FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
Chapter Two
Lights and Camera
A. Topic Description
This chapter will acquaint the students on the importance of light in photography.
Photographs are made possible because of light. In the absence of light, we cannot reproduce
images of objects on film.
By the same token, student must also understand the different source of light and its
effect to images. Light is composed of different colors, recognizing these will enable the students
to produce better pictures.
B. Scope
a. Light
b. Two Main Source of Light
c. Sources of Artificial Light
d. Camera and It’s parts
e. Essential Components of Camera
f. Types of Camera
g. Camera Lenses
h. Standard o Camera Lenses
i. Special Camera Lenses and Zooms
j. Classification of Lenses
k. Inherent Defects and Aberrations of Lenses
l. Basic Parts of DSLR Camera and their functions
m. Types of Lens According to Their Degree of Correction
n. Camera Accessories
o. Basic Crime Scene and Evidence Photographic Kit
p. Proper Handling of the Camera
q. How to Hold a Camera
r. Care and Handling of the Camera and Film
C. Rationale
Understanding the effects of light as it reflects in different surfaces is important in
photography, especially when applied to police works. In police photography, the picture must be
an accurate representation of the subject. Basic knowledge on the nature of light will guide the
students in achieving their goal.
D. Topic Objectives
1. Explain the importance of light in photography;
2. Enumerate the types, components and essential parts of the camera lenses and zooms;
3. Identify and explain the functions of different camera accessories;
4. Enumerate the equipment and accessories included in a crime scene photography kit,
and;
5. Explain the proper way of handling a camera.
6. Explain the importance of light in photography;
7. Enumerate the types, components and essential parts of the camera lenses and zooms;
8. Identify and explain the functions of different camera accessories;
9. Enumerate the equipment and accessories included in a crime scene photography kit,
and;
10. Explain the proper way of handling a camera.
FORENSIC 1
1
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
CHAPTER 2
LIGHTS AND CAMERA
A. LIGHT
Light is an electromagnetic radiation within a certain portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum. The word usually refers to visible light, which is visible to the human eye and is
responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light is usually defined as wavelengths in the range of
400-700 nanometers (nm), or 4.00 x 10ˉ7 m, between the infrared (with no longer wavelengths)
and the ultraviolet (with shorter wavelengths). This wavelength means as frequency range
roughly 430-750 terahertz (THz). The speed of light in a vacuum is defined to be exactly 299,
792, 458 m/s (approximately 186, 282 miles per second). The fixed value of the speed of light in
SI units results from the fact that the meter is now defined in terms of the speed of light. All
forms of electromagnetic radiation move at exactly this same speed in vacuum (Duno, 2019).
B.TWO MAIN SOURCE OF LIGHT
1. Natural Light- our main source of natural light is the sun. The sun is the star that is a
huge ball of gas. Explosions at the center of the sun produce large amounts of energy.
This energy is release as light and heat. Some of this light reaches Earth and gives us
daylight. The light the comes from the sun is known as white light. Other forms of natural
light include the moon and the stars. The stars provide only small amounts of light at
night as they are billions of kilometers away from the Earth. A full moon, however, can
provide quite a lot of light. The light from the moon is just light reflected from the sun.
Some animals can produce their own light. This is known as bioluminescence. A
chemical reaction is produced in special light producing cells. This light is then used in a
variety of ways but mainly to attract other creatures. Glow worms, fireflies, some fish and
mushrooms are examples of living things that create their own light.
Natural light can be classified according to its intensity:
a. Bright light- A lightning condition where in objects in open space cast a deep on
uniform shadow. In a bright light, the subject will produce strong shadow because
the source of light is not covered by clouds. In black and white photography, the
object or subject looks contrastly.
b. Hazy light- A lightning condition where in objects in open space cast a
transparent shadow. In hazy sunlight, the sun is covered by the clouds and
shadow appears bluish because the decrease of the light falling on the subjects
in open space. The shadow cast is transparent to the eye and more details are
visible under this lighting condition than in bright sunlight. When the sunlight is
obscured by light clouds the intensity of the direct light coming from the sky
becomes stronger that the shadows appear more bluish that in bright sunlight.
c. Dull light- a lighting condition wherein the objects in open space cast no
shadow. In dull sunlight, the sun is totally covered by thick clouds. No shadows
are formed due to the uniform illumination of light around the subjects in open
space.
