Sean Donnelly's Blog- Thoughts on Documentary Photography

piece on UC protests for time

2009-11-21T10:20:00.001-08:00

Piece on Taxing Marijuana for Time.com

2009-10-28T12:31:00.001-07:00

http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,45923784001_1931759,00.html

Surfer Portraits for Surfline.com

2009-10-28T12:29:00.001-07:00

click here

UC Berkeley walkout

2009-09-24T16:26:00.000-07:00

New piece on Burning Man Artists

2009-08-28T16:02:00.001-07:00

Check out the story I wrote and multimedia piece I produced here.

Green Day an Franz Ferdinand at the HP Pavilion

2009-08-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

Click HERE!

New Portraits from Project on Burning Man Artists

2009-08-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

Ben and Meredith's wedding

2009-08-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my favorites-

A few new portraits

2009-07-31T13:50:00.000-07:00

This first one is from a new project on West Oakland artists, who blur the line between blue collar industrial workers and conceptual art. They are on the way to Burning Man and I will be following them there!

These 2 photos were used with a new technique I have been trying out by firing a diffused strobe at the background of subject. Anjad, owner of the new Currylicious (2 thumbs up!) has a great and affordable menu. Below is father Jayson Landeza, Oakland Police Dept. Chaplain.

Portraits of Microbiologist Chip Lambert

2009-07-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

Shot for the Oakland Tribune. Chip confirmed that this sample of yeast was actually 45 MILLION years old. He then took the sample and used it to begin brewing beer, which he has turned into a company titled Fossil Fuels. Nice Chip!

top image is using just his desk lamp. Below image is octabox camera right in the corner at 1/8th power, and snooted light behind Chip at 1/3 power.

New Website!

2009-07-23T12:57:00.001-07:00

My new website now features extended portrait galleries, multimedia, and an overall better interface for clients and visitors. Check it out here!

Check out the video!

2009-07-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

somewhat better quality here

Young Marine Story published in Gente

2009-07-13T14:44:00.001-07:00

Portraits at The Fillmore Jazz Festival

2009-07-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Portraits from the SF Pride Celebration

2009-06-30T12:49:00.001-07:00

Snooted strobe above, octabox below as fill

Now Working With Polaris Images

2009-06-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to my portfolio at Polaris Images, which "represents photographers and distributes photographs to media industries worldwide."

New Portraits

2009-06-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

Buddy Brendan- bare bulb with a diffuser and square gobo-

Abdan, local rapper extraordinaire- Octabox above, bounce card below, and grid camera right
Friend and newly represented model Aubrey- Bare bulb, high camera left, balanced with sun to get the separation between subject and background

and of course me- octabox above, umbrella below, same power output

Three new videos!

2009-05-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Memorial T Shirt

The Two Headed Snake

The Memorial for Mother Wright

Memorial Day

2009-05-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Every portrait is a gift

2009-05-22T00:44:00.000-07:00

Portrait photography is primarily about what the subject chooses is give to you as a photographer. This takes the ability to effectively communicate what you are doing and be able to actually capture that moment. I shot this portrait today of Abdul Wahid Taha, as he looks out the window of his East Oakland home in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, May 21, 2009. Taha often feels apprehensive about leaving his home due to the violence in the neighborhood.

Bay To Breaker Portrait Series

2009-05-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

Click here

Video on Police Memorial for Oakland Tribune

2009-05-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

Click on me!

New Lighting tests, thanks to buddy Dietrich

2009-05-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

I have been using my good buddy Dietrich as somewhat of a sketchpad for lighting techniques I plan to use in the future. Feel free to ask any questions in the comment section. All this lighting is informed by years of street photography and understanding the style of light I enjoy shooting with.

All natural light, overexposed with sun behind head. Very simple yet effective method, just expose for the face, which is in shadow, and go up a stop and a half or two to blow out background.

