how to shoot in black lite

If I understand what you want to do, is to photograph the impressions

of pen/pencil writing on the second sheet of a tablet...when the

original has been removed. Sounds like a forensic evidence kind of

issue. I'm not sure that blacklight (UV) is the answer...but back

lighting may help...or obligue lighting to put shadows into the

impressions.

Hi Steve,

<p>

Following up on your email to me, clarifying that UV light causes the

phosphoresence you need to photograph, I found the following

reference. In Forensic Science, An Introduction to Criminalistics,

the authors (Peter DeForest, R.E. Gaersslen and Henry Lee) refer to

Kodak Publication M-27 on Ultraviolet and Fluoresence Photography.

If you can locate a copy, it may have the specific recommendations

that you're looking for. Fred

2 CENTS WORTH.........

I have never photographed using black light BUT i have an opinion.

In aircraft maintenance there are times when one has to check a non-

magnetic part for cracks below the surface and extending to the

surface such as an aluminum or magnesium alloy landing gear wheel.

The company called Magnaflux puts out a kit and also individual

components of the kit and basically this is whats done.

The part is stripped of paint using a commercial chemical liquid or

gel stripper. It is then washed with water to neutralize the stripper

and clean the surface. Then there are 3 spray cans of the magnaflux

product; Cleaner, Flourencent Penetrant, Developer that come into

play. The Non-ferrous part is cleaned with the Magnaflux Cleaner by

not spraying the heck out of it but by spraying the cleaner on a new

paper towel such as a Kim-Wype or Wype-all and while the towel is

damp, cleaning the areas to be inspected. After a few minutes of air

drying the Magnaflux Flourescent Penetrant is LIGHTLY sprayed over

the area to inspect and let to 'soak in' for a dwell time of about 15

to 20 minutes. Next is the cleaning AGAIN. The spray can with the

Magnaflux Cleaner is used again on a clean paper towel by once again

NOT spraying the item being inspected but spraying some onto the

towel so it can be wiped by hand. It takes QUITE a bit of towels and

hand cleaning at this point. The idea is to get ALL the penetrant

wiped clean from the surface and when inspecting is going on, the

penetrant that finds its way to any cracks by capillary action will

flourese. Back to the cleaning, once the part is cleaned to the naked

eye of this penetrant the next and last chemical is used. The

Magnaflux product called Developer is used. Its a spray that comes

out as a white powder covering the part with a LIGHT coating. Once it

dries for a few minutes , it draws the flourescent penetrant to the

surface and can be viewed in a room with the lights turned off using

the bright 'blacklight' supplied in the kit. My kit ran approximately

four to five hundred dollars, the expensive part is the blacklight.

The chemicals can be ordered from any large aviation company and the

black light can be borrowed maybe on premices from most aviation

companies. If you want to experiment with this and modify to suit

your needs I can most likely tell you which companies to contact in

your area.

oooh, one more point. Some gem and mineral collectors can tell you

which minerals flourese and you could possibly get some of this

material in a powder/dust form to lightly dust over this area for

experimenting with this project. Sorry, no ideas about exposure

times, but again there are Gem & Mineral Clubs around the country

that give slide shows from some of its members from time to time.

That may be a possible lead. I wouldn't mind hearing about your final

experiment. Good luck and send me an e-mail if i could steer you in a

direction for any of these supplies.

Miles