Photography Class Exposes Extraordinary Talent at Ironwood Maine School

A group of troubled teens have found inspiration and new ways of seeing the world simply by picking up a camera and creating images.

At Ironwood Maine, a residential therapeutic boarding school for teens 13-18, it is celebrated as a small miracle that these angry, defiant teenagers once prone to skipping school, experimenting with alcohol or drugs and getting into trouble have now found a new outlet for their energy.

Ironwood Maine behavioral specialist and photography instructor Jason Hoffmann began teaching photography in September 2010 to the “Frye” students, teens who have recently arrived at the residential therapeutic school and are housed in the log cabins of the Frye wilderness setting where they learn basic living skills such as making a fire without matches and lighters, and cutting lumber for wood-burning stoves to keep warm. The natural setting provides a stark contrast to what the teens were accustomed to at their homes and previous school, and the simple, distraction-free therapeutic environment of Ironwood Maine is well-suited for introspection and self-discovery.

Photography class consists of 12 boys and 8 girls who meet every alternate Monday, one week with the boys, the next week with the girls, according to Hoffmann. Ironwood’s photography class is comprised of two parts: students spend time out in the field shooting outdoor assignments, and then take their field images back to the classroom where the photographs are displayed, studied and discussed.

Students enjoy exploring and capturing the natural beauty of mid-coast Maine that surrounds them at the 500-acre working farm of Ironwood Maine Therapeutic Boarding School, said Hoffmann.

“The kids are starting to learn different ways of making their photographs more interesting,” Hoffmann said. “They are constantly coming up with new ways to create a more appealing image.”

Examples of assignments that teens have worked on include changing angles, point of view, lighting and contrast (students use only natural light, no flash), shapes and textures. Hoffmann asks students to create three or four variations of each assignment, than the body of work is displayed and examined in class.

“One assignment is trying to see letters from the alphabet in their surroundings, such as in tree bark, the sky, the fields,” Hoffmann said. “The kids are trying to capture the whole alphabet, they’ve even spelled “Ironwood.” Kids will come up to me and excitedly tell me, ‘I found a great “Y” on a hike!’ Or they will run up to me and say, “what do you think of this one?’ I see the spark in them. They get so excited, it’s so nice to watch.”

“Each kid is so creative, they really get into it, getting down on the ground to achieve unusual angles, finding a drainage tunnel and creating an extraordinary image by shooting through it to the other side. It’s great to see them act like kids and appreciate the smaller things.”

Hoffmann says he tries to limit the technical aspects, he wants to keep the activities fun and creative. “We take the digital cameras out in the field, and learn by doing rather than reading in a book,” said Hoffmann. Although he does use a reference book called “Visual Poetry: A Creative Guide for Making Engaging Digital Photographs,” authored by Chris Orwig, hands-on field assignments offer students knowledge and practice to become comfortable with digital cameras and image creation.

Back inside the classroom, Jason provides an open forum to discuss and critique the teens’ work. Discussions often take an interesting turn as they are not limited to the subject of photography, they also apply what the teens learn from photography to everyday life.

The Ironwood Maine photography program offers students the tools they need to proceed with a healthy outlet for their creative energy. Hoffmann reminds students of the importance of seeing the world through a child's eye; In life, not only photography, this becomes an important lesson to learn.

“This helps students to regain appreciation for the simple things in life,” said Hoffmann. “During the course, their awareness increases so that students notice the colors of the fallen leaves, the unique pattern of the bark on a tree, the way light or the lack of it can create a wonderful silhouette.”

Hoffman said that he reminds students that Picasso once said, “All children are artists. The problem is to remain one when you grow up."

“When I was a boy, my father was into 35mm photography as a hobby. Just watching him use his camera, and I knew the way he used it, that it was something special and I was intrigued,” Hoffmann said.

When Hoffmann attended college at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, he learned 35mm photography and darkroom procedures. He went to college to study videography, but quickly associated himself with anybody who carried a camera, video or still. He dove right in and took part in any creative project that presented itself.

“I thought that whole process was cool, but the new digital technology is awesome, I have a Sony digital camera but I still have my old 35mm Pentax,” said Hoffmann. He said that when the Frye students progress in their programs at Ironwood Maine and move up to the Farmhouse many of them express the wish that they could continue the photography class.

“I hope this class captures their imagination and gives them a creative outlet. These kids are at an age where they encounter so many problems, and with photography, they can pick up a camera, go out and get as creative as they want and turn everything else off that was bothering them. I hope these kids leave here with a new hobby or interest that they can enjoy the rest of their lives.”

Hoffmann said that Ironwood Maine allows students to take their photographs home with them. A few students have decided to continue their work in photography after leaving Ironwood.

“One girl said she will pursue the arts in college. That just melts your heart. She told me she wants to display her Ironwood Maine photos in her portfolio. It’s terrific to hear,” Hoffmann said. “When you love something so much and when you show someone and they get excited, it’s rewarding.”

“That’s my hope that they develop a nice, healthy outlet to explore their imagination and creativity in a productive way and not get into trouble,” said Hoffmann. “If I would have had a stronger interest in something while I was growing up, I could have avoided the pitfalls I encountered.”

Hoffmann recalled that he had behavior problems when he was 11 and 12 years old.

“In seventh grade I experimented with drinking and drugs. It was a rough childhood, I struggled and barely passed my classes – I just skated by. Years later I learned that I had undiagnosed ADHD. It was tough for me to concentrate and I got involved with the wrong crowd.”

“I got to my junior year of high school and discovered that I did not have the grades for college. My parents said I would either go to a military academy or boarding school after repeating my junior year. I grew up in the Philadelphia area and ended up at Germantown Academy where I completed my senior year. I improved my grades enough to attend college, however I still struggled until my mid-twenties with full-blown addiction. In the middle of one lonely night when I was at rock bottom I cried out for help, and I ended up on a plane headed for rehab in Florida. It was a miracle. I’ve been clean and sober for nearly 10 years, and it feels really good,” Hoffmann said.

Hoffmann credits his family, which includes both his parents and brother, for his turnaround. “They always tried to steer me in the right direction,” he said. But it was Jason’s wife who found Ironwood and suggested the therapeutic boarding school would be the ideal situation for Hoffmann to give back and help other troubled teens trying to find their way.

“I have such a great desire to help teens,” Hoffmann said. “I’ve finally discovered what I’ve wanted to do my whole life and that’s being here at Ironwood. Now I feel like all of my own struggles have had a purpose. I can get through to these kids, and they are responding in positive ways. The feeling is wonderful.”

Jason, his wife Ashley, and four-year-old daughter Gabrielle moved to Maine in early 2010. Jason has nearly twenty years of professional experience with still photography and videography. He graduated from Kutztown University where he gained his knowledge, appreciation, and love for the art. Formerly a videographer with NBC sports, MSNBC online and a television news videographer in Portland, Jason joined Ironwood as a Behavioral Specialist in 2010. Ironwood Maine student photos are proudly displayed inside the classroom for all of Ironwood residents, staff and guests to enjoy, ponder, and discuss.