Photography, lighting, flash & techniques

Question 1

What are the two types of photography mentioned?

Answer 1

35mm wet (film) & digital

Question 2

What is a Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera?

Answer 2

Typically uses a mirror and prism system, allowing you to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured.

Question 3

What is the angle of view in photography?

Answer 3

The area of the subject that is projected onto the camera’s sensor by the lens.

Question 4

What does a Charged Couple Device (CCD) do?

Answer 4

It is used in digital SLR cameras instead of film.

Question 5

Why are tripods essential in photography?

Answer 5

They are essential for longer exposures when using low shutter speeds (below 1/60) in low-light conditions to avoid camera shake and ensure sharp images.

Question 6

What is the purpose of a 50mm lens?

Answer 6

It minimizes distortion and provides a ‘true-to-life’ representation of size and perspective.

Question 7

What is a macro lens used for?

Answer 7

It is used for capturing intricate evidence, such as fingerprints.

Question 8

What does ISO measure in photography?

Answer 8

The quality of film and how sensitive it is to light.

Question 9

What is the effect of a lower ISO (e.g., ISO 100)?

Answer 9

Lower sensitivity of film, ideal for bright conditions, producing high-quality images with little noise.

Question 10

What is the effect of a higher ISO (e.g., ISO 1600)?

Answer 10

Increases sensitivity, ideal for low-light conditions, but can lead to digital noise or graininess.

Question 11

What is a diaphragm in photography?

Answer 11

It is a component on the lens that opens and closes to let in light.

Question 12

What is an aperture?

Answer 12

The hole created by the diaphragm.

Question 13

What does the F stop indicate?

Answer 13

The size of the aperture.

Question 14

What happens with a high F stop (e.g., f/32)?

Answer 14

It results in a small aperture, allowing less light in, leading to a slower shutter speed and good depth of field.

Question 15

What happens with a low F stop (e.g., f/1.4)?

Answer 15

It results in a large aperture, allowing lots of light in, leading to a faster shutter speed and poor depth of field.

Question 16

What is shutter speed?

Answer 16

The duration for which light is allowed to fall on the camera film or CCD.

Question 17

How does shutter speed affect exposure?

Answer 17

Short shutter speed allows less time for light to land, while longer shutter speed results in a brighter photo.

Question 18

What is exposure in photography?

Answer 18

Controlled by shutter speed, aperture, and ISO; it determines the lightness or darkness of an image.

Question 19

What does a light/exposure meter do?

Answer 19

Measures the amount of light.

Question 20

What does it mean if an image is overexposed?

Answer 20

The film has been exposed to light for too long.

Question 21

What does it mean if an image is underexposed?

Answer 21

The film has been exposed to light for too little time.

Question 22

What is focal length?

Answer 22

The distance from the optical center of the lens to the sensor (or film) when focused on an object (mm).

Question 23

What is magnification in photography?

Answer 23

The relationship between the size of the subject projection on the imaging sensor and the subject size in reality.

Question 24

What is transmission in photography?

Answer 24

Light passing through a material.

Question 25

What is absorption in photography?

Answer 25

When light is taken in by a material and converted into another form of energy, usually heat.

Question 26

What is reflection in photography?

Answer 26

When light bounces off the surface of a material.

Question 27

What is refraction?

Answer 27

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, causing light waves to change direction.

Question 28

What is the purpose of lighting in photography?

Answer 28

To illuminate details, enhance visibility, and capture clear, accurate images of evidence and scenes.

Question 29

What is natural lighting ideal for?

Answer 29

It is ideal for scene photos, preserving colors and shadows as they naturally appear.

Question 30

What is ambient light?

Answer 30

Provides a base level of illumination that can be augmented with flash as needed.

Question 31

What is oblique lighting?

Answer 31

Involves positioning the light source at a low angle (10-45 degrees) to the subject; effective for capturing textures and surface details.

Question 32

What is transmitted lighting?

Answer 32

Light shone through a transparent or translucent object, often from behind, providing shadow-free highlights of internal details.

Question 33

What are alternative light sources (ALS)?

Answer 33

Uses specific wavelengths (e.g., ultraviolet or infrared) to reveal evidence not visible under standard lighting.

Question 34

What is the purpose of previewing a photograph?

Answer 34

To adjust lighting and angles before taking the final photo to see how different setups affect shadows, details, and overall image.

Question 35

What is direct flash?

Answer 35

Aimed directly at the subject, producing strong, bright light but can cause harsh shadows and reflections.

Question 36

What is fill-in flash?

Answer 36

Aimed to fill in shadowed areas without overpowering the ambient light; useful in daylight.

Question 37

What is bounced flash?

Answer 37

Flash directed at a surface to create softer, diffused light, reducing harsh shadows and reflections.

Question 38

What is balanced flash?

Answer 38

Ideal for scenes with different lighting areas, such as looking into a dark interior from a bright exterior.

Question 39

What is reversed balanced flash?

Answer 39

Photo taken from inside a dark area looking out, e.g., through a window.

Question 40

What is quartering in photography?

Answer 40

Ensuring all corners are covered by taking pictures of opposite corners.

Question 41

What is composition in photography?

Answer 41

How elements in a photo are arranged within the frame.

Question 42

What is the rule of thirds?

Answer 42

Creates intersections where important elements should be placed, helping to create depth and prevent visual imbalance.

Question 43

What does 'fill the frame' mean?

Answer 43

Avoiding empty spaces in the photograph.

Question 44

Why is landscape preferred for crime scenes?

Answer 44

It provides a wide view, capturing more of the scene.

Question 45

What is depth of field (DoF)?

Answer 45

The range of distance within a photo that appears acceptably sharp.

Question 46

How does a smaller aperture affect depth of field?

Answer 46

Increases DoF, keeping more of the scene in focus.

Question 47

How does a wider aperture affect depth of field?

Answer 47

Creates shallow DoF, blurring the background to emphasize specific details.

Question 48

How does focal length affect depth of field?

Answer 48

Longer focal lengths decrease DoF, while shorter focal lengths increase DoF.

Question 49

How does distance from the subject affect depth of field?

Answer 49

Moving closer narrows DoF, while moving further back deepens DoF.

Question 50

What is shallow depth of field used for?

Answer 50

Close-up detailed images where the background is blurred to make the subject stand out.

Question 51

What is deep depth of field used for?

Answer 51

Capturing entire crime scenes where all elements remain in focus.

Question 52

What is a scaled image?

Answer 52

A photo taken to accurately document evidence size and detail.

Question 53

How should the camera be positioned for a scaled image?

Answer 53

The lens must be parallel to the evidence surface to avoid perspective distortion.

Question 54

What is essential for footwear photography?

Answer 54

Using a tripod, a 50mm lens, narrow aperture, low ISO, oblique lighting, and multiple angles.

Question 55

What should be marked in footwear photography?

Answer 55

Locations in images to show evidence position.