Crime scene photography portfolio A

Kapil Pindoria

Student Number: F6025049

University of Teesside

School of Science & Technology

Applied Science




Crime Scene Science

ADVANCED CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY

Module code APS 2001













Portfolio A

2007/08














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A Contents Page

1. Depth of field example, inside close to the subject(s) (3 photographs)
2. An example of balanced flash. (The example should include one photograph for correct exposure for
(balanced flash, one photograph for flash exposure only (i.e. shutter speed 1/250th second), one
photograph with the shutter speed set to expose correctly for outside and no flash is used.) A series
of 3 photographs.
3. An example of fill in flash. (The example should include one photograph for correct exposure for fill in
flash and one photograph where fill in flash has not been used.) 2 photographs.
4. An example of different focal lengths (3 photographs) depicting items in a crime scene.
5. Footwear mark in soil to scale.
6. Footwear mark on an ESLA foil to scale.
7. An instrument mark to scale.
8. An item of property, including identifying features/marks (one photograph of the front of the property,
one of the back and a close up of the identifying marks.) 3 or 4 photographs.
9. The details on a computer screen, and computer set-up. (one photograph of the screen, one
photograph of the front set-up, one photograph of the rear set up and photographs of the labelled
ports)
10. Fingerprint in blood to scale.
11. Impressed fingerprint in putty to scale.
12. A set of vehicle photographs (inside and outside) and ignition barrel.
13. A series of photographs recording a complete crime scene.
















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1.
Depth of field

Details of task.

For this task a set of three photographs were taken, each of the photographs were of
the same image the only variable within the set of photographs was that each were
captured at three different aperture settings & shutter speeds. The purpose of this
was to produce photographs 1) illustrating a shallow depth of field 2) Increased the
depth of field and 3) illustrating a greater depth of field. In theory the photograph with
the highest aperture should have the greatest depth of field, and the depth of field
should reduce as the aperture setting lowers.

Method

The camera was mounted onto the tripod which was adjusted approximately to the
same height as the set of objects that were being photographed; the focal length was
set to 33 mm &, the lens was focused 1/3 into the line of objects. Throughout the
series of photographs these settings were fixed in order to illustrate depth of field
using only the aperture setting. A photograph was then taken at the cameras
smallest aperture number F4.8, this was taken to demonstrate a shallow depth of
field. A second exposure was taken at F8.0 which demonstrates an increased depth
of field. The third image was taken to demonstrate the maximum depth of field with
the cameras higher aperture number of F25. The shutter speed was set for each
photograph by adjusting it in accordance to the meter reading on the camera, the
shutter speed was also changed through trial and error. This was carried out in order
to achieve an ideal exposure for each of the three photographs

















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Photograph illustrating shallow depth of field

Photograph Number 0001 Shutter speed 1/30th sec Aperture F5.6






























Photograph illustrating increased depth of field

Photograph Number 0002 Shutter speed 1/15h sec Aperture F8.0






















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Photograph illustrating greatest depth of field

Photograph Number 0003 Shutter speed 1/15th sec Aperture F22

























































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Critical Evaluation
The purpose of this exercise was to demonstrate a variation between different depth
of fields. Image 0001 does not clearly demonstrates a shallow depth of field, the
photograph only shows a small difference in terms of focus between the object
furthest away from the camera lens to the object closest to the camera lens. In
Image 0002 the aperture was set to F8, the photograph does not illustrates a greater
depth of field. The objects 2/3rd behind the point of focus are still out of focus and
have not changed significantly in comparison to the photograph set at the F4.8
aperture setting. In image 0006 the objects 2/3rd behind have not changed
significantly in terms of focus. Although the photographs are clear and of good
quality in terms of exposure, they do not clearly illustrate the variation in depth of
field. The reason the photographs do not illustrate a variation in depth of field is that
the objects are to close together. In order to see a significant change in depth of field
the objects need to be a further apart. In the set of photographs the camera was
focused 1/3rd into the objects; however this will not make a significant difference
because it is difficult to adjust the focus to such a degree and not expect the objects
2/3rd behind (which are close to one another) change in focus with the objects 1/3rd in
front.

The following are examples illustrating a good variation in depth of field (these
photographs were taken with my own Nikon D40);













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Photograph illustrating shallow depth of field

Photograph Number 0043 Shutter speed 1/10th sec Aperture F4.5
























2. Balanced Flash




Photograph illustrating shallow greater depth of field

Photograph Number 0040 Shutter speed 1/4th sec Aperture F29






















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These two photographs show a much greater variation in the depth of field in
comparison to the first set. (Both of the two photographs were taken at a focal length
of 33mm, and are focused 1/3rd into the set of objects).
Image 0043 clearly demonstrates a shallow depth of field, the photograph shows a
significant difference in terms of focus between the object furthest away from the
camera lens to the object closest to the camera lens. In Image 0040 the aperture
was set to F29, the photograph clearly illustrates a greater depth of field. The objects
2/3rd behind the point of focus are now in focus.

In theory the depth of field can be manipulated by adjusting; the 1)focal length of the
lens and the 2)focused distance of the lens and 3) with the aperture. For these
photographs if other settings were made variable (focal length & focused distance)
the depth of field could have also been manipulated. If the focal length was
increased the depth of field would be greater and if reduced the depth of would
become shallow. If the focus was adjusted 3/3rd behind then the object furthest away
would be in focus.
From looking at the second set of photographs I would say that the images clearly
demonstrate the affect in depth of field by changing the aperture.
I have learnt from previous photographs that although other factors can be used to
manipulate the depth of field the aperture change provides the most affective
variation. From this task some of the theoretical aspects covered in lecture such as
when the aperture number increases a longer shutter speed is needed was also
demonstrated (comparison made from the aperture setting and shutter speed from
the two photographs 0043 & 0040).















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2.
Balanced Flash

Details of task.

For this task a series of three photographs were taken, each of the photographs
depict the same scene the only variable within each photograph is each were
captured using two different shutter speeds & for one of the photographs a flashgun
was used. The purpose of the task was to demonstrate the control of lighting when
photographing a room. The photographs taken were for; 1) exposing for the inside of
the room, 2) exposing for the outside of the room, 3) Balancing the exposure for both
inside & outside the room.

Method

The camera was mounted onto the tripod with the legs fully extended; this would
provide a good view of the room when adjusting the focal length. For the sets of
photographs the aperture was set to F16, this provided a good depth of field. For the
first photograph the shutter speed was set to 1/250th and a flash setting of F8 in order
to expose the inside of the room. For the second photograph the shutter speed was
set to 1/10th of a second, the shutter speed was set in accordance to the light meter
reading taken from the incoming light from outside (within inches of the window), in
order to expose for outside. The third photograph was taken with the shutter speed
set to expose for outside (same setting as second photograph), and a flash was
used at F8, both these setting were made in accordance to balance the exposure for
inside and outside. When using the flash gun the flash was adjusted so that the flash
would bounce on the ceiling so the room would be evenly illuminated. Initially the
adjustment was made in order to prevent the window from showing the flash on the
photograph.












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Exposing for inside

Photograph Number 0005 Shutter speed 1/250th Aperture F16 Flash F8






























Exposing for outside

Photograph Number 0006 Shutter speed 1/10th Aperture F16 Flash N/A























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