June 29 2023

Thank you for being super fans. Seriously I can always count on you. Unfortunately, my grand plan for a hands-on four-day photo experience has not gone as I had envisioned. The short marketing and promotion runway, the location, and the price were too soon, and that's how it goes. However, there is a kernel of a good idea here, and I had an epiphany that may be better than the grand idea. This is what Duane originally wanted to do, and so it goes. 

Duane wants to do a more intimate one-day event - see below. The plan was to have a select group of paying participants offset the cost of a small group of scholarship-free participants. We want you to join in as our guests. It will be a small group with a master photographer. It doesn't get much better than this in Pittsburgh. 

This new version of the Duane Michals Photo Experience in McKeesport is free to you as part of our scholarship series.  

Originally planned as a four-day hands-on photography workshop - we have adapted it to a one + day photo experience. There will be a Duane Michals PICTURE THIS Presentation at The McKeesport Heritage Center at 1832 Arboretum Drive McKeesport, PA 15132, on Friday, July 14, 6:30 - 8:00 pm. We hope you can join us there and bring along some friends.

Saturday, July 15, we plan to meet at 9:30 am at the Tube City Center -

the old DAILY NEWS Building located at 404 Walnut St, McKeesport, PA 15132.

There is parking and PRT Bus Service 55,56,59,& 60. See prt.org for details.

We will discuss Duane's work and his lesson plan for the day.

We want everyone to assemble five to ten images of your photographs as jpegs suitable for projecting 1920 pixels on the long side. You can send them to me at RK@richardkelly.com so I can queue them up beforehand—

coffee and pastries provided by our producing partner Silver Lake Films. Please let me know if you have any caffeine or beverage requests or allergies.  We are also planning for a box or bag lunch.

For this experience, Duane and I are most interested in the ideas and simple execution of photographs and less in the technical aspects of what camera or lens you choose or how you plan to make the photographs. Everything from smartphones to 8x10 film cameras is acceptable. Whatever you feel most comfortable using for the afternoon. 

Note I plan to have a follow-up in person or Zoom event in August to look at the work Duane and all of us produce. 

The theme, as outlined by Duane, the film he plans to call "The Sir Omelet of Elsinore". It's a prelude to Hamlet. Buckle up for whatever that might look like - truly a Duane Michals Experience. Literally a work in progress - Omelets, Hamlet, Short Order Cooks, an army and three clowns have been mentioned. This may change until we go home at the end of Saturday. Creativity is about novelty and innovation.
With Duane, I have learned to go with the flow. The location is a former factory called the Carrie Furnaces in Rankin, part of the portfolio of Rivers of Steel. We are guests at this historic industrial site, and if you are new to this site, be prepared for incredible visual stimulation. I have been to the Furnaces several times and experienced something new every time. 

The weather in Pittsburgh can be pretty unpredictable in July. It might rain.

I still need to outline a rain plan; meanwhile, I will rely on our local friends for alternative suggestions I am actively working on this.

Fingers crossed, we have a beautiful summer afternoon. As innovative photographers, we will carry water and sunscreen; we may be wearing safety vests and hard hats, at the very minimum, any hat to shield the sun. Good shoes, not sandals nor anything that isn't a shoe; I wear leather boots like my father wore to the mill. Hand wipes are recommended. It is a former factory site, and it is dirty. Also, when working on location, my philosophy is to take out whatever I bring and treat the space as you would your sacred home. We are scheduled to be at Carrie Furnaces from 1–4 pm. A tour group will be on site until around 2:00, which we can work around.

Duane's concept is to have all of us participate in a movie he wants to make and for all of us to create pictures telling our own story - he will explain more that morning. In addition to Duane's movie, and if you have yet to see them, https://vimeo.com/duanemichals and you might consider following him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theduanemichals/. He creates a new project each week.

Stephen Seliy, One of our Producers, is also shooting a documentary of this workshop to be integrated into a larger project. 

We hope you will join this visual adventure with us. 

This is a production of the Richard Kelly Experience.

If your schedule does not allow you to join us on July 15, please let me know as soon as possible, as we have people on the waiting list. 

Thank you and make pictures - every day. 

Richard

My name is Kyle Nelson, I’m the head sports photographer for the McKeesport Tigers, and a Freelancer for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. I had gotten into Photography with serious intentions while  in the midst of the pandemic. Over that time, I had shot animals, buildings, business people, athletes and even congregational bodies within the church. But I possess a passion for capturing sports, primarily Football and Basketball. 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057425423310

This sounds like a great opportunity and experience that I would love to be a part of. 

