On a related note, I let WHYY, the local Philly NPR station, use a few pictures to illustrate a great radio piece on unique polling places here in Philly by reporter Kerry Grens.

And get out there and vote people. Google has an awesome polling place search function set up. So no excuses!

My friend and talented photographer Matt Ratajczak just posted a Q&A with me on his must-follow blog, Eat the Darkness. The interview was on the topic of my “Behind the Curtain” polling place project. Matt asked some great questions about the project’s process  and also motivating to work on personal projects. Be fore-warned though…apparently I am a bit long-winded. It’s long. So pull on your Snuggie, pour yourself a glass (or three) of Cabernet and dig in:

http://eatthedarkness.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/behind-the-curtain-an-interview-with-ryan-donnell/

(For the geeks out there, it’s a 12″ x 12″ Chinle Ice portfolio by Moab and Case Envy. The prints were printed on an Epson 3880 on pre-drilled Moab Lasal Matte paper.)

Here’s a little sneak peek:

Thanks to Robert West, of Walker Lundee fame, for the music. Have a great weekend.

I just learned yesterday that this little project was awarded an honorable mention in the 2009 Altpick Awards. Yay! Thanks to all the people who allowed me to photograph them over the few days that I was there. And to all the wonderful judges.

Here are a few images from that little project:

Went out with my lovely wife while she did some reporting and made a few new images for my Polling Place Project. Unfortunately, my Hasselblad is on bed rest right now after a frightful accident and it couldn’t come off the bench in time for this election cycle, so I’m testing a new digital technique to create these images. Check them out.

Bakery. Far Northeast.

Golf Course Pro Shop. Roxbourough.

Funeral Home. Far Northeast.

Bowling Alley Party Room, Catholic Church. South Philadelphia.

Enjoy the holiday!

8-year-old twins birthday party. Elmwood Roller Rink. Philadelphia.

This is the first shoot from a new personal project that I’ve started here in Philadelphia. I first stumbled upon this place while was working on my Behind the Curtain project on weird polling places in Philly. It’s a weird polling place.

I have no idea what the project is about yet, other than a chance for me to meet some good people and document a place that has played an important role in some people’s life for close to 50+ years here in Philadelphia. And it also afforded me the chance to break out the trusted 501 CM. I love that thing.

We’ll see where all this goes….

I received word yesterday that two images from my “Behind the Curtain” project on weird Philly polling stations were given a “Chosen” honor from American Photography. From the notice:

“While your image will not appear in the book, it was one of only 171 images from a record-breaking 10,100 submitted to receive at least 2 votes and is therefore eligible to appear permanently on our website…”

So, while not the highest honor they give, I’ll take it. It’s my second year being included, though I got two images in this year, as opposed to one last year.

As for next year, I’m hoping they add new categories as opposed to just “Selected” and “Chosen”. My suggestions would be “Picked”, “Preferred”, “Tagged”, “Got the Nod”, “Pegged” … you get the gist.