I grabbed a couple foamcore panels and painted one side of each black to subtract light, and left the other side white to bounce light, and then cut litte doors in the middle to use as a gobo. The one below is created by creating a narrow beam of light with the two boards placed together over the strobe, camera right.
Same thing below, except the boards are moved closer to the light and farther from subject to create a larger, softer beam of light.
This is shot through the small door cut in the middle of the foamcore, placed roughly halfway between subject and strobe.

This one is a little more technical. Softbox camera left with bounce card directly under subject for fill, with strobe w/scrim over 1/2 stop directly behind as a hairlight.

Walk, run, jump!

2009-05-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Musician and Athlete portraits

2009-04-29T11:05:00.001-07:00

San Francisco beat producer Sam Starr- (octabox throough window camera right)

USC bound football player Kevin Greene (all natural light, thanks to a lamp. I like the mix of warm and cool tones, sometimes it's important to ditch the lighting.)

Berkeley musician Ryan Brown. (shoot through umbrella above subject, below octabox camera right)

Oakland rapper O-Zone (bare bulb camera right)
Covenant house rapper, direct sun above subject, bare bulb camera left)

Recent Portraits, plus my excuse for not blogging recently

2009-04-17T16:56:00.000-07:00

Here are a few portraits I shot over the last 2 days, the 1st is of actress Jules Bruff, who was in David Fincher's "Zodiac. 2nd is of a local high school baseball star, and 3rd is longtime Oakland resident Hermanee Dyer. I have been rapidly changing my photography towards environmental portraits (with the help of my new lights!) and building a portfolio for the direction I want to go. I also have been working every day on multiple photo essays for the Oakland Tribune's annual murder map project, which I will link to and post after publication.

Recent work now featured on Fotoseen.com

2009-02-24T17:41:00.000-08:00

Hi,

my recent work on underground rappers in Oakland is now being featured on fotoseen.com, a blog showcasing professional photography. check it out!

First week with the Oakland Tribune/Bay Area News Group

2009-02-14T15:54:00.000-08:00

Below are some images from my first 1-2 weeks with the Bay Area News Group. I am also starting two multimedia stories on pollution in West Oakland and underground rappers.

Back in the Bay Area with the Canon 5D Mark II !

2009-02-04T22:18:00.000-08:00

Here are some shots from Los Angeles and Oakland with the new 5D Mark II. I had my first day at the Oakland Tribune today and look forward to producing some interesting multimedia projects using the video capabalities of the camera.

Christian Wrestling and Democrats in Texas

2009-01-21T21:14:00.000-08:00

MLk Parade and Pro Israel Rally in Texas, the non-assignment

2009-01-20T21:39:00.000-08:00

Both of these shoots were unassigned projects I covered while in-between my planned stories for the Texas area, which really changes the dynamic of how I shoot. For example, if I was covering events like this for the newspaper, very few, if any, of these images would ever run. And that is why I like them. There is a sense of freedom to personal work after busting out multiple assignments summing up the daily grind. So there lies the dilemma: keep art/photography/storytelling as personal work, or make it YOUR work (i.e. making a living). There is a fine line between the two.

P.S. Happy Inauguration! I will post images from a shoot at a Democratic celebration in Tarrant County (the 2nd most conservative county in the country) and from my story on Christian wrestling tomorrow.

Young Marines in Waco, TX, and a few thoughts on the long term project

2009-01-18T20:28:00.001-08:00

I have now photographed Young Marine units in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Texas. While part of me feels like the project is complete, I think the best way to progress as a photographer/journalist is to continue pushing the work further. Part of the difficulty, besides time and money, is to photograph a subject (especially that is so homogeneous) in different ways. This process, while at times frustrating, forces a photographer to progress in a way that is impossible through daily assignments or street shooting. The dedication to subject will also show through, which sets a body of work apart from the pack and commands respect by peers. The approach to subject also changes. Recently I have begun shooting more portraits, capturing video/audio, and shooting children involved in the program in home environments, posed and lit. I can then carry these skills over to other subjects, projects, and assignments that I wouldn't be able to obtain otherwise. While I don't think I have reached the level in any of these treatments I hope to, I know I can through the commitment!

