aircraft.  It  is  used  extensively  to  show  damaged, defective,  and  unsatisfactory  equipment-from  aircraft engines  to  zippers. The discussion on illustrative photography in this chapter is limited to those aspects that apply to studio work. In this sense, illustrative photography should be considered  as  product  photography.  The  techniques given here are not necessarily “locked up” in the studio. They can be taken outside the confines of the studio and put to good use in the field. Product  photography,  then,  is  the  making  of photographs for the purpose of illustrating or explaining something about a product, either in whole or in part. EQUIPMENT The three types of format cameras and the lighting units used to accomplish product photography are discussed  in  this  section. Camera The variety of subjects encountered in product photography  requires  a  camera  with  a  long  bellows extension,  vertical  and  horizontal  swing  adjustments, tilt, rising front, and lateral shift and both long- and short-focal-length lenses. All of these features exist on a  view  camera. The view camera is the primary tool of professional product photographers. An 8x10 view camera is usually the largest size in use today. Photographers that want to produce the highest quality photography use it. Its large film format and adjustments help to produce clear, sharp,  nearly  distortion-free  photographs  that  are  in complete  focus. Large  film-format  cameras  provide  high-quality images because the negatives or transparencies do not have to be enlarged as much as smaller negatives. A large film format in and of itself does not necessarily ensure high-quality  product  photography.  Long  tonal  range, from highlights to shadow detail, is required. Lighting ratios must be calculated and adjusted with care, and exposure calculations must be precise. Lenses of the highest  quality,  which  are  spotlessly  clean,  enhance  the photographic  quality  of  any  size  format. VIEW CAMERAS.–Most Navy photo labs do not have an 8x10 view camera; but most of them do have a 4x5 view camera, and you should use it for most product photography. Whatever view camera you use, it must be supported on a steady tripod. MEDIUM-FORMAT  CAMERAS.–If for some reason, such as a need for speed or limited working space (such as inside the cockpit of an aircraft), a view camera cannot be used for product photography, then a medium-format  camera  should  be  your  next  choice. Some  photographers  choose  other  than  a large format camera simply because they are willing to sacrifice quality for convenience, rather  than  use  a  view  camera.  They probably have the attitude of “it's good enough for government work.” Do not fall into  this  trap.  Instead,  always  strive  to produce   photography   of   the   highest professional quality. As we have said before, you will be known by the quality of your photography  more  than  anything  else. Maintain the attitude that “nothing is too good for the Navy.” Medium-format  cameras  can  be  hand-held,  focused rapidly, and many images can be produced in a relatively short time. The film size, however, is not as conducive to high-quality photography as the 8x10 or 4x5 formats. The  main  disadvantage  of  a  medium-format  camera  for product photography is its lack of adjustments to correct distortion. 35MM  CAMERAS.–Finally, we have the small format, 35mm camera. Because of its small film size, many photographers do not even consider it for use in product photography, particularly in the studio. It does, however,  have  its  place  in  product  photography, particularly  when  a  large  number  of  exposures  must  be made in rapid succession or when working space is very limited; for example, inside the intake ducts of a jet aircraft. Which of the three format cameras-large, medium, or  small  format-should  you  use  for  product photography? There is no best camera to use; there is, however,  only  one  best  camera  to  use  for  each assignment, and you must be able to choose the one that best  meets  the  needs  of  the  photographic  assignment  at hand. Lights The lighting equipment most commonly used for product  photography  is  incandescent  lamps  and electronic flash or strobes. All lighting units have one or several of the following means of controlling light: reflectors,  lenses,  barn  doors,  diffusers,  snoots, umbrellas,  or  reflector  boards. 6-22