Sally Ryan Photography

Thumb-sized pinkies

2011-05-27T20:42:00.000-05:00

These one-day old mouse pups, "pinkies" as I like to call them, were used by scientists at the University of Illinois at Chicago to test the effects of bisphenol A, a chemical found in many consumer plastic products.

Animal testing in controversial and, admittedly, the animal lover in me wanted to put them in my sunglasses case and smuggle them out. I wasn't sure how I'd feel seeing them exposed to the chemical via nose drops and injection, and was a tad apprehensive before arriving at the clinic.

But I also understand that this type of research has led to drugs that improve the lives of humans. It's not for me to say what's right or wrong -- a notion I go back to again and again as a journalist.

This photo makes me smile b/c it looks like they're wrestling, and clearly the one on the bottom is not happy about the outcome.
I photographed the little fellas on a microscope, using only the light from the base of the scope as my light source.

Chrissy & Brian

2010-09-02T17:03:00.010-05:00

Chrissy & Brian got married in mid-August, and I was extremely lucky to photograph their big day. Despite a church without A/C and shooting portraits outside on a 90 degree day, it's the warm affection between Chrissy and Brian that I'll always remember. The families and the wedding party were there to celebrate a new chapter in the couples' life, and their enthusiasm was contagious. And everyone was so friendly and fun -- the dance floor was packed all night!

I spent a wonderful 11 hours with Chrissy and Brian, and the day flew by. I would have stayed longer if I didn't have another wedding to attend that night (as a guest, not a photographer). My sincerest thanks and congratulations to the newlyweds!

To view more of my wedding work, please click here.

All locations in Chicago: Elysian Hotel; St. Michael Church in Old Town; River East Arts Center

Where Isn't Obama?

2010-08-24T17:53:00.007-05:00

I'm sure it's a Chicago thing, but I've been seeing the President everywhere. He snuck up on me in the reflection on a bathroom mirror at Gallery Guichard, an art gallery in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. I was there on a shoot for the NY Times, and couldn't resist framing our president between bottles of hand soap.

Rock and/or Roll

2010-08-09T22:14:00.014-05:00

Another year, another Lollapalooza festival here in the Windy City. It's lovely that the 3-day festival is in my backyard, so to speak, and I had a blast shooting bands and fans over the weekend.

I love the camaraderie of the photographers crammed into the photo pits, bumping and jostling, but trying not to get in each other's way.

(Side note: I'd love it if photographers wouldn't cock their elbow up in the air when shooting verticals. It blocks the view of other shooters in crowded situations, and it leaves you vulnerable to being bumped and ruining a shot.)

My only regret is not being able to shoot more acts. Lolla is spread out over Grant Park on Chicago's lake front, and often times us photogs have to line up an hour or more before a big act takes the stage.

Lady Gaga

Devo

Arcade Fire

Erykah Badu

X Japan

Phoenix

Oh the humanity

Hot for Teacher

2010-08-09T16:40:00.015-05:00

Earlier this summer I drove four hours south of Chicago to Neoga, Illinois, a town of fewer than 2,000, to photograph a story for The New York Times about a former elementary school that's now home to a topless gentleman's club.

So why would the Times want to cover this story? Some residents and alumni of the school find the current use of the building offensive, and a handful of protesters sit across the road next to a small cross in silent protest to the goings on inside.

Neoga is in rural Cumberland County, where agriculture and manufacturing are the main sources of employment, and where Christianity and military service are held in high regard. Support for the military is evident in the first photo, an interior of The Depot restaurant (where waitress Michelle Porter makes the best Oreo pie I've ever tasted).

When I got the call from my editor about the story, I was told that getting photos would be tough. Articles on this story in other papers showed photos of the empty dance hall, which was once the cafeteria. The owners hadn't granted access to the dancers or club during operating hours, but I drove down there hoping my access would be better.

I arrived in the early afternoon and toured the former school with co-owner Bob Kearney, an out-of-work electrician who says he's created nearly 30 jobs by opening the club. Since the club wouldn't open for another five hours, I asked if I could return half an hour before the doors opened to talk with the dancers. Mr. Kearney was amenable, and the women were all willing to be photographed on the condition that they be identified by their stage names only.

Using aliases can be a tricky line to toe, but the editors were aware of the difficulty in gaining access and agreed to the compromise.

It was a little tricky photographing in a topless club for publication in a newspaper, but I like a challenge when I'm shooting. Knowing the limitations and overcoming them is part of the creative process, and I'm happy with the results. Enjoy.

To read Malcolm Gay's article, click here.

Stars & Stripes

2010-01-24T16:05:00.009-06:00

Hello, 2010!

I'm finally blogging again after the craziness of the holidays, and this first post of 2010 is unofficially titled Boo yah, America!

