Legal Photography: A Complete Reference for Documenting Scenes, Situations, and Evidence for Civil Cases

137 Pages·2016·6.34 MB·English

by  Sholik Stan.

About the Author
Stan Sholik has spent over three decades as a commercial, advertising and illustrative
photographer in Orange County, CA. During that time he has developed a national
reputation in a wide range of technology-oriented specialties for his clients in the
computer, electronics, medical device and food industries. Early in his career he began
specializing in close-up/macro photography, motion-simulation and in-camera
photocomposition to enhance the images created with his large-format cameras. Stan
transitioned quickly to full digital capture and has applied several techniques unique to
digital capture to his close-up and macro photography. He has also gained a reputation as a
writer on both conventional and digital imaging topics with numerous articles and books.
Self-taught as a photographer, Stan holds a BS degree in physics and an MA in English
from Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, PA.
Copyright © 2015 by Stan Sholik.
All rights reserved.
All photographs by the author.
Published by:
Amherst Media, Inc.
P.O. Box 586
Buffalo, N.Y. 14226
Fax: [phone]
www.AmherstMedia.com
Publisher: Craig Alesse
Senior Editor/Production Manager: Michelle Perkins
Editors: Barbara A. Lynch-Johnt, Harvey Goldstein, Beth Alesse
Associate Publisher: Kate Neaverth
Editorial Assistance from: Carey A. Miller, Sally Jarzab, John S. Loder
Business Manager: Adam Richards
Warehouse and Fulfillment Manager: Roger Singo
ISBN-13: 978-1-60895-860-3
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014955644
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior written consent from the publisher.
Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the authors’ experience and opinions. The
authors and publisher will not be held liable for the use or misuse of the information in this book.
Check out Amherst Media’s blogs at: http://portrait-photographer.blogspot.com/
http://weddingphotographer-amherstmedia.blogspot.com/
Contents
Introduction
Why Legal Photography?
Digital Capture
Admissibility
Some History
The Role of the Legal Photographer
Disclaimer
1. Equipment Considerations
Camera Selection
Camera Type
Image Resolution
Sensor Size
ISO
Exposure Modes
White Balance
Image Capture Formats
EXIF Metadata
Lens Selection
Exposure Considerations
Depth of Field Considerations
Hyperfocal Distance
Video Capture Considerations
Tripod Considerations
2. Lighting Considerations
Available Light
Electronic Flash
Speedlight as the Main Light
Speedlight as a Fill Light
Continuous Light

3. Photographing the Scene
Required Views
Establishing Photos
Mid-Range Photos
Close-Up Photos
Record Keeping
Recording Information in Images
Paper Records
4. Photographing Evidence
General Considerations
Lighting Techniques
45 Degree Lighting
Diffused Lighting
Oblique Lighting
Bounce Lighting
Transmitted Lighting
Axial Lighting
5. Photographing Specific Types of Cases
Personal Injury
Slips and Falls
Wounds, Dog Bites, Burns, and Other Skin Injuries
Sports Injuries
Property Damage
Traffic Accidents
Medical Malpractice
Product Liability
Intellectual Property
Other
6. Post-Processing
General Considerations
Software Considerations
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Image Authentication
Workflow
7. The Legal Photographer as Witness
Lay Witness
Expert Witness
Deposition
8. Marketing Legal Photography
Your Legal Photography Website
Social Media
Legal Organizations
Trade Organizations
Index