X.

Digital Photography
a. Features of digital camera
b. Advantages and disadvantages of digital camera
c. Legal foundation of digital photography
d. Guidelines for ensuring digital photographs

Digital Photography
Digital photography is a form of photography that uses digital
technology to make images of subjects.
By contrast, digital photographs can be displayed, printed, stored,
manipulated, transmitted, and archived using digital and computer
techniques, without chemical processing.
Digital photography is one of several forms of digital imaging.
Digital images are also created by non-photographic equipment such as
computer tomography scanners and radio telescopes.
Digital images can also be made by scanning conventional photographic
images. Digital photography eliminates many of the steps and costs of
traditional photography.

Digital Images
These are created by non-photographic equipment such as computer
tomography scanners and radio telescopes
It can also be made by scanning conventional photographic images.

Digital Camera
A camera that encodes digital images and videos digitally and
stores them for later reproduction.
Types of Digital Camera
1. Camera phones
Cameras built right into the phone. It has zoom ability. Some even
come with a flash or light source. They are usually shipped with
software and cables that enable you to download your photographs onto
your computer
2. Compact cameras
Far more popular.
It has an LCD screen to compose and review your photographs which
enables you to compose your picture using both eyes. Navigation
buttons next to the screen allow you to bring up any picture you have
taken, zoom in to ensure it is in focus, erase it or review tiny
thumbnails or each of your images.
Modes can be set up
Portable (pocketable) and for casual snapshot
3. Digital SLRs
It behaves like their film-based counterparts with the same body but
with different electronics on the inside

Nestlie V. Maruquin, Rcrim

 A. FEATURES OF DIGITAL CAMERA
1. SENSORS
Image sensors read the intensity of light, and digital memory devices store
the digital image information as RGB color space or as raw data.
A Charged Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
(CMOS)to capture images which can be transferred or stored in a memory card
or other storage inside the camera for later processing
2. STORAGE
Storage for digital cameras has increased in size and technology with time,
from magnetic tape to floppy disks to flash memory.
Stores the digital information either as RGB color space or as raw data
3. MULTIFUNCTIONALITY AND CONNECTIVITY
a digital memory device usually a memory card is used for storing images,
which may be transferred to a computer later. Digital cameras can take
pictures, and may also record sound and video.
Some can be used as webcams, some can use the PictBridge standard to connect
to a printer without using a computer, and some can display pictures
directly on a television set
4. PERFORMANCE METRICS
The quality of a digital image is a composite of various factors, many of
which are similar to film cameras.
a. Pixel count – created by marketing organization of digital camera
manufacture because consumers can use it easily to compare camera
capabilities
Pixel (Picture Element) – it is the smallest unit of digital image that
can be individually controlled to display specific color or brightness
b. Resolution – it is simply the number of pixels in an image or display
typically expressed as width x height (e.g., 920x1080)
More pixels = higher resolution, which allows for better quality
c. Dynamic range – the range of luminosity which can be reproduced
accurately. Highlights of the subject which are too bright will be
rendered as white, with no detail; shadows which are too dark will be
rendered as black. The loss of detail is not abrupt with film, or in dark
shadows with digital sensors.
5. SENSOR SIZE AND ANGLE OF VIEW
Cameras with digital image sensors that are smaller than the typical 35mm
film size will have a smaller field or angle of view when used with a lens
of the same focal. This is because angle of view is a function of both focal
length and the sensor or film size used.
6. DIGITAL CAMERA BACKS
Most digital cameras are built to operate as a self-contained unit. This is
especially so at the lower-end, for these cameras usually include zoom lens
and flashes that cannot be changed. However, at the highest-end, some
digital cameras are nothing but a sophisticated light-sensing unit. Scanning
and multi-shot camera backs are usually used only in studios to take
pictures of still objects

B. ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY DISADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL CAMERA
• Instant review of pictures, • Digital cameras are entirely
with no wait for the film to be dependent on an electrical supply
developed: if there's a problem usually batteries.
with a picture, the photographer • Many digital sensors have less
dynamic range than color print film.

Nestlie V. Maruquin, Rcrim

can immediately correct the • When highlights burn out, they
problem and take another picture burn to white without details.
• Minimal ongoing costs for those • High ISO image noise may manifest
wishing to capture hundreds of as multicolored speckles in digital
photographs for digital uses images, rather than the less-
• Permanent storage on digital objectionable "grain" of high-ISO
media is considerably cheaper than film.
film • Aliasing may add patterns to images
• Photos may be copied from one which do not exist and would not
digital medium to another without appear in film.
any degradation • The possibility that in the future
• Pictures do not need to be certain digital file formats may
scanned before viewing them on a become obsolete/replaced.
computer • Dust particles, known as
• Ability to print photos using a "bunnies", can adhere to the camera
computer and consumer-grade sensor that, for a novice, requires
printer the sensor to be professionally
• Ability to embed metadata cleaned.
within the image file, such as the
time and date of the photograph,
model of the camera, shutter
speed, flash use, and other
similar items, to aid in the
reviewing and sorting of
photographs.
• Ability to capture and store
hundreds of photographs on the
same media device within the
digital camera

C. LEGAL FOUNDATION OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

1. Republic Act no. 8293 - ‘Intellectual Property Code of the
Philippines’
Protects the copyright of digital photographs, granting
exclusive rights to the creator.
Copyright infringement includes unauthorized reproduction,
distribution, or use of photographs.
Photographs commissioned for specific purposes may belong to
the commissioning party if explicitly agreed upon.

