Five Questions with Sergeant Malcolm Byers, MARPAC Imaging Services

By Lookout Production on Sep 22, 2024 with Comments 0

Sergeant Malcolm Byers, MARPAC Imaging Services

Can you describe your role and daily responsibilities as a military image technician?

I am the Imagery Supervisor for Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) Imaging Services. My role is the daily management and coordination of photo and video services for MARPAC. This includes coordination of deployed teams on naval ships as well as support to all activities in and around the base. Recently, I have also become the chief drone pilot as we expand into new capabilities within MARPAC.

We support not only CFB Esquimalt but all lodger units and other units in the area, including Naval Reserves, Army Reserve, and 443 Squadron.

What inspired you to pursue a career in military photography and videography, and how did you get started?

I always had a technical and creative passion. In high school, I was involved in stagecraft light production and video editing but decided to join the Army Reserve in the Okanagan Valley as an armoured crewman in 1999 while initially pursuing a computer science degree.

In 2002, while still a Reservist, deciding I didn’t want to be in a cubicle the rest of my life, I went to film school and received a certificate in Digital Film. While at film school, it was brought to my attention through military colleagues that there was a trade I could employ my skills in rather than having to relocate to Vancouver, Toronto, or Los Angeles to pursue gig work in the film industry.

In 2003, I deployed as part of Operation (Op) Peregrine, to support forest fire suppression in B.C., while my hometown of Kelowna burned. This was the precursor to what is now Op Lentus. While deployed, I saw the amazing imagery and video coming off the fire lines from imagery techs and really decided to pursue it. I applied but as the trade is very competitive for entry, it wasn’t until almost four years later in 2007 that I was accepted after multiple attempts.

Can you share a memorable or challenging assignment you’ve worked on, and what made it stand out?

In 2017, I deployed as part of the Initial Response Unit (IRU) for Op Lentus, this time on the other side of the lens, in support of the evacuation and fires around Williams Lake, B.C.

It was uncomfortable to drive into a town of over 10,000 that was now a complete ghost town. In the choking smoke with very limited visibility and only the occasional police lights for a roadblock breaking through the haze, it felt truly apocalyptic.

Documenting this experience for the Canadian Armed Forces and general public at large knowing that you’re the only one capturing it is humbling, but at the same time pushing through the fatigue to tell the story was fulfilling. On the back end of this operation, seeing and documenting the thankful public streaming back into the town during the re-settlement was heartwarming.

How do you balance the technical and creative aspects of your work while ensuring that your images and videos effectively convey the intended message?

Developing technical skills is important even if you have creative skills. Creative skills can develop over time but having that core technical knowledge is key. Working with our clients and partners in public affairs to develop key messages and other critical items before an event helps ensure success.

What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a military image technician, and what skills or qualities do you think are essential for success in this field?

Consistency is key. In today’s age of digital photography anyone can take a pretty picture, but a true professional can constantly provide that imagery at a high level. Most people assume that all we do is take pretty pictures but there is a lot more to the trade in technical and intelligence work that often goes unnoticed. It can be a shock to new members of the trade when they are posted to units that are less focused on the creative side of things.

Come talk to us to get a better understanding of what you’d be getting yourself into: malcolm.byers@forces.gc.ca