PHOTO : Lockheed Model 10 Electra ejecting some special chemical spray which disperses fog

Benjamin Rosenblatt ( August 6th, 1916 - April 24th, 2004 ) was born in New York City ( New York, United States ). He began his career as a messenger, darkroom assistant, and eventually photographer at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn ( New York City ). 

After the outbreak of the Second World War ( September 1st, 1939 ), and the surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft on Pearl Harbor ( Hawaii, United States, December 7th, 1941 ), he joined up and ended up in the Army Air Force ( A.A.F. ). Having completed his basic training in Atlantic City ( New Jersey, United States ), he passed a test and was told : 

- " Well, you’ll make a good Radioman. " 

He said : 

- " I'm a photographer. " 

Benjamin Rosenblatt was then put in a Combat Camera Unit, which trained out of Hollywood, in Culver City, at the old Hal Roach Studio ( California, United States ). Sent to Great Britain, he became a member of the 8th U.S.A.A.F. Combat Camera Unit, flying combat missions as a Photographer / Gunner over Europe. He was later one of only three photographers chosen to join the newly - formed Strategic Air Force in Europe. 

After the war, Benjamin Rosenblatt, who changed his surname into Ross ( it was assumed for business because " you couldn’t really get along with a Jewish name if you wanted to advance in photography ", he once said ), teamed up with his brother, freelance writer Sid Rosenblatt. The two specialised in aerial and air - to - air photography and articles for aircraft manufacturers, air industry publications and general magazines. From 1948, the two brothers made frequent trips to Hollywood, working together on hundreds of stories for Parade magazine. 

Among Ben Ross' images of that time that have endured are those of Marilyn Monroe ( 1926 - 1962 ), made over three different sessions in 1951, 1952 and 1953. Wisely, Ben Ross retained copyright ownership of all his negatives, and today much of his work is collectible art - he is represented in the permanent collection of The National Portrait Gallery, The Brooklyn Museum, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and many others - and his prints sell for an average of $1000. Ben Ross’ work also appeared in Look, People and Stern, as well as in many books. 

In 2002, he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Photographic Administrators Incorporated ( P.A.I. ). Member of the American Society of Media Photographers ( A.S.M.P. ) since 1947, Ben Ross died from complications of pneumonia, at the age of 87. 

( sources : www.asmp.org, www.cursumperficio.net, www.nytimes.com )