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Post by comet on Jun 1, 2009 19:55:27 GMT
 you guys are hilarious, there are 15 guests on the official forum at the moment probably looking for reports and photos from recent concerts. It's not as if they didn't see enough people with cameras after the concert, they are probably just wondering where do all the photos go.. E bay ? Have a look at all the wonderful photos on the Glasgow thread hayleywestenra.forums.umusic.co.uk/t/1012.aspxPeople on their first visit to Hayley on the internet might be led to believe Hayley has no fans with a camera, so If any of you have a few exclusive photos you might like to show to Hayley's newly arriving fans. there is more than enough room for them on Hayley's official forum. Don't worry to much about file size either, it just ain't a problem. fans worldwide are buying Hayley's cd's and are being led into a CulDeSac by the web address on the CDs, Many of them probably look no further and loose interest, maybe for good and that's a shame 
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Post by Mark on Jun 1, 2009 20:47:18 GMT
Hi Paul
You are right of course regarding the general lack of photo's on Hayley's official forum. I have said before that I would do my best to add a post and photos of each concert I attend to the official forum as well as HWI. If you would care to take a look at the official site now, you will see that I have started the ball rolling - so to speak!!
Best wishes
Mark
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Post by roger on Jun 1, 2009 20:50:59 GMT
...If any of you have a few exclusive photos you might like to show to Hayley's newly arriving fans. there is more than enough room for them on Hayley's official forum. Don't worry to much about file size either, it just ain't a problem. Sorry Paul but that simply isn't true. If there are a lot of large sized photographs on a single page anywhere on the internet, there will be a problem. The difference is that the administrators of UCJ's forums are either oblivious to it or they simply don't care - but there would be a problem, especially for those with a slow connection speed. Regarding Andrew and Martindn's comments, how do you explain that Gerald Westenra, Steve Abbott and Kathryn Nash have all told me on numerous occasions to "carry on doing exactly what you [we] are doing"? Those have been there exact words. Steve has even told me to get as much coverage as we can. So I think we can safely say that there isn't a problem with the quantity of photographs. Whether or not there is any need to have so many is another matter. Arguably, there isn't. However, the stats suggest otherwise. When Hayley does not appear in concert for a while, the forum is relatively quiet. When the concerts begin, activity levels increase a little. That escalates slightly when the reports start to appear. But when the photographs are posted, the stats go through the roof. Consequently, it seems that photographs are what our visitors wish to see more than anything and so, to restrict them, would appear to be counterproductive. Roger |
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Post by thomas on Jun 1, 2009 22:17:26 GMT
Hi! There have been many pros and cons concerning the amount of photographs. I think that we don't disturb Hayley by taking photos or that we discourage any non-members who like to meet Hayley. Actually we take care that non-members get their time with her before it's our turn. We don't block anyone with our cameras. We stand at the side and use zoom-lenses to get the close-ups and don't hold the camera into Hayley's face. So there's room for everybody who likes to meet her and it's up to Hayley how the signing is going to be proceeded. She would leave if she had enough. Actually it's Hayley who decides how long a signing lasts and it usually lasts longer than her road manager likes because she wants to please everyone. Thanks again, Dave, for your patience.  You don't have to be an expert in reading body language to realise that Hayley likes to be surrounded by her fans. She would react differently if she thought we would do anything wrong. Well, that's my opinion ... Lets go back on-topic now!  Thomas |
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Post by Libby on Jun 1, 2009 22:28:49 GMT
I like close-up photos to some extent, but I don't like ones that are so close, and so huge on the screen, it makes her face and neck look huge, and when it isn't. It's not very flattering. There were a few photos from the CBA carpet, where they're up so close that you can't even tell whether she's actually wearing a dress or not.  The photos themselves were lovely, though. I prefer shots where it looks like you're standing looking at her from a comfortable distance. See, Karsten got beautiful, clear shots of her signing, without looking like the camera's in her face. I also don't like the ones of her in concert where you're looking up her nose. I suppose it's hard if you're straight below her. I don't want you to think I don't like your photos, I do very, very much. Please don't take this personally or think I'm mean or anything. I just think if the same photos were reduced in size and not taking up the whole screen, it would look better. So, I'm not saying you shouldn't take close-up photos, just don't make them so monstrous. It's the size of the photo that's the problem, not the close-up part. It's the combination. I have absolutely no problem with the amount of photos, though. I'd be happy with 5,000 of them!  P.S. I'm a maestro now, too. |
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Post by grant on Jun 1, 2009 22:32:21 GMT
Hi Roger and everyone
We have had this debate about the number of photographs posted before and I think we agreed that if any one of us has a number of photo's that we feel are worth posting, we should spread them out and I believe that is what we try to do.
