unstereotyped annual that my peers had elected me to the editorship!
A school annual being largely a picture book, the photography, especially the
professional photography, demanded much shooting time and much coordination, the
major part of which I conducted. It meant frequent meetings with our photographer,
Bob Goldfine, a genial fellow whom I was soon calling “Bob," to set up shooting
schedules and discuss photo locations, the arrangement of subjects, special effects
that might require unconventional techniques, etc. For example, in former years,
most group photos were taken out of doors in the natural light of warm fall days. My
plan, not revolutionary to be sure, called for group photos, especially organizations
and clubs, to be taken indoors in informal poses, for example around a table, as
though at a meeting or work session. At first, Bob saw the plan as too complicated,
especially because it would mean bringing in and setting up his lighting equipment.
But he took up what he considered a challenge, recognizing that if our “new look"
was successful, his business would surely benefit. The photography was a major
undertaking, keeping Goldfine, me and others quite busy from September through
February. In addition, hundreds of snapshots, mostly by student-photographer John
Harbaugh, had to be thoughtfully reviewed in order to select a representative
sampling for publication.
Designing page layouts, including the actual mounting of photographs - that
is, making the “dummy" - was hands-on work that I enjoyed. This, too, was time-
consuming. I found part of that time during my otherwise free fifth period, as well
as after school and sometimes after dinner until late at night either at school or at
home. There were decisions I preferred to make personally or at least to approve such
as the selection of candid photographs, the inclusion of written features and certain
editorial matters. While generally not involved in business matters, I felt I had to be
85
The yearbook staff. CWR (seated center) was editor-in-chief.
