Unfortunate Out of Uniform Picture

[Major Carrales]

Should I get off your dang'nabbed lawn, too?   

I'm not gonna dignify that with an answer to the NEGATIVE or the POSITIVE.

[Rotorhead]

Whatever... The biggest problem with PAOs today is that they photograph CAP as it is not as opposed to how it is.

Some PAOs take these beautiful shots of CAP personel in aircraft at airshows and those opportunistic moments that shows CAP in an unrealistic pose.  Cropping out the reality...and presenting the "false" to some potential members that sees CAP as what it is not, joins and is disappointed.

We are not PAOs to deliver articles to the NEW YORK TIMES, or to some flashly publication...but rather, informing our local areas of what we really do.  Well written articles that potential members will read and be able to make the decision to join CAP based on it. 

"Teachable momement?!?"  In a PIG'S EYE!!!  This is yet another of those threads where a good was accomplished in CAP and people chose to ridicule the event.  Where some cadets were raked over the methphorical coals when they are neither in the wrong or in a situation of their own accord.

An you people would have us spend millions on people researching and wondering why retention rates are low.

We have to start showing the totality of situations in CAP of we are to attract people who want to do what CAP really does.  CAP Cadets and Officers in "fighter planes," "jumping from choppers," and otherwise coming out in public affairs doing things we don't normally do works against us.

I went to college too...so don't swing around your degrees here because a paper on a wall no more makes and expert than a stamp actually delivers the mail.

Jose E Carrales, Bachelor's in History and English in a University.

You are way out of line here.

If you believe showing cadets out of uniform will help recruit people to CAP because that is 'real," then you clearly don't understand the role of the PAO.

The PAO in the case did a poor job. He sent a poorly-composed photo which also happens to fail to meet NHQ's established standards for photographs.

And this..."We are not PAOs to deliver articles to the NEW YORK TIMES, or to some flashly publication...but rather, informing our local areas of what we really do.  Well written articles that potential members will read and be able to make the decision to join CAP based on it. " This demonstrates a very limited understanding of what the PAOs job actually encompasses.

My "local area" includes a major media market as well as several mid-sized ones. If you think I'm going to lower my standards for any reason, you are 100% wrong. The fact that you advocate doing so... because we aren't delivering material to some "flashy publication"... is frankly frightening.

You go ahead and submit substandard, lower-quality material for publication, if that makes you happy. I'm going to keep doing my best to deliver top-quality photos, video and articles to my Wing's news media.

One more thing.. if the PAO in question had done his job as well as the cadets in the competition did theirs, this thread never would have been created.

[Major Carrales]

Whatever... The biggest problem with PAOs today is that they photograph CAP as it is not as opposed to how it is.

Some PAOs take these beautiful shots of CAP personel in aircraft at airshows and those opportunistic moments that shows CAP in an unrealistic pose.  Cropping out the reality...and presenting the "false" to some potential members that sees CAP as what it is not, joins and is disappointed.

We are not PAOs to deliver articles to the NEW YORK TIMES, or to some flashly publication...but rather, informing our local areas of what we really do.  Well written articles that potential members will read and be able to make the decision to join CAP based on it. 

"Teachable momement?!?"  In a PIG'S EYE!!!  This is yet another of those threads where a good was accomplished in CAP and people chose to ridicule the event.  Where some cadets were raked over the methphorical coals when they are neither in the wrong or in a situation of their own accord.

An you people would have us spend millions on people researching and wondering why retention rates are low.

We have to start showing the totality of situations in CAP of we are to attract people who want to do what CAP really does.  CAP Cadets and Officers in "fighter planes," "jumping from choppers," and otherwise coming out in public affairs doing things we don't normally do works against us.

I went to college too...so don't swing around your degrees here because a paper on a wall no more makes and expert than a stamp actually delivers the mail.

Jose E Carrales, Bachelor's in History and English in a University.

You are way out of line here.

If you believe showing cadets out of uniform will help recruit people to CAP because that is 'real," then you clearly don't understand the role of the PAO.

The PAO in the case did a poor job. He sent a poorly-composed photo which also happens to fail to meet NHQ's established standards for photographs.

And this..."We are not PAOs to deliver articles to the NEW YORK TIMES, or to some flashly publication...but rather, informing our local areas of what we really do.  Well written articles that potential members will read and be able to make the decision to join CAP based on it. " This demonstrates a very limited understanding of what the PAOs job actually encompasses.

My "local area" includes a major media market as well as several mid-sized ones. If you think I'm going to lower my standards for any reason, you are 100% wrong. The fact that you advocate doing so... because we aren't delivering material to some "flashy publication"... is frankly frightening.

You go ahead and submit substandard, lower-quality material for publication, if that makes you happy. I'm going to keep doing my best to deliver top-quality photos, video and articles to my Wing's news media.

One more thing.. if the PAO in question had done his job as well as the cadets in the competition did theirs, this thread never would have been created.

Have you made any attempt to contact the PAO in question, or are you merely berating his/her work here without the benefit of rebuttal?  Go ahead...

"For more information, contact Lt. Clint Parker, public affairs officer, at pao@ashevillecap.org"

Sorry, Lad, but all CAP is local.  The real work come from what you do in the community, how well your squadron represents and executes CAP's Missions.  If we cannot present the reality of those activities and have to be "sneaking around," "editing photos with photoshop" or play "Ministry of Truth" with our articles and photos; then we are liars.

The reality of this photo was that cadets preformed and achieved.  They did it in tennis shoes and were photographed doing it.  The reality of that situation should have been reflected in the acticle as what happened.

I know many in the news media (radio, television and the web) have become so used to "spin" that they forget we are here to report news, that which occurred.  You know, maybe charlatanism is the zeighiest , but I write articles that I intend to give historians of future the real CAP story...not lies.

I don't want you to lower your standards...I want you to raise them.

[tdepp]

This thread is bunk anyway...I'm not gonna lose "capital" with you over nonsense.

This thread is the opposite of "bunk".  This thread is an excellent teachable moment for public affairs officers, both current and future.  The art of framing a photograph and selecting the important elements to focus upon in a story or media release is not bunk.  It's one of the core skills of the trade of public relations.   Rather, I'd say, throwing up your hands and calling the whole discussion worthless when the holes in your argument have been pointed out is "bunk".

Framing a photograph is what photographers do.  It's not their job to capture every detail and the totality of every situation.  If that were the job of journalistic photography, every shot of every news event would be some wide-angle aerial overview of the entire event with every last person and detail squeezed into the frame.   That's not the case, because that's not what journalistic or PR photography is about.  Most great news photos are shot "close in".  And a critical rule of editing photography (that's right, photographs should be edited before they go to the press or public -- it's an expected, understood, and fully ethical part of the trade) is to crop, crop some more, and then crop till it hurts... and then you probably have a good shot.  Similar rules include -- when taking a photograph, stop and take a few steps closer.  Then take a few more.  The idea isn't to show the totality of the situation, but often a detail or moment that represents or captures the essence of the event.    This is textbook public relations.   Nobody is suggesting photoshopping in different footwear, changing the nature of the event, or substituting in heads of William Shatner (which you equated with proper framing or cropping). 

Lastly, before bringing ethics into the discussion, take a moment to examine what those ethical standards actually are.  The Public Relations Society of America has published ethical standards that all of its members sign and adhere to, and for which there is actually a Board of Ethics and Professional Standards to review members' misconduct.   I'll link to the PRSA Ethics Code now:  http://www.prsa.org/aboutprsa/ethics/    I am a member of the PRSA, have been for years, and have signed to those ethical standards.  Taking a shot from a good angle to cut out something silly like sneakers isn't unethical, and rather I'd posit that PAOs who fail to crop out such unnecessary details are actually risking failing at their primary goal, which is to positively portray their client (CAP).

Michael Kieloch, MS in public relations

Michael:

Good points.  I think I can reduce it to this photographic/artistic axiom: less is more.  Good cropping can make a ok photo good and a good photo great.

Todd Epp, slinging the BS learned from a university 

[Rotorhead]

Whatever... The biggest problem with PAOs today is that they photograph CAP as it is not as opposed to how it is.

Some PAOs take these beautiful shots of CAP personel in aircraft at airshows and those opportunistic moments that shows CAP in an unrealistic pose.  Cropping out the reality...and presenting the "false" to some potential members that sees CAP as what it is not, joins and is disappointed.

We are not PAOs to deliver articles to the NEW YORK TIMES, or to some flashly publication...but rather, informing our local areas of what we really do.  Well written articles that potential members will read and be able to make the decision to join CAP based on it. 

"Teachable momement?!?"  In a PIG'S EYE!!!  This is yet another of those threads where a good was accomplished in CAP and people chose to ridicule the event.  Where some cadets were raked over the methphorical coals when they are neither in the wrong or in a situation of their own accord.

An you people would have us spend millions on people researching and wondering why retention rates are low.

We have to start showing the totality of situations in CAP of we are to attract people who want to do what CAP really does.  CAP Cadets and Officers in "fighter planes," "jumping from choppers," and otherwise coming out in public affairs doing things we don't normally do works against us.

I went to college too...so don't swing around your degrees here because a paper on a wall no more makes and expert than a stamp actually delivers the mail.

Jose E Carrales, Bachelor's in History and English in a University.

You are way out of line here.

If you believe showing cadets out of uniform will help recruit people to CAP because that is 'real," then you clearly don't understand the role of the PAO.

The PAO in the case did a poor job. He sent a poorly-composed photo which also happens to fail to meet NHQ's established standards for photographs.

And this..."We are not PAOs to deliver articles to the NEW YORK TIMES, or to some flashly publication...but rather, informing our local areas of what we really do.  Well written articles that potential members will read and be able to make the decision to join CAP based on it. " This demonstrates a very limited understanding of what the PAOs job actually encompasses.

My "local area" includes a major media market as well as several mid-sized ones. If you think I'm going to lower my standards for any reason, you are 100% wrong. The fact that you advocate doing so... because we aren't delivering material to some "flashy publication"... is frankly frightening.

You go ahead and submit substandard, lower-quality material for publication, if that makes you happy. I'm going to keep doing my best to deliver top-quality photos, video and articles to my Wing's news media.

One more thing.. if the PAO in question had done his job as well as the cadets in the competition did theirs, this thread never would have been created.

Have you made any attempt to contact the PAO in question, or are you merely berating his/her work here without the benefit of rebuttal?  Go ahead...

"For more information, contact Lt. Clint Parker, public affairs officer, at pao@ashevillecap.org"

Sorry, Lad, but all CAP is local.  The real work come from what you do in the community, how well your squadron represents and executes CAP's Missions.  If we cannot present the reality of those activities and have to be "sneaking around," "editing photos with photoshop" or play "Ministry of Truth" with our articles and photos; then we are liars.

The reality of this photo was that cadets preformed and achieved.  They did it in tennis shoes and were photographed doing it.  The reality of that situation should have been reflected in the acticle as what happened.

I know many in the news media (radio, television and the web) have become so used to "spin" that they forget we are here to report news, that which occurred.  You know, maybe charlatanism is the zeighiest , but I write articles that I intend to give historians of future the real CAP story...not lies.

I don't want you to lower your standards...I want you to raise them.

We are not here to report news.

That is not the job of the PAO.

We are here to present this organization in the best possible light.

I'm sorry that you don't understand that.

[Flying Pig]

Just be glad someone even took the time to even submit an article.  Coulda cropped out the feet, but I dont think it will make or break someone joining or not.

Robert Steht
Various college courses that dont really amount to anything really.

[Thom]

I think some folks might have a small disconnect here.

A Public Affairs Officer is NOT an Investigative Reporter, nor even by strictest standards a Journalist.

The PAO's function, while never losing touch with the CAP Core Values of Integrity and Excellence, is to present the Corporation, its members, and occasionally the U.S. Air Force, in a positive light to the public.  A PAO prepares materials for dissemination to the Media which document CAP's endeavors and successes.

The difference between a PAO and a Journalist, whose job is to explore every nook and cranny in search of the complete unvarnished truth, is profound.

That said, any PAO in CAP who is censoring the truth to a degree that borders on ethical violations, should remember that their guideposts are the CAP Core Values.  If you cannot maintain Integrity and Excellence while preparing some press release, it is likely better to not release anything than to release something which compromises your ethics.

In truth, that is usually where For-Profit Corporations go wrong with Public Affairs: they lie or conflate when ethically it would have been better to simply remain silent.

I don't believe CAP has a particularly large problem with ethics in Public Affairs, in fact I'd say our biggest PA need is simply to provide better training and guidance (especially guidance!) to our PAOs.


Thom

[tdepp]

I think some folks might have a small disconnect here.

A Public Affairs Officer is NOT an Investigative Reporter, nor even by strictest standards a Journalist.

The PAO's function, while never losing touch with the CAP Core Values of Integrity and Excellence, is to present the Corporation, its members, and occasionally the U.S. Air Force, in a positive light to the public.  A PAO prepares materials for dissemination to the Media which document CAP's endeavors and successes.

The difference between a PAO and a Journalist, whose job is to explore every nook and cranny in search of the complete unvarnished truth, is profound.

That said, any PAO in CAP who is censoring the truth to a degree that borders on ethical violations, should remember that their guideposts are the CAP Core Values.  If you cannot maintain Integrity and Excellence while preparing some press release, it is likely better to not release anything than to release something which compromises your ethics.

In truth, that is usually where For-Profit Corporations go wrong with Public Affairs: they lie or conflate when ethically it would have been better to simply remain silent.

I don't believe CAP has a particularly large problem with ethics in Public Affairs, in fact I'd say our biggest PA need is simply to provide better training and guidance (especially guidance!) to our PAOs.


Thom

Thom: Indeed.  Having been a journalist, a political campaign press secretary, and now, an APAO, your analysis of the roles of journalist v. public relations person is dead on.  Both the journalist and PAO deal in facts; the journalist is obligated to look at all sides of a story and ask difficult questions when necessary; the PAO/public relations person has no credibility if they don't present facts or stretch the truth but they are also there to promote the cause, candidate, or organization. 

The cadet photo posed a difficult situation: While out of uniform, they were ordered to be out of uniform for the competition.  But cropping or a different photo from the waists up might have been a better submission.

But we are Monday morning quarterbacking here.  A group of outstanding cadets got favorable press for themselves and our organization in their local newspaper and its website.  For a volunteer PAO (or even a paid press secretary), that's a "win" in my book and the PAO did a good job.  But a cropped photo or a medium shot or close up that didn't include the tennis shoes would have made a good story and result even better.  Just like Duke winning the national title last night, I'm sure when Coach K looks at the tape in preparation for next year, he'll find some things even they can do better.

It's easy for all of us to criticize how others do their jobs.  As one of my favorite Presidents, Harry Truman, used to say, "Any jackass can kick down a barn but it takes a carpenter to build one."  I'm guessing the PAO who did just about everything right with this story won't make this "mistake" again.  And we should appreciate his/her efforts and results--unless someone else would like to volunteer to take their place or be their assistant. 

[lordmonar]

Should I get off your dang'nabbed lawn, too?   

I'm not gonna dignify that with an answer to the NEGATIVE or the POSITIVE.

You just did. 

[lordmonar]

Just be glad someone even took the time to even submit an article.  Coulda cropped out the feet, but I dont think it will make or break someone joining or not.

Robert Steht
Various college courses that dont really amount to anything really.

+1

[Smokey]

How in the world did this topic end up with folks attacking one another?     

I can't believe the level this has sunk to by those I've come to respect on this forum.

Everyone take a deep breath, count to 10(000)....

Do I really need to get you in a room together for a group hug and kumbaya?

Carry on.........

[SarDragon]

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. 

[PhotogPilot]

I've read all your posts, points and counter-points with great interest. I thought I'd toss in my 2 cents worth, take it or leave it. The PAO to me fulfills many rolls, sometimes journalist, sometimes ad-man and sometimes stand-up philosopher (see "History of the World Part I" to see where I'm going here). In regards to this particular photo, there's a lot I can comment on. The composition is weak, the shot from the sideline is very two-dimensional and does not convey the "essence" of the moment. Sorry Maj. C, but I must respectfully disagree with you here. I don't believe honest critique of a photograph deminishes the accomplishment of the cadets, and every photograph is an edit of the reality of the moment. The issue the shoes not withstanding, it's a weak photo.

Before you start with "this shmoe ain't got a clue what he's talking about" let me give you a little background on me. I've been a serious photographer since I was 10 years old (I'm 51 now). While out of broadcasting now, I've got almost 30 years of experience in the field, with jobs including Producer, Director, Engineer, Reporter, and Photographer. I've shot everything from NBA Playoffs, to hurricanes, to perp walks, to chopper FLIR cam duties. With a range of cameras from Bell and Howell BP-70's to Sony Beta Cams, and still cameras ranging from a Minolta SRT-101 to my current Nikon D1x. I've been either a PAO or assistant PAO for most of my 10+ years in CAP. I have a slight clue what good photography is.

Let's look at this PAO for a second. He most likely has no journalism, photography or marketing experience. He probably shot the picture with a point and shoot digital camera like a Coolpix or Canon Sureshot. He may be a lawyer or Home Depot Hardware salesman. He's out there contributing and volunteering his valuble time, and for that I salute him, and his efforts. Skills as a photographer don't come overnight. After 40+ years, I learn something new almost every time I pick up a camera. Honest critique of a single photo is not meant to demean his efforts, or beat the guy up. Believe me, I used to submit my work to Lone Star Emmy and NPPA quarterly contests, and have been savaged, and I'm talking beatdowns that make Simon Cowell look like Mother Theresa.

I would like to see him move closer to action (zoom with your feet, not with your lens), and find an angle that show's these kids determination and focus. Fancy footwork and precision moves can be demonstrated on video very easily, not so easy in a still shot. Still photography seeks to capture a moment that convey's the story, unfortunately, this shot did not do that. To learn to do that reqires pratice, so to this PAO, keep practicing, and thank you for your time and effort.

[Major Carrales]

Should I get off your dang'nabbed lawn, too?   

I'm not gonna dignify that with an answer to the NEGATIVE or the POSITIVE.

You just did. 

Not really, I answered with an ambiguity that was neither negative nor positive.

[Major Carrales]

Sorry folks, but my approach to Public Affairs has yeilded good results in my area.  However, it seems that all that success simply can't exist.  I have already been told here, in not so many words, that I am no Public Affairs Officer (because am trying to be too much a journalist) and we are not here to report the news.  That I simply just can't understand that...and that I "submit low quality substandard articles."

I think...my days...in Public Affairs...are soon to be behind me.   

Well, I guess I had better simply just switch over to Historian.

[RiverAux]

I think most agree that the photo submitted wasn't that great, but the shoes were the least of its problems. 

An important part of a PAOs job is to present the organization in the best light possible.  That doesn't require "unethical behavior".  Part of that is having an awareness that it is generally not a good idea to use photographs that show violations of our own regulations. 

In this case, I wouldn't say that our regulations were really violated as the members involved were following the rules of the event.  So, I wouldn't automatically rule out using photos that showed the shoes. 

If I was editing a CAP publication and the photo was sent to me and it was the absolute best "action" photo available for the event I would probably have decided to not use it since it just shows a jumble of cadets and doesn't really show the skill they have at this event very well.  The shoes wouldn't have been a big factor in this decision since everyone was wearing the same ones and as a group they looked uniform.  This might be one of those few occassions when a grip and grin photo might be preferred. 

[RiverAux]

While I don't think I can think of a single CAP photo that I've used that hasn't been cropped, I don't think that could have saved this particular photo due to the confusing move that they attempted to capture in a single photograph.  Perhaps they may have been able to get a better drill shot from a different angle that could have been cropped to hide the shoes.

I do agree that had that been done and the photo brought here for discussion that someone would have cried foul about missing the feet.  They would have assumed they were cropped out to hide evidence of someone being out of step. 

[JayT]

Sorry folks, but my approach to Public Affairs has yeilded good results in my area.  However, it seems that all that success simply can't exist.  I have already been told here, in not so many words, that I am no Public Affairs Officer (because am trying to be too much a journalist) and we are not here to report the news.  That I simply just can't understand that...and that I "submit low quality substandard articles."

I think...my days...in Public Affairs...are soon to be behind me.   

Well, I guess I had better simply just switch over to Historian.

Major

I don't exactly see what your gripe is. Cropping a photo is hardly 'Ministry of Truth' stuff. The cadets were out of uniform for no fault of their own, and the PAO who released it should of simply cropped out a few pixals. Your solution was to give a detailed answer to why the cadets were wearing white shoes in the caption, but that's a little ridiculous.

Yes, CAP is all local, but a uniform violation like that doesn't need to be spread in any context. A simple croppe job would make CAP, and whatever Air Force or military dude looking at it look better in the eyes of the public.

[tdepp]

I've read all your posts, points and counter-points with great interest. I thought I'd toss in my 2 cents worth, take it or leave it. The PAO to me fulfills many rolls, sometimes journalist, sometimes ad-man and sometimes stand-up philosopher (see "History of the World Part I" to see where I'm going here). In regards to this particular photo, there's a lot I can comment on. The composition is weak, the shot from the sideline is very two-dimensional and does not convey the "essence" of the moment. Sorry Maj. C, but I must respectfully disagree with you here. I don't believe honest critique of a photograph deminishes the accomplishment of the cadets, and every photograph is an edit of the reality of the moment. The issue the shoes not withstanding, it's a weak photo.

Before you start with "this shmoe ain't got a clue what he's talking about" let me give you a little background on me. I've been a serious photographer since I was 10 years old (I'm 51 now). While out of broadcasting now, I've got almost 30 years of experience in the field, with jobs including Producer, Director, Engineer, Reporter, and Photographer. I've shot everything from NBA Playoffs, to hurricanes, to perp walks, to chopper FLIR cam duties. With a range of cameras from Bell and Howell BP-70's to Sony Beta Cams, and still cameras ranging from a Minolta SRT-101 to my current Nikon D1x. I've been either a PAO or assistant PAO for most of my 10+ years in CAP. I have a slight clue what good photography is.

Let's look at this PAO for a second. He most likely has no journalism, photography or marketing experience. He probably shot the picture with a point and shoot digital camera like a Coolpix or Canon Sureshot. He may be a lawyer or Home Depot Hardware salesman. He's out there contributing and volunteering his valuble time, and for that I salute him, and his efforts. Skills as a photographer don't come overnight. After 40+ years, I learn something new almost every time I pick up a camera. Honest critique of a single photo is not meant to demean his efforts, or beat the guy up. Believe me, I used to submit my work to Lone Star Emmy and NPPA quarterly contests, and have been savaged, and I'm talking beatdowns that make Simon Cowell look like Mother Theresa.

I would like to see him move closer to action (zoom with your feet, not with your lens), and find an angle that show's these kids determination and focus. Fancy footwork and precision moves can be demonstrated on video very easily, not so easy in a still shot. Still photography seeks to capture a moment that convey's the story, unfortunately, this shot did not do that. To learn to do that reqires pratice, so to this PAO, keep practicing, and thank you for your time and effort.

PP:
Indeed.  Good analysis and advice.
So, what's the worst thing anyone ever told you about one of your photos or videos you submitted?  As a former TV journalist and manager, believe me, I know what a pack of sharks that can turn into.  But on the other hand, it seems like you took such criticism to heart and determined to be a better photographer.  And as you note, savaging our volunteers is not a way to win friends and influence people and improve their photos.  Sounds like you'd be a great person to put on a photography clinic at a wing or group conference. 
I've been shooting photos for publication since I was in high school and I too am 51.  And every time I take a photo and every class I take, I learn something new.  Plus, even an action photo of cadets at drill team is art, so besides the technical, there's the artistic as well.  And some of that can be taught but some of it is also intuitive.  And everyone has an opinion, even if it is wrong. 

[Bluelakes 13]

When I teach photography for PAO's, I emphasize, IMPLORE, that every photo "published" must be edited.  Each and every one.  I see scores of photos uploaded to websites straight out of the camera.   Those that know me and my work, whether it's NCC or Encampment, know we spend HOURS each night choosing the photos to be published and then editing each one.  As I teach, every photo must tell a story. Unfortunately most PAOs think of photographs as an afterthought.  I am hoping the new curriculum stresses the importance of photos. 

Maj Pabon will videotape my next class in September and share it with the Region PAOs and hopefully it will be passed down the ranks.

James.