The Gitner Family Award goes to a body of work that showcases a returning student photographer’s vision and demonstrates versatility, expertise, and depth.
Award Recipient: Joseph Ciembroniewicz
Ryan May, 18, Clarkson University class of 2027, races down a berm after completing a steep rock drop on the fifth stage of the enduro course at the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference hosted by Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y., on Sept. 23, 2023. May finished eighth in the B category, qualifying for the dual slalom race the next day. He stated, “I could’ve pushed myself a little harder.”Andrea Westerlund, 36, stands for a portrait in Rochester, N.Y., on Sept. 30, 2023. Westerlund is the founder and editor of Flower Power, a magazine whose mission is to document “cool shit in Rochester, N.Y.” Westerlund identifies the magazine as “a small publication that covers the people, places, projects, and organizations, that are under the radar of the mainstream media.”Mo Chara, one third of the rap trio KNEECAP, looks into the crowd during a set in on March 21, 2024, at the Axis Club in Toronto, Canada. Chara injured his foot at a show earlier in the tour. KNEECAP hails from Belfast, Ireland, and they rap in both Gaelic and English. They are Irish Republicans, and often make politically motivated music addressing the British state, and imperialism in general.Jake Muldoon, University of Vermont class of 2026, hits a dirt jump over a bonfire during a beer- fueled celebration after the first day of competition at the 2023 Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference (ECCC) hosted by Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y., on Sept. 23, 2023.Erez, a pro-Israel demonstrator, brandishes a jacket bearing an insignia resembling the Israel Defense Forces’ paratroopers emblem towards pro-Palestine demonstrators during rally in Times Square in New York, N.Y. on Oct. 8, 2023. The demonstration came the day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war in response to coordinated attacks by Hamas from the Gaza Strip into Israel that resulted in the deaths of some 1,200 and kidnappings of 220. Erez stated the reason he was there was “having a voice for my country, they destroyed us yesterday.”Batman of San Jose is photographed after a day of outreach on Nov. 12, 2023, in Rochester, N.Y. Batman of San Jose is a student in Rochester. During his free time he does outreach work, bringing resources to those in need, mostly unhoused individuals, while dressed as Batman. He began this practice in his home city, San Jose, Calif. He built the suit himself, and started wearing it while helping the homeless community as a way to get more attention on a dire issue that he felt was being largely ignored.
This documentary short examines the graffiti writer Loner’s practice and thought process.
Batman of San Jose (BOSJ) is a student in Rochester, N.Y. During his free time he does outreach work, bringing resources to unhoused individuals, while dressed as Batman. He began this practice in his home city, San Jose, Calif.
Batman of San Jose (BOSJ) is a student in Rochester, N.Y. During his free time he does outreach work, bringing resources to unhoused individuals, while dressed as Batman. He began this practice in his home city, San Jose, Calif. A prototype of the mask sits in front of his sewing machine on Batman of San Jose’s desk at his home in Monroe County, N.Y. on Oct. 22, 2023.Batman of San Jose prepares his suit and utility belt for a day of outreach in Rochester, N.Y. on Nov. 12, 2023. BOSJ designed and built the suit himself. It is purpose built, and features a utility belt that includes a medical kit and narcan, as well as armor that he claims can stop a stabbing Batman of San Jose checks his first aid kit, something he always has with him when he’s doing outreach, before departing on Nov. 12, 2023, in Rochester, N.Y.
Batman of San Jose rides into Rochester, N.Y. with Vidit Katyal, a San Jose local and University of Rochester alum that saw one of Batman of San Jose’s TikToks and volunteered to drive him for the day on Nov. 12, 2023. BOSJ does not have a car in Rochester, so he is reliant on volunteers and Uber. Batman of San Jose stands in line at Walmart to buy socks to distribute on Nov. 12, 2023, in Rochester, N.Y. Socks are one of the most sought after items amongst the individuals BOSJ serves. At this Walmart, they were in a locked case.
Batman of San Jose hands a water bottle and tangerines to Frank Smith as Smith waits for the bus at Rialto st. and North Clinton ave. in Rochester, N.Y. on Oct. 22, 2023. “T” records Batman of San Jose on North Clinton Ave, during a day of outreach on Oct. 22, 2023, in Rochester, N.Y.Batman of San Jose hands a pair of socks to Jasmine, an unhoused woman, as he does outreach on Nov. 12, 2023 in Rochester, N.Y.Kelly, an unhoused woman, leads Batman of San Jose to other individuals in need on Nov. 12, 2023, in Rochester, N.Y.Batman of San Jose walks alongside a bridge in Rochester, N.Y., on Oct. 22, 2023, searching for individuals in need.
Batman of San Jose approaches a man who is overdosing on North Clinton ave, Rochester, N.Y. on Oct. 22, 2023. BOSJ initially decided not to administer Narcan, a decision later called “kind of shortsighted,” stating “I should’ve just administered Narcan immediately.” Moments later members with the outreach group ‘Hope Dealers,’ arrived and asked BOSJ whether they should give Narcan. He told them yes. After two doses, the man revivedBatman of San Jose lies on his bed in Rochester N.Y. and scrolls through comments on a TikTok of his that recently went viral. BOSJ has gathered thousands of followers on the app and has received hundreds of interaction in a very short period of time. He states, “Social media’s exhausting. Like I hate that it’s so useful. It’s annoying.”
Last Updated: April 25, 2024 by joshmeltzer
2024 The Gitner Family Award Portfolio
The Gitner Family Award goes to a body of work that showcases a returning student photographer’s vision and demonstrates versatility, expertise, and depth.
Award Recipient: Joseph Ciembroniewicz
This documentary short examines the graffiti writer Loner’s practice and thought process.
Batman of San Jose (BOSJ) is a student in Rochester, N.Y. During his free time he does outreach work, bringing resources to unhoused individuals, while dressed as Batman. He began this practice in his home city, San Jose, Calif. A prototype of the mask sits in front of his sewing machine on Batman of San Jose’s desk at his home in Monroe County, N.Y. on Oct. 22, 2023.
Batman of San Jose checks his first aid kit, something he always has with him when he’s doing outreach, before departing on Nov. 12, 2023, in Rochester, N.Y.
Batman of San Jose rides into Rochester, N.Y. with Vidit Katyal, a San Jose local and University of Rochester alum that saw one of Batman of San Jose’s TikToks and volunteered to drive him for the day on Nov. 12, 2023. BOSJ does not have a car in Rochester, so he is reliant on volunteers and Uber.
Batman of San Jose stands in line at Walmart to buy socks to distribute on Nov. 12, 2023, in Rochester, N.Y. Socks are one of the most sought after items amongst the individuals BOSJ serves. At this Walmart, they were in a locked case.
Batman of San Jose hands a water bottle and tangerines to Frank Smith as Smith waits for the bus at Rialto st. and North Clinton ave. in Rochester, N.Y. on Oct. 22, 2023.
“T” records Batman of San Jose on North Clinton Ave, during a day of outreach on Oct. 22, 2023, in Rochester, N.Y.
Batman of San Jose approaches a man who is overdosing on North Clinton ave, Rochester, N.Y. on Oct. 22, 2023. BOSJ initially decided not to administer Narcan, a decision later called “kind of shortsighted,” stating “I should’ve just administered Narcan immediately.” Moments later members with the outreach group ‘Hope Dealers,’ arrived and asked BOSJ whether they should give Narcan. He told them yes. After two doses, the man revived
Category: 2024 What We Do, What We Do Tags: Joseph Ciembroniewicz