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Ask the Editor -- Keeping many things close to the vest [The Frederick News-Post, Md.]
(Frederick News-Post (MD) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 30--I never imagined I'd ever be writing about clothing. I'd much rather be taking pictures.
But here it is again. It's my turn at "Ask the Editor." Our city editor at The Frederick News-Post, Rob Walters, reminded me Wednesday afternoon I was up next. I was surprised since he had just sent out an e-mail with the updated rotation, with my next appearance to be Aug. 15.
Well, it turns out I have the last slot on the old list. I'm sure I looked perplexed to Walters, so he suggested I write about what I keep in my photo vest pockets. I've actually been asked this before.
For those of you scratching your heads, I am always wearing my photo vest -- even when I'm not officially on the job. Some people joke that I must sleep with it on. Just about the only times you'll see me in public not wearing it is at weddings and funerals.
So here goes.
There are 21 pockets in my favorite photo vest. I'd actually never counted the number before. It's made by Fox Outdoor and can be found at Ranger Surplus stores in Montgomery County. Although many people think it's a fishing vest, it's actually marketed as a photo vest. It's very similar to one that was sold by Banana Republic years ago.
The topmost left pocket is zippered. Inside this pocket is a handy fob with a clasp. This can be inside or outside the pocket. I keep it inside. On this fob I have attached a Swiss army knife, their computer tool model, and a small flashlight. Also in this pocket is a spare set of keys.
Just under this pocket is the largest pocket on the front of the vest. --
In this pocket at the bottom are a Leatherman tool, a blank DV videotape, a light diffuser for a small flash unit, a bottle of lens cleaner, lens cleaning tissues, a microfiber cleaning cloth and a yellow highlighter. On top of these are photo assignment slips. A design feature of this pocket is a zipper diagonally across the front along with the regular top opening with a flap. I've never been able to figure out why they added the zipper.
On the bottom left are actually three pockets, one behind the other. In the innermost one are spare batteries for my main camera, my secondary camera and a video camera. I'm careful to make sure the battery contacts won't short out by keeping plastic covers on the contacts. A charged battery that shorts out can start a fire.
In the middle pocket are a collection of compact flash memory cards with photos on them. In the outer pocket are fresh compact flash memory cards ready for use.
In the top right pocket are a spare set of reading glasses, a comb, a number of gift cards and a Sharpie marker pen. Sometimes an iPod lives here, too.
Beneath this is a vertical zippered pocket where I keep a collection of spare pens. More than once I've provided a pen for a reporter on assignment.
Next to this pocket are another set of three pockets layered on each other. In the innermost pocket are earplug hearing protectors and a set of stereo earbuds with extension cable. The hearing protectors have come in handy when covering local rock bands. In the next pocket is a small Olympus digital audio recorder. In the outermost pocket are business cards.
Below these pockets is one large zippered pocket with two more pockets layered on top. In the zippered pocket I keep loose change and my checkbook. In one of the outer pockets is my cell phone. In the other one is my main pair of reading glasses.
There are two inside pockets, one on the left and one on the right. In the left one I carry a portable scanning radio to monitor emergency channels. The right pocket is used for sunglasses or an extra lens if I need one.
There are two vertical slit pockets with one on each side at the bottom of the vest. I almost forgot these as I rarely use them. Objects inside can easily fall out. I have used these for gloves in cold weather.
The smallest pockets are for single pens. There are three together at the bottom left. For some reason, pens I keep in these pockets always seem to fall out, so I rarely use them.
The last pocket is the largest one. It's located across the bottom back of the vest. This is generally empty because sitting down can be uncomfortable if anything bulky is carried here. I have used it to carry lightweight rain gear, though.
My only complaint is that my photo vests wear out too quickly.
Graham Cullen, one of my fellow staff photographers at The--Frederick News-Post, pointed out there is a poll at www.sportsshooter.com just on the topic of photo vests. The results are: 11.94 percent love them; 31.08 percent are on the fence; 11.26 percent have no opinion; and 45.72 percent wouldn't be caught dead in one.
Given my history, I'm sure I will be caught dead in one, but I hope it won't be soon.
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