Black‑and‑white photo of a person's head shadow on pavement with a disposable face mask lying across the mouth area. The figure holds up a phone or camera, also shown in shadow on the pavement.

Picturing Pandemic Baltimore

Documenting the Impact of COVID-19 through Photography

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The Exhibition

Pandemics are, by definition, global phenomena, but they are lived locally.

In association with a special issue on COVID-19, the Bulletin of the History of Medicine and the Program in Arts, Humanities, & Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have sponsored this exhibition documenting Baltimore’s experiences of the epidemic. The city is home to many fine photographers, and they offer us compelling visions of what lived experience has been like over the past several months. After an open call for submissions put out by co-curators Mary Fissell and Loren Ludwig, the distinguished Baltimore photojournalist J. M. Giordano served as juror to select the photographs included here. The winning photograph, by Caron Stewart, will be on the cover of the journal’s special issue, and that image, with the two runners-up, will be published as visual counterparts to the editors’ introduction.

All images are copyright of the artists.

Cover Photo Credit: [Detail of] “Mask on the Ground” by Michael Bielawa, 2020

The Gallery

“Masks in Repose” by Jessica Atlass Roscoe

Four patterned cloth face masks with ties hanging on a metallic accordion wall rack on the back of white door or cabinet.
"Masks in Repose" by Jessica Atlass Roscoe

“Natasha” by Walter Levy

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Young child in a green top wearing a face mask, looking out a window at greenery.
"Natasha" by Walter Levy

“Empty Streets, May 2020” by E. Brady Robinson

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Sunburst between two tall brick-and-glass buildings at dusk, casting a long shadow down a narrow pedestrian walkway below. There is one figure walking in the path alit by the sun.
"Empty Streets, May 2020" by E. Brady Robinson

“Franca for the People” by Jeremy Collins

Black‑and‑white street view of an urban intersection with cars and lampposts; a person wearing a mask and using a crutch crosses the road carrying a bag.
"Franca for the People" by Jeremy Collins

“Untitled” by Joe Cardamone

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Protester raises a yellow “#Justice for George Floyd” sign at a daytime rally; other participants hold signs including “Black Lives Matter,” with a hardware store wall in the background.
"Untitled" by Joe Cardamone

“Crab Stoop” by Caron Stewart [WINNER]

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Black‑and‑white photo of two people sharing a meal of crabs on rowhouse steps, with food trays on a makeshift table and bags and containers nearby.
"Crab Stoop" by Caron Stewart

“Abandoned Masks” by Claire Gorman

Collage of 35 photos showing discarded face masks and occasionally gloves scattered on sidewalks, streets, grass, and other public spaces.
"Abandoned Masks" by Claire Gorman

“Stay Safe” by Christopher Mazmanian

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Black‑and‑white city scene with a person lying on cardboard along a sidewalk in front of a tall iron fence, parked cars, and a modern high‑rise building.
"Stay Safe" by Christopher Mazmanian

“Graduation Gown Fitting During a Pandemic” by Nicole Sokol

Person in a simple white gown stands in a fitting room while a tailor adjusts the hem; mirrors, chairs, and a dress form in the background.
"Graduation Gown Fitting During a Pandemic" by Nicole Sokol

“A View From the Bedroom Window” by Elena Volkova

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Soft, hazy view of leafless trees and rooftops at sunset seen through a window screen, with golden light and blurred grid patterns.
"A View From the Bedroom Window" by Elena Volkova

“Empty Fells, April 2020” by E. Brady Robinson [RUNNER-UP]

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Dusk street scene of historic brick row buildings along a cobblestone road, lit by streetlights under a deep blue sky.
"Empty Fells, April 2020" by E. Brady Robinson

“Nurses for #BLM in East Baltimore” by Robyn Stevens Brody

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Crowd at a protest holding signs, including a large one reading “Nurses for Black Lives” with a red cross, and several “Black Lives Matter” signs in the background.
"Nurses for #BLM in East Baltimore" by Robyn Stevens Brody

“Mask on the Ground” by Michael Bielawa

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Black‑and‑white photo of a person's head and torso shadow on pavement with a disposable face mask lying across the mouth area. The figure holds up a phone or camera, also shown in shadow on the pavement.
"Mask on the Ground" by Michael Bielawa

“Mask It or Casket” by Manuel Datiles

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Storefront window display with a painted coffin-shaped sign reading “Mask it or casket – thank you,” featuring a skull wearing a mask and a flower; next to a placard for “Paradiso Hampden Antique to Modern.”
"Mask It or Casket" by Manuel Datiles

“Mundane Juxtaposition” by Elena Volkova [RUNNER-UP]

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Black‑and‑white interior scene with a person lying on a bed in the foreground, hands on chest, and a child silhouetted sitting in a bright window in the background.
"Mundane Juxtaposition" by Elena Volkova

“Tracking” by Isaac Morrison

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Masked child riding a wooden balance bike along a concrete sidewalk beside a red brick wall and drainpipe.
"Tracking" by Isaac Morrison

“N95 Mask” by Jeremy Collins

Black‑and‑white street scene with a small car displaying a homemade rear sign advertising “N95 mask for sale,” parked along a residential row of houses.
"N95 Mask" by Jeremy Collins

“AQUA Idle Interests” by Julia Cirincione

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Empty entrance area with blue signage reading “National Aquarium Tickets,” metal queue rails, ticket windows, and a covered canopy.
"AQUA Idle Interests" by Julia Cirincione

“Feed Thy Neighbor” by Jacqueline Sofia and Chef Iman Alshehab

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Woman in a maroon outfit with hijab arranging dishes on a low outdoor table draped in white cloth, with plates of food and a vase of pink and yellow roses under a tree.
"Feed Thy Neighbor" by Jacqueline Sofia and Chef Iman Alshehab

“COVID Can’t Stop the Sunrise Beauty” by Bridget Young

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Person wearing a headband and mask photographs a sunset over a city from a high window decorated with curved opaque decals.
"COVID Can't Stop the Sunrise Beauty" by Bridget Young

“No Touching Jesus” by Karen Goodspeed

Sign leaning against a marble statue base with an icon of praying hands. Text reads: “You are welcomed to pray but please refrain from touching His feet.” Smaller line below: “Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone! The Department of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy.”
"No Touching Jesus" by Karen Goodspeed

“Osler Medical Training Program 2020 Assistant Chiefs of Service” by Sherrie Fornoff

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Four people posing in white lab coats against a tiled wall, arms crossed; two wear navy slacks and dress shoes, one wears a knee-length dress with heels and a polka-dot scarf, and one wears a skirt with block heels. All four wear face masks.
"Osler Medical Training Program 2020 Assistant Chiefs of Service" by Sherrie Fornoff

“Can’t Breath N95 and Social Justice” by Robyn Stevens Brody

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Person wearing a red hat, denim jacket, and backpack, with a face mask that was written in sharpie "BLACK LIVES MATTER I CAN'T BREATHE"; blurred building in the background.
"Can't Breath N95 and Social Justice" by Robyn Stevens Brody

All images are copyright of the artists.