I am now in Waco, Texas, check out the finished Alabama piece below

2009-01-16T16:42:00.000-08:00

Last day around Montgomery

2009-01-13T19:11:00.000-08:00

The Dexter Ave. Church, Rev. Graetz, Neo-Confederates, and a Jazz Club

2009-01-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

These images are from my continued coverage of Montgomery, Alabama during the week before Sen. Barack Obama's Inauguration. The following five images are from the Dexter Ave. Church, which is right across the street from the State Capitol and where MLK Jr. was a preacher.

Rev. Robert Graetz was one of the pioneers of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and worked closely with MLK Jr. and Rosa Parks. He continues Civil Rights work by advocating for gay rights, poverty rights, and handicapped rights.

The following four images are of the Confederate Calvary Corps, a Neo-Confederate group, as they celebrate the day Alabama seceded from the Union in 1861. They see the Confederacy as part of their heritage.

The next images are from the predominantly African American community in West Montgomery.

And these last couple are from 1048 Jazz and Blues, and Jazz Club in Montgomery.

History and Race in Alabama

2009-01-10T19:21:00.000-08:00

One of the projects I wanted to undertake through the South is on the manifestation of the history of race relations in today's 21st century, post-Obama world. I decided a few weeks ago to photograph this project in between Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, where Martin Luther King Jr. held his freedom marches and Rosa Parks sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. I began today at a few historical sites. These first two images are from The Civil Rights Memorial, which pays tribute to those who died in the struggle.

The following image was from inside the Memorial Center, where one can add his name to the Wall of Tolerance and pledge to fight for justice.

Reverend Robert Graetz and his wife look at the piece commemorating his contribution to the Civil Rights Movement inside the Rosa Parks Museum. Graetz worked with MLK Jr. and Parks during their struggle, and the KKK twice bombed his house. I will be visiting him at his house for a full interview and photo session.

This following image is what I will be looking for in the coming days. While it is important to include the historical sites in this story, the strongest images will come out of exploring everyday life and people throughout the area. Jarrett Truss (left), 10, of Montgomery, takes a break from skateboarding as Chandler Truss, 9, of Deatsville, skates by at the Montgomery Skate Park.

On The Road Again...

2009-01-08T18:14:00.000-08:00

I have officially left Pittsburgh, and want to thank all the great people and photographers I met during my 6 months working in the city. It was truly a great experience. The following image was my last one taken in the city, at the airport on my way back from NYC.

My first stop was 500 miles away, in Bowling Green, KY. I met an Abraham Lincoln impersonator there and photographed him with a portrait of his Russian immigrant wife. Who knows what characters the next days travels will bring?

Hard times

2008-12-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

This holiday season has not been the brightest for many. The following are some images from the food bank,which is thousands of pounds under its quota of food, and from holiday shoppers. I also created a short multimedia piece on shopping in a recession here.

Party time in Lawrenceville

2008-12-13T15:02:00.000-08:00

All around once again...

2008-12-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

All Around...

2008-11-14T18:27:00.000-08:00

Election Day!

2008-11-05T17:44:00.000-08:00

Hillary Clinton

2008-11-03T09:21:00.001-08:00

Bill Clinton Multimedia Piece

2008-10-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

click here...

Handicapped Hunter Tom Sray

2008-10-29T07:25:00.000-07:00

Some Street Photos From NYC

2008-10-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

there's nothing like the smell of those subways

Base Jumpers in West Virginia

2008-10-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

And check out the multimedia piece here

Michelle Obama in Pittsburgh

2008-10-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

here is a multimedia piece with photos I took, produced by Joe Appel, a photographer at the Trib, on Michelle Obama's visit to Pittsburgh.

Story from the Eddie Adams Workshop!

