A reader called first thing this morning to complain about the preponderance of photos involving orange jumpsuits on the front page of our newspaper. I have to agree with her.
We call these photos "perp walks." "Perp" is short for perpetrator, which is cop talk for criminal. Often, the walk from the jail to the courthouse is our only opportunity to photograph these people. But consistently using these photos as the main photographic element for the front page of the newspaper has become monotonous and demonstrates a lack of imagination on our part.
If the county jail were to issue jumpsuits in different colors and styles, just for the sake of variety, surprise or humor, it would be quite another thing. I think it would be a hoot to see a homicide suspect paraded to court in a French maid's uniform or and Uncle Sam costume. But that's not going to happen.
It must be our task to come up with the variety and surprise.
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2 comments:
It must be our task to come up with the variety and surprise.
Who's task would it be?
Or perhaps, reading too much sarcasm in the statement....
What I meant was...
It is our responsibility to come up with variety and surprise.
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