How not to block cameras

Step 5 Lastly...

By all means, feel free to prove my test wrong with replicable results.

Comments

[electric_piano_5k]

For further proof, see the cover photo for my "Infrared night vision digital camera/camcorder" instructable.  It is an IR photo of a second identical IR camera which is pointed ALMOST straight at the camera taking the photo. Even at this slight angle the IR LED's are dimmed enough that my face is clearly visible.

[kidNeutrino]

CHeers! Excellent review. i hope this kind of peer review can continue regularly here.

[stone2065]

If you want a tip from someone that actually worked in a Nevada casino Surveillance department... I used to absolutely HATE cowboys hats... try getting a good pic of someone wearing one. The only way to do it was from a long, FLAT angle, i.e. use a camera half way across the casino. No way in hell to get anything close from any angle more than about 20 degrees above the person. Just thought you'd all like to know that one... ;) PS: A strong (1500+' range) laser will temporarily (several seconds, less than 30) "white out" a camera, or more specifically the black and white monitor that a lot of places use. Even the color ones will take a hit in time before a usable picture is seen.

[jkimball]

Because laser light is so focused (by definition!) you would have to aim it straight at a known camera to defeat it. While a hat with multiple lasers, auto-detecting and tracking cameras as you move would certainly be awesome, I think the technology isn't there yet.

[stone2065]

My comment dealt with defeating a person or system trying to get a facial shot of the subject, not defeating the camera entirely. The laser trick works fine, but you are 100% correct. If you don't hit it RIGHT ON the lens, you're wasting your time. Also, be as close to straight on to the lens as possible. The domes that the casinos use are darkened for several reasons, not the least of which is to partially defeat this technique.

[josheeg]

Humm maby IR blocking coating on the lense or in the hardware If you compare the CMU cam By CMU with the older version it was more sensitive to ir and I think this would blind it.