2. Rules of Evidence
Digital photographs are admissible as evidence under the rules
on Electronic Evidence (R.A. 8792).
They must meet criteria for authenticity, relevance, and
integrity to be accepted in court.
The best evidence rule applies, requiring original or
authenticated copies of digital photographs.

Nestlie V. Maruquin, Rcrim

3. Republic Act no. 8792 – ‘E-Commerce Act’

Governs the legal recognition of electronic documents, including

digital photographs, as evidence.
Requires that electronic evidence must be authenticated and proven
to have not been tampered with.
Audio, photographic video and Ephemeral Evidence. Section 1. Audio,
Video and Similar Evidence
• audio, photographic and video evidence of events, acts, or
transactions shall be admissible provided is shall be shown,
presented, or displayed to the court and shall be identified,
explained or authenticated by the person who made the recording or by
some other person competent to testify on the accuracy thereof.

4. Republic Act no. 10173 – ‘Data Privacy Act of 2012’

Regulates the capture, storage, and dissemination of
photographs containing personal information.
Requires obtaining consent from individuals before capturing or
sharing photographs that can identify them. Non-compliance may
result in civil, criminal, or administrative penalties.

5. Republic Act no. 10175 - Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012’

Penalizes unauthorized access, manipulation, or dissemination
of digital photographs online.
Criminalizes acts such as "cyber libel" or malicious use of
digital images to harm others.

6. Republic Act no. 9995 - Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act

of 2009
Prohibits the unauthorized taking, copying, sharing, or
publication of photographs/videos of a sexual nature or private
acts. Violators are subject to severe penalties, including
imprisonment and fines.

7. Revised Penal Code (Act no. 3815)

Includes provisions penalizing actions such as libel, slander,
or using photographs to defame or damage someone’s reputation.
8. Forensic Photography in Law Enforcement
Forensic photographs must comply with legal requirements for
evidence, including proper documentation, chain of custody, and
authentication, to ensure admissibility in court.

Admissibility of Digital Photography in Philippine Courts

To be admissible as evidence in Philippine courts, digital
photographs must:
1. Be authenticated by proving they are unaltered or through a
witness who took the photograph.

Nestlie V. Maruquin, Rcrim

 2. Follow the chain of custody, especially for forensic
purposes.
3. Include metadata or supporting documents to establish time,
date, and originality.

THE BEST EVIDENCE RULE AND PHOTOGRAPH

Photograph is not a legal substitute for the object or article itself, as
Evidence. Nevertheless, all physical evidence should be photographed. A
photograph of revolver will not be accepted as evidence in court. The
weapon itself must be brought to court – this is an essence of the BEST
EVIDENCE RULE
5 x 7 inches - recommended size of photographic evidence
GUIDELINES FOR ENSURING DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS
• Formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) of department policy or
general order for the use of digital imaging.
• Preserve the original digital images.
• Digital images shall be preserved in their original file format.
• If images are stored on a computer work station or server, and several
individuals would have access to the image file, make the image file “read
only” for all except your evidence and photo-lab staff.
• If an image is to be analyzed or enhanced, the new image file created
should be saved as new file name. The original file must not be replaced
(overwritten) with a new file.

MUGSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY – the camera should be attached to a tripod

facing the plain white background with two flood lamps, one on
each side at approximately 45° angles to light the subject. The
other two lamps are similarly set at each side of the back of the
subject to eliminate or remove the shadow. The subject is placed
at the background barefooted without eyeglasses and holding at
breast level the title board with corresponding name and other
data. The front whole body, half body shot, front right and left
side view, right and left side quarter from head to elbow

THE PHOTOGRAPHER IN COURT

• In testifying, his purpose should be to EXPLAIN not to defend his
PHOTOGRAPH. His replies to queries should be directly responsive at all
times.
• If he does not understand the question, he should request for
clarification.
• When the nature of the question requires that he consult his notes, he
should request permission from the judge

Nestlie V. Maruquin, Rcrim

WHO MAY VERIFY PHOTOGRAPH
• The better practice is to show the accuracy of the photograph by
photographer who took them.
• Any person having sufficient knowledge of the subject to say that the
photograph is faithful representation thereof

CATEGORIZING PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE

The following information should be recorded in the photographer's note:

• Location's address, date and time

• Type of incident & objects photographed
• Type of film used and number of
• Type of camera used exposure
• Name of investigator on-case/photographer
• Names of victims and witnesses
• Chain of custody
• Weather condition

Nestlie V. Maruquin, Rcrim