FORENSIC 1
2
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
2. Artificial Light- This refers to man-made source of light or utilized for indoor
photography to align the adverse lighting condition. It is also utilized to align the hazy or
dull light in outdoor photography. This includes all non-natural sources such as
conditions light from incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, electronic flashes and
studio strobes.
C.SOURCES OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
a. Continuous Duration





Fluorescent lamp
Incandescent lamp
Photoflood lamp
Infrared lamp
Ultraviolet lamp
b. Short duration




Flash cubes
Flash bar
X-Cube
Electronic flash
Types of Electronic Flash
1.
2.
3.
4.
Strobe cube
Slave unit or slave flash
Right light
Accessory flash unit
Types of Accessory Flash Units
1. Manual Flash- These flash units require you to figure out the correct exposure for your
shooting conditions2. Automatic flash- These flash units use automatic sensors to control light output and
duration based on the distance from the camera to the subject. When you set the
aperture you want to use, the flash will automatically calculate how much light is needed
to illuminate a specific distance range, such as 3 to 15 feet; the flash unit will have an
electric eye that reads the amount of light bouncing back from the subject.
3. Dedicated Light Unit- They are made to work with your camera in specific electronic
means (hence the name). They will do all the thinking for the photographer:
automatically setting the correct shutter speed and aperture, and controlling the
exposure by regulating flash duration.
4. Built-in Flash Unit- A flash unit built into the camera.
5. Off-camera Flash- A flash unit not mounted on the camera.
FORENSIC 1
3
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
Flash synchronization
It is a shutter speed that can be used when working with a flash unit to obtain evenly lit
results.
D.CAMERA AND IT’S PARTS
It photographic apparatus used to expose sensitized film or plates to reflected light images
formed by a lenses (Brenner, 2004). It can also be considered as a light tight box with a means
of forming the image, holding sensitized materials, and controlling the amount of light that will
reach the film.
It usually has electronic refinements and automatic features, but underneath all that is a
basic design that includes a lightproof container with a hole at one end over which a lens is
placed and a holder opposite to accommodate either a strip of light-sensitive film, or a lightsensitive electronic chip.
Types of Camera
1. SLR (single lens reflex) cameras- Are the most popular type for serious photography.
They could be either digital or use 35mm film. An SLR camera’s unique feature lies in
the design of its viewfinder system in which a system of mirrors shows the user the
image precisely as the lens renders it. Thus, no matter what focal length lens is attached
to the camera, the scene the photographer sees through the viewfinder corresponds
exactly to that seen by the lens.
2. Compact or point-and-shoot camera- It can be either digital or film cameras and are
light and easy to use. This non-SLR camera does not support interchangeable lenses
and the view seen through the viewfinder is not exactly the same as that seen through
the lens. This problem can result in framing errors and not seeing whether the image is
correctly focused. They are called point-and-shoot because they have controls that are
either very simplified or very automated (or both). Such cameras are meant to be used
to record snapshots without having to learn how to use a camera.
3. Medium-format cameras- It use wide rolls of film (between the 35mm and 4x5-inch
formats) for better image definition. Because of the large negative size, the image
resolution is higher with medium format than 35mm cameras. These cameras tend to be
more expensive, and lenses tend to be large.
E. ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF CAMERA
A camera should have the following controls and adjustments ( Langford, Fox, & Smith,
2010):
1. A means to accurately aim the camera and compose the picture;
2. An ability to focus precisely;
FORENSIC 1
4
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
3. A shutter to control the moment of exposure and how long light acts on a sensitive
surface;
4. An aperture to control image brightness and depth of field;
5. A method of loading and removing film, without allowing unwanted light to affect it; and
6. A meter to measure the light and indicate or set the exposure needed each shot.
Essential Parts of Camera
1. Light-Tight Box or Body- A part of the camera that is very important because of its
capability to exclude all the unwanted light that might expose the film.
