Through the Eyes of Charles Ommanney

• About his choice of subjects and stories :
  "In the past 10 years my magazine has had me assigned to the White House and the politics of Washington DC so naturally I have had to change my way of thinking – being part of a pack, men in suits, masses of waiting for short bursts of energy, rope lines and the control factor etc etc but still the same motivating force stands true for me as it was 'being free' roaming the world in the 90's. Just a fascination with human nature."
  
  White House News Photographers Association "The Eyes of History 2009"
  Inauguration 2009, Editorial, Award of Excellence
  Former President George W. Bush waves goodbye to the new First Family as he departs the Capital after President Barack Obama was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president of the United States on the West Front of the Capitol on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States.
  
  
  

  Charles Ommanney, Getty Images

• How did your recent shoot with Elliot Spitzer happen?
  "Newsweek assigned me to shoot Spitzer as I had photographed him years ago and they thought this fact might get us a little more time. Well it didn't – I had 12 minutes with him start to finish."
  
  Former New York Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer works at the family firm started by his father Bernard Spitzer on 5th Avenue and goes about his business on the streets of New York on April 10, 2009 in New York, NY. On March 10, 2008, The New York Times reported that Spitzer was a client of a prostitution ring under investigation by the federal government. Two days later, he announced his resignation as governor of New York, effective March 17, citing "private failings"
  
  
  

  Charles Ommanney, Getty Images

• About creating Images:
  "Newsweek gave me the privilege to enter all types of people's lives for short periods of time and take a little part of them away with me. One only hopes that you give back to them in some sort of way. It can be a beautiful partnership."
  
  White House News Photographers Association "The Eyes of History 2009"
  Inauguration 2009, Editorial, Award of Excellence
  In a holding room at the Capital Barack H. Obama has a moment alone to gather his thoughts before he is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president of the United States on the West Front of the Capitol on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States.
  
  
  

  Charles Ommanney, Getty Images

• On Barack Obama as a subject :
  "Barack Obama has been a 'good' subject. I first got to know him back in 2003 when we did a "People to Watch" cover story and I think that mixed with knowing a lot of his staff from the Kerry campaigns of 2004 helped me to get inside his 2008 campaign for the presidency. I worked my contacts hard on this story. As to getting 'historical' pictures of the man – its 80 percent about knowing the person on the door and 20 percent technical skill!"
  
  Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), his wife Michelle and two daughters Sasha (6) and Malia (9) play cards in their RV, July 4, 2007 on a campaign swing between Oskaloosa and Pella, Iowa. The U.S. senator from Illinois, who is on a two-day campaign swing through Iowa, recently announced that his campaign had raised $32.5 million in the second quarter, outpacing rival Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), who pulled in $20 million.
  
  
  

  Charles Ommanney, Getty Images

• What are some of your biggest challenges when you are on an assignment? What helps you overcome them?
  "Hitting the ground running is not as easy as it used to be! I am 43 now and sometimes I wonder how long I will be able to physically keep this up."
  
  Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) backstage with his children Malia and Sasha before speaking at a campaign rally at Parkview High School November 1, 2008 in Springfield, Missouri. Obama continues to campaign against Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as Election Day draws near.
  
  
  

  Charles Ommanney, Getty Images

• "As an example, next week I am hold to go to the Middle East and 15 hours to Kuwait followed by 5 very intense shooting days with no excuses for jet lag can be daunting! You have to really love this gig when you have children at home asking how long your going to be."
  
  Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) backstage before speaking at a campaign event at Mack's Apples October 16, 2008 in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Obama continues to campaign as Election Day begins to draw near as he runs against his Republican challenger, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
  
  
  

  Charles Ommanney, Getty Images

• On the use of B&W images as opposed to color images :
  "Both have their place. Newsweek generally prefers color but I always try and sneak a few BW images in there."
  
  Behind the scenes Senator Joe Biden gives Barack H. Obama some last minute advice before he is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president of the United States on the West Front of the Capitol on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States.
  
  
  

  Charles Ommanney, Getty Images

• "I think one has to be careful with the use of black and white because it always just looks more dramatic. The temptation to convert a not so strong photograph to make it more dramatic is not one of the healthier aspects of Photoshop."
  
  President Bush vacations on his ranch on August 24, 2007 in Crawford, Texas. 'Trailblazer' is the code name the US secret service use for George Bush. When seen on his Prairie Chapel Ranch just outside the small town of Crawford, the term "Trailblazer" seems very fitting. An avid fitness enthusiast Bush starts the day fishing for Perch on his pond at 6am. This is closely followed by his morning briefing where he is joined via teleconferencing by VP Cheney and members of his National Security team. The day continues as Bush rides his mountain bike on trails he has hand built around his 1600 acre ranch. After lunch and with the afternoon heat rising to over 100 degrees President Bush gathers senior staff and the most hardy of his secret service Protective detail for a afternoon of cutting cedar out on the wilds of his ranch. This is hard work and the President delights in watching as his team members wilt in the August sun.
  
  
  

  Charles Ommanney, Getty Images

• About upcoming projects :
  "On hold to go to Iraq next week for Newsweek. Working on an enviromental story for Rolling Stone and travelling to Spain to shoot the Spanish president (behind the scenes) for Vanity Fair."
  
  White House News Photographers Association "The Eyes of History 2009"
  Campaign 2008, Editorial, 1st Place
  Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks during a campaign rally at Veterans Memorial Arena November 3, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida. Obama campaigns on the eve of election day with the polls still showing he leads in the race against the Republican presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
  
  
  

  Charles Ommanney, Getty Images

• Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain (R-AZ) boards his campaign plane as he heads to the Republican National Convention September 3, 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio. McCain is campaigning before heading to the Republican National Convention.
  
  
  

  Charles Ommanney, Getty Images