As much as we would like to deny it, the true essence of photography extends beyond the simple act of capturing images. For centuries, photographers have been using photography as a medium to curate stories that evoke emotions, ignite imaginations, or even create a lasting impression of moments and spaces around us. As an experienced photographer for over a decade, I firmly believe that the process of photography involves a lot more than just clicking the shutter button. A complete process of photography also involves a meticulous effort in crafting a series of images that tells stories through a careful process of curation and presentation of images.

Like every other creative field, the meticulous process of crafting a series of images starts with a well-defined concept and a clear vision. This concept will then shape the story and message that defines the decisions made during the execution of the entire creative journey down the road. Everything from the choice of lighting, color tone, and even techniques will all depend on this very creative concept. Creative concepts and a clear vision generally includes the message that you would like to convey, the emotion that you want the audience to feel and the overall art outlook of the project. 

Assuming that you now have a set concept and vision to execute. The next step is obviously taking the image or capturing individual moments before merging them into a larger piece of story. During this execution phase, emphasis should also be given to how each photograph contributes in building the narrative and not just merely focusing on the technical aspects of the image. This stage requires the distinctive photographer’s eye to spot for connection between images, ensuring the visual continuity of the story line is maintained. Everything from colors, composition styles, and recurring motifs are parts and pieces that will ultimately shape the story together.

Once the images are captured, the narrative continues to evolve during the post-production phase, which is generally divided into two stages, namely selection and editing. Personally, this is the most important phase in the entire process of curation, where you select the most compelling and cohesive images that align with the narrative and retouch them accordingly. A practical tip for those who are trying out would be during the selection stage, we should be choosing images for their emotional impact rather than technical perfection. Meanwhile, in the editing stage, we should be adjusting the tones to deliver the mood and style of work that harmonize the visual experience across the entire set of images.

By embracing the art of storytelling through the power of curation, I strongly believe photographers can showcase their work in a way that invites viewers to step into the story that they intend to deliver through carefully crafted images. And lastly, the journey from drafting a concept to final execution requires more than just technical proficiency. It ultimately pushes photographers to go beyond their career by portraying their artistic vision, attention to details, and their deep understanding of viewer experience to curate a complete set of visual story that captures emotions.

RTE has suspended a controversial €240,000 tender process for photographers to take pictures on the set of soap Fair City.

Director general Kevin Bakhurst said the process would be paused following his decision to halt discretionary spending at the national broadcaster as it grapples with a funding crisis.

The move to advertise for photography, which would have paid a maximum of €60,000 a year over four years, prompted questions from politicians, given it was happening at the same time RTÉ was asking the government for a multi-million euro support package of interim funding to help it weather its current financial travails.

RTÉ’s long-running funding problems have been exacerbated in recent months by a sharp drop-off in licence fee revenue amid a negative public reaction to a summer of controversies at the broadcaster.

RTÉ had initially defended the photography tender process in the face of criticism. However, on Sunday Mr Bakhurst announced that it would now be paused.

He said RTÉ would take time to review the volume of photography required and length of contract, among other considerations, and a revised tender document will be issued once those decisions have been made.

“Given the steep fall in the licence fee and the uncertainty over interim funding, and following last week’s announcements, we have decided to halt the current tender process for Fair City photography,” he said.

“While quality professional photography is essential to enable us to promote our programmes and engage audiences, it is not possible for RTE to commit to a four-year contract or to this level of spend given the challenges we now face.

“So, we have decided to take time to consider the best way to balance the needs of the series with the need to reduce costs where we can. We will continue to explore how we can cut costs and maximise funding of our public services through commercial revenue, while also working hard to restore trust in RTÉ.“

Fair City is Ireland’s most popular soap. In the first eight months of 2023, it has generated more than four million streams on the RTÉ Player – which is up 40 per cent year on year.

Last week, Mr Bakhurst introduced an immediate recruitment freeze and a temporary halt to discretionary spending.

Outlining other potential measures, the director general told a parliamentary committee in Dublin that there would be a move to drive down the salaries of the top-earning presenters, and he said the sale of RTE’s prized Montrose site in south Dublin was also under consideration.