2. Lens- A glass, plastic, or crystal optical element molded into curved shape that can be
bend and focus rays of light; Responsible for focusing the rays of light coming from the
subject.
3. Film Holder- It holds the film firmly inside the camera
4. Shutter- A device used to control the amount of time during which the light is allowed to
enter the camera and register on the film or image sensor; serves as barrier of the rays
of light that will enter and affect the film inside the camera.
Setting the shutter at certain speeds enables the camera to determine the length
of time the film is exposed. Moving the camera shutter speed dial to the next stop either
doubles or halves exposure time.
Shutter speed: B, 1, 2,4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000
Shutter speed: B, 1, 2,4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000
 Number 1 stands for a whole second and the others are a fraction of a second.
 The shutter speed of 125 is capable of stopping the movement of the subject.
 The shutter speed of 60, 125 and above is advisable to use when handholding
the camera with 50mm lens but if your lens is 300mm, use 500/sec or higher.
5. Viewfinder- An optical or electrical device used to compose and frame a scene; shows
the entire scene coverage that can be recorded in the film inside the camera; also
called a view system, a finder or a viewing system. Compact or point-and-shoot
cameras have direct vision viewfinders that do not show exactly the same image that the
lens sees.
In SLR cameras, light is reflected by a mirror and pentaprism to the viewfinder. Digital
cameras usually have an LCD monitor to show the image being projected onto the
sensor.
6. Film Advancer & Lever- A mechanism for moving film from one spool to another
incrementally one frame at a time.
7. Shutter Speed- It will control the duration between the opening and closing of the
shutter.
FORENSIC 1
5
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
8. Lens Aperture- An opening (diaphragm) in a light-blocking plate that allows light to
strike the film or image sensor; the ration between the diameter and focal length of the
lens; the light gathering power of the lens.
 The diameter of the lens diaphragm can be changed by turning the aperture ring.
This dictates the brightness of the image reaching the film. Moving to the next fnumber either halves or doubles aperture size. Aperture size also affects the
depth of field.
 The higher the number, the smaller the lens opening.
 The smaller the lens opening, the greater the depth of field.
9. Focusing mechanism- The sharpness or clearness of the objects being photographed
will depend upon the focusing system of the camera. The focus is the physical point at
which rays of light from the lens converge to form a properly defined image of the
subject.
Focusing control:
a. Split image
b. Microprism
c. Ground Screen
F. TYPES OF CAMERA
What are the Different Types of Cameras Used for Photography?
Thanks to modern technology, not only has it become a regular everyday thing to
capture photos (unlike during the earlier generations when only film cameras were available),
but more and more types of cameras are being developed to suit every aspiring photographer
and photography enthusiast’s artistic style and needs.
We’re sure you already know some of them. If you find yourself questioning which one
you should get, read on. Getting to know the most popular types of cameras for photography is
the first step in finding the best camera for you.
Nowadays, cameras come in many different forms. These camera types include your
favorite compact digital cameras, DSLRs, action cameras, new and improved film cameras, and
even the latest mirrorless cameras. It may be hard to choose which type of camera to go for, but
it’s easy to figure out which one will work best for you once you find out more about each of
them, what they’re best for, and what their pros and cons are.
Whether you’re a beginner, a hobbyist, or a professional, you’ll find a specific type of
camera that will fit your lifestyle and photography needs from our list below.
Types of Cameras for Photography
1. Compact Digital Cameras- Compact digital
cameras literally allow anyone to capture beautiful
images by simply pointing the camera at the subject
and clicking the shutter. Also known as a point-andshoot camera, it is the most user-friendly of all
camera types. It is smaller and lighter, doesn’t
FORENSIC 1
6
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
require film or extra lenses, and does all the hard work of automatically adjusting its
settings to deliver well-exposed photos every time. You won’t have the freedom of
adjusting the settings to your liking, but with a good artistic eye and a knack for
composition, you should have no problem producing great photos.
