The manual is one of a series written especially for the Photographer's Mate rating in the United States Navy; its contents are based directly on the qualifications for advancement to the first class petty officer and chief petty officer rates. The first three chapters of the manual cover topics related specifically to the Navy: photographer's mate rating, organization and administration, and supply and accounting procedures. Five of the remaining 10 chapters acquaint the learner with the photographic techniques and equipment required by Naval operations: chapter 4, which teaches techniques for portraiture, emphasizing shipboard portraits, and chapters 8-11, deal with aerial photography: cameras, accessories, control systems, and missions. The final chapter treats underwater photography. The remaining four chapters, dealing with quality assurance, machine processing, and motion picture equipment and techniques, offer more generally applicable information, principles, and methodology, although the special needs of the Navy are reflected in such subtopics as camouflage detection films. The manual is heavily illustrated with photographs and line drawings of camera and other photographic equipment. (AJ)