My name is Ishara Henry and I'm a transplant out of Ohio. I've been working and living out of McKees Rocks for a little less than 2 years. Photography is my comfort zone and where a lot of my passion lies but I also do videography/cinematography and digital design so I identify as a visual artist.  A lot of my creative practices center around mental health awareness. I've also been exploring some I enjoy most creative types of digital photography, landscape, still life, portrait s, but professionally I primarily capture events. When I'm not behind the camera or in front of a computer screen, I'm planning community events, mentoring, and being a boy mom.

I look forward to meeting and connecting with everyone on  Saturday morning. I may have missed it in the email but is there an estimated end time for the day on Saturday?

Thanks,
Ishara Henry

Hi everyone, 

I'm absolutely thrilled about this opportunity and am so grateful to be able to attend. Duane Michals was THE artist who "gave me permission" to be the vulnerable and confused storyteller I am today. I think learning about Duane's work was most pivotal as it taught me to embrace the concept of mixing mediums to get my feelings across.

Richard has done his part, too, of course, as an early photo mentor. I cant wait to learn from everyone else involved, too!

I'm Kelly Lanzendorfer, born and raised western PA gal. I've been in Pittsburgh for around 15 years and still get McKeesport and McKee's Rocks mixed up, but dont tell Duane that. 

I'm a film photographer and I run a small business in Wilkinsburg providing film education and film developing, etc. I'd say the majority of my time is spent oscillating between being a mentor for other photographers, and then trying to give myself pep talks to make work of my own. I hope this event can light a fire for my creative side. 

Personal (and outdated) work: https://cargocollective.com/kellylanzendorfer

Eastern Standard Photo: https://www.easternstandardphoto.com

See you all soon!

My name is Carlin Whalen and I'm attending Penn State as a journalism major. My one professor, Rosemary Martinelli, sent me a link to look into attending this photo experience with Duane Michals. 

I look forward to using everything I learn in this workshop in the future.

My name is Ka’Ori Frazier Sayles and I am a photography major and student at point Park university. 

I live in McKeesport, Pa and as a kid I’ve always enjoyed taking photos. Nature shots are like a specialty of mines but, I would love to get better with portrait and still photography. My favorite subjects mostly deals with the arts. I also have some experience with doing film alongside photography.

My name is David Merrit.  I am retired.  I am a hobbyist photographer.  I mostly take photographs for personal enjoyment.  While I have not been to Carrie Furnace, I have been to other eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania sites that are similar with small groups.  I look forward to seeing how far my comfort zone expands with this opportunity.

Hi everyone!

Super excited for this opportunity and thank you to Helen and Leo from Silver Eye for connecting me. My name is Karen Lue and I work primarily in analog photography. My current work is focused on large format self portraiture and how different intersecting identities influence depiction of the body. You can see some of my work on my website https://karenlue.com/

I am excited to meet and work with you all!

Karen Lue (she/her)

Vickie Babyak and I am honored and excited for this opportunity. I’m not sure who recommended me for these wonderful series of events with Duane Michals. I’m an older person and only in the past few years I began to re-explore my creative side. I’m not used to having opportunities like this so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

Vickie Babyak

Hello everyone, I should introduce myself too, as many of you do not know me. My name is Richard Kelly. I am a photographer and educator living in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. I teach at Point Park University in the Photography BFA program and spent almost 20 years teaching at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. I grew up in Beaver Falls and was fortunate to attend the Pennsylvania Governors School for the Arts in 1982. I mention this because this was when I discovered Duane Michals. Outside the darkroom and print drying room was our informal photo library. About a third of the way down the stack was a tiny square paperback photo book called Sequences - that book on that day changed how I saw photography. I learned he was from Pittsburgh and thought if he could do it, so could I. In 1988 I met Duane in New York City while working as Art Kane's assistant. We had a rental studio, and Duane rented it from time to time. Later after moving to Pittsburgh in the mid-1990s, I was re-introduced to Duane, and here we are in 2023 in his hometown doing a photo experience with all of you. I call them experiences because they have changed my life, and I hope the same for you.