To address Andrew and Martin's point about only allowing 'official' photographers, it just wouldn't work, or it would work to the detrement of this forum. As an 'unofficial' photographer, one of the reasons that I love supporting Hayley the way I do, is because she is accessible and I am able to photograph her when she is meeting the public.
Membership of a group like HWI should not work against its members in preventing them from doing something that was, quite probably, one of the reasons they joined in the first place.
Best wishes
Grant
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Jillian
Global Moderator
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Post by Jillian on Jun 1, 2009 23:02:34 GMT
Hi comet, I agree that the official forum is a very disappointing place. I know of some singers who have given up on official forums and actually provide a link to fan based ones. I believe that all the photos are only a good thing. They do a wonderful job to promote Hayley and document all her efforts at her concerts. They're also on her terms -- she has prior warning of the possibility of photos and you can tell she always makes herself 'camera ready' (even when she's only arriving) by putting on fresh lipstick etc. When the majority of the photos are taken at signings, Hayley's had the chance to make herself look her best by doing her hair and full makeup. I believe that all the photos are taken with the intent of capturing Hayley at her prettiest. Hayley also lives a pretty anonymous life -- I think attention like this is soley restricted to the times she turns up to 'work'. So I'm sure she doesn't view an hour or so of photos taken whilst in her professional capacity as intrusive. We're hardly leaping out of the bushes at Tescos at 10 am in the morning (actually, that mental image made me giggle a bit  ) Besides, I can't help but think that the starlet in Hayley would be slightly crestfallen if she turned up to a concert or a signing and no one wanted to take her picture! I also think that having people with big cameras flashing away makes Hayley look quite the celebrity for people who've never been to a signing before! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifAt the moment, we're facing a whole month of no Hayley events, so I say bring on the photos to keep us amused during the drought! |
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Post by grant on Jun 1, 2009 23:12:52 GMT
Hi Jillian Besides, I can't help but think that the starlet in Hayley would be slightly crestfallen if she turned up to a concert or a signing and no one wanted to take her picture! Well Hayley certainly seems happy to see whoever may be waiting for her - you can tell that by the way her face lights up at the sight of familiar faces. Dean and I even noticed Hayley sharing a 'high five' with one of the Raven girls as they arrived at Manchester earlier this year - made us wonder if perhaps they'd had a wager as to who might be there waiting for them!  Best wishes Grant |
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Post by Caitlin on Jun 2, 2009 6:03:56 GMT
Thank you everyone for the concert reports and photographs! I think the photographs get better each time!! And I love hearing about the concert because I can't be there <3 Caitlin |
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Post by Dean McCarten on Jun 2, 2009 8:11:11 GMT
Dean and I even noticed Hayley sharing a 'high five' with one of the Raven girls as they arrived at Manchester earlier this year - made us wonder if perhaps they'd had a wager as to who might be there waiting for them! Yes I also remember the waves after the "high-five" and the speed in which Hayley exited the minivan in order to come say "Hello" |
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Post by postscript on Jun 2, 2009 9:31:35 GMT
You raise an interesting point Keithp but I think our regulars are aware:
1. of other interests, especially those who have that one chance of meeting with Hayley
2. that Hayley is aware what they take is shared on the forum and helps the wider message on Hayley's behalf
3. when I used to have a lightweight camera with me I used it when our more competent members weren't about.
