Working for Free (Page 3): As someone who works for a non profit theatre I’d like to say than you for helping them. If we didn’t have people that donated to us and sponsors for shows...

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

As someone who works for a non profit theatre I’d like to say than you for helping them. If we didn’t have people that donated to us and sponsors for shows we would not exist today. You did a good dead Sir.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

jerryc41 wrote:

A local playhouse asked my son - who does a lot of video for them - to take publicity pictures of the cast. Since he was working that night, I filled in. Thirteen cast members were there, but I had to return for the six missing people. They liked the results and asked if they could have copies for themselves. I printed everyone an 8 x 10 and a sheet with mixed sizes.

Printing was a problem. The small Canon always had vertical lines through two of the smaller prints on the mixed sheet. I switched to my HP, and that printed okay, but the color was a bit different - better. Then the colored ink cartridge ran dry, and the new one didn't have good color. That led me to switch to the Canon Pro-100. Again, the color was a bit different, so I had to go back and reprocess all the portraits. Print size was another consideration. Just how large is an 8 x 10 print? These were printing smaller than that (despite what Lightroom said), so I emailed the director and asked her for the size of the prints I had already given her. She said they were 8 x 10, so I made the adjustment and printed the last six portraits larger.

When I went to deliver the remaining portraits and private pictures, I discovered that the director must have used a different kind of ruler because all of her 8 x 10s were the original smaller size that I had printed. I have to make one more trip back there with a few more prints. So, I will have made four trips (128 miles), burning $8.00 worth of gas. I began with a new color cartridge ($65) in the HP and used that up, and I went through almost a hundred sheets of 8 x 10 gloss paper. As for the hours I spent on this freebee, I didn't keep track, but they were many. I know they will ask me to come back for the next play, but I will not be working for them again.

As some of you know, it is very expensive to put on a play. Royalties can cost thousands of dollars, and this group just manages to get through each year and pay the bills. They have no photography budget, so this must all be voluntary. I hope they find someone satisfactory next year.

A local playhouse asked my son - who does a lot of... (show quote)

Jerry, I too must first say that I am not a Tax Attourney or Lawyer, but:
Make a list of all of your expenses (be sure to include the number of clicks on your camera vs the number of expected clicks and divide the number of expected clicks into the cost of the camera, then multiply the number of clicks used in the shoot by the cost per click that you determined... that is the wear and tear on the camera. And yes it is a real cost of doing business.

ELNikkor

You're too nice...

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

rpavich wrote:

Wow...that's tough.

Let me see.....

1 roll of color film = $2.50

Chems to develop = 25 cents

Printing paper = 10 cents per 8x10 x 19 portraits = $1.90

Time to develop 15 minutes

Time to print 2 hours

Total cost of job = $4.25

I can see that the error was that you were shooting digital. :)

That is a point. I once shot an event with film where all they wanted was the cassettes of 35mm film once I was done. I got $200 for an hour of work. But usually it is a rip off like what happened to Jerry above.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

jerryc41 wrote:

A local playhouse asked my son - who does a lot of video for them - to take publicity pictures of the cast. Since he was working that night, I filled in. Thirteen cast members were there, but I had to return for the six missing people. They liked the results and asked if they could have copies for themselves. I printed everyone an 8 x 10 and a sheet with mixed sizes.

Printing was a problem. The small Canon always had vertical lines through two of the smaller prints on the mixed sheet. I switched to my HP, and that printed okay, but the color was a bit different - better. Then the colored ink cartridge ran dry, and the new one didn't have good color. That led me to switch to the Canon Pro-100. Again, the color was a bit different, so I had to go back and reprocess all the portraits. Print size was another consideration. Just how large is an 8 x 10 print? These were printing smaller than that (despite what Lightroom said), so I emailed the director and asked her for the size of the prints I had already given her. She said they were 8 x 10, so I made the adjustment and printed the last six portraits larger.