2008-10-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

The Eddie Adams Workshop was probably the most important weekend in my photographic life. Everyone involved was passionate, intelligent, and caring of the students honored to be picked for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Here is the story I shot, which focused on 8 month pregnant Athena Pomales, 24. This was the edit and sequence done by National Geographic's David Griffin and Gerd Ludwig.

Local band Resonance

2008-10-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

And I am off to the Eddie Adams Workshop tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Many different people and places

2008-09-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

These first two were from a shoot at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Very interesting people-

These next three are some stuff from the street-

And this one was from an Oktoberfest celebration. (I have one of those mugs, they are dangerous)

This last one was from an animal rescue, 14 dogs were seized that are suspected of being used for dogfighting

Local Musician Tim Amos

2008-09-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

Pittsburgh at night

2008-09-14T22:01:00.001-07:00

2008-09-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

Michael Neal, the funeral director for William G. Neal Funeral Homes, kisses his wife Sherrie, outside their funeral home in Washington. Neal helped work on the new Cancer Drug Repository Bill, which will become state law next year. His wife has stage 4 neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer and had to change prescriptions after a $16,000 dose of medicine arrived at their home.

Polar Opposites, FBI Special Agent and Art Gallery Owner

2008-09-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

around town

2008-09-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

Obama rally in Homewood

2008-09-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Timmy and his dog, carpenter school, and a Reverend

2008-08-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Military Training and community fair...

2008-08-23T15:35:00.000-07:00

FC Robert Koczan shows U.S. Army Reserves with the 339th Combat Support Hospital how to properly perform a needle decompression at a Combat Life Saver course at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Coraopolis. A needle decompression is performed when a victim receives chest trauma and air rushes in and cannot escape, making breathing difficult and shifting the lungs and heart. Capt. Carl Kusbit, who recently returned home from Iraq, said, "Once I got into Iraq it really struck home, this CLS class becomes extremely important, when a medic goes down, you could be called upon to save a buddies’ life.

These next few are from a community fair. I know I sound like a broken record, but I feel it is so important to shoot using your vision, even if a newspaper would never use it. After all, the personal vision is what has the most influence in all spheres of culture, not just art.

on the street...

2008-08-22T20:10:00.000-07:00

This stuff is too much fun... i am particularly fond of this first one, i feel the i pod, cigarette, tie, and stark contrast say a lot. I also like the image of the little hat lady in the midst of all the chinese sauces. This area is called the strip district, and it is about as multicultural as Pittsburgh gets.

EMT, chef, and the park...

2008-08-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

The Call, Washington D.C.

2008-08-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

An estimated 50,000 people gathered on the National Mall in Washington D.C. for The Call, A twelve hour Christian gathering focused on prayer and fasting. Organizers were calling for the ending abortion, homosexuality, and pornography in America. (Sean Donnelly/Tribune-Review)

Somali video piece online...

2008-08-15T07:19:00.001-07:00

check it out here...

2 days with McCain

2008-08-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

I followed McCain for two days throughout PA, one of the most important states in the election. Obama has an 8 point lead in the state, and will have a lot of trouble winning the election without winning PA. The amount of image control the campaign is exercising makes these shoots very hard. They tell you where to stand and when to shoot, so it is hard to be creative. This is all a tool of image control, so only the images they want the public to see are created (in front of flags, with the working people.) It is especially hard to get something different, I really like the wink shot and the handshake below. It is also hard to not reference Christopher Morris' work on political campaigns, who photographed this type of control in a subjective and conceptual way.

East African Immigrants

2008-08-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots from a new project on East African Immigrants living in Pittsburgh. Most are from Somalia and fled the 16 year civil war there. I am trying to focus the project on the idea of home, and how it is created in a new place. This project will also utilize a lot of video.

Young Marine Multimedia Piece!!!!

2008-08-08T23:31:00.000-07:00

click here...

Young Marines at home

2008-08-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

these are portraits of children involved in the Young Marines program, and I have been photographing the kids without the uniform in their home environment to get a different perspective.

randoms

2008-08-02T09:38:00.000-07:00

Young Marines

2008-07-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

Multimedia piece on Engine company 8 now live...

