Civility in the Age of Anonymity

A recent blog entry by Salt Lake Tribune photographer Trent Nelson, got me thinking again about civility. Trent wrote about the lack of a calm, civil dialogue in the comment section of stories that had run on the web site where he works at the Salt Lake Tribune. And how he felt that people would be less inclined to let us as journalist's document their lives and stories as a result of the insulting and demeaning comments made whenever a story runs.

I agree with, him. I have been doing a lot of thinking about this as of late. Especially as I have read the comments on our website at the Deseret News, even with our policy to delete many of the more outlandish, mean spirited, off-topic and profane comments from our comment sections that follow our stories, it is still difficult to restore a bit of civility to what is left.

I don't know what the answer is, but when I lack for present answers I try to look at the past to see if bits of wisdom can be gleaned from those who have trod the path before.

I remember my grandfather telling me as we worked together to build a room on the first floor for my great-grandmother who could no longer get upstairs to her room "to always measure twice and cut once". He told me I would make less mistakes that way and learn patience. So when it comes to comments on the web and email, I think we should read everything we've written twice, send once. Maybe this will reduce the impulse to fire off our cyber-mouths before we think about what is actually coming out of them.

Another thought comes from the oft' heard quote, "The character of a man is most often found in what he does when no one is looking" I am not sure who should be originally credited with it, but it is sound advice.

In this age of anonymity, especially on the web, people often say things online in comments and even emails that they would never let slip from their mouths during face to face conversation. Our country seems polarized in it's politics, economics and socially. Society is a dynamic thing, times, language and people do change, great strides have been made in medicine, science and health, things that have made our lives better and more productive. But sometimes these same things that help us can also be a two-edged sword, ready to cut, hurt and maim if used improperly.

As a photo editor and photographer, I look at photographs, I love them as they record the exact time frame wherein they are taken. They are a reflection of what was going on at that time, the hair styles, the clothes, the technology, etc. When I look at them, I am old enough to realize that as much as things change, they also come back. Perhaps now more than ever we need to be reminded that some things should never go out of style, civility for example is something that is sorely needed. It should never be hung in the closet only to be brought out on occasion, but rather snugly fitted around our shoulders every time we set down at the keyboard of our computers or pull a blackberry from our pockets.

New Talent- Julie Best Parsons

This is part three in my series of highlighting new photographic talent on my blog.

I first met Julie Best Parsons when my wife Becky and I were asked to chaperon a high school dance. At the time I was looking for a photo assistant and a second shooter for an upcoming freelance assignment taking photos of dance students.

I had used several other photographers in previous years as assistances on big jobs but had not been very happy with some of the effort. So I was in the market to find someone else.

I was looking for someone who could work quickly and efficiently. This assignment had a lot of large groups and limited shooting time. What I needed was someone who could quickly establish rapport with the student, pose and execute the set-ups needed. We only had about 2-3 minutes max with each student. I also needed someone with high-energy, as these photo shoots usually are an all day affair going from early dawn until well after the sun goes down.

As I rotated through the chaperon stations I had a chance to watch the group of about 6-8 photographers that were taking student's photos at the dance.

I noticed one who immediately stood out from the rest. She worked quickly, immediately establishing a rapport with her subject and took command of the shooting situation in a good way putting her subject at ease, while moving them where she wanted to get the best pose and moment out of each situation.

I told my wife Becky and we both spent a minute talking to her and introduced ourselves and we asked her if she would work as our second photographer.

I found out that she was the mother of two children with one on the way; A tri-athlete and a dancer with bundles of energy, enthusiasm and a lot of raw photographic talent.

She has her own small (but growing ) studio in her home in Clinton, Utah where she keeps herself real busy with three small children and a husband. She is one of the local "up and coming" portrait photographers whose work you should take a look at.

Here, in her own words, is how she came to be one of us, you know one of those pixel snapping, lens zooming geeks we lovingly refer to as "memory freezers" or "Professional Photographers" to the rest of you.

Julie Best Parsons

My journey in photography began as something I enjoyed and somewhat of a hobby. Three years ago as my family and I were moving back from living in Colorado an opening come up at a local photography studio that my sister loved. The job was for an office assistant, five days a week. Just having my second child I found myself not being interested in such a position. But after meeting the owner I found out she was looking for an assistant photographer. I showed her some of my work and I was hired. I shadowed her for a while and learned the art of taking newborn and maternity photographs. Soon I was taking my own appointments and began to see the beauty of what I could create behind the camera. I joined the IPPA and began taking any and every photography class I could find. After working for a while at that studio, I began at another on the weekends taking school dance pictures.

After working for a while for other photographers I decided it was time to open my own small studio in my home. Being a mother of three small children I wanted to work from home and start taking pictures for myself. My studio is small but growing everyday, and I love what I’m learning and doing. I’m inspired by finding new ways to make people look beautiful and giving them something to treasure for a lifetime.

More of her work can be found on her website by clicking here.