Basic Photography Course

CHAPTER 6

PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSIGNMENTS

Photography in the Navy has long been an important

tool for monitoring the strength and improving the
methods of our nation's fighting forces, as well as

serving to record for historical permanence the
significant events that have shaped our nation's destiny.
From the moment that Matthew Brady exposed his

photographic plates on the decks of the federal ironclad

ship, Monitor, in 1862, the Navy has used photography
as a significant recording medium. It has influenced the
development of weapons and ships in the Navy and has
been an invaluable aid in training the men and women
who make up today's Navy.

Today we can go to the archives and look back with

pride at the visual evidence of the Navy's growth,
generation after generation. The historical record tells
us where we have been, what we were, how far we have
progressed, and how we have changed-enhancing our
perspective of the past and clarifying our perception of
the future.

The "grandfather" of our profession, still photog-

raphy, is the oldest of photographic skills in the Navy.
Where events of historical significance occur, such as

military exercises, ships being commissioned and de-
commissioned, and newsworthy events of interest to
Navy personnel, there are Navy photographers
recording events as they happen.

PLANNING

Planning prevents disappointment.

If only I had

an idea of what to expect, this picture might have been

better. How many times have you said this to yourself?
Planning does not cover all the bases on every

assignment, but it can be valuable on many of them.

Color or black and white . . . small, medium, or

large format?

This question may sound basic, but you

should consider it thoroughly when preparing for an
assignment. Take time to consider the finished product
and its intended use.

Punctuality is the only policy.

As a minimum, be

on time. However, why not get there 10 or 15 minutes
ahead of the assigned time? You can use this time to
look over the area for lighting, background, props, and
so forth. Also, discuss the assignment and what you need
with the people connected with them. Take charge

courteously. Politely ignore harassers. Begin work at
once and give clear, concise directions. But do not think
this approach takes the place of your responsibility to
BE COURTEOUS AT ALL TIMES.

Dependability versus creativity.

Strive to shoot for

the results that your customer requested. Then shoot
what you consider to be an improvement on the original
requirement.

Pictorial details are important.

Before the shutter

catches that moment, make sure you have checked or
considered the foreground, background, arrangement,
expressions, clothing, angle, and lighting. You have to
mentally put all these items together and say to yourself,
Will this tell the story?

Identify.

When the photograph has been recorded,

begin taking identification Caption information should
include name, grade, and title. If possible, you might
have someone on the scene taking identification while
you are shooting.

Always check your equipment before leaving for a

shooting assignment. As a minimum, you should take
several extra rolls of film and a spare synchronization
(sync) cord. When using a flash and a large number of
photographs are to be taken, you may need an extra
battery pack. Always be prepared and attempt to
overcome the unexpected.

EQUIPMENT

After learning the nature of your photographic

assignment and making a complete analysis of the
assignment, you must choose the proper equipment to

get the job done. The variety of photographic equipment
available and suited for location assignments is
extremely broad; for example, the assignment may
require the use of a 35mm, medium format, or even a
4x5 view camera The lighting equipment you choose
may range from a small, compact electronic flash unit
to a complex array of lighting equipment and reflectors.
Exposure meters, color temperature meters, tripods, and
interchangeable lenses are just a few of the other

accessories you may need on a location assignment.

"Be prepared." At one time or another we have all

heard that familiar quotation. But have you ever thought
what this could mean to your assignment? For want of

6-1

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Basic Photography Course

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> CHAPTER 6 PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSIGNMENTS Photography in the Navy has long been an important tool for monitoring the strength and improving the methods of our nation's fighting forces, as well as serving to record for historical permanence the significant events that have shaped our nation's destiny. From the moment that Matthew Brady exposed his photographic plates on the decks of the federal ironclad ship, Monitor, in 1862, the Navy has used photography as a significant recording medium. It has influenced the development of weapons and ships in the Navy and has been an invaluable aid in training the men and women who make up today's Navy. Today we can go to the archives and look back with pride at the visual evidence of the Navy's growth, generation after generation. The historical record tells us where we have been, what we were, how far we have progressed, and how we have changed-enhancing our perspective of the past and clarifying our perception of the future. The "grandfather" of our profession, still photog- raphy, is the oldest of photographic skills in the Navy. Where events of historical significance occur, such as military exercises, ships being commissioned and de- commissioned, and newsworthy events of interest to Navy personnel, there are Navy photographers recording events as they happen. PLANNING Planning prevents disappointment. If only I had an idea of what to expect, this picture might have been better. How many times have you said this to yourself? Planning does not cover all the bases on every assignment, but it can be valuable on many of them. Color or black and white . . . small, medium, or large format? This question may sound basic, but you should consider it thoroughly when preparing for an assignment. Take time to consider the finished product and its intended use. Punctuality is the only policy. As a minimum, be on time. However, why not get there 10 or 15 minutes ahead of the assigned time? You can use this time to look over the area for lighting, background, props, and so forth. Also, discuss the assignment and what you need with the people connected with them. Take charge courteously. Politely ignore harassers. Begin work at once and give clear, concise directions. But do not think this approach takes the place of your responsibility to BE COURTEOUS AT ALL TIMES. Dependability versus creativity. Strive to shoot for the results that your customer requested. Then shoot what you consider to be an improvement on the original requirement. Pictorial details are important. Before the shutter catches that moment, make sure you have checked or considered the foreground, background, arrangement, expressions, clothing, angle, and lighting. You have to mentally put all these items together and say to yourself, Will this tell the story? Identify. When the photograph has been recorded, begin taking identification Caption information should include name, grade, and title. If possible, you might have someone on the scene taking identification while you are shooting. Always check your equipment before leaving for a shooting assignment. As a minimum, you should take several extra rolls of film and a spare synchronization (sync) cord. When using a flash and a large number of photographs are to be taken, you may need an extra battery pack. Always be prepared and attempt to overcome the unexpected. EQUIPMENT After learning the nature of your photographic assignment and making a complete analysis of the assignment, you must choose the proper equipment to get the job done. The variety of photographic equipment available and suited for location assignments is extremely broad; for example, the assignment may require the use of a 35mm, medium format, or even a 4x5 view camera The lighting equipment you choose may range from a small, compact electronic flash unit to a complex array of lighting equipment and reflectors. Exposure meters, color temperature meters, tripods, and interchangeable lenses are just a few of the other accessories you may need on a location assignment. "Be prepared." At one time or another we have all heard that familiar quotation. But have you ever thought what this could mean to your assignment? For want of 6-1 contents Basic Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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