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 a gizmo, a photograph was lost; for want of a photograph, an assignment was ruined; and for want of an assignment, your reputation as a photographer was destroyed. No, we are not really concerned with gizmos here. What we are concerned with is your equipment. Do you have everything you need when you get to your assignment and does it work? Nearly all photographic equipment has one or more critical components-the failure or loss of which may put a vital piece of gear out of operation. With cameras, one of these items is the battery, because it may power both the meter and the shutter. Check the battery before you leave the lab, and ALWAYS carry a spare. You have a super deluxe all-powerful electronic flash unit that can light up the entire hangar deck in the wink of an eye. Or can it? Did you check it out and was it working before you left the work center? Did you remember the power cord and an extra sync cord? Speaking of synchronization, did your make sure the flash was in sync with the camera shutter? Or was the shutter even working? What about the camera lens-is it clean, does it focus correctly? The diaphragm-is it working?

In the studio, a minor failure usually only causes embarrassment and gives the impression of unprofessionalism. You can usually get a spare camera, lights, and tripod into service. But when you are out on location, you are limited in what you can take with you; therefore, it is important that ALL your equipment be thoroughly tested and operating correctly BEFORE you leave the work center.

MARKING YOUR EQUIPMENT

If you have been issued your own equipment, put your name on it. Of course, you should not put your name on it permanently. Use stick-on labels. Having your name on your equipment does not keep anyone from stealing it; it is only there to let other people in the workcenter know it is yours and they best keep their hands off. Navy photo equipment must be marked permanently with both a serial number and U.S. Navy Property. If the manufacturer did not include a serial number on the equipment, a local serial number is assigned, using the unit identification code (UIC) under which the equipment is assigned, plus a dash and a two or three-digit number that identifies the specific piece of equipment; for example, if you receive a new light meter without a manufacturer's serial number, your work center UIC is 62093, and you have 76 other pieces of equipment assigned local serial numbers, then the serial number for the new meter is 62093-077.

EQUIPMENT SECURITY

In the photo lab, your equipment should be secured when not in use. Most imaging facilities have a camera-crew ready room or locker that is kept locked so only authorized personnel have access to valuable photo equipment. On location, however, security is another matter, particularly when away from your home station. There may be times when you must leave equipment in a BEQ or motel room. There are measures you can take to protect this equipment. The first principle is do not advertise your equipment. Do not put anything on the equipment cases to indicate they contain photographic equipment. Do, however, put your command address on the cases. The second principle is not to leave photo gear out of your sight any longer than necessary. Carrying a camera bag with you to chow may be inconvenient-but this is better than leaving it unattended somewhere. Also, do not leave your photo gear in a location where it could easily be picked up or stolen. Keep a strap attached to the bag or case, and drape it over your knee.