Nighttime Photography & Videography: Techniques & Tips

Abstract

Investigation of nighttime motor vehicle collisions represents one of the most challenging aspects of collision reconstruction. Nighttime collisions with motorcycles, pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, or wildlife will often require the investigator to assess the visibility of the struck object from the driver perspective at the time of the collision. Since lighting conditions, weather conditions and traffic conditions are continually changing, the ability of the investigator to create a perfect re-enactment is, by definition, not usually possible. As such, the investigator must make use of nighttime visibility assessment techniques to best reproduce the conditions at the time and correctly account for all other factors that are not in the investigator’s control. The goal of this panel discussion session is to share the combined experience and knowledge of the panelists with the audience regarding the tried-and-tested best practice techniques and tips of conducting nighttime collision re-enactments.