Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/03/21

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Military Photographers (was: New M6)
From: "Michael E. Bérubé" <MEB@goodphotos.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 22:17:09 -0500
References: <Pine.LNX.3.96.1010319151838.23887D-100000@matrix.binaryfaith.com> <4.3.2.7.2.20010321120155.00c55610@mail.wm.edu>

At 10:08 AM 3/21/01 -0800, Tom Schofield wrote:
>The History Channel had a show on the top ten most dangerous professions,
>and Combat Photographer made the list, I think at #4 or thereabouts.  (#1
>was Alaskan crab fisherman.)  They noted how, in the past, combatants
>generally would not intentionally fire upon the photographers and
>journalists,

That's interesting I wish I had cable, I would have liked to see this as I 
think they got some of it incorrect.

Given that originally military photographers were used primarily for 
intelligence gathering (as in "drag your 4X5 out into no mans land turn 
your back on the enemy and photograph our line to show HQ where our 
weaknesses are") and that later we were used as propaganda agents, I was 
taught that military photographers have always been prime targets in 
combat. Also consider that it IS pretty much impossible to subdue the glass 
of several big shining lenses on a battle field so said lenses have always 
made attractive targets. Back in 1985 when I was in Army Photo School we 
were told that the life expectancy for a novice photographer in a hot AO 
was about 14 seconds. (Of course this was probably mostly BS to make us pay 
attention...but it worked....didn't it Lance?)

>Another program showed the new breed of military-trained combat
>photographers, who are trained soldiers, but receive special training in the
>digital arts.

"Military-Trained Combat Photographers" have always been 'trained soldiers' 
FIRST (learn how to kill people and break things more efficiently) then we 
had an additional 6 months training course in Still Photographic 
Applications. The course was 8 hours a day 5 days a week and accelerated 
lockstep  pace...It was one of the longest AITs in the military and 
generally offered more training in actual PHOTOGRAPHY than someone who gets 
a MFA from a nice University. The Navy was the only branch to have its 
Photo Mates have different training in Florida not with the rest of us in 
Denver's Lowry AFB Tech Training Center. A few years ago the US Army (at 
least I don't know about the other branches) eliminated the Military 
Occupational Specialty of Still Photographic Specialist (aka Combat 
Photographer aka 84B...25S) and are now said to be using regular old 
digitally assisted grunts for the job of combat imagery (aka cannon fodder, 
ground-pounders...the ones who kill people, break things and win wars) and 
DOD Civilian Contractor (UNION) shooters for all other Photographic needs.

>If Leica does not get digital out, Ms on the
>battlefield will be a thing of the past.

"Ms on the battlefield" have been a thing of the past since the last Huey 
pulled out of Saigon. While I was in (active 85-89) I used government 
issued Nikon F3s, Canon F1s, a Mamiya 645 Super and RB67s, Hassleblad 
500cm... all purchased through regular local civilian channels and no 
different than you or I could buy on the street. (I did have one ancient OD 
Green Graflex Speed Graphic modified with to accept an optional RB 220 back 
as well as the standard Graflock and fixed to use a Metz 45 CT1...man, I 
miss THAT camera.)

>Of course, the controversy is that
>the networks and news syndicates are very happy to have the photos handed to
>them on a silver platter, in almost real time, but that all the info is then
>coming through military channels.

Free and with no photo credit other than US ARMY (NAVY, AIR FORCE, COAST 
GAURD or MARINES) PHOTO. Some of the best work I've ever done I can't lay 
claim to. (oh, but I'm not bitter....)

:)
Carpe Luminem,
Michael E. Bérubé, 84B10F

Replies: Reply from "Michael E. Bérubé" <MEB@goodphotos.com> (Re: [Leica] Military Photographers (was: New M6))
Reply from S Dimitrov <sld@earthlink.net> (Re: [Leica] Military Photographers (was: New M6))
In reply to: Message from Mark Cohen <markc@binaryfaith.com> (Re: [Leica] New M6)
Message from Chandos <cmbrow@wm.edu> (Re: [Leica] New M6)