An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie 20 | by CAPT ANDy BRADy, 2I/C MP SCh, DFTC & CAPT DECLAN BARRETT, INFO OFFICER, PR BR PhotoS by COURSE STUDENTS O ne of the main objectives of Public Relations branch is to portray the Defence Forces in the best possible light and to achieve this objective a key weapon at our disposal is the trained photographer - where the adage of a picture painting a thousand words has never been more appropriate. to meet a pressing requirement to provide qualified, formation-based pho- tographers throughout the Defence Forces, PR branch, in conjunction with the MP School, conducted the inaugural PR Photography course in the DFtC. twelve students at- tended the course of intensive instruction, which ran for two weeks in July. As the first course of its kind it presented inherent chal- lenges, as the skill set of the PR photographer is different to that of other Defence Forces photographers, such as the crime scene or ISTAR photographer. When faced with designing the syllabus and running the course, PR Branch availed of the experience of the MP School and one of the most qualified photographers in the Defence Forces, Sgt Mick McGrath (D MP Office), who has a BA in photographic media from Griffith College, Dublin. The first week of the course consisted mainly of lectures with the second week concentrating on practical activi- ties. Cpl Neville Coughlan (PR Branch) provided invaluable instruction to the course in the area of the tasks of a PR photographer in the Defence Forces. This experience proved hugely beneficial. An exercise titled 'Last minute.com' was designed to give the students an appreciation and understanding of the multiple tasks that a PR photographer can expect to face on a daily basis, often with the minimum of preparation time available. These tasks range from covering ceremonial events to tactical exercises, and from sporting events to taking photos of new vehicles or equipment. Each task requires a different approach but ultimately must yield the same result; a useable image that portrays the DF in a positive manner. As a result of the commitment and enthusiasm of the students and instructors, the Defence Forces now has 12 qualified PR photographers who will return to their respec- tive brigades/formations equipped with the knowledge and skill to undertake the various tasks allotted to them by PR Branch and their own press and information officers (PIOs). If your unit has an upcoming event that it wishes to have photographed you should contact your formation PIO or email info@military.ie. the

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