You have to decide...

My office phone went today... on the other end, a friend of mine who is an official Army photographer....ringing from his office above me in the HQ.

The gist of the conversation is... Media Operations would like me to accompany him to photograph an Infantry battalion (600+ men) undertaking a village attack, in which they will be fighting in built up areas (FIBUA) over a 4 day period. The offer includes the use of their equipment D3, D300 and D700, plus a whole host of lenses... My friend has been tasked to video the attack, while I photograph it.

So, it's over to you - what do you decide? (btw, I've already agreed! ), how do you price it? Any other considerations?

Oh, if I use their kit then my pictures become Crown copyright - if I use my kit, the copyright remains mine.

watch this space for pictures - it's in the very near future.

You don't mean a real village attack do you? You mean a simulated training op ,don't you?

of course silly!!!

You never know!

In that case, go for it, have fun, and ask for loads of money

As for using their equipment or your own, have you used theirs before?Also, the whole copyright thing, how would you feel if you took the best photo of your life, and then had no copyright to it?

Hey, take twelve pics of the cutest lads in uniform, and then make a calender

From my limited experience of copyright, the copyright is yours regardless of who,s equipment you use, although they retain the actual physical property as there own e.g film, card etc, the intelectual copyright belongs to you, where abouts are you shooting btw ? was out in cyprus a few years ago at Akrotiri, good luck with it.

Stewie - Im shooting in Paralimni Village.

I've done work for the MOD before - I can assure you that by using their equipment you relinquish all copyright; which is why I have been given options.

I know Crown Copyright causes some consternation amongst military photographers; particularly when they are leaving the service. They have to get express permission to 'use' any image from the Crown portfolio that they captured whilst in service, or with military equipment.

My concerns about equipment would be theirs can be replaced or repaired if damaged, it would also give me the opportunity to play with cameras and lens I couldnt afford myself. In operation, the D3 and D700 are not that far removed from my 300 - I shoot manual anyway so the transition wouldnt be too difficult.

I intend to go and recce the village in the next week to look at light conditions at different times of the day, note settings from potential firing points, designate a 'safe & sterile' work area, and plan and agree upon a general scheme of work.

Moonie - I promise to grab some 'hunk' photos for you hun!

I'm quite excited by this... I've not done anything as 'Gung ho' as this since I was a fighting man myself.

Jack, you are Yo!s own little Action Man be safe, and if you can capture a hunk or two , well, I'll look if you post them, I suppose

Fair point, I should have realised that I suppose, good luck with it anyway

Personally I would do it and use their equipment - you're gonna get paid anyway, but why not get paid to play with someone else's gorgeous hi tech kit

It sounds like a great opportunity Jack, I personally would be inclined to use my own equipment as you retain the copyright, however can you do it justice with the equipment you have? If you aren't worried about the copyright issue then use theirs and have a great time with all the gear