Forensic Evidence Photos with SX20 & 270EX

[Pardes]

At least several times a week my drug chemists have evidence that I need to photograph. This isn't CSI, this is the real world where often the best you can do is grab your personal camera and take quick shots.

This photo was taken with my Nikon Coolpix 8400 of a suspected psychoactive mushroom before it was shredded for analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t7/threedogwrite/redtopmushroom1.jpg

I've recently bought a SX20 and 270EX flash for portability to work (commuting by bike). I'm trying to figure out how to use the flash for closeups of evidence like this where you don't get maximum flash exposure. The manual is a bit confusing on using flash.

Any suggestions on how to set up the exposure. I would nearly always be in the 3 to 12 inch range of the subject and would like a soft flash without harsh shadow lines like in the problematic photo above.

[Collin85]

Any suggestions on how to set up the exposure. I would nearly always be in the 3 to 12 inch range of the subject and would like a soft flash without harsh shadow lines like in the problematic photo above.

Since you are so close to the subject, shooting bare flash onto your subject will naturally result in harsh shadows. Instead, you want to increase the apparent size of the light source by diffusing the flash. Try augmenting the top of the flash with a piece of white cardboard, tilt the flash head up a bit so that you are bouncing your flash off the card. This will increase the size of your source, resulting in a more pleasant exposure with softer shadows.

If you are shooting indoors with a low (especially white) roof, this is very easy. Simply bounce the flash off the roof.

Even better, if you shoot all your samples in a particular place (say, in your office), consider making a light box. Have a search here, there are a few handy DIY tutorials made by photographers in the Small Flash and Studio Lighting forum.

[Todd Lambert]

I can save you the time and tell you that those are definitely magic mushrooms. heheh

[bjordan]

I can save you the time and tell you that those are definitely magic mushrooms. heheh

:lol: bw!

I agree with Collin - consider a lightbox. Here's my cheapo experiment: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=737454&referrerid=89785

Another thing: your picture looks pretty good. A custom white balance might have helped - maybe using a gray card to set it.

[Pardes]

I can save you the time and tell you that those are definitely magic mushrooms. heheh

Far Out, Man! However, the justice system requires that we scientifically prove what the evidence is. So, every sprig of marijuana gets scrutinized by multiple methods and none of them include inhaling. :cool:

:lol: bw!

I agree with Collin - consider a lightbox. Here's my cheapo experiment: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=737454&referrerid=89785

Another thing: your picture looks pretty good. A custom white balance might have helped - maybe using a gray card to set it.

Oh, I love your lightbox setup. It's actually even portable to whatever lab has the evidence. Cool, really cool.

[bjordan]

Oh, I love your lightbox setup. It's actually even portable to whatever lab has the evidence. Cool, really cool.

I'd love to see what you come up with when you improve it! Shooting indoors, I'd try a halogen desk lamp to get enough light. Then use the paper to set custom white balance before putting the organics in there.

BTW, if you search for more info, it's actually called a "softbox."