When it comes to evidence photography, precision and attention to detail can make or break a case. Ted DeCagna has been called upon numerous times to document construction site defects, capture accident sites, and handle other critical evidence photography assignments. His photographs have been pivotal in winning major lawsuits, providing clear, undeniable proof in the courtroom.
One recent assignment involved a Princeton educational company that had hired a major construction company to build a state-of-the-art (Home Depot-sized) building for their educational programs. After the installation of dozens of large, modern windows, subtle defects were discovered in many—but not all—of them. These imperfections were nuanced, often changing depending on the temperature or the angle of the sun.
To the untrained eye, the windows appeared fine. But under certain lighting conditions, the interiors showed a rippling, plastic-like effect that was noticeable and unsettling. These defects were especially apparent after dark. Ted was tasked with photographing over 350 windows across four days, enduring cold, wind, and low-light conditions. His final images were so precise and dramatic that the lawsuit was settled quickly, without ever going to trial.
When shooting subtle glass defects, Ted relies on P mode, “Shutter priority mode” and carefully brackets exposures to capture the perfect light. Even minor imperfections—like wrinkled plastic sandwiched between two heavy panes of glass—can be crucial evidence for attorneys. When clients pay premium prices for custom windows, documenting every defect is essential.
Highly reflective glass presents additional challenges. Using a flash or strobe light often creates glare and bad reflections, so Ted avoids them entirely. Instead, he uses a tripod to stabilize the camera and opens the lens to capture enough natural light for every subtle detail. A tripod is particularly important at night, though often unnecessary during daylight.
To read an actual client testimonial about this assignment, see Review 1.
In another case, a law firm needed a personal injury photographer to document a dangerous defect in a sidewalk in a busy Princeton shopping area, which had caused a client to fracture her leg. Ted captured the unusually high edge in the concrete walkway and used a measuring tape mounted on a small acrylic frame to illustrate the depth of the defect. This simple, yet effective photographic evidence made it crystal clear to the opposing attorney and judge exactly how hazardous the walkway had been.
Ted was also called to a school near Philadelphia to document rooms where an alleged sexual assault occurred. He photographed multiple angles and created detailed evidence videos, ensuring that every aspect of the rooms—and their disheveled condition—was clearly documented. By panning slowly, he allowed every fine detail to be captured, making it easier for a jury to understand the full context of the scene.
Whether you need a personal injury photographer, construction evidence photographer, or crime scene evidence photographer NJ, Ted DeCagna delivers meticulous, high-quality evidence photography in New Jersey and evidence photography in the New York area that provide the proof necessary to win your case.
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