Ms. Connor
I don’t know Ms. Connor.
What I do know is I found her in a gold picture frame in a thrift store in Southern Illinois.
I also don’t know how the framed photo arrived at the thrift store, but I do know I couldn’t put it down once I had it in my hand.
There is so much to learn from this single photograph.
I immediately recognized the black and white print as the product of a darkroom. As a photography student and subsequent photography instructor, I understood this print was from a student. The angle of the camera is from a seat in the classroom and the student photographer caught Ms. Connor in her element. Also, there are tell-tale fixer stains and tong marks on the print.
The back of the 8x10 photograph has one word, “reprint”, which I understood as the photography teacher wanted the student to reprint the photograph to remove these stains and marks. The teacher thought the print had enough merit to spend the considerable time on another printing session in the darkroom.
I observe this scene is from a 1970’s classroom. The room is equipped with a wood podium, pull down projection screen and a ubiquitous complimentary Pepsi calendar. Most notably, the name in chalk on the blackboard is “Ms. Connor", the “Ms.” being a direct result of the influence of Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine during this time period. The prefix of Miss or Mrs. not being available to her, Ms. Connor has adopted the new wave feminist prefix of “Ms.” designating her as a mature, single woman.
The short hairstyle, casual slacks and button down Oxford show her to be adopting the image of a modern independent woman. As a serious, bespectacled educator in the simple act of returning papers to her class, she is making her way in a new era while setting an example for the next generation.
To “photograph someone in their element” is a common assignment for a photography class. As a matter of fact, I have given this same assignment myself. It’s my hope that this framed print was given to Ms. Connor from her student because she liked her class. I suspect Ms. Connor was the type of teacher who raved over the image to the student and asked if she could keep this one for her desk?
I’m not surprised this print made it into a gold frame. It’s what good teachers do, encourage their students.
Maybe your life story is the one your family would like to read about.
If you need some encouragement to share that story, I’m here to help.
I love to hear the stories behind photographs.
