Forensic Photographer Camera Settings & Exposure Control Flashcards

What white balance setting should a forensic photographer choose when photographing under standard fluorescent lighting?

Answer: Fluorescent (4200K)

Selecting the fluorescent white balance preset compensates for the green color cast produced by standard fluorescent lighting, rendering colors accurately in evidentiary photos.

Which focus mode is best suited for photographing stationary evidence such as a shell casing at a crime scene?

Answer: Single autofocus (One-Shot/AF-S)

Single autofocus locks focus on a stationary subject and holds it, ensuring sharp detail on non-moving evidence items.

A forensic photographer needs to capture a ruler alongside a bullet for scale. Which lens focal length minimizes perspective distortion?

Answer: 100mm macro

A macro lens at around 100mm provides a flat, undistorted perspective that accurately represents the size relationship between the evidence and the scale ruler.

What does the histogram in a camera viewfinder indicate to a forensic photographer?

Answer: The tonal distribution of light and dark values in the frame

The histogram shows the distribution of tonal values from black to white, helping the forensic photographer verify proper exposure without losing shadow or highlight detail.

When should a forensic photographer use exposure bracketing at a crime scene?

Answer: When lighting conditions are uncertain or mixed, to ensure at least one correctly exposed image

Exposure bracketing captures multiple frames at different exposures, guaranteeing a properly exposed image of critical evidence when lighting is challenging or unpredictable.

Which image stabilization consideration is most important when photographing evidence at slow shutter speeds without a tripod?

Answer: Enable image stabilization to reduce camera shake blur

Enabling in-lens or in-body image stabilization counteracts hand tremors at slow shutter speeds, reducing motion blur and preserving evidentiary detail.