The crisis at RTÉ erupted in June when the broadcaster revealed it had not correctly declared fees to its then-highest-paid earner Ryan Tubridy between 2017 and 2022.

The furore subsequently widened as a series of other financial and governance issues emerged.

Prior to its difficulties over the summer months, RTÉ had asked the Irish government for €34.5 million in additional interim funding for next year.

Since then, its revenues had taken a further major hit with the broadcaster currently projecting a loss of €21 million by year-end due to a fall in TV licence payments in the wake of the controversies.

That €21 million in revenue gap was on top of a deficit of €7 million RTÉ had already budgeted for in 2023.

The Government has yet to decide how much extra funding it will release to the embattled organisation, but has made clear that any investment will have to be reciprocated with a significant programme of internal reform.

In a statement today, RTÉ said the tender was being suspended “following last week’s announcement of a recruitment freeze and stopping all discretionary spending”.

The broadcaster said it “will pause and take time to review the volume of photography required and length of contract, among other considerations.”

A revised tender for photography on the Fair City set will be issued once these decisions have been made.

Plans announced earlier this week would have seen a photographer earn “a maximum of €60,000 per annum, or €240,000 over four years”.

The photographer would have worked an average of 20 hours per week over the course of three days per week and delivered “a minimum of 16 approved photograph stills in both high and low resolution to Fair City each week, for 50 weeks per year, as specified by RTÉ”.

RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst said: “Given the steep fall in the licence fee and the uncertainty over interim funding, and following last week’s announcements, we have decided to halt the current tender process for Fair City photography.”

It is anticipated the shortfall in TV licence fee payments will stand at €21m by the end of the year.

“While quality professional photography is essential to enable us to promote our programmes and engage audiences, it is not possible for RTÉ to commit to a four-year contract or to this level of spend given the challenges we now face,” Mr Bakhurst said.

“So, we have decided to take time to consider the best way to balance the needs of the series with the need to reduce costs where we can.

“We will continue to explore how we can cut costs and maximise funding of our public services through commercial revenue, while also working hard to restore trust in RTÉ.”

Mr Bakhurst said on Wednesday he “can’t believe” the salary that was being offered for photography on the show.

Earlier this week, Fair City executive producer Bridie de Courcy said: “I cannot overstate the importance of high-quality, highly curated photography in promoting Fair City in the busy landscape of press and digital publicity.

“It is vital to have a skilled photographer to capture, in single frames, moments of drama that will intrigue our regular audience, and bring new viewers to Fair City,” she said.

In a statement today, RTÉ said the tender was being suspended “following last week’s announcement of a recruitment freeze and stopping all discretionary spending”.

The broadcaster said it “will pause and take time to review the volume of photography required and length of contract, among other considerations.”

A revised tender for photography on the Fair City set will be issued once these decisions have been made.

Plans announced earlier this week would have seen a photographer earn “a maximum of €60,000 per annum, or €240,000 over four years”.

The photographer would have worked an average of 20 hours per week over the course of three days per week and delivered “a minimum of 16 approved photograph stills in both high and low resolution to Fair City each week, for 50 weeks per year, as specified by RTÉ”.

RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said: “Given the steep fall in the licence fee and the uncertainty over interim funding, and following last week’s announcements, we have decided to halt the current tender process for Fair City photography.”

It is anticipated the shortfall in TV licence fee payments will stand at €21m by the end of the year.

“While quality professional photography is essential to enable us to promote our programmes and engage audiences, it is not possible for RTÉ to commit to a four-year contract or to this level of spend given the challenges we now face,” Mr Bakhurst said.

“So, we have decided to take time to consider the best way to balance the needs of the series with the need to reduce costs where we can.

“We will continue to explore how we can cut costs and maximise funding of our public services through commercial revenue, while also working hard to restore trust in RTÉ.”

Mr Bakhurst said on Wednesday he “can’t believe” the salary that was being offered for photography on the show.

Earlier this week, Executive Producer of Fair City Bridie de Courcy said: “I cannot overstate the importance of high quality, highly curated photography in promoting Fair City in the busy landscape of press and digital publicity.

“It is vital to have a skilled photographer to capture, in single frames, moments of drama that will intrigue our regular audience, and bring new viewers to Fair City,” she said.