From Photos to Cartoons: Journalism/Documentary Takes New Form

Looking through a recent issue of Vermont's 7Days weekly newspaper, I was delighted to see one of my communities favorite publications embrace a different form of storytelling and communication. In a decidedly novel approach, the 7Days staff created a "cartoon issue" that utilized visual storytelling to communicate on everything from music reviews, local politics, and human rights. Needless to say, I took notes on how the cartoonists assembled their compositions, panels, and layouts. I took notes on pretty much every impressive thing they did (of which there were many).
Paging through the issue I noticed this story on my friend Danilo Lopez.

Reading through the panels I noticed something familiar. The second panel of the second row, depicts Danilo being loaded into a Border Patrol vehicle during the very incident that I made this image:

More than anything, I want to express my creative delight at seeing one of my images potentially being used as a jumping off point for more impactful and graceful storytelling about issues that hold vital significance to the community. Well done Andy Bromage (who was also present during the incident), Jen Sorensen, and everyone else who contributed to this tremendously successful marriage of journalism and visual storytelling.

Best,

Dylan Kelley


For more work by Dylan Kelley visit his website, Facebook page, column at Vermont Commons, and follow Dylan on Twitter via @LivefromGround.

Portrait of Vermont Human Rights Hero, Danilo Lopez

Those of you who religiously follow my work (haha) will no doubt remember a series of photographs from a couple years ago regarding two undocumented workers who were unlawfully arrested and detained.

Though that particular incident managed to resolve itself (and be transformed into a major human rights victory for Vermont's migrant worker population), one individual at the center of that controversy remains in jeopardy of deportation. Named a "Human Rights Hero" by the Vermont Workers' Center, Danilo Lopez has been a tireless advocate for immigration reform and human rights across the Green Mountain State. Working with his organization Migrant Justice, Danilo has helped migrant workers achieve safer work conditions, fair labor practices, housing, access to healthcare, and (most recently) the ability to attain critical Driver's Licenses in the Green Mountain State.

However, Danilo is scheduled to be deported on July 5th. Follow this link to a petition and join thousands from across the nation (including Vermont's congressional delegation) to call on ICE to halt deportation proceedings immediately.

Best,
Dylan

Danilo Lopez

Human Rights Hero