ICSIA

by Hayden B. Baldwin

A linear polarizing sheet was used as a filter over the the light source and a circular polarizer used on the camera.

This image is without the polarizer aligned to light.

This with the polarizer aligned.

This is the hardware used to photograph using a linear polarizer on the light source and a circular polarizer on the camera lens.

The camera is a Nikon D300 with a Nikon 60mm Macro lens. Attached to the lens is a B&W Circular Polarizer filter. The camera was set to auto focus, Program Mode and the images were taken hand held. The light is a 160 White LED Video light covered with a sheet of linear polarizing film. The video light has adjustable light output. I used a piece of mat board cut to size to fit the light. A section was cut out of the center to fit the polarizer sheet film and taped in place.
With the light turned on I used the circular polarizer on the camera lens by turning it to control the reflections on the reflective plastic bag.

The above photos were taken using the same hardware listed above.

It is easier to control the lighting as WYSIWYG, what you see is what you get when dealing with available light photography. Using cross polarization is just one technique the CSI should have in their arsenal.

If you have any questions or comments please contact me at hbb@icsia.org