The Photographic Vest   A most useful item!   One of the most useful photographic items yet vastly underutilized by many photographers is the multi-pocketed vest. Whenever I go into the field I have one along. The vest has two important uses: the first is obvious; the second not so apparent. The obvious is to wear it as you do your photographic work while the second is to have it as a handy organized storage devise in the vehicle or in camp.  You can draw from it when you only need certain items for certain limited activities when wearing the whole vest is not needed. Afterwards you replace the items in the vest, handily ready for the next time they are needed. For instance, a compass when taking compass bearings as you travel or when map reading. Virtually everything of critical need is a part of the vest. Minimally this includes a compact first aid kit, whistle, compass, GPS unit, small folding knife, small flashlight, extra keys, film for film cameras, small flash, field notebook, pens and pencils, extra batteries, an extra photographic lens or two, filters, magnifying hand lens to
inspect rocks, artifacts, insects and leaves-flowers, high energy food bars, medications, insect repellent, compact rain gear, gloves, sunglasses, nylon twine or light rope and space for miscellaneous gear for the particular needs at the time. Note: Pencils should be included because if the notebook gets wet, the writing won’t run as ink will. Being a former Navy man, we always wrote the ship’s records in pencil in case water sloshed aboard or the ship sank.   Note also that what I have included can be categorized in two aspects: photographic needs and field comfort or survival. The vest should serve both purposes.   One of the best that I have come across is the Promaster Photo Vest. At $59.95 it not only entails a range of very useful pockets, D-rings and accessory holders but is very well made. The khaki material is well stitched, rugged and will breathe well --- important traits! It comes in various sizes. I like a large enough one to minimize cramping. Refer to the included diagram. It clearly delineates the various attributes.