A while back I began to notice how frequently the American flag makes an appearance in my photos. These are a collection of images taken in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Texas. In some shots the flag fills the frame, while in others you really have to search for it.

Flags symbolize the commonality of a people, and represent the values and beliefs among those groups. Despite the differences that separate many Americans, this icon will always unite us.

A Night of Laughs

2009-12-20T11:20:00.008-06:00

Some outtakes from the Second City 50th anniversary in Chicago...

I rarely photograph celebrities, and I totally geeked out (on the inside) when I found myself standing next to Fred Willard, Steve Carrell, and Jim Belushi. The atmosphere between fans and the Second City alumni was informal and laid back. Chicago is so definitely not LA or NYC. Thank God.

Link to the Times story - http://tinyurl.com/ygu2ksh

Recent Chicago concerts

2009-11-25T17:31:00.005-06:00

As with most concerts, the allotted shooting time is usually 2 or 3 songs. So in addition to getting the action on stage, I always look for interesting shots of the crowd. All three shows were shot for Spin.

Devendra Banhart @ The Vic

R. Kelly @ Auditorium Theater

U2 @ Soldier Field

A hard shoot

2009-11-17T21:51:00.007-06:00

Last Saturday I photographed the funeral service for Pfc. Michael Pearson, who was killed in the shooting rampage at Ft. Hood in Texas for the New York Times. I focused on the people who didn't know the victim or his family, but still showed their support outside the funeral home in Joliet and at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

One week's work

2009-11-10T20:54:00.010-06:00

Some images from the last 7 days...

A couple kiss goodbye before starting their school day at the Calumet campus of Perspectives Charter School on Chicago's south side.

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This and the next photo are for an ad campaign for The New York Times as they expand their coverage to include more Chicago-oriented stories. Top: A sidewalk sale on Devon Avenue in my neighborhood of Rogers Park. Bottom: A shot of Wicker Park from the Damen el stop.

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This woman's personal style caught my eye while working on a story about laundromats for the Wall Street Journal. She has the sweetest, high-pitched voice, and that, combined with her coat, was like a magnet for my camera.

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These final two photos are from a shoot for the travel section of The New York Times featuring Chicago restaurants. Top: Great Lake in Andersonville...a cute, tiny little place with reportedly* amazing pizza. Bottom: Churros and Barcelona hot chocolate at Rick Bayless's newest restaurant, Xoco (pronounced show-coe).

* I say "reportedly" because I don't eat the food I photograph. I've done food photography off and on for nearly 10 years, but I never eat it as it could be viewed as unethical to accept free food. If, as a journalist, I compromise my ethics, how can I expect anyone to accept what I present as factual and not influenced by the subject, even if it's food?

That said, I love doing restaurant shoots because I can check out new places and dishes and go back later as a customer.

Remember the Alamo

2009-10-08T09:30:00.000-05:00

Another quick grab...this time of my parents in front of a painting at the Texas capital depicting the fall of the Alamo. As a native Texan, this photo makes me homesick for my family and my home state.

SR fun fact #1: I dressed up as Mexican president Santa Anna in fourth grade for a class project on Texas history. My costume consisted of my dad's navy blazer and various track and field pins and medals he won in high school.

Based on this painting of Santa Anna ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_López_de_Santa_Anna

...my costume wasn't too far off.

PS - Contrary to Pee Wee's belief, there is no basement in the Alamo.

Early bird

2009-10-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

The hours around sunrise and sunset are always the best in terms of lighting, but usually I only take advantage of the evening hours since I'm notorious for always wanting to sleep-in. A few weeks ago I had a shoot near North Avenue beach at 6:30am for Competitor magazine. This photo was a quick grab before my shoot began, and it's my favorite from the day.

I'd like to buy the world a Coke

2009-10-08T08:32:00.001-05:00

I've received a lot of great feedback from people around the country about this photo. It was shot last summer while working on a travel piece in Saugatuck, Michigan for the Times. They ran it huge across the front page of the travel section, and I'm still getting requests from people wanting to buy a print.

There's definitely a humorous element to this photo, and also a sense of innocence and ease, something I think a lot of Americans would like to recapture.

Front & back

2009-09-25T18:51:00.000-05:00

One divider, two work stations at Hartmarx clothing factory

Natty Light

2009-09-25T18:46:00.001-05:00

Ah, available light. How I love you so...

When in doubt, turn off your strobe, hold your breath and shoot.

Make yourself at home...

2009-09-20T18:26:00.000-05:00

...and welcome to my blog.

Instead of starting this thing with some witty, mind-blowing entry, I'm just going to jump in with a few pix I've recently shot.

Admitting that I occasionally shoot while driving (or at least stopped at a red light) may not be the smartest thing, but I know I'm not the only photog who does this. Er, right?

Here are a couple new pix made en route...

Kedzie Avenue, West Rogers Park, Chicago

Avoiding the sun in Los Angeles