is a great example of what they would expect. Looks very professional. I will try and look at the link as soon as I can.
Wow Taffy what an amazing set of Images! So interesting to read your comments too! There are some wonderful shots which I love but I am sure not what the organisers thought they wanted! Great to see Jim in there enjoying himself! Looking good!
Lovely image, love how he's silhouetted in the door-frame. Had a quick scroll through the Flickr page, great work, especially love the low-light gala night images.
I think you should charge a consultancy fee. They will never get such good value from a photographer again! I haven't time to look through all the images at the moment - but will definitely love to do so soon. This is a fabulous behind the scenes shot - the performer having sought out a quiet space for his all important warm up.
What an interesting porject and so much to learn from it. I like how he is placed in front of the door and we see so much of the room to the right. That gives me a feel for the location too.
This couldn't have been an easy shot with him standing in front of the light and not blowing out the background or making him a shadow. You did so much more then they asked for. Do they visit the island every year? Just think how much easier it would be next year with all you learned this year. I know you're probably thinking NEVER AGAIN but with the year gag you'll be ready. Now to go watch your link.
@helenhall Thanks Helen! I just completed the draft of my report to them, which includes how to take over the Flickr site, a summery of what I did for them, and a summary of what it would cost for them to hire someone to do this kind of project, but made clear that they have a 100% discount from me. I do think it will help them in the future when they are budgeting and want a photographer (if they decide not to go with me or another volunteer), and also help them see why other photographers gave them a file of photos but with no other organization -- just hundreds of photos. There's a price difference between a full project and hiring someone to take pictures and I'm not sure that's ever been made clear. I don't think they've ever sufficiently budgeted because I don't think they really knew what they wanted until now. It helps to see an example. I'm quite thrilled with how it all turned out and my contribution, so feel just fine with the way we'd arranged it for me to volunteer my services.
@ludwigsdiana@annied@koalagardens@merrelyn@joysabin@joysabin@happypat
Thank you all for your encouraging comments about the project and for the time you took to go to Flickr to see it. I suspect only other photographers really understand what goes into this kind of project so I really value your comments and encouragement. The few board members who have seen the almost-final draft of the site (I wanted some feedback before I officially shared it) were quite happy with it and feel it's more than they had imagined possible, so all in all, it's been very satisfying. I don't know if they'll ask me to do it again (a few have, but only unofficially), but now that it's over and turned out, I'd do it again (I can't believe I'm thinking that!).
@lesip The conductor, music director, and manager are consistent year to year, but soloists change. Most recently the choral and orchestra participants (who generally have professional lives elsewhere as musicians) who have been invited have asked to be invited back, so we're seeing some consistency there now. And yes, it would be easier to do a second time, now that I know what I've learned from this experience about how to set it up and what I need for a good set of images.
I’m about to go over to Flickr but I have to say I am so impressed with the hugeness of the gift you have given them...the consultation, the amazing photos, the wisdom, the kindness, the artist’s eye, the teacher. They couldn’t have paid you what it was worth. I’m in awe
@jgpittenger Thanks Jane. I did learn from a web search that there’s quite a range in fees, but it’s due (in addition to experience) to things like how much they want to have retouched and edited for artistic/aesthetic reasons, as well as how the final product is presented. And mostly it seems photographers charge by project or hourly. For a project like this one, it clearly would cost a few thousand at least. It made me feel good to know what I’ve contributed to Baroque as we’ve never been able to host a musician family and I don’t volunteer to usher, etc. So other than annual donations, this feels a more intimate way to contribute to something that I think is really valuable to the island.
Wow! Wow! And wow! So many fabulous photos on the Flickr page. I find the ones with lots of people the least inspiring but so many moments captured full of feeling
@jgpittenger Many thanks!! Your comment means a lot. I agree. The least interesting are what I see as ‘context shots’ and the most are the ones in low light or tight focus where it’s more intimate. It really did feel like an honor getting to photograph some of these moments!
Gosh, what a mammoth task you took on. And, of course, in your inimicable fashion it's been completed in an exemplary manner. I haven't yet had a look at the Flickr site, but will do so as soon as I'm able. I do hope these folks realise what a living treasure you are.
Just looked at the Flickr photos and am lost in admiration. The organisers will have a very tough job finding anyone who'll do something even remotely approaching the standard of what you've produced.
I really like this candid. Our photo club has worked with several organizations and individuals over the past two years and find the same thing happening- they have unattainable expectations on what photographers can and can't do. But you have a line of communication with these folks so I think they will learn from what you have to say.
August 18th, 2019
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love this image too
Thank you all for your encouraging comments about the project and for the time you took to go to Flickr to see it. I suspect only other photographers really understand what goes into this kind of project so I really value your comments and encouragement. The few board members who have seen the almost-final draft of the site (I wanted some feedback before I officially shared it) were quite happy with it and feel it's more than they had imagined possible, so all in all, it's been very satisfying. I don't know if they'll ask me to do it again (a few have, but only unofficially), but now that it's over and turned out, I'd do it again (I can't believe I'm thinking that!).
@lesip The conductor, music director, and manager are consistent year to year, but soloists change. Most recently the choral and orchestra participants (who generally have professional lives elsewhere as musicians) who have been invited have asked to be invited back, so we're seeing some consistency there now. And yes, it would be easier to do a second time, now that I know what I've learned from this experience about how to set it up and what I need for a good set of images.