2. Digital SLR CamerasDSLR (or digital
single lens reflex) cameras take photos to the next
level of image quality. This more “serious” type of
camera is best known for delivering remarkably
sharp and spectacular images, with beautiful
background bokeh, and even high-resolution
videos with the help of their advanced sensors,
manual
settings,
and
wide
range
of
interchangeable lenses.
Today, professional photographers and videographers from around the world
mostly use DSLRs (now alternatively known as hybrid single reflex lens cameras or
HDSLR) for commercial purposes. Many of Canon’s and Nikon’s DSLR cameras are
being used for capturing hi-res images for magazines and billboards, and even full HD
1080p videos at up to 60fps for television shows and movies.
Pentax DSLRs are also well-known for being the perfect camera buddy for shooting
under the most difficult weather situations. While they are considered high-end, there are
more affordable entry-level DSLRs for beginners. They are suitable for almost every kind
of photography out there, so literally anyone—from hobbyists to event and sports
photographers—can opt for this type of camera.
3. Mirrorless Cameras- Mirrorless cameras are the
latest in professional cameras—they are basically
more compact DSLRs without the internal mirror that
reflects light onto the sensor.
What’s interesting about mirrorless cameras is that
they are now capable of capturing incredible, highresolution images with even faster shutter speeds
and record ultra-HD videos that only the most
expensive, higher-end DSLRs can produce.
4. Action Cameras- We’ve definitely seen the
abundance and rising popularity of action cameras in
the past few years, and it’s not hard to see why.
Common action cameras like the GoPro can fit in the
palm of your hand, but they’re some of the most
durable and versatile types of digital cameras that
offer very high-resolution output.
FORENSIC 1
7
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
A wide range of accessories like waterproof housing and mounts allow the user
to attach action cameras to helmets, bicycles, and even drones, which enable handsfree shooting in different types of situations. This opens up a whole new world of
photographic possibilities, as this type of camera allows you to capture impressive wideangle photos and videos with sound from almost any angle and environment, whether
underwater or on top of a mountain.
5. 360 Cameras- The 360-degree camera takes half
dome to full-circle panoramic photos and videos
using back-to-back lenses. Like action cameras,
some of them are also water resistant and mountable
on many surfaces, such as on top of cars, helmets,
or drones. Above all, they take the most realistic
pictures and videos with stunning panoramic views
that you can truly immerse yourself in, virtual reality
style.
It’s a very good camera choice for taking vacation photos that you can proudly
show off to your loved ones and on social media. After all, we still can’t get enough of
this new Google Street view-style photography and videography. However, because of
its non-traditional output, images cannot be printed unless they are cropped as a
rectangular panoramic frame.
6. Film Cameras- Film cameras may seem outdated
in our new digital world, but they are by no means
obsolete. Today’s film cameras provide more
artistic output than ever before. Much to the delight
of film photography enthusiasts, there are still
classic 35mm film cameras being sold today with
improved bodies and enhanced capabilities.
The younger generation has learned to love
film cameras, thanks to the birth of instant and
Lomography cameras, which produces (and sometimes prints out) vintage-style photos
with vignettes and Instagram-style “filters” with every click of the shutter. Rangefinder
cameras, which manually measure subject distance, have been improved while retaining
the vintage body and analog settings.
Medium format film cameras provide an even bigger surface frame (up to 4 times
bigger than the usual 35mm, but smaller than large format) and is widely-used by gallery
artists for its capability to develop huge prints without losing image quality and to capture
natural-looking, wide-angle shots as our eyes actually see them in the real world.
References:
https://www.adorama.com/alc/what-are-the-different-types-of-camerasused-for-photography/
G. CAMERA LENSES
FORENSIC 1
8
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
•
A lens is a glass, plastic, or crystal optical element molded into a curved shape that can
bend and focus rays of light.
•
It is responsible for focusing the rays of light coming from the subject.
•
Simple lenses feature a single convex or concave lens. Most photographic lenses
feature multiple elements housed in single lens barrel that cancel out each element’s
weaknesses to produce a sharp image. The size of the individual lens elements and
their positions determine the angle of view and focal length of the lens.
