PHOTOGRAPHY DEFINITION OF TERMS

Photography

Is derived from the Greek words, photos- which means light and graphy which
means to draw.

It is defined as a science or an art of process of producing images of
objects by the action of light on sensitized surface with the aid of an image-forming
device known as camera and its accessories and the chemical process involved therein.

Forensic is derived from the word forum- which means place for legal debate.

Forensic Photography deals with the study of notion of photography, its application to
law enforcement work and the preparation of photographs for court presentation.

Photograph is the mechanical result of photography. To produce a photograph, light is
needed aside from sensitized materials (film and paper).

Camera a light tight box; with a lens to form an image; with a shutter and diaphragm
to control the entry of the image; a means of holding a film to record the image/ and a
viewer or viewfinder to show the photographer what the image is.

Lens a medium or system which converges or diverges light passing thru it to form
images.

Film a cellulose tape embedded with sensitized solution capable of recording images
thru light.

Infra-Red Photography is the art or process of photographing or recording unseen
objects by the naked eye by means of infra-red light.
Ultra-Violet Photography is the art or process of photographing unseen objects by the
naked eye with the use of ultra-violet rays and filters. The main purpose of
photographing ultra-violet photography is to provide information about an object or
materials, which cannot be obtained by ordinary photo methods.

Macro Photography is photographing of object at greater that 1:1 ratio up to nine (9)
times magnification. It is the making of enlarge copies of prints such as photographs of
tampered serial number of firearms, engine number and chassis number of motor
vehicle and the like.

Micro Photography is the art or process of photographing minutes objects and
magnified by means of the microscope and enlarge from 10 times up.

Mug-shot is the process of taking photographs of the suspect/s in full length, half
body, right and left side views, and two quarter views. To unidentified cadavers, include
marks on the victims body especially tattoo/scar for identification.

Angle of view the amount of area visible when looking through a lens. Angle of view is
determined by the focal length of the lens. The angle of view for a standard 50 mm lens
is approximately 47 degrees; for a 28 mm wide angle lens, it is 75 degrees; for a 135
mm telephoto lens, it is 18 degrees.

Depth of Field the distance between the nearest and the farthest objects in apparent
sharp focus when the lens is focused at a given point.

Aperture/ f-stop a lens opening. The hole or opening in a camera lens through which
light passes to expose the film. The size of aperture is either fixed or adjustable. Perturb
size is marked in f-stops.

ASA stands for American Standard Association. An early organization or group that
determines the numerical ratings for film speed. A number which represents a films
sensitivity to light. At present, the organization which rates film speed is the ISO
(International Standard Organization).

DIN a numerical rating used to describe the emulsion speed or light sensitivity of
German made films. Deutche Industries Norm (DIN).

Single-Lens-Reflex (SLR) Camera a type of camera that allows the photographer to
see through the cameras lens when viewing through the viewfinder.

Normal Focal Length A lens which has a focal length approximately equal to but not
more than twice the length of the diagonal of the negative material. Angle of view
exceeds 75 degrees but not less than 45 degrees.

Wide Angle Lens A lens which has a focal length less than the diagonal of its material.
Angle of view exceeds 75 degrees.

Long or Telephoto Lens A lens which has a focal length equal to more than twice the
diagonal of the negative material. Angle of view less than 45 degrees.

Zoom Lens Lenses which allow the user to continuously vary the focal length without
changing the focus.