|
|
|
Ring Light: (The following article is reprinted from the Jan/Mar 1996 issue of the Rocky Mountain Division I.A.I. publication The Silent Witness.)
by JAMES G. SHIPMAN If you are working in law enforcement, you need a ring light. No, you can't use one for doing your crime scene photos unless you're investigating a flea circus murder. However, if you photograph close ups, fingerprints, bullet holes, wounds, bruising, or other forensic marks a ring light becomes an invaluable accessory to your camera bag. For those who don't know what I'm talking about--—a ring light is a flash unit in the shape of a ring that attaches to the front of your camera lens. It may have a self confined battery pack, or some will attach to your auxiliary battery pack. Some units are fired by a hot shoe connection and others use a PC cord connection. All units give an axis type of lighting which wraps around the subject matter. The subject will be illuminated more in the center and the shadows will darken at the edge. This is more noticeable on a rounded object such as a face or arm. I can hear you now! “Well I get great photos with my defuser or sometimes I just use 45 degree angle flash and my pictures are fine.” Well, I said the same thing until about two years ago when one of my photos of a bullet hole had a terrible shadow in the hole. After using a ring flash on a similar wound, I was amazed how good the illumination was on such a wound.. The ring flash is at its best at an autopsy, when those close--up photographs of some horrible wound or internal body cavity damage becomes so very important in providing the evidence for prosecution. I've been known to attend such events with my standard flash and my ring flash both attached to the camera. I simply turn one off and use the other, that prepares me to photograph any situation. Now for those who do not become involved with autopsies, consider this equipment for fingerprints, tool marks, bruising, and other wounds. Angled defused lighting may show details that ring light will not accomplish. The opposite result may also be true. A ring light may illuminate details not seen with defused angle light. There are several good brands of ringlights on the market. Make sure you purchase one that attaches easily to your camera, has a good guide number, and has a thyristor circuit. For those of you who just like to photograph small things such as flowers, plants, bugs and things try a ring light, you'll like it. I would like to encourage anyone who has questions on techniques or on photographic products to call me at 303--289--3657 or write commerce City Police Department, 5291 E.60th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022. We will be featuring those questions and products in the Silent Witness.
This article was reprinted in “THE PRINT” |