Perhaps the death of a man trapped in a burning sport utility vehicle on Route 10 or the death of a construction worker on an Annapolis-area crane aren't as momentous. But Capital photos of these events disturbed some readers, who called to complain.

The photo of the Route 10 inferno (The Capital, April 26) was shot from an overpass at some distance, and no part of the doomed driver was visible. But the thought that someone was inside was too much for some readers to bear.

Wrote one reader to the Maryland Gazette, in which the photo first appeared: "How dare you print a picture showing the vehicle completely engulfed in flames? His body was burning inside that vehicle when that picture was taken … Couldn't you have had the decency to print a picture of the aftermath … when … (the vehicle) was not burning?"

After we ran the photo of the crane accident at the Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole construction site (The Capital, April 30), a caller objected to a photo that showed the victim's hand and feet as he lay dead on the crane, and another that showed his body being lowered to the ground on a stretcher.

In both cases, readers wondered how we would feel if the victims were members of our families. And they were even angrier about the television cameras focused on the events from helicopters overhead.

Still photographers have more time than video photographers to consider the impact of their images. Television cameras are often broadcasting live, while a newspaper photographer can scan several images to find the right one.

In covering the crane accident, Capital photographer J. Henson looked through his long lens as rescue workers made their way to the scene. Had he seen the victim's face, blood or wounds, he would have looked for another angle. But he saw only the man's feet - what he needed to show the reader what was happening. Without the feet, it was a photo of a crane.

He sent the images back to the office via his laptop - in time for Wednesday's edition - and remained at the scene to get a second shot as they lowered the body. That photo was rushed into later editions. But in that photo you can see fellow construction workers watching the procedure in casual poses - which caused another reader to complain.

We can't wait for a car fire to go out before we shoot a photo any more than we can ask bystanders to look more anguished. Photos capture what is happening - good or bad - not what people feel ought to be happening.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT - Pardon me while I do some shameless bragging.

Like those of other Maryland newspapers, our editorial staff wins awards every year for stories, photos and page designs. This year's awards from the Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C., press association were remarkable for two reasons:

Reporter Earl Kelly won five first-place awards out of 35 categories. And our "Tale of Two Cities" series got not only a first place in our circulation category, but a best of show award, being judged better than series submitted by all the press association's newspapers, of all sizes.

Earl's insightful reporting and ability to capture the human spirit can be found in whatever he writes. We are blessed to have him.

In another contest, the Associated Press gave both Earl and "Tale of Two Cities" more awards.

"Tale of Two Cities" analyzed the gap between Annapolis' fortunate and less fortunate residents. It took lot of time and teamwork, and it was particularly gratifying for this to be recognized by the judges.

The series was submitted as from "the staff" as opposed to particular writers, because so many people worked on the project. While the names of the reporters - Eric Hartley, Jeff Horseman, Earl Kelly, Ryan Bagwell, Heather Rawlyk and Nicole Young - appeared atop the stories, the name of the person who coordinated the whole project did not.

For that reason, I single out City Editor David Lauricella, an Annapolis native who conceived, titled, supervised and edited this brilliant series of stories. His guidance and sensitivity put the final gloss on a complex but engrossing piece of great community journalism. Editors like David don't look for recognition, but take great pride in the success of others.

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HOME TO ROOST - Following our story about the sudden appearance of chickens roaming aimlessly in a Glen Burnie yard (The Capital, April 30), Rebecca Elon wrote about a turkey showing up in her neighborhood just as mysteriously. She sent photos of the feathered intruder.

"In our 13 years of living in Severna Park, we have never before seen any turkeys in our neighborhood." (Come on, every neighborhood has a turkey.) "Neighbors who lived here 30 years say they have never before seen turkeys roam our street. We called Animal Control and were told … (it has) no jurisdiction over wild turkeys. The turkey wandered away, but not before we got some photos. Is Anne Arundel County going to the birds?"

Apparently so. Chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese are running amok in civilized society. I suspect fowl play.

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Tom Marquardt is publisher and executive editor of The Capital. His e-mail address is tmarquardt@capitalgazette.com.