Lately I have found a ton of impact windows that the etching is so light you can not get a photo. Most of the windows have no stickers and insurance companies are kicking the inspections back if you do not have the actual window etching pictures. Any suggestions on how to get these pictures so the etching can be seen?
Oh, the etched label…
You’ll need to experiment with position of the lens, reflected light, angles, etc. Try getting a darker color in the background, adjust the white balance and ISO settings to manipulate the light.
Sometimes holding a flashlight (low setting) on a sharp angle highlights the lettering.
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Can you put a black sheet of paper behind before you take the picture?
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Combined with the tricks above, photo editing software may help bring the image out.
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Another tip would be to try using the phone or camera’s macro zoom setting if it has it. It can help small lettering stand out a bit more.
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I use two short strips of blue masking tape on the opposite side of the etching. Why two strips? Because sometimes the etching is so faint I can’t even tell where the real perimeter the the etching is until I see the results. SO THEN THE TRICK is to take a picture of it with the FLASH “ON”.
My mini iPad does not have a flash so I either then use my flash light, which is not fun because for some odd reason I don’t have three hands, or use best practice for me is I use my iPhone with the flash and then air drop those tempered glass pics to my iPad for reporting.
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good one Pablo!!
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Use graphite dust or a darker shade of your wife’s eye shadow to darken the etching.
Do you normally carry those with you on inspections?
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The eye shadow yes, I used to use soot from a fireplace, but all homes don’t have fireplaces.