News-Record.com

Some folks on the Debatables blog are debating our photo of Maurice Green, the candidate for school superintendent from Charlotte-Meck schools. One e-mailed me and the editor of The Charlotte Observer about the photo.

While the published photo probably won't qualify as a mug shot, it appears to be one more associated with a criminal than that of a professional. Clearly public perceptions of these type of images can not be understated, and it simply was not a good impression for a man who has less than 48 hours to make one with the residents of Guilford County. The sad reality is that many have already formed their opinion of this man solely based upon this published picture.

When the names of the two superintendent finalists were announced Monday evening, we requested the home papers of the candidates -- the Observer and the Laurinburg Exchange -- to send us photos. When the photos came to us, we had a traditional posed photo of Dr. Prince at her desk and an action shot of Mr. Green. To make them size equivalent, we cropped both down to mugshot size. While I quibble with the e-mailer that Mr. Green's makes him look like a criminal, I understand his point.

Here's the original photo we received from the Observer.

Seeing the entire photo shows the context of Mr. Green's facial expression. He was standing, clearly about to answer a seated questioner in the audience. Cropping the image down to a mugshot makes him look less flattering. That wasn't intentional.

We will have different photos of both candidates today as they make their first public appearances in Greensboro.