There's been a fair amount of discussion about some photos I made Wednesday, April 16, of Russell Investments employees
carrying out their possessions after layoffs were announced. It was apparent to me that these folks were uncomfortable or
unhappy that I was taking pictures. So was I. But, I also knew I was standing on a public sidewalk and I had a legal right to work there. I felt it was particulary important to show readers the human face of local people affected by the recession. This was the first time The News Tribune was able to document with photos the terrible cost of lost jobs by one of our most dominant employeers.
I feel it was important and necessary to do so. Asking permission was out of the question because understandably the employees didn't want to converse. Would I have wanted myself or friends to be photographed carrying cardboard boxes out of their employer's offices? Probably not. But I would have understood the need to do so. In some sense, these employees were wronged
by forces out of their control. I feel we need to share their pain.