Matt Roth » community journalism

Education Week: Safety & Restorative Practices

Matt Roth — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:48:06 +0000

City Springs School social studies teacher Nick West catches “Bobby the Beaver,” the talking piece he uses for “circle time,” Thursday, August 25, 2011. His 8th grade home room students, including Dwayne Jefferson, middle, and Jonte Parker, right, use circle time as an opportunity to interact, and discuss issues of concern.

The Baltimore City charter school has implemented several structural practices such as single gender classrooms and the Restorative Practices pedagogy.

Principal Rhonda Richetta’s idea is to create a safe and respectful culture rather than utilize traditional “crime and punishment” methods. After Restorative Practices became mandatory, the school lost a majority of their teachers. Mr. West, who just started his third year at City Springs, has the most seniority among middle school teachers.

This was one of the more interesting assignments I’ve had for Education Week. The story is about school security. But when I got to the school, I felt like security was a non-issue. I guess that means its working. Everyone was respectful towards everyone else — which is a pillar of the Restorative Practices model of education. Staff members use “affective language” when talking with students. Students were encouraged to deal their issues in “circles” rather than fighting, employing the teachers as mediators of sorts. I bet that gave the teachers a super-strong connection to their kids.

Something’s working at this place. I’ve never met more polite middle schoolers. And it’s not like this school is full of hand picked genius/polite students. City Springs is an inner city Baltimore neighborhood school. It’s not the worst neighborhood, but it’s comprised of three housing projects and 99% of the student body receives free lunches.

I got the impression that school was, ironically, a source of calm for most of these kids. Everything’s structured. — even their locker breaks. I guess that makes sense because when I was in school, locker breaks were when most of the fighting happened. And most importantly, the kids are learning! The teachers have the time to finish lessons.

“I don’t really use it that often.” says City Springs School Principal Rhonda Richetta talking about her security system. “It’s not this security system that has changed the climate in my school. It’s the Restorative Practices.” When she first started as principal she remembers having to break up fights 5 or 6 times a day. She wanted to change the school’s culture rather than beef up the security measures. She now finds that she has to rely less on the school’s security camera system set up in her office, and has fostered a respectful culture between students and faculty.

Faculty did leave, however. After Restorative Practices became mandatory the school lost the majority of their teachers because, according to Richetta, they didn’t want to change how they taught.

From what I understand, a major critique of this approach to teaching is that it doesn’t allow for educator creativity. Almost everything is structured and scripted. But when your students live in poverty, I wonder how much structure and respect a lot of them are getting when they’re not in school.

When installing new security cameras Richetta chose small cameras to not foster a an over securitized ambiance.

Eighth-graders in Tracy Hauser’s home room Brittany Carter, left, and Tyveona James, right, join hands with classmates during “circle time.”

Alex Price Soccer Player of the Year

Matt Roth — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:00:40 +0000

Marriotts Ridge center midfielder Alex Price led the Mustangs to a 13-3-3 record and the girls soccer team’s first county championship.

Here’s the corresponding Howard County Time Article.

I couldn’t have asked for a better sky that day. …the temperature could’ve been better, though. If I remember correctly, it was hovering around 20-ish degrees, plus wind.

The Marriotts Ridge baseball field was going under some renovation, so rather than take Alex to the stadium (where all those gross white banners live in the background) I put her on top of the mound closest to the backstop.

…that way when she kicked the ball it didn’t go too far.

For all you gear heads out there, I used two Alien Bee 1600′s, both unmodified, at max power, powered by the vagabond II (love that thing) flanking her at the 9 o’clock and 4 o’clock position. I also used an sb-800, on the right, to light the ball.

Same Set up, sans the sb-800.

For Howard Magazine: Best Cobbler

Matt Roth — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:52:35 +0000

Yup! they still exist. Cobblers will fix your shoes.

Estefan Karan works at King’s Cobbler in Columbia, voted Best shoe repair for Howard Magazine 2010. Don’t ya just love the textures of all those machines?

You know how an amazing experience can make you think a photo is better than it actually is?

Well, the opposite can be true.

I’m not gonna go into too much detail, but due to language barriers and miscommunications, I left this shoot in a pretty bad mood.