H. STANDARD CAMERA LENSES
Standard camera lenses can be divided into the following broad groups (Hedgecoe,
2005):
1. Standard/Normal Lens
A standard lens or normal lens has a focal length that is roughly equivalent to the
diagonal of the light-sensitive, image-recording area within the camera. They usually
have wide maximum apertures, making them useful in low-light situations.
2.
Wide-Angle Lens
A wide-angle lens has a focal length shorter than the diagonal of the film frame or
image sensor. It provides a broader angle of view than a standard lens and is therefore
broader angle view than a standard lens and is therefore ideal for photographing a group
of people or when working in confined space. However, distortion may be a problem if
the lens is used too close to a subject;
A wide-angle lens also called a short lens. These lenses can be rectilinear
(straight lines are preserved) or fisheye (showing extreme barrel distortion);
3. Long-Focus Lens
It has a focal length that is much greater than the diagonal of the film or image
format with which it is used.
Longer focal lengths are useful for taking large images of distant subjects or
when unable to move close enough to the subject to use or shorter lens;
4. Zoom Lens
It has a variable focal length. It allows fine-tuning of subject framing by adjusting
the focal length of the lens.
I.SPECIAL CAMERA LENSES AND ZOOMS
1. Mirror Lens
A mirror lens uses a combination of glass elements and mirrors that bounce the
light up and down the lens barrel, manipulating the light rays to allow along focal length
to be contained within a physically short space. The compact design reduces the bulk
and weight associated with extreme long-focus lenses.
FORENSIC 1
9
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
2. Ultra-Wide-Angle Lens
Linearly corrected ultra-wide-angle lenses have a focal length lenses have a
focal length ranging from around 21mm down to around 15mm.An example is the
fisheye lens, which has a very wide-angle lens that produces distorted view of the world.
3. Wide-Angle Lens
A wide-angle zoom is likely to be slower and heavier and to show more image
distortion than a wide-angle fixed focal length lens. However, it has advantage of being
able to select intermediate focal length settings.
4. Shift Lens
A shift lens is also sometimes called a perspective control lens. It can be shifted
off-center in relation to the film frame, so that the correct perspective can be achieved
when photographing converging vertical lines such as tall buildings.
5. Macro Lens
Macro lenses are designed to render a subject with 1:1 or higher magnification
for very close focusing distances. They are useful in taking close-ups of small subjects
or isolating details of larger subjects because they allow the camera to focus extremely
close to a subject to record a detailed image.
6. Telephoto Lens
A telephoto lens has a focal length longer than the diagonal of the film frame or
image sensor. Telephoto lenses have a focal length make a subject appear larger on
film than a normal lens at the same camera-to-subject distance.
They also have a shallower depth of field than wide angle lenses. They are
usually used by sports photographers who frequently use a monopod for support and
maneuverability.
7. Telephoto Zoom
A telephoto zoom ranging from 75-300mm encompasses about six fixed focal
length lenses. This type of zoom is popular with sports and wildlife photographers. It is
also useful for portraits and can be used to photograph architectural and landscape
details.
J. CLASSIFICATION OF LENSES
1. Positive lens
A convex lens characterized by the fact that is thicker in the middle than the
edge, and forms a real image on the opposite side of the lens.
It has a positive focal length and bends the rays together, which make it’s a
converging lens.
2. Negative lens
A concave lens characterized by the fact that it is thinner in the middle than the
edge and forms a virtual image on the same side of the lens.
FORENSIC 1
10
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
It does not require focusing at all, as everything will be sharp, upright and clear,
no matter how close or far away the object. It is also known as diverging lens because of
its power to diverge rays of, light that passes through it.
K. INHERENT DEFECTS AND ABERRATIONS OF LENSES
1. Chromatic aberration
It is an inability of the lens to focus all colors in the same plane. It is a lens defect
which has a trouble bringing all the different wavelengths of visible light into focus at the
same point on the film. This is the most difficult lens aberrations to correct.
