Calibrating UVA reflectance photographs - standardisation using a low-cost method

While established methods for the calibration of visible light photographs are well defined, the use of these approaches in UVA reflectance photography is less well understood. A systematic, low-cost and simple method for the production of well-defined grey calibration standard targets for UVA reflectance photography, with a particular emphasis on low reflectivity surfaces, along with a comparison with standard visible light photographic standards is presented here.

Grey calibration standard targets suitable for use in the UVA region were produced, based on optimised methods from the literature. The standards were assessed using UV-Visible reflection spectroscopy, and visible and UVA light photography, and their behaviour compared with a commercially available visible light photographic calibration chart.

Calibration standards with a relatively flat reflection response in the UVA region with a variety of reflectances between 2% and 35% were prepared. Imaging of the standards in both UV and visible light demonstrated the differences between these standards and the ones specifically designed for visible light photography.

A low cost and simple method for the production of low reflectance UVA calibration targets, suitable for UVA reflectance photography has been described and tested against commercially available visual light calibration standards. These new UV suitable standards have potential for use in a wide range of applications such as forensics, biology and cosmetic science.