In most respects, I should think this photo is pretty nice. The texture is pretty. The lighting is nice, yet unobtrusive, Estefan, looks like a charming old man — the kinda guy you want fixing your shoes. (And he is. He’s really good, and very fast.) I received a bunch of compliments on this shot (above) when it ran — and it ran big, too. But I couldn’t hear it.

Why? Because I had such a bad experience during the shoot, I discounted how nice it actually is.

I think have whatever the photo equivalent is to body dimorphic disorder — at least with these photos.

I’m getting over it.

Writing this post has helped me separate the experience and the photo.

My Best “Runts” of 2010 pt. 3

Matt Roth — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:57:51 +0000

Why oh why do I love this picture?

Everything about this shoot makes me roll my eyes. First of all, I’m breaking one of my cardinal rules! I HATE HATE HATE making portraits of people holding books, or whatever it is the writer decides the story is also about. So, I don’t do it. If I can make a book or a photograph, or whatever the subject made into a detail photo, that’s what I’m gonna do. — especially with authors. It’ll probably help the layout, and add an extra “click” to the website. This woman, however, is a faux finisher. Rita Melnick’s is a featured artists in the resource book “Modelo by Design, Volume 2,” — which is what she’s holding — and that’s pretty much what the article was about. Ugh! This newspaper article reads like a website bio. I could talk at length about how this assignment isn’t really journalism, but I think y’all are smart enough to figure that out.

So, why in the world do I love this image? Well, on the one sense, Rita was super pleasant to deal with, and got what I was going for. She was up for anything. …and why wouldn’t she be? We’re giving her faux finishing business free advertising! But this image (not unlike the article) is just ridiculous, isn’t it? I could try to make a heady analogy about faux paint/fake news/faked enthusiasm blah blah blah.

…but the fact is, every time I look at it I chuckle.

I get something out of it.

And hopefully the readers do too.

when I see this I think… POLITICAL CENTAUR!

@lopossay

Scott McIntyre

My Best “Runts” of 2010 pt. 2

Matt Roth — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:32:46 +0000

The world is funny, isn’t it?

Or at lest that how it seems to me. …but then again, I’m the guy who laughs too much during movies.

This is the second installment of my Best Runts of 2010. The first is here.

Can I first start by saying I can’t stand lifestyle images. You know what I’m talking about — Beautiful people laughing for no reason. …maybe holding a glass of wine, or frolicking through a field of wheat. It’s cheap high-gloss stock. Sure, there’s a semblance of a story being told, but it’s trying too hard to be perfect and beautiful. …but it lacks substance. What ends up happening is none of that joy those beautiful people in the photo translates to the end user — the audience.

Me? I roll my eyes.

…well, I sometimes chuckle. but it’s usually because a miscreant blacked out one of the boring hot chick’s teeth. …you know the one. She’s about to eat some spaghetti.

Now that’s funny. …at least to me. Like I said in Runts part 1, I like to celebrate the imperfect in life.

And I’m starting to realize (and I’m kinda cringing while I write this) that Happy is Boring.

…at least in photography.

Sure, if some kid is opening a birthday present and he’s making the craziest face in the world — like OUT OF HIS MIND HAPPY — because he got the most bad-ass toy robot ever, then that’s good stuff. That’s an emotion we can enjoy through someone else’s experience. But laughing on the beach FOR NO REASON isn’t entertaining. Those are passive photo. It’s like the white bread of photography. no nutrition.

To be clear, there’s a difference between BEING happy and trying to make a picture of happy. People smiling for no reason is void of content, void of purpose, and void of personality. It’s the quirks and our imperfections we, as individuals, are loved for. And so, I look for those when I’m out making pictures. Ultimately, I want the audience to relate to the subjects and stories in my images. …and rather than show them pictures of people laughing, I’d rather them enjoy a chuckle or two. Enjoy!

My mom got married to a wonderful man, Rick, this summer. They have so much in common, such as not liking bubbly. You gotta give em’ props for trying, right? So, lets raise a glass and wish them well! She finally found a good fit for her.

“Who Is That On Your ID?” …oh, & I quit my job, too.

Matt Roth — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:05:17 +0000

“That doesn’t look like you!” and “Who is that on your ID?” I get that a lot when people see the picture on my laniard. This image was made back in 2004 by fellow intern Deana Mitchell. I was having a hard time looking “normal” that day, so I decided to look “smarmy,” instead. Since then, I’ve gained a few pounds, had lasik surgery, and, I wish I could say my hair’s gotten better, but it hasn’t. …well, it’s had its moments. — and by the way, that is NOT a goatee. That’s a chin shadow. But it does make me look extra chotchy, no?

