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Public Schools The Gund project was wonderful to do. It was wonderful because I was ready for it since I was already engaged in photographing school children in Hazleton, PA, my hometown. I was already thoroughly involved with relating to children and hoping that photographing them would tell their stories. The fact that Mr. Schwartz had established all the permissions to make pictures made my presence as a photographer (for me) a relative breeze in the classroom. Many students actively pursued being photographed. Kids would pass me notes in the hall as classes changed, telling me where I could find them to make their picture. In the Hazleton public schools, where I worked for three years, not a single student ever asked in any way for me to make their picture. Maybe kids in large cities are more aware of the idea of being depicted or are more aggressive in asking for what they want. I have no idea why they were so enthusiastic, but it was wonderful. I could absolutely not have done this work without the able and friendly help of Justus Cotterill, who was my assistant. I could never have managed all the equipment and lighting and obtaining of model releases. Because of Justus, I could devote myself to picture making. He was also patient and even-tempered, expressing two qualities I totally lack. There were so many opportunities to make pictures, we would run completely out of film and be exhausted from shooting long before any school day had ended. Sometimes I would enter a class and pick out the kids I thought most needed to be photographed. Sometimes it would extend to photographing everyone in the class. The teacher would have to stand by while the class schedule disintegrated. Some were able to carry on a class and have me disrupt it at the same time. Their generosity was contagious. The kids could give freely of themselves and I could capture their beauty or honor their hearts.
About Judith Joy Ross Judith Joy Ross has created a unique body of portraits using traditional photographic tools and subject matter. With her old-fashioned 8x10-inch view camera mounted on a tripod, she directly confronts her sitters, whether they are children or members of Congress. Ross has an uncanny ability to capture the humanity and vulnerability of her subjects.
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