True and Accurate Police Photography, Part 1: Camera Modes

March 29, 2019

Forensic photography is not snapshot photography.

It’s intentionally not artful. It isn’t intended to show things in their best light. Done properly, it shows things exactly as they are. In court, that’s called a “true and accurate representation” of the subject. 

Police Photography is an essential task for crime scene documentation, yet is rarely mastered. Investigators tend to rely on the camera’s auto mode with little thought given to what that entails. Auto mode may produce visually pleasing images, but it does not necessarily provide a true and accurate depiction of the subject.

Auto mode is intended for amateur photographers who do not wish to have any control over their images. Proper exposure, white balance, depth of field – all critical aspects of forensic photography – are determined by the camera, which is programmed to be kept handheld. This means the camera will typically choose a wide-open aperture and a high ISO. The result is poor depth of field and potentially grainy photographs.

Manual mode resides at the other end of the spectrum. The camera provides exposure feedback from its light meter, but the photographer controls all settings. The camera will take a “bad” picture if the photographer fails to understand the camera’s feedback or basic concepts of photography. Mention manual mode in any police photography class, and you’ll be greeted by a chorus of groans. This is mostly due to fear of the unknown. Once students begin to grasp the interplay of aperture, shutter, and ISO, they tend to favor manual mode – at least in class.

Sandwiched between auto and manual modes are aperture- and shutter-priority modes. These modes allow the photographer to select an aperture or shutter speed while the camera supplies the missing variable. Most forensic photography can be accomplished in one of the priority modes with the occasional reversion to manual mode. This assures efficient shooting while maximizing image quality and depth of field.

I occasionally teach a one-day forensic photography review course for law enforcement. Camera mode selection is just one of the many topics I cover to help officers become more confident forensic photographers, but it is definitely a critical topic. Learn more about other important themes in forensic photography, in parts two and three of this blog series.

Looking for additional information on police photography, or to sharpen your photography skills? L-Tron offers a Forensic Photography Refresher course, geared towards escaping manual mode. For more information & to receive information on our next course, visit: L-Tron.com/into-forensic-photography-course

About the Author:

Andy McNeill is a retired Sheriff’s Deputy and L-Tron’s Director of Forensic Education. With over 20 years of experience in Law Enforcement, Andy is an ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionist, IAI-certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst, and a NYS-certified police instructor. In his spare time, Andy enjoys kickboxing, traveling and photography.

Sponsored Recommendations

Build Your Real-Time Crime Center

March 19, 2024
A checklist for success

Whitepaper: A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

July 28, 2023
Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge

A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

June 6, 2023
Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge.

Listen to Real-Time Emergency 911 Calls in the Field

Feb. 8, 2023
Discover advanced technology that allows officers in the field to listen to emergency calls from their vehicles in real time and immediately identify the precise location of the...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!

Request More Information

By clicking above, I acknowledge and agree to Endeavor Business Media’s Terms of Service and to Endeavor Business Media's use of my contact information to communicate with me about offerings by Endeavor, its brands, affiliates and/or third-party partners, consistent with Endeavor's Privacy Policy. In addition, I understand that my personal information will be shared with any sponsor(s) of the resource, so they can contact me directly about their products or services. Please refer to the privacy policies of such sponsor(s) for more details on how your information will be used by them. You may unsubscribe at any time.