Documentation, Analysis, Visualization
short courses SERIES
Our Forensic Photography Short Courses are designed to provide a deeper dive into forensic photography techniques and best practices. Led by some of the most renowned experts in the field, these courses offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from professionals with extensive practical experience.
Running 100% online and with recordings available afterwards for a limited period, these sessions are perfect for attendees seeking hands-on, focused training.
Don’t miss this chance to gain advanced skills and insights from the top names in forensic photography!​
​​Course Overview:
Designed to help forensic professionals produce images that are accurate, consistent, and defensible. It approaches forensic photography as a controlled documentation process where camera setup, lighting, capture methods, and post-processing workflows directly influence interpretation and courtroom reliability. The course introduces practical camera, lighting, and software optimizations grounded in established forensic evidence-documentation principles.
Key Learning Points:
• Configure camera systems for consistent forensic image capture.
• Conduct pre-capture evaluation (white balance, lighting conditions).
• Apply controlled lighting using flash and ambient light management.
• Use stable shooting methods (tripod, stabilization, shutter control).
• Assess image quality using histograms and focus indicators.
• Manage and archive images using an Adobe Lightroom workflow.
Hardware & Software Recommendations
Mirrorless camera (recommended) or DSLR camera, Zoom lens (recommended) and macro lens, External flash, Wireless flash trigger or flash extension cable,Tripod, 18% grey card and Adobe Lightroom Trial.
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Gale Spring
Adjunct Associate Professor of Scientific Photography, RMIT University
Precision Lighting for Evidence Photography
Course Overview:
This hands-on lighting workshop focuses on the control and use of light to produce accurate, detailed forensic photographs. Participants will explore techniques for challenging situations, including confined spaces, shiny surfaces, and enhancing minute details like scratches or indentations. Gale will demonstrate cost-effective methods to achieve accurate photographic interpretation, matching lighting techniques to material characteristics without the need for expensive equipment.
Key Learning Points:
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Techniques for lighting small, confined areas
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Handling reflections on shiny or specular surfaces
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Enhancing visibility of fine details for accurate evidence documentation
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Practical, affordable approaches to forensic lighting
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Join Gale Spring to develop skills essential for creating reliable forensic photographs that support accurate evidence interpretation
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Tom Vadnais
Vadnais Engineering
Flash Workshop
Course Overview:
A comprehensive guide to mastering the use of flash in forensic photography. It focuses on practical techniques to gather data and capture critical details in various scenarios, such as low-light environments, high-contrast scenes, and capturing textures. Participants will learn how to select, set up, and manipulate flash equipment to enhance forensic evidence documentation, with guidance on affordable tools and best practices.
Key Learning Points:
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Illuminate scenes and enhance details with flash.
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Master ambient, full flash, and fill flash techniques.
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Use flash’s single-distance lighting effectively.
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Select compatible, high-power flashes (e.g., Godox TT685II).
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Apply Manual vs. TTL flash settings appropriately.
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Utilize multiple flashes and remote triggers.
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Use modifiers to control and shape light.
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Work with specialty flashes and reflectors.
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Set accurate white balance with flash.
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Understand background color impact on subjects.
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Course Overview:
This short course provides a comprehensive look into the principles and best practices of evidence photography, with an emphasis on close-up and macro techniques. Ideal for forensic professionals, the course covers essential topics including SWGIT and OSAC guidelines, field and lab photography, camera settings, macro options (such as lenses, extension tubes, and reversing rings), working distance, camera supports, lighting, focus stacking, image calibration, and post-processing techniques.
Key Learning Points:
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Best practices for close-up and macro evidence photography in field and lab settings
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In-depth instruction on macro tools and techniques, including focus stacking and calibration
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Practical guidance on camera supports, lighting, and image processing
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Application of SWGIT and OSAC standards in forensic photography
Hardware & Software Requirements
In order to participate in this course, attendees will be required to have a working copy of Helicon Focus and Adobe Photoshop (both downloads have free trial versions).
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Jerry Narowski, MSFS
Forensic Science Department
University of New Haven
Close-Up and Macro Evidence Photography
Course Overview:
This course will cover multiple techniques for using Adobe Photoshop for the clarification and analysis of photographs, fingerprints, footwear, and questioned documents. We will follow forensic best practices, enabling all work to be automatically documented, repeatable, and editable. We will cover multiple methods for clarifying digital photographs and scans from tonal adjustments and color isolation techniques to correcting perspective distortion and creating demonstratives for court.
Key Learning Points:
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Using Photoshop in a Valid Forensic Workflow
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Brightness and Contrast Adjustments
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Color Isolation Techniques
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Correcting Perspective Distortion
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Creating Court Displays
The course is hands-on. We will work together, step-by-step through several assignments utilizing the above techniques on photographs of fingerprints, footwear, license plates, etc. At the completion of the course, each participant should have the ability to perform these clarifications with competence using methods that follow best practices for forensics, that record each step, and that are repeatable and editable.
Hardware & Software Requirements
In order to participate in this course, attendees will be required to have a working copy of Adobe Photoshop.
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