Darkness and Light

Detail, Discipline and Demands

LAC Sam Shepherd. OH-05-0100-13-tn.jpg.

LAC Sam Shepherd has just completed the Advanced Imagery Course, and graduated as a Senior Photographer. Here he talks about being a senior photographer in today’s RNZAF.

I am a 22 year old former student of Tauhara College, Taupo and have just completed Advanced Imagery Course at Base Ohakea. I’m now posted to RNZAF Base Auckland and work alongside five other photographers supporting the Base’s imagery, video and design requirements.

The broad scope of the training includes use of an extensive range of equipment and media.

This includes hand processing black and white film in the darkroom through to digital asset management and video production.

The role of an Air Force photographer can be very demanding - expecting the highest standards of personal discipline, communication skills and technical proficiency - all while challenging you as an individual to achieve the highest quality imagery possible.

It is these attributes that draw a distinction between the quality of your work and experience you hold as a professional to that of the amateur. It came as a great satisfaction to be recognised as having met this standard after three years of theory, practical lessons and on-the-job training to graduate as a Senior Photographer in the RNZAF.

The Defence Force is an excellent environment for a photographer, creating a diverse range of continually changing events and opportunities in support of not only the Air Force, but the Navy and Army as well.

Work can see me photographing new aircraft components in the studio or covering a Base parade one day, to leaning out of an aircraft capturing aerial reconnaissance targets the next.

I have deployed to Fiji on exercise with 3 Squadron and to Timor Leste to cover the Army’s current peacekeeping role. Going to places such as these, having never been before, enables you to not only shoot, but experience the place and people as well.

I have been in the Air Force for three and a half years, and with new experiences and opportunities still being made available every day, will be around for a few more years yet.