2008-07-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

here...

click on the multimedia section to the right

Funeral for Kia Johnson, victim in the baby snatching case

2008-07-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

24 hours with Engine Company 8

2008-07-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

Vigil for Kia Johnson

2008-07-23T18:59:00.001-07:00

Tonight I photographed a vigil for the woman who was murdered last friday Hopefully the Wilkinsburg community can find something positive in the face of this disgusting crime.

Pittsburgh Triathlon

2008-07-20T16:20:00.001-07:00

These guys are tough. 1.5K swim, 20K bike ride, and 10K run. The winner was 50 years old! now I feel like a wimp because I only swim a 1/2 mile...

Young Marines

2008-07-19T15:18:00.001-07:00

more to come...

Murder in Pittsburgh

2008-07-19T07:12:00.000-07:00

A woman came into a Pittsburgh hospital with a baby, claiming she had birthed it at her apartment. Doctors quickly realized the baby was not hers. Police were called and she said she had paid $1,000 for the baby. Back at her apartment, a body was found, bound with duct tape.

Da nananananananaanana BATMAN!

2008-07-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hello,

So we were aiming to write an article on a batman fan with the movie coming out, so a writer at the paper and I headed over to a screening of the film to find some subjects. Not only did we get to see the movie on imax in press seats, we found this character as well-

I prompted him to get on the roof, and he was loving every minute of it. hahaha.

These street shots around the city are from yesterday. When there isn't a lot of assignments, we are prompted to go out and shoot feature photos, which for me means going out and doing what I usually do, and shoot street photos-

Story on the blind

2008-07-14T13:01:00.001-07:00

Today I shot a very interesting story on a center for the blind. The main focus was on the use of GPS technology to help patients "see" their surroundings. The GPS transmits information such as stores, crosswalks, and streets, and can either transmit them as an audio track or braille. They also have a youth facility that I think could be interesting for a longer feature.

Young Marines in PA, bikers

2008-07-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

Today I had my first shoot with a local Pittsburgh young marines unit. They were volunteering at a bike and car show honoring marines killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. I really like this first portrait, I think it gets at what I am trying to say without being to obvious about it. I look forward to getting to know these kids and their families in the future.

Portraits oh Portraits!

2008-07-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

Small Town U.S.A./ Local Artist

2008-07-10T12:54:00.001-07:00

Hi,

So we have been doing an ongoing feature on Small Town USA, and have been covering this town called Haysville, which as a population of 78. The city council meetings are held in the president's living room. I thought it was an interesting scene, especially the two people on the couch. Next I had to profile a local artist named Michelle Greggio, who did the layout and installation of a local show. The story was for an ongoing feature called "On the Job" where we do a multimedia piece on interesting careers. The interview went well and the piece will be up in a week or so.

Baby Tiger at the zoo and politicos

2008-07-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

and thanks for the birthday wishes! Today I photographed a baby tiger and took the opportunity to take some shots at the zoo for myself. If you haven't seen Gary Winograd's work on the zoo, go google it now! I then had to shoot a standard press event downtown that isn't worth posting but I thought I would show some shots I took around downtown on my way to the assignment.

First day of work!

2008-07-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

So I had my first day at my internship today, it went really well. I hung out with staff photographer Justin Merriman, who just returned from covering the conflicts in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He was very helpful and supportive. I had 2 assignments, one was a portrait of a local councilman, and the other was a simple weather shot.

Chester, West Virginia, and...I made it!!

