Can you Photoshop that?

  • Published
  • By Roland Balik
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  One of the most frequently asked questions by customers requiring an official head and shoulders or full length photograph here at the Public Affairs photo studio on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware is "Can you Photoshop that?"

My answer to their question over the past 14 years has always been "no" for obvious reasons including that it is forbidden by Department of Defense and Air Force policies, and I love my job; it's as simple as that.

As a retired master sergeant and former first sergeant, in my Air Force career I developed a critical eye regarding the proper wear of the uniform that has followed me over to my civilian photography career.

It also gives me an opportunity to converse with and educate customers on Air Force Instruction 36-2903; it's the first sergeant blood still strong inside of me.

If the old adage "A picture is worth a 1,000 words" is true, what cost are you willing to spend in time and/or money, to make yourself stand out among your peers?

What I mean by this is, does your uniform still fit you? Does it need ironing or dry cleaning? Are your ribbons and badges up to date? Are your grooming standards in accordance with the AFI?

If the answer is no to any of those questions, you're not ready for a studio appointment.

Speaking from personnel experience, as a young one-striper in the fall of 1978, I was selected for recruiter assistance duty that required a head and shoulders photo to be used by the recruiting office for various products.

Looking back at that photo, I set myself up for failure by not taking the time to review Air Force Regulation 35-10, the predecessor of AFI 36-2903, and not having any guidance or a spot check from my first sergeant or supervisor.

About 98 percent of our customers coming into the studio require some form of uniform adjustment regardless of rank or time in service; the majority of adjustments are just minor tweaks.

In AFI 36-2903, chapter 2, supervisors, first sergeants and commanders have the responsibility to ensure their subordinates meet dress and appearance standards as specified in the AFI, as well as the individual's responsibility.

Not having your photo taken because you are not prepared or within dress and appearance standards set in the AFI is a waste of a valuable appointment slot, the photographer's time and possibly print media, especially at this time of the year when group and wing annual award, special package and 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year nominee photo submissions are due.

Supervisors, a good spot check of a nominee's service dress takes less time than it does to write a good award package; invest the time for both because you owe it to your Airmen and yourself recognizing he or she is the best of the best.

As the photographer, I can control the lighting, exposure, body positioning, post-production editing and the way you and your uniform look in the viewfinder.

As my customer, take the following into consideration prior to making a photo appointment:

· Make sure your U.S. lapel insignia, nametag, ribbons, and badges are correct and positioned properly. Not having your nametag is the number one photo "no go" item.

· Get your service dress uniform tailored to fit your current body size, i.e. service coat, blue shirt and pants.

· Get a haircut or hairdo a couple of days prior to your appointment.

· Bring along items such as hairspray, mousse, lipstick, lip gloss, hair pins, comb or brush, etc.

· Shaving minutes prior to your photo appointment is not recommended because of the possibility of getting blood on the shirt collar and/or creating razor burn.

· If you are sick or develop a facial blemish, reschedule your appointment for another day.

· Supervisors and first sergeants, tell your nominee well in advance that they will need to get an official photo taken. Do not tell them the day before or the day an award package suspense is due.

· Supervisors and first sergeants, tell your nominee what type and size photo is required according to the photo criteria specified in the award package guidelines.

· Arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled studio appointment time to fill out a multimedia work order. If you need to cancel or reschedule an existing appointment, please do so as soon as possible.

· The most important suggestion: ask your supervisor or first sergeant to take a look at your uniform.

The bottom line is to invest the time and money into your photo because it will make you stand out above your peers. Remember, the Air Force is getting smaller for the same amount of annual awards and the competition is getting tougher.

Yes, I will use Photoshop to process your digital image but you as my customer need to give me something to work with.