UPDATE: This campaign has been funded, and I'm grateful for everyone who has donated in support of getting the new camera.  Any subsequent donations will be used to get new filters and lenses.  

With all my appreciation,
Dan

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For over 15 years, I've been photographing and covering scoring sessions in the film and television industry, first for SoundtrackNet and then for ScoringSessions.com.  In that time, I have covered over 350 scoring sessions, and the website has become the premier Internet destination covering live orchestral recordings for film and television in Hollywood. 


[2006 scoring session - they're playing their instruments!]

Since 2011, I've been shooting the scoring sessions with a Nikon D3100 camera.  It's a DSLR with a mirror shutter - which means it makes noise when I take a photo.  The nature of the scoring industry has changed over the years to the point where it is exceptionally rare that "rehearsal takes" are made where I am able to take photos of musicians playing the music.  Because nearly every performance is now recorded, I'm generally unable to take photos of musicians playing music - usually relegated to taking pictures of them between takes, where they're listening to the conductor relaying notes from the booth, or worse, checking their phones.

As a result, the quality of the imagery has suffered from a content perspective.  I find that unacceptable, as I strive to bring ScoringSessions.com's readers the closest thing to being a 'fly on the wall' at these sessions.


[2016 scoring session photo - no musicians playing music!]

Covering these sessions is not a job - it's a passion project.  As such, it's hard for me to justify the cost of getting new camera gear to upgrade to a mirrorless camera that will allow me to bring better scoring session photos to the world.

That is where I am turning to you, the fans - and the musicians who I cover!

With your help, I'll be able to raise enough funds to be able to purchase a Sony Alpha a6300 mirrorless camera (if I hit the initial goal of $2,000), or an a6500 if I'm able to reach the higher funding goal), which not only is renowned for the image quality it produces, but has a "Silent Shooting Mode" which is key at scoring sessions.  This fundraising campaign will also allow to get accessory lenses for the camera, not only to get better imagery at scoring sessions, but also potentially allow me to go back to doing scoring session videos, like the one I produced for the 'Alias' series finale, here:


....and the 'Death Race' one here:

As some incentives, I hope to be able to entice some composers to donate autographed items to the larger donors, and I'll be sure to give everyone who donates a 'shout out' on the "About" page of the website.