2008-07-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent the day in Chester, West Virginia, where I photographed a JROTC unit in the town's 4th of July parade. This experience was by far the most extreme culture shock I experienced on my trip. This was classic small town culture in the hills of West Virginia. The disastrous effects of the outsourcing of the steel industry were quite apparent, and the poverty was quite intense. It was a part of America i knew existed but had never seen with my own eyes and I suggest everyone experiences it to gain a deeper understanding of our country. The couple in the 4th image were my neighbors in the motel I stayed at, and I ended up talking to them for more than 2 hours. They were quite sweet and had traveled most most of the U.S. They even used to be carneys! The last 2 were from the fireworks that night. I decided to give them a b and w film quality to them to do something different. Pittsburgh seems really cool, it has a Brooklyn/Oakland vibe to it and I look forward to getting into some stories here.

Red, White and Boom in Columbus, OH

2008-07-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

Today I photographed a July 4th celebration in Columbus, OH called Red, White, and Boom. While Columbus is one of the largest cities in the U.S., it was interesting to see the mix of people who came for the parade, many who seemed to be much more country. The last few shots are from the parade, and the top few are from the firework celebration, which was quite spectacular. I really liked the shot of the ex-prisoner of war looking on the Ohio National Guard band.

Out of Kansas (thank god) into Missouri

2008-07-02T18:16:00.000-07:00

I made it through the rest of Kansas, but not before being tailed by another cop. I guess Toyota Camry's are the new drug trafficking car of choice. I thought it was a Prius( Weeds anyone)? I then settled for the day in St. Charles, Missouri, which was green and quiet. I took these shots by the river, there are definitely some Stand By Me moments in there.

I HAVE A OFFICIALLY ENTERED MIDDLE AMERICA

2008-06-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Halfway through my trip through Kansas, I was pulled over. Apparently my California license plate is suspicious, and the state trooper thought I was a drug trafficker and searched my car, bags, and even under the car! I made it out alive though, thank god I cut off the Jew fro!

Young Marines- At home shoot 6/29/08

2008-06-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

Today I had three shoots at the homes of 5 Young Marines. I think it is important to show the personal and family life of these teens/kids as well as the training in the actual program. The first one is of two brothers whose father had two tours in Iraq. The second and third ones are of a brother and sister whose eldest sibling is in the navy. The fourth one is of an eight year old, Connor, and his parents. The posed portrait has never been my strength, but I feel I am getting better at it and start to enjoy it more, especially as I am more influenced by artists such as Larry Sultan and Reneke Dijkstra.

6/28/08- Douglas County Young Marines Shoot

2008-06-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

So today I photographed a local Young Marines unit in Parker, CO. It was great to get a more suburban setting for the subject as compared to my previous, more urban coverage. I also haven't extensively shot the subject since my digital transition, and it was really interesting to see the difference in my style over time. I also shot posed, up close Thomas Ruff style portraits using a reflector. I also got a good amount of audio and will be doing some home interviews tomorrow.

Day 3- 6/27/08

2008-06-27T21:58:00.000-07:00

So no car problems today. I drove across CO and saw some great views of mountains. There was even still some snow! It is quite interesting to see other states in comparison to CA. So much of our state is developed, where places like this go undeveloped for miles. I'll be in Parker, CO to photograph a young marines unit for a couple days(for my long term project). Parker is classic suburbia. I can't imagine anything here that was built more than 10 years ago.

Day 2- 6/26/08

2008-06-27T21:42:00.000-07:00

So I had a little hitch in my trip- check this out-

My brand new tires turned out to be not so great. Good news is I got back on the road in a couple of hours and got these shots at this scenic view in Utah. The first shot is of a man on his way to S. Carolina with his family. Then a bus of tourists got came by. I took some shots of them and then got one of me with the group( I'm in the middle.) I then settled in Grand Junction, CO for the night-

So I started! Day 1 6/25/08

2008-06-27T21:18:00.000-07:00

I left L.A. 2 days ago on the 25th on my way to Pittsburgh for my internship. My first stop was in Las Vegas, where it was ocver 100 degrees. I picked up some interesting shots-

I then made my way to my first stop, St. George, UT. Nice orange cliffs, but not much to do.

This first one was of some mothers having a fast food dinner in the park. Very American. Next is in a pizza diner.