2. Spherical aberration
A lens defect wherein the photographic rays passing through the central part of
the lens. Thus, they come to focus at the edges than at the central rays.
3. Astigmatism
The inability of the lens to focus in both horizontal and vertical plane at the same
time; or the inability of the lens to focus in both lines running indifferent direction (e.g, a
cross).
4. Distortion
Outer parts of the image produced by the lens will be magnified either less or
more than the outer image.
Distortion comes in two basic forms:
a. Pincushion distortion- In pincushion distortion, there are straight lines near the
edges of the frame bow toward the center of the frame. The curving inward.
b. Barrel distortion- In barrel distortion, straight lines near the edges of the frame
bow outward from the center.
5. Coma
This is known as lateral aberration. It is concerned with rays entering the lens
obliquely. It is a lens defect that produces a blurred comet-like image.
6. Curvature field
The image formed by lens comes to a sharper focus on a curved surface than on
a flat surface.
7. Chromatic difference of magnification
The inability of the lens to produce images sizes of object with different color.
L.BASIC PARTS OF DSLR CAMERA AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Whether you have digital slrs or point and shoot, these camera parts inevitably be found
on most cameras. After getting hold of any camera, you need to know the name of different
FORENSIC 1
11
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
parts before you start using it. A proper understanding of the names and functions is the primary
step towards improving your skill photography skills. Here we will be listing the Basic Parts of
DSLR
Camera and their Functions:
1. Lens
2. Viewfinder
3. Mode Dial
4. Body
5. Shutter Release
6. Aperture
7. Image Sensor
8. LCD Screen
9. Flash
10. Focus Ring
11. Video start-stop button
12. Exposure compensation button
13. Mode Dial
14. Flash Button
15. Lens retract button
16. Lens release button
17. Autofocus Autoexposure lock (AE/AF Lock)
18. I Button
19. Magnify Button
20. DE magnify Button
M. TYPES OF LENS ACCORDING TO THEIR DEGREE OF CORRECTION
1.
2.
3.
4.
Achromatic or apochromatic- lens corrected for chromatic aberration
Aspherical- lens corrected for spherical aberration
Anagmagtism or anagmastic- lens corrected for astigmatism
Process- lens corrected for astigmatism but with the higher correction to color, a super
corrected lens for astigmatism.
5. Rapid rectilinear- lens corrected for distortion; combination of two achromatic lenses
with almost the same focal length.
N. CAMERA ACCESSORIES
1. Tripod
A stand consisting of three legs and a mounting head for a
camera; used to support and stabilize the camera
2. Cable release
A cable with a button or plunger attached to a camera to
prevent accidental movement and eliminate camera shake.
FORENSIC 1
12
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
3. Flash unit
An artificial light source synchronized with the opening and
closing of the shutter to emit a brief but a very bright burst of
illumination to a scene.
4. Light Meter
A device used in determining the intensity of light that strikes the
subjects and affects the film
5. Extension Tube
A tube inserted between the lens and camera body to provide
increased magnification for macrophotography; used in
photographing minute objects.
6. Filter
A piece of colored glass, gelatin, plastic, or other material that
attaches to or over the camera or enlarger lens to selectively
absorb for otherwise alter) the light passing through it; used to
enhance color or contrast, remove reflections. Reduce haze,
soften focus, or produce a variety o special effect.
There are two general types of photographic filters, namely the non-special effects filters
which are intended to manipulate the way film reacts to subject colors, and the special
effects filters which are intended to give special affect to pictures. Examples of special
effects filters include multi-images filter, speed filter and double exposure filter.
Filters can also be classified into five, namely:
a. Contrast filter- adjust the tonal differences of an image
b. Correction filter- colored filter used in black and white image capture to ensure that
tones are reproduced with the same relative brightness as perceived by the human
eye
c. Haze filter- used to filter out ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause a bluish fog
and loss of detail in distant objects; also used to protect the front lens element from
dust, moisture and scratches
d. Sky filter- a graduated filter designed to darken the sky while leaving the foreground
exposure unaltered
FORENSIC 1
13
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
e. Polarizing filter- gray filter used over light sources or camera lenses to reduce
specular reflection on certain surfaces, also increases saturation of colors, especially
in landscapes.