When I went to deliver the remaining portraits and private pictures, I discovered that the director must have used a different kind of ruler because all of her 8 x 10s were the original smaller size that I had printed. I have to make one more trip back there with a few more prints. So, I will have made four trips (128 miles), burning $8.00 worth of gas. I began with a new color cartridge ($65) in the HP and used that up, and I went through almost a hundred sheets of 8 x 10 gloss paper. As for the hours I spent on this freebee, I didn't keep track, but they were many. I know they will ask me to come back for the next play, but I will not be working for them again.

As some of you know, it is very expensive to put on a play. Royalties can cost thousands of dollars, and this group just manages to get through each year and pay the bills. They have no photography budget, so this must all be voluntary. I hope they find someone satisfactory next year.

A local playhouse asked my son - who does a lot of... (show quote)

Jerry I feel your pain. I really do.
Last year I was asked to shoot Prom Night at a charter school. I photographed kids coming in, the awards, the dinner, the dance, you name it. Came back the next night to shoot the junior prom part. Same amount of shots (750) used more batteries than you can count. My son was a new teacher there so I accepted "Don't worry we will take care of you". Yeah right!! Many hours of editing, two nights of shooting. Oh yeah they took care of me alright $50.00 gift card.
This year I was asked too. Told them I was booked for those dates. No way..

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Resqu2 wrote:

As someone who works for a non profit theatre I’d like to say than you for helping them. If we didn’t have people that donated to us and sponsors for shows we would not exist today. You did a good dead Sir.

Your right Jerry did a good deed. But was he taken advantage of?

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

jerryc41 wrote:

A local playhouse asked my son - who does a lot of video for them - to take publicity pictures of the cast. Since he was working that night, I filled in. Thirteen cast members were there, but I had to return for the six missing people. They liked the results and asked if they could have copies for themselves. I printed everyone an 8 x 10 and a sheet with mixed sizes.

Printing was a problem. The small Canon always had vertical lines through two of the smaller prints on the mixed sheet. I switched to my HP, and that printed okay, but the color was a bit different - better. Then the colored ink cartridge ran dry, and the new one didn't have good color. That led me to switch to the Canon Pro-100. Again, the color was a bit different, so I had to go back and reprocess all the portraits. Print size was another consideration. Just how large is an 8 x 10 print? These were printing smaller than that (despite what Lightroom said), so I emailed the director and asked her for the size of the prints I had already given her. She said they were 8 x 10, so I made the adjustment and printed the last six portraits larger.

When I went to deliver the remaining portraits and private pictures, I discovered that the director must have used a different kind of ruler because all of her 8 x 10s were the original smaller size that I had printed. I have to make one more trip back there with a few more prints. So, I will have made four trips (128 miles), burning $8.00 worth of gas. I began with a new color cartridge ($65) in the HP and used that up, and I went through almost a hundred sheets of 8 x 10 gloss paper. As for the hours I spent on this freebee, I didn't keep track, but they were many. I know they will ask me to come back for the next play, but I will not be working for them again.

As some of you know, it is very expensive to put on a play. Royalties can cost thousands of dollars, and this group just manages to get through each year and pay the bills. They have no photography budget, so this must all be voluntary. I hope they find someone satisfactory next year.

A local playhouse asked my son - who does a lot of... (show quote)

Jerry, your doing it for free, give them a small flash drive and let them get their own prints, they may not want as many prints.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

bobmcculloch wrote:

Jerry, your doing it for free, give them a small flash drive and let them get their own prints, they may not want as many prints.

MMC Loc: Brooklyn NY

When I spent money, time and efforts in similar situation I say to myself : ' I received lesson and I paid for it'.

jerryc41 wrote:

A local playhouse asked my son - who does a lot of video for them - to take publicity pictures of the cast. Since he was working that night, I filled in. Thirteen cast members were there, but I had to return for the six missing people. They liked the results and asked if they could have copies for themselves. I printed everyone an 8 x 10 and a sheet with mixed sizes.

Printing was a problem. The small Canon always had vertical lines through two of the smaller prints on the mixed sheet. I switched to my HP, and that printed okay, but the color was a bit different - better. Then the colored ink cartridge ran dry, and the new one didn't have good color. That led me to switch to the Canon Pro-100. Again, the color was a bit different, so I had to go back and reprocess all the portraits. Print size was another consideration. Just how large is an 8 x 10 print? These were printing smaller than that (despite what Lightroom said), so I emailed the director and asked her for the size of the prints I had already given her. She said they were 8 x 10, so I made the adjustment and printed the last six portraits larger.