Lets Make Pictures

Richard

My name is Matthew Conboy and I would like to think that I am still a
recent transplant to Pittsburgh after moving from Ohio 17 years ago.
Most recently, I taught Digital Media at Slippery Rock University and
Animation and Multimedia Design at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Some recent projects of mine include looking at the cultural landscape
of rural southeast Ohio through the lens of Skatopia; contemplating a
building in Changsha, China that has never been built; traveling to
the 23 centers of population that have been plotted at the conclusion
of every US Census; and juxtaposing the meter and rhythm of Arabic
poetry with the everchanging city and landscapes of the UAE. While I
consider myself much more of a conceptual photographer, you can also
catch me photographing in the paddock at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand
Prix, in the photo pit at Farm Aid, or in the kitchen of Butterjoint
in Oakland.

To see more of my work, please feel free to visit
www.matthewconboy.com or instagram.com/mlconboyphoto. Can't wait to
meet everyone this weekend!

I'm Carly McCoy. I'm looking forward to engaging with you all this weekend! I happen to work in marketing with Rivers of Steel, and much of my professional photography work has centered around capturing program images. However much of my personal work is travel / landscape / streetscape related. Themes usually reflect a sense of place, but also my preoccupation with light, patterns, and reflections. I sometimes like to give away my age by revealing my first camera had flash cubes, but mostly I work with digital these days.

Thanks—see you soon!

Carly. 

What a gift to have this opportunity to meet Duane and meet all of you
and see old friends.

Thanks for making this happen Richard!

My name is Annie O'Neill.  I lived in Pittsburgh for over 25 years, 13
of those were at the Post-Gazette and almost 15 were as an independent
photographer. Recently, I had an unexpected opportunity  to be on a
staff again.  So I took a position at the Cleveland Clinic in March of
2021.  It's great to tell truly moving stories with photography in a
great hospital and to work with very talented colleagues.

And no! - I'll never be a Browns fan.  LOL.

Looking forward to the weekend!

Kindly,
Annie

Hi, all.

Lindsay Surmacz here. It’s nice to virtually meet you! Yes, I am an educator and circus artist with a specialty in character, juggling, percussion, and juggling percussion (yep - I’m making it a thing:

https://www.punkpiecircus.com/

). I also have a deep background in theatre and music.

Stephen Seliy introduced me to this project rather recently and, I’ll admit, my understanding of my role in it has been a bit of a whirlwind - ha! I plan to be at Carrie Furnace a little before 1 pm tomorrow with my punk clown chic.

Mr. Kelly, I will need to take advantage of whatever blank copies of the release forms you will have on set, though. I appreciate it.

Many thanks,

Lindsay

I'm Comocrea Johnson. I live in McKeesport. I've always been interested in photography.  Mostly I took family photos of my 3 children over the years; around the house, parties and lots of soccer.  Soccer photos evolved into providing photos for the teams. During the pandemic I finally had down time and got to focus on my personal interest. Photography was at the top of my list! I joined the Mon Valley photography group and love the support and learning opportunities. Currently I work full time at a National non profit and take photos for McKeesport Athletic Department on "the side". When time allows, I particularly enjoy landscape, street and sports photography. I recently have done some travel photography abroad and senior portraits.

Sorry I'm late to the party (this weekend and photography in general, lol)!  But I'm happy to be here and am appreciating the journey!  

Good morning.

I’m Tim Kaulen, local artist and collaborator.

I’ve spent earlier years exploring the industrial sites of Pittsburgh and the Mon Valley, and have since made public art projects in the communities and former mill towns near and around Pittsburgh. I’m looking forward to meeting you all and hearing your stories today.

I may be accompanied by my teenage daughter a budding photographer and writer if this is ok with the group.

Excited to be a part of the morning.

-tk

I am a Pittsburgh photographer. I have been taking photographs my whole life. Big Duane fan. Very grateful for all the work Richard has done to make this weekend happen.

George Lange

George Lange

LANGE STUDIO

www.georgelange.com

george@langestudio.com

Hi everyone,

I'm Leo Hsu wishing you all well for your workshop weekend.  I'm the director of Silver Eye, of which Duane and Richard have both been great supporters, and I'm sorry to not be able to join you as we have our own workshops running this weekend.  You're going to have an amazing experience and I Iook forward to hearing all about it!

Thanks so much Duane and Richard for creating such a unique opportunity!  Duane, I hope you'll stop by Silver Eye some time!

all best

Leo

Helen Trompeteler

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend for this very special experience with Duane and Richard! I’m the Deputy Director of Programs at Silver Eye, working with Leo on our exhibitions and education programs. 

Looking forward to learning all about your time together! 

Take care, 

Helen