4. As we know some of them are very good photographers, Hayley is familiar with them and none of them mind if you download their pics for your own ends, although each time it is nice to think to ask them specifically and are quite prepared to PM you a quality shot for any special request. In a sense they actually provide the rest of us our needs, so there is no need for us to add to the crowd. That is why I tend not to take pictures myself now.
Peter S.
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Post by postscript on Jun 2, 2009 9:42:19 GMT
Well, re photography, I have to ask the question how many photographers do we need? I know many of us like to take photos when we can, but one properly organised series of photos could be made available to everyone anyway. So it would be up to the members present to agree on a photographer, probably Steve if he is there. Dave, I don't know what criteria we would use to decide who was the "most senior member present" and I don't think we want to get into that. The resulting photos by the nominated "official photographer" would be posted here. And another idea, could possibly put together a DVD of official photos at full quality, perhaps from several concerts at a time, and sell them to anyone interested with the proceeds going to one of Hayley's charities (if it is a charity concert it would be nice to support the cause that is is in aid of). It would be interesting to know how many members would be willing to support something like that. Obviously we would have to allow time for other members and non-members to take their photos as well. But if we explained what we were doing, and that it was all for a good cause I doubt many would object to the short delay that would be involved. We could even use it to spread the word about HWI among the non-members present. Martin I think you raise an interesting point, Martin. Most of us have our own charitable interests but I think we are happy to add to those on odd occasions like an opportunity to support Haley's interests. I would not wish to discourage further debate on your thinking by adding bureaucracy BUT, bearing in mind the lack of openness at Westminster several things would need to come into play. 1. an official understanding with Hayley/her management people and with the intended charity 2. There would need to be some administrative openness in what costs are incurred to be recovered and what monies actually pass over to what charity. I don't intend my result but the forgoing implies a certain amount of hassle which may raise the question is it worth it? Peter S. |
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Post by graemek on Jun 2, 2009 11:39:00 GMT
Hi All, I know I don't represent the typical HWI photographer but have now had Hayley as my subject 4 times in all. To quote one of these instances at Kerikeri NZ, I'd been chatting to Hayley and it was she who suggested that I go & fetch my camera & take what turned out to be a most delightful series of posed pics just for me (& of course, as she knew too, for HWI). She also knows that somebody who attends one of her shows without their own camera, can easily get some great pics as a memento of their evening if they just visit HWI. I've also taken several Hayley & fan type shots which have been encouraged & even requested by her for the fan in question. My point here ?? Let it be.....it's easy to destroy a good thing by a bit of unnecessary rulemaking. Graeme |
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Post by grant on Jun 2, 2009 12:20:50 GMT
She also knows that somebody who attends one of her shows without their own camera, can easily get some great pics as a memento of their evening if they just visit HWI. I've also taken several Hayley & fan type shots which have been encouraged & even requested by her for the fan in question. Yes Graeme, very true - I make a point of helping out in that way whenever I can. I think it is equally important for people to realise that Hayley's core fans are just as friendly and helpful as Hayley herself is. It's a great feeling leaving a concert knowing what a great time you've had - but just a little bit greater if you've helped make someone elses evening as well.  Best wishes Grant |
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Post by grant on Jun 2, 2009 12:30:56 GMT
Hello everyone The little cameo with the rose in Glasgow was a very special moment and one that I didn't expect to be repeated quite so soon. Apparently, Hayley had other ideas as I was to discover midway through her signing session. Hayley will often look up from what she is doing and, just for a second, give you one of her "to die for" smiles. Sometimes, you get a "Hi!" as well. On this ocassion, it was I who offered the "Hi!" and this was the result .... No props this time, unless you count Hayley's thumb! Best wishes Grant |
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The photos themselves were lovely, though. 