When I went to deliver the remaining portraits and private pictures, I discovered that the director must have used a different kind of ruler because all of her 8 x 10s were the original smaller size that I had printed. I have to make one more trip back there with a few more prints. So, I will have made four trips (128 miles), burning $8.00 worth of gas. I began with a new color cartridge ($65) in the HP and used that up, and I went through almost a hundred sheets of 8 x 10 gloss paper. As for the hours I spent on this freebee, I didn't keep track, but they were many. I know they will ask me to come back for the next play, but I will not be working for them again.

As some of you know, it is very expensive to put on a play. Royalties can cost thousands of dollars, and this group just manages to get through each year and pay the bills. They have no photography budget, so this must all be voluntary. I hope they find someone satisfactory next year.

A local playhouse asked my son - who does a lot of... (show quote)

PatM Loc: Rocky Mount Mo.

Jerryc41,
Always remember this. “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished” From first hand knowledge.
On the technical side have you considered trying to print on a common black and white laser printer with standard printer paper until the size format is correct prior to using your expensive paper and printer?
Also does the print preview show a correct image prior to printing? Printer images can be frustrating even with text
and I did computer work for many years prior to retirement.
Be Well
Pat

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Hey Jerry,
Just remember, volunteering is volunteering, and it's never as "easy" as people think it will be. Just know that you did something nice, and feel good about what you did for those people, who were probably volunteering as well.

As for printing, because of the very issues you had... That's why I don't do my own printing any more. Even if it does "sometimes" seem to be less expensive, I always ended up printing things more than once for one reason or another. In the end, if you really want to give them prints (which is what I would prefer too) I would have offered them free 5x7s, which are super cheap for as few as you did. If they wanted larger, just tell them how much it costs, and have them reimburse you for that. For 12 people, it would still only cost them $24(ish) tops. Which is a steal.
I do have an issue with "free digitals," but won't get on my soapbox here.

Anyway, my hat is off my bald head to you for doing something for the community. Instead of thinking of the negatives, think of how you just helped the group, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Dannj

Send the bill to your son😊

b roll wanabee

Perhaps a question for the pros
Walgreens wants $3.99 for a 8x10
And I saw Costco had them for 1.79.
I print on the canon pro 100 and am guessing my cost is about $2.50. With paper.

So if you were to do 8x10 photo prints
What would be the break even?. $5

What is the going rate? $25

I have done several shoots for free and made prints as part of a learning experience.

Now that I am an ok photographer and can output a package in a timely manner I would not mind asking for money for the suppleies.

I think if Jerry did not have to pay for the supplies (Mostly printing costs)
It could have been a nice experience.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Jerry, just smile and know you did a really good thing for these people. If they come back next time tell them that there is a cost and you would like to have the actual cost covered and be up front. But never complain about agreeing to do something for free and finding that things don't go as smoothly as you thought it would be.

RSPB Loc: New York

CanonTom wrote:

Unfortunately no. For him to simply deduct the value of his time is not legal and that is what he would be doing. If he donated cash or non-cash items that he had previously paid for with income that had been previously taxed, he would have tax "Basis" in the amount contributed which would allow it to be deductible. No one is allowed to put a deduction on their return that represents a value one puts on their services.

This is the only tax related response that is accurate. I've been preparing taxes for 13 years. I seriously question whether the person who received the $500 thank you receipt for their volunteer services would be regarded by the IRS as a legitimate deduction if he were audited.
One other point- next year the standard deduction is almost doubled - from $6350 this year to $12,000 for 2018 (for a single person). Lots of people are no longer going to be itemizing deductions because of this increased standard deduction, and therefore not able to deduct any charitable contributions anyhow.
Jerry, we all know what a kind and generous person you are. Last week someone posted an inquiry about you when you hadn't posted anything for a while - everyone worries about you when we don't hear from you regularly !! Good to have you back.