Sadly(-ish), Wednesday, December 15, 2010, was the last day I’d wear my weirdo laniard, — well, legitimately, anyway. I quit my staff job! I’m now a freelancer. …although, I kinda take issue with the word “freelancer.” I prefer the term “independent photographer.” I’ll discuss that in a later post, I’m sure.

Lets all be honest here — It’s not a very good “Press Badge,” is it? There’s been a few times in my six year career when this ID has raised a few eyebrows and in rare instances, denied me access.

Lets break down its faults. For one, it doesn’t actually say “Press.” hrmmm… But, for some reason, It’s kinda perfect for someone working in the business end of the newspaper. You know, the people who don’t really leave the building, work with subjects, or do any kind of reporting. The coin counters. The people pushers. Those most concerned with page clicks. …isn’t that telling? And I know you might find this hard to believe, but “Patuxent Publishing Company” doesn’t exactly sound like a newspaper organization, either.

THEM: “So, who are you with? The Sun?”

ME: hehehe. No, I’m with the red headed stepchild of the Sun, The Patuxent Publishing Company.

THEM: Gazunetite!

ME: No. I didn’t sneeze. that’s the name of the accredited news organization I work for. …what? …you haven’t heard of us?” — and then I have to rattle off all the 20 different newspapers, magazines, and PHONE BOOKS we publish. Yes. We publish phone books. (Argh! I keep doing that! They publish phone books).

Lastly, I also don’t like it when people call me “Matthew.” That name is reserved for my tax forms, social security card, and my Dad. Not strangers. It’s common courtesy people. When you meet someone, figure out how they like to be addressed. They’ll tell you right off the bat.

But I don’t hate my ID. It’s served me well. Admittedly, I look ridiculous. – that’s kinda by design. And that’s why I’ve kept it so long. How many people have laniard stories? I have a bunch — Sure, they’re all very similar, (read the first sentences) but those interactions serve an important purpose: as an ice breaker! It can help tell the subject who I am. On first glance, I’m some beardy dude walking into your house/place of business or up to you on the street — with cameras, no less! And for better or worse, my job is to put you in the public eye.

Its only natural that my subjects try to get to know me a little bit. Lets face it, they’re as curious about us as we are (supposed to be) about them. In this business, access is won with give and take, right? The same way I’ve learned to not turn down a glass of water or a cup of coffee, I’ve learned to indulge my subjects’ questions. The bottom line is, I do my job better when the subjects are comfortable with me. So, if they ask me questions, or comment on my ridiculous laniard picture, its an opportunity for a conversation. Even without the laniard, I’ll still be able to muster up conversations with subjects. That’s the kinda guy I am. As my mom says,”I’ve never met a stranger.”

And as outdated and weirdly unflattering as that picture is of me, its a pretty accurate portrait of my personality. Not that I’m a smarmy person, but that I’m easy going, and able to laugh at myself. And I think that has a relaxing effect for subjects — at least in some situations.

But beyond the picture, my ID gave me legitimate status as a member of the press. It’s amazing how fast people will wave you in to something when you hold up a laniard and say, “I’m with the press.” Well, the cameras probably helped too. I’ll be honest, losing that instantaneous legitimacy is a big worry of mine for the future. I’m still a journalist, but now I’m not tied to an organization. My association changes day to day. When I’m not shooting for a client, I worry people won’t take me as seriously without my laniard.

THEM: “So… where’s this going again?”

Me: Uh… mattrothphoto.com/blog …that’s my blog.

Them: “uh huh. No. I’m not gonna give you my name. In fact I’m gonna call the cops.”

Yikes! Does that make me a blogger?

I guess I could make my own “Press ID.” That feels kinda cheesy, though. I’ll probably pony up a few bucks and become credentialed by the Baltimore City Police Department as a member of the Press. But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m no longer tied to an accredited news organization. And while being independent is exciting, it’s also a little scary.

