Dermatologic photography

Particularly for the beginning clinical photographer, the details of contour light, texture light, flat light, and fill lights may be intimidating. A physician-photographer may elect to choose a name brand system that has manual exposure capability. The system should include a ring light (or ring light equivalent) and a point source with a guide number of at least 80 (feet with ISO 100 film). Standard exposures may be determined, as has been described above. The ring light should be used for reproduction ratios between 1:1 and 1:20; the point source is saved for ratios of 1:20 and below. As confidence and skill increase, the photographer may choose to use additional light sources, facilitating more subtle forms of lighting. Criteria for choosing equipment have been examined in great detail. The importance of using standardized manual strobe lighting at set reproduction ratios as opposed to automated systems using through the lens flash metering has been stressed. Flat, contour, and texture lighting with techniques to decrease shadow density was also addressed at length. Standard views of body areas, lesion photography, and image storage methods were discussed as well.