If you’re playing Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Master Collection Version and want to unlock the special items tied to the new photo system, this guide will help you find all of the required locations. Unlike the original PS3 version, where you could enter passwords, the Master Collection version uses Snake’s camera to photograph specific spots throughout the story.
I know these locations can be surprisingly easy to miss, especially because the game doesn’t simply put a big marker on your map and tell you where to take the picture. You need to find the right object or location, equip the camera, and make sure you’re standing in the correct position for the reward to trigger.
In this guide, I’ll go through the photo locations in story order, including the items and iPod songs you can unlock. I’ll also explain how the camera works, when these photographs become available, and a few things you should know if a reward doesn’t appear immediately.
Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriot Photo Password Locations
The Master Collection version introduces a new method for obtaining several special items.
In the original PS3 release, some of these rewards were connected to passwords that could be entered after completing the game. In the Master Collection version, that system has been replaced with photography.
You need to find specific locations or objects during the story and take photographs of them using Snake’s camera.
The rewards include weapons, FaceCamo, iPod music, and other special items.
The locations below are listed roughly in the order you encounter them throughout the story, which makes it easier to collect them during a playthrough.
One important thing I noticed is that the reward may not trigger if you’re currently in an alert state or aren’t positioned correctly.
If you take the photograph and nothing happens, don’t immediately assume you’ve missed the location. Try moving around, wait for the alert to clear, and take the photograph again from a slightly different position.
How to Get the Camera
Before you can start photographing these locations, you’ll obviously need the camera.
You can obtain it during a Mission Briefing by using the MK II to retrieve it.
Look behind Sunny’s computer and interact with the camera there.
Once you have it, equip the camera whenever you reach one of the locations listed below.
Finding the Correct Photo Locations
When you are close to one of the special photography locations, equip the camera and move around while looking through it.
You should hear Little Gray make a sound of approval when you’re in the correct area.
That sound is one of the easiest ways to know that you’ve found the right spot.
If you don’t hear anything, move Snake around and try adjusting your position.
The exact positioning can matter, so don’t assume a location is wrong just because your first photograph doesn’t trigger anything.
Photo Rewards Are New Game Plus Only
One of the most important things to know is that these photographs are tied to New Game+.
The special photo rewards only work starting from your second playthrough.
Once you unlock an item, it becomes available in other save files as well, rather than being restricted to the save where you originally obtained it.
So if you’re currently playing through the story for the first time, don’t worry if the photography system doesn’t reward you yet.
Mobs Alive iPod Music
Act 1 — Militants’ Hideout
For the Mobs Alive iPod music, head inside the militants’ hideout during Act 1.
Look for the wing of a Raging Raven flight unit.
Equip the camera and photograph the wing.
This is one of the earlier photography rewards, so if you’re collecting everything during your second playthrough, it’s worth keeping an eye out for it.
Desert Eagle Long Barrel
Act 2 — Naomi’s Lab
The Desert Eagle Long Barrel can be obtained in Act 2.
During the battle with Laughing Octopus inside Naomi’s lab, look for the mannequin.
Take a photograph of the mannequin while you’re in the correct position.
If everything is lined up correctly, you’ll receive the reward.
Type 17 Pistol
Act 2 — Following Naomi’s Trail
While following Naomi’s trail in Act 2, shortly after leaving the lab, you’ll eventually encounter troops near the river.
Look for the soldiers urinating by the river.
This unusual scene is the location you need to photograph for the Type 17.
It’s easy to miss because you’re naturally focused on following Naomi’s trail, so make sure to check the area carefully if you’re collecting the photo rewards.
Altair
Act 2 — Sign Location
The Altair reward is another Act 2 photograph.
As you reach the required area, look for the sign shown in the original guide.
Once you find it, equip the camera and take the photograph.
If the reward doesn’t trigger, reposition Snake and try again rather than immediately leaving the area.
Desperate Chase iPod Music
Act 2 — Naomi’s Handkerchief
Continue following Naomi’s trail in Act 2.
Eventually, you’ll come across Naomi’s handkerchief.
This is the photography location for the Desperate Chase iPod music.
Take the photograph when you’re in the correct position and the reward should trigger.
Drebin FaceCamo
Act 2 — Bra Near the Handkerchief
The Drebin FaceCamo location is very close to the previous photograph.
After finding Naomi’s handkerchief, look to the right side of it for a bra.
Take a photograph of the bra to trigger the reward.
There is an unusual detail here: the original guide creator already had this FaceCamo after purchasing 60 weapons, but the photography reward notification could still appear.
So don’t be confused if you already have the item and still receive a reward notification from the photo.
Scanner
Act 2 — Crop Circle
Continue through Act 2 until you reach the crop circle.
This is another special photography location.
Take a photograph of the crop circle while you’re in the correct position to unlock the Scanner.
There is an additional benefit if you didn’t visit this location during your first playthrough: you can also earn a trophy associated with discovering it.
Midnight Shadow iPod Music
Act 2 — Radio During the Ambush
Continue following Naomi’s trail after crossing the river.
You’ll eventually encounter an ambush where the enemies use a radio with a recorded voice to trick Snake.
This radio is the photography target for the Midnight Shadow iPod music.
Equip the camera and take a photograph of it.
Because this occurs during an active sequence, remember that alerts or positioning can sometimes interfere with rewards. If it doesn’t trigger immediately, wait for the situation to settle and try again.
Subsistence Action iPod Music
Act 3 — Central Garden Statues
During Act 3, head to the central garden.
Look for the statues located there.
Take photographs of the statues to unlock the Subsistence Action iPod music.
This is one of the easier locations to recognize because the statues stand out in the garden.
Thor .45-70
Act 4 — Heliport
The Thor .45-70 is found through a photograph in Act 4.
Head to the centre of the heliport and take a photograph from the appropriate position.
If you’ve already been following a guide for the Ghost Photography locations in Shadow Moses, you’ll also find that one of the ghosts is nearby.
This makes the heliport a useful area to check carefully if you’re working on multiple Act 4 secrets at the same time.
1911 Custom
Act 4 — Main Gate
For the 1911 Custom, head toward the main gate during Act 4.
Go to the right side of the main gate, underneath the security camera.
This is the location you need to photograph.
Make sure Snake is positioned correctly under the camera area before taking the picture.
Patriot
Act 4 — Otacon’s Lab
The Patriot photograph can be found inside Otacon’s lab.
Look for Otacon’s locker.
Equip the camera and photograph the locker to unlock the reward.
Since you’re already visiting the lab during Act 4, this is a good location to remember if you’re trying to collect all the photo rewards during the same run.
Gekko iPod Music
Act 5 — Screaming Mantis Arena
The final photography location on this list is in Act 5.
As you travel through the tunnel leading toward the Screaming Mantis arena, look ahead for the photographer standing in front of you.
Take a photograph of the photographer to unlock the Gekko iPod music.
This is the last photo reward listed in the guide and is encountered very late in the story.
The photo system in the Master Collection version of Metal Gear Solid 4 is a fun replacement for the old password system, but some of the locations are easy to overlook if you don’t know what you’re searching for.
I recommend collecting these during your second playthrough rather than trying to rush through the story. Since the locations follow the story in a fairly natural order, you can simply keep this guide open and check each Act as you progress.
Remember to get the camera first, watch for Little Gray’s approval sound, and don’t panic if a reward doesn’t appear immediately. Checking your position and waiting for an alert to clear can make the difference.
With the locations above, you should be able to collect the special weapons, FaceCamo, and iPod music connected to the new photo password system.