| PrAcTIcE PhoTogrAPhy | Practice management
so that he/she stands the same distance from the subject each time. It is important to control the focal length and distance to prevent unwanted distortion. The cardiff/Westminster scales of
reproduction decided the focal length. For example, the breasts were photographed with a normal 50 mm lens at a distance of 1/10 while the face was photographed using a long 100 mm at a distance of 1 m13
plane to be a set size 24 × 36. Then came digital cameras with
variable sized sensors making the focal length more