Jan 16, 2015

The Baltimore Sun newspaper has a rich history of photojournalism. The Sun has employed a long line of award winning photographers. To pay tribute to these photographers, The Darkroom will periodically take a look back at the body of work by some of these photographers whose love of their craft helped document the lives of people from the backstreets of Baltimore to the four corners of the globe.

One of those award-winning photojournalists was Clarence B. “Curly” Garrett. He came to The Sun in 1946 from Ritz Cameras. Prior to that, he served in the US Navy during World War II.

: Baltimore Sun staff photographer Clarence B. Garrett.

: The “Ashland” puffing along with the Baltimore City skyline in the background in January of 1956. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: On May 1, 1970 police armed with pump gun (left) and pistol crouch behind patrol car on 1700 block North Aisquith street during raid on Black Panthers. Woman sitting on stoop appears unconcerned. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: In April of 1969 the Orioles infield of Brooks Robinson, Mark Belanger, Davey Johnson and Boog Powell (l-r) has to be regarded as one of baseball’s best. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: This graphic image was taken in January of 1975 and is of saw marks on log in Druid Hill Park. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: During spring training in March of 1974 Orioles manager Earl Weaver watches the first regular batting practice at spring training. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: In February of 1960 Colette Yarosh enjoys jumping roping with friends. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: Armed soldiers stand watch as firemen battle a noontime fire in an empty warehouse at Broadway and Orleans Street in April 1968 at the rioting following the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was winding down. The four alarmer, termed arson by fire officials, was the most serious incident in a generally quiet day. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: Following a storm in March 1962 Garrett shot aerial views of a section along Ocean City showing the front of unidentified motel completely demolished, and washed away beach front. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: Garrett shot this picture of a pattern of houses from the Baltimore beltway at Leeds terrace in Arbutus in August of 1971. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: Garrett took first place in a photo contest in the “port” category with this view of tanks being loaded for oversees shipment. The photograph was taken in April in 1966. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: A sledder ventured onto the Spring Lake ice in Dulaney Valley in December 1960, joining more conventional skaters. High temperature, 38, was reached about 2 P.M., followed by a decline to the freezing mark. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: During the Chesapeake Bay Skipjack races in October of 1970 boats round the marker at Sandy Point. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: Garrett photographed this staked scene of two horses in Worthington Valley on Bonita Avenue in January of 1971. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: In October of 1969 Paul Blair is congratulated by Andy Etchebarren (left) and Frank Robinson as he comes off field following a surprise bunt that scored the winning run for the Orioles. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: In March 1977 police were seeking today to discover why this abandoned vehicle was floating in the Patapsco River near the Hanover Street bridge off Waterview Avenue. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: In November of 1960 riders and hounds gather on the manor today for the start of the traditional Thanksgiving Day fox hunt of the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club. St. James Church towers above the crowd gathered on the hill above the manor. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: In November of 1968, then City Council President William Donald Schaefer waves a finger at Councilman DiPietro at the Board of Estimates meeting, President Schaefer says “No politics.” (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: Garrett photographed the Inner Harbor project area in October of 1966. Then mayor Theodore R. McKeldin said that redeveloping the Inner Harbor in line with master plan will give the city its best chance of rebuilding the tax base, giving relief to property owners and providing many new jobs. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: Garrett took this picture in January of 1963 of ice collecting in frost-like fashion on the rails and mast of the liquid sulphur tanker, S.S. Pochteca. It was described by old-timers as one of the prettiest pictures they’ve ever seen around the harbor. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: Garrett took this picture of the skeleton of Harbor Tunnel in August of 1955. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: In February of 1955 bodies being removed after being dug from debris following a fire at Tru-Fit Clothes on Baltimore and Gay Streets. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

The Baltimore Press Photographers Association awarded him photographer of the year in 1966, after he won five of the 12 categories in addition to the six-picture folio that won him the top prize.

His work was published in Life magazine and his expertise at outdoor photography earned him awards at annual Chesapeake Appreciation Day contests.

He covered a wide variety of assignments during his time at The Sun. Including photographing five presidents, the Ash Wednesday storm that flooded Ocean City to the 1968 riots that ensued in the wake of the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mr. Garrett was a well-dressed, distinguished-looking man with movie star good looks, from his dark eyes and carefully trimmed pencil-thin mustache, to his wavy, dark curly hair that he combed straight back, which earned him his nickname.

He retired from The Sun in 1985 after nearly 40 years as a staff photographer. Clarence Garrett passed away in September of 2011.

Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun

Baltimore Sun photographer “Curly” Garrett

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