Like badges are to cops, Press credentials are part of a journalist’s identity. They have this amazing ability to summarize our purpose for being wherever we are, while presenting us in polemic ways. They can “get us in” just as easily as they can “keep us out.” In our subjects’ eyes, credentials make us trustworthy just as easily as they make us suspect. And depending on which organization we work for, we get treated differently.

THEM: “Now, which newspaper are you with?”

ME: “The North County News.”

THEM: “Oh good! I love that paper. hahahaha! I’d turn you around if you said you were with the Sun.”

Belonging to a news organization has its perks. But it’s also filled with heartbreak.

So… I’m ready to take the laniard off.

For the NYT’s: A New Baltimore Arts District?

Matt Roth — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:00:34 +0000

Buck Jabaily, director of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance stands outside the Single Carrot Theater, which he helped co-found 10 years ago. The small performing arts theater is located in Baltimore’s first arts district, Station North, which was also set up ten years ago.

I worked on a story for the New York Times a few months ago about a proposed third Arts District in Baltimore. They put up a pretty nice little slideshow, too.

Below are a few more from the story, sprinkled with some out takes. I did, however, break a classic rule of shooting architecture… I used a lens way too wide for its own good — a 12-24 f/4. But, as always, it’s not the lens/gear that makes the images interesting, it’s the way their composed.

Enjoy!

The alley behind the Single Carrot Theater is probably the only sanctioned area in Baltimore where graffiti artistry is sanctioned.

But this is part of Station North — an already established Arts District. Below are images from the, otherwise half-nice/half-not-so-nice stretch of road.

The Bromo Seltzer Building, a famous adornment to the Baltimore skyline, houses artists lofts and looms close to the Historic Lexington Market area where the city’s proposed third arts district might exist. The area is anchored by two popular theaters, the Hippodrome and the Everyman theaters. In addition, there several parking garages, and easy access to public transit.

The Abell Building, located on Eutaw street, showcases some of the classic architecture Baltimore is known for.

Milk crates lie on the roof of the Lexington Market MTA train stop exit.

Sports Up Part 4! …and a little bit about the “other” image.

Matt Roth — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:30:57 +0000

For last year’s Manchester Valley football preview photo illustration the football player scheduled to ride the horse in full football regalia wasn’t too used to horse riding. So… he had a stunt double fill in. I was sworn to secrecy. I wasn’t allowed to tell who the actual rider is. So… let your imaginations go wild I guess. …but not too wild. This is a family friendly establishment, after all.

So, what in the world is a “Sports Up?”

Here’s the thing… It’s good to know your strengths and it’s good to know your weaknesses. I shoot a lot of sports at the Patuxent Publishin Co. — a lot of high school sports. While I’ve gotten a lot better at peak action photos I’m still no Sports Illustrated long glass sniper. While I can hold my own on any sports field, I’m probably not the best guy you send out to get the peak-action-game-defining-image. I’m the guy who you send to get the “other” image.

So, what’s the other image? It shows off the personality to the sports and players. It’s all the interesting minutia on the sidelines or during practice, the nervous moment before shooting a free throw, the “good-gaming” in great light, or cheerleaders braiding a basketball player’s hair before the game, for example. It’s the imagery that doesn’t typically have a place in the sports pages, yet has all the accoutrements of sports. The arena has life beyond the field and in many ways its richer.

Enjoy!

Jim McCleary, head coach of the Kangaroo Kids jump roap team, is being inducted into the Community Sports Hall of Fame. He is photographed with some of his jumpers at the Glenwood Community Center Wednesday, August 26, 2009, where the Kangaroo Kids practice.

I double-tapped the shutter, which decreased my Alien Bee’s output a ton, but gave me this nice subtle, yet contrasty light. Truthfully, I like this photo way more than the one that actually ran, but this photo would’ve suffered in newsprint.

This was at the end of a scrimmage game Bryn Mawr won 0-6 against host Glenelg Country School Wednesday September, 2 2009.

Catonsville goal keeper Kelli Beard prevents a Hereford goal attempt at Comet Stadium Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

Mount Hebron’s Jamie Schwartz readies for a foul shot during the Vikings game against North Carroll during the Big Doug Classic JV girls basketball tournament held at Glenelg High School Wednesday, December 30, 2009. Mount Hebron lost to North Carroll 29-44.

Owings Mills fans celebrate after Keylin Ortiz made a free throw shot in the fourth quarter, holding their lead over Snow Hill. Owings Mills defeated Snow Hill 44-42 at the University of Maryland Comcast Center Friday, March 12, 2010. The win will pit the Eagles against Dunbar for the Class 1A state title tomorrow.

Long Overdue, Spring Preview

Matt Roth — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:00:54 +0000

CAPTION: Last year River Hill center fielder Christian Laidley batted .448, leading the Hawks with both 30 hits and 27 RBIs. He also made the game winning hit in last year’s 2A State Championship game. He is photographed in the River Hill Dance Studio Saturday, March 27, 2010.

As some of you might’ve noticed, I prefer shooting on location. And when I’m on location I like to athletes to show off their athleticism. But for the Howard County Spring Sports Preview portraits I was relegated to the studio. …well, except for Christian’s. No sense in being all doom and gloom about it, right? I figure, hey, while I’m here, I might as work on upping my game. So, I decided to work on my light sculpting skills.

This might sound silly, but this photo series, admittedly not my best, sparked a love affair in me with grids and snoots. Here’s the thing, when I emphasize the athleticism in these kids, I need to make the lighting set up big enough so they don’t knock over the lights/hurt themselves, when they kick soccer balls at my face, for example, but tight enough so the light hits where it needs to. In the studio, these athletes aren’t moving, so I’m allowed to be as persnickety as I want. I credit this series with what I consider success in my most recent athletes of the year photos.

I figured while in the stagnant confines of Patuxent’s small studio, I’d also exercise my “subtlety muscles,” too. I’m really good making big, overt, and to some degree, epic, images. Subtle, quiet moments are usually too …well, subtle, for me to notice while I’m shooting, so, why not force it out of some teenage athletes?

hehehe. lesson learned: I haven’t quite figured out how to keep the kids from being bored in my pursuit of making quiet images. And kinda like how you hear a smile through the telephone, I think most people can sense uneasiness or boredom in photographs. And while the photos I’m showcasing don’t really exude those qualities, there are plenty of outtakes that do.

So, admittedly, I let the lighting do all the heavy lifting in these photos.

Marriotts Ridge center fielder Kelsey Fuller batted over .500 with the Mustangs last year. She also has one of the better throwing arms in the county, able to hit home from the center field wall. She is photographed in the PPC Studio Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

Glenelg goalie Alex Taylor led the Gladiators to the 1A state semi-finals last year. He plans to play for Salisbury University next Spring. He is photographed at the PPC studio Thursday, March 18, 2010.

Wilde Lake midfielder Beth Glaros scored 90 goals and had 10 assists last year. She will be playing for Maryland in the Spring. She is photographed at the PPC studio Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

Corinne Zahlis, junior, and J. Guzzone, senior, were fourth in the states for mixed doubles last year, second in counties but won regionals. Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Rappelling for Kidneys!

Matt Roth — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:00:09 +0000

The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland is using skyscraper repelling as a way to bring kidney donation to the attention of younger people.

Here’s the Howard County Times article.

Kidney transplant recipient Gordon Nahas, 68, from Ellicott City, goes through rappelling training, led by Justin Britcher, left, from Hamilton, and Caleb Vesely, from Flagstaff, AZ, on the 24th floor of the Legg Mason Tower in the Harbor East area of Baltimore Saturday, June 19, 2010. Participants who raised over $1,000 for the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland were eligible to repel down the skyscraper, from the 23rd-floor balcony to the fourth-floor balcony.

Here’s the big jump.

After getting passed the first ledge, Kidney transplant recipient Gordon Nahas, 68, from Ellicott City, yelled up to the rope handlers on the 23rd-floor balcony Legg Mason Tower, “This is a piece of cake!”

Greg Jacobson, 30, from Ellicott City, is next.

Watch out for that first step! Greg Jacobson, from Ellicott City, goes head over heels on his way down the Legg Mason Tower Saturday, June 19, 2010. Sight safety supervisor Brian Dickerson, from Houston, TX, and Zeb Severson, from Aberdeen (black shirt), keep Jacobson steady while regaining his composure. All this drama, twenty-three stories in the air, is for the National Kidney Foundation. The thirty-year-old, who serves on the NKF of Maryland board, has kidney disease in his family. His mother, Cindy, of Timonium is a transplant recipient. Dickerson was joined by several dare devils who raised over $1,000 for the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland.