Posting Photos of Cadets Having Fun

Major Carrales · May 02, 2011, 06:30:18 AM

I have been a CAP PAO for many years now and noticed something in some of the matierals that got me to thinking. We are always posting many pics of cadets on various things...but, do we ever post pics of cadets "just having fun" doing CAP activities?

Does a professional image necessarily have to be one where everyone looks like they are statues?

This also comes as a reply to a person who, when asking about CAP, made the comment that it didn't look like it would be "fun."

My opinion has always been that if a person is not having fun that something is going wrong in the implementation of the program. I'm having a blast doing CAP and make sure to poll cadets on how they feel about the activities...they enjoy the "genuine" nature of CAP and the accomplishments garnered in serving in a unit. If something was unpopular or beyond ability...it is rareluy done as a suqadron activity.

caphornbuckle · May 02, 2011, 06:52:41 AM

When I was a Squadron Commander, I held a contest. The first cadet to recruit 4 new members within a certain period was allowed to shave my head. Of course it was successful. There were plenty of pictures taken and was published in the wing newsletter as well as the unit and wing website.

www.scribd.com/doc/37657498/Indiana-Wing-April-2007

I think, for the most part, PA folks want those professional images in fear of having a poor image reflected upon CAP.

Major Carrales · May 02, 2011, 07:09:37 AM

Quote from: caphornbuckle on May 02, 2011, 06:52:41 AM
When I was a Squadron Commander, I held a contest. The first cadet to recruit 4 new members within a certain period was allowed to shave my head. Of course it was successful. There were plenty of pictures taken and was published in the wing newsletter as well as the unit and wing website.

www.scribd.com/doc/37657498/Indiana-Wing-April-2007

I think, for the most part, PA folks want those professional images in fear of having a poor image reflected upon CAP.

Photos taken out of context and ridiculed on internet forums in those "funny uniform" threads...for example...or lambasted on other forums are the only danger I see. We should, however, be selling CAP as a positive and fun activity.

Let me suggest some items that I have seen...

1) Some cadets visited some sort of museum and were photographed with some sort of, I am assuming, Russian headwear from what looked like the late-19th Century early 20th. It was some sort of photo op showing cadets interacting with the historyl It was posted on CADETSTUFF as some sort of uniform violation.

2) A photo of three cadets beaming after finding an ELT in an aircraft hanger were laughing and smiling as they walked away. Obviously they were proud of the job they did and had a good time doing it. Yes, I was shocked that it was declared "unprofessional" when it was rejected for publication.

3) A Civil Air Patrol Captain was photographed in BDUs...the expression on his face conveyed that sort of "mute pride" in being in CAP and doing something meaningful. Yet, it appeared on a Military forum for ridicule with the faux caption... "I'm in CIVIL AIR PATROL...GIVE ME YOUR CHILDREN." Disgusting!!!

4) Another PAO related a story to me about a photo that was rejected because the cadets were smiling too much. I saw the photo...all I saw was a few cadets in uniform posing infront of a statue at some air museum.

Now...lots of places to go up in these examples...but I now have to think thrice about sending photos up their that might show cadets having a good time. DO all photos have to display expressions of cadet looking like Easter Island offerings?

caphornbuckle · May 02, 2011, 07:24:59 AM

Unfortunately, you are going to find someone that will try to find flaws in anything in regards to PA work. Especially with the internet and sites like this. Honestly, I would send the pics up anyways and see what happens from there.

mclarke · May 02, 2011, 01:49:35 PM

Read the PAO How-To manuel. It has a lot of good information, including what you speak of.

PA How-To-Guide, Page 29 (Avoid "Fig-Lead" Pose)
A candid photo action is preferable, but if you miss the moment or cannot get a good shot in the originally location, pose your subject. Do not allow your subjects to stand with their hands folded in front of them! Give them something to hold, or try to come up with an action shot instead. Along the same lines, tell your subject to get their hands out of their pockets for the photo.

Simple, action photos are preferred. Just assure the photo is not blurry and is good taste. I also want to include the following as a guide for posting.

PA How-To-Guide, Page 32, Section d.

(1) CAP shall not publish identifying information other than name, rank and general locale or the individual's unit of assignment, limited to city, state, squadron/group/wing.
(2) CAP shall obtain written permission from identifiable individuals appearing on photographs that are used for commercial purposed, including paid advertising purchased by CAP, but not including official publications and Web sites produced by CAP staff.
(3) When individual circumstances cause a member to request that they not appear in photographs distributed by CAP, Public Affairs staff and any member serving as a CAP photographer shall make a good faith effort to comply with the request.
(4) None of the provisions n this section shall be interpreted as applying to legitimate news organizations or to members conducting photography for personal rather than corporate purposes, unless such photos and videos are later adopted for corporate use.

Hope this helps.

ol'fido · May 02, 2011, 02:02:47 PM

Unfortunately, a lot of people think that being professional is merely walking around and acting like your at a funeral and remaining "pristine" at all times in appearence. These people turn into kind of a military robot. Now don't get me wrong there is a time to be serious and you want to keep up your appearence, but you can be professional and have fun. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Bluelakes 13 · May 02, 2011, 05:54:38 PM

Many of the photos in the new leadership manuals and new publications are mine and come from here:
http://kalemis.com/cap/index.htm

Some are serious and some are fun. A good balance must be displayed. If it were all seriousness and no fun, the future of CAP would be bleak.

Senior · May 04, 2011, 08:19:53 PM

I agree that some of the photos in the cadet materials really look super serious. One picture I see around CAP websites is of a female cadet with a puckered/stern/uncomfortable expression on her face. I think the picture just by itself, without context, gives the wrong impression of the cadet program.

JoeTomasone · May 05, 2011, 01:15:18 PM

Examples of "fun" photos I have seen published or have taken personally:

1. A group of Cadets surrounding a fighter pilot with his aircraft in the background as he talks about his job. The cadets had looks of awe on their faces and were paying close attention.

2. Cadets in PTs playing volleyball at Encampment.

3. Cadets doing an obstacle course.

4. Looking upward at a just-launched model rocket. (Sometimes it's a combination of the photo and the caption...)