Primary color filters allow that particular primary color to thorough- that is, red allows
red to pass through, blue allows blue, and green allows green. Complementary color
filters work in the same way. Yellow is a mixture of red and green, so yellow filters
allows only those two colors to pass through, and so on.
Color combination of photographic filters:
a. Yellow and magenta= red
b. Cyan and magenta= blue
c. Cyan and yellow= green
d. Red and green= yellow
e. Blue and green=magenta
f. Blue and green= cyan
7. Camera grip- a device used to hold the camera firmly so as to prevent vibration or
movement
8. Lens Hood- a plastic, metal, or rubber device that attaches to the front of a lens to
shield it from extraneous light and eliminate reflection that might destroy the image cast
by objects especially when the light is coming from the top or side portions of the
camera, also offers added physical protection against accidental blows; also called sun
shade or lens shade.
O. BASIC CRIME SCENE AND EVIDENCE PHOTOGRAPHIC KIT
In Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer’s Guide, Robert C. Staggs (2005)
recommends the following equipment and accessories to be used by a forensic photographer.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Camera
Normal lens (a 50mm lens is considered a normal lens for a 35mm camera)
Wide angle lens (28mm or similar for a 35mm camera)
Close-up lenses or accessories (e.g., macro lens, 1:1 adapter, extension tubes, bellows,
reversing ring or close-up filters)
5. Filter (red, orange, yellow, blue, and green)
6. Electronic flash
7. Remote sync cord for electronic flash (to operate flash when not mounted on camera)
8. Extra camera and flash batteries
9. Locking cable release
10. Tripod
11. Film (color and black and white print film)
12. Owner’s manuals for camera and flash
13. Notebook and pen
14. Scales
15. ABFO #2 scale (injury photograph)
16. Gray card (to aid in getting accurate exposures)
FORENSIC 1
14
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
17. Index cards and felt pen
18. Flashlight
Other equipment that should to be considered
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Telephoto lenses (135mm, telephoto zoom lens for surveillance photography)
Supplementary light meter for low light level readings
Small tools for emergency camera repairs
Blocks of wood, clothespins, and other devices for positioning evidence for close-up
photography
White handkerchief or other flash diffusion material
Levels
Tape measure
Color chart or color control patches (injury photography)
P. PROPER HANDLING OF THE CAMERA
Camera motion can be caused by lack of sharpness. These are two prime causes of
camera motion.
1. Vibration- usually caused by body movement including the beating of the heart.
2. Actual camera movement- caused by the improper holding of the camera.
Q.HOW TO HOLD A CAMERA
Camera motion can result in blurry images. To prevent this, it is important to hold the
camera properly by considering the following:
1. Hold the camera with the right hand and place the index finger under the shutter release
the thumb should be under the film advance lever and the remaining three fingers
against the front of the camera.
2. The heel of the camera must lie on the palm of the left hand.
3. The photographer’s arm should be resting against the body with the enough apart to be
a steady base. When taking a photograph in a kneeling position, do not rest the elbow
on the knees as the bone-to-bone contact is unsteady and will be reflected in the
photograph.
The placement of the rest of the body while taking the photograph is as important s
holding the camera.
R. CARE AND HANDLING OF THE CAMERA AND FILM
The photographer should take care of the camera between uses by keeping it out of
direct sunlight and away from heat sources. The camera should never be exposed to direct
sunlight or to heat inside glove compartments or trunks of vehicles during hot weather. The
photographer should also keep the film in an insulated chest or wrapped in white reflective cloth.
Exposed film should be maintained in a refrigerator or process immediately. In cold weather, the
FORENSIC 1
15
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
camera should be protected by keeping it under your jacket as the film may become brittle and
tear or break. Salt water may also damage the camera and film so make sure the camera is fully
protected. Negatives should be placed in a plastic sleeve to avoid scratches.
Figure 1.
FORENSIC 1
16
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
How to Hold a Camera
FORENSIC 1
17