This guide introduces military personnel to the theory of light and optics, the camera, the principles of photographic exposure, characteristics of sensitized photographic materials, photographic chemistry, photographic processing, and pictorial operations under extreme climatic conditions.

"This manual covers the ... administrative controls, composition and perspectives ... equipment and methods for protrait, group and copy photography as well as color, flash, infrared, polaroid." Aerial photography, mission planning, and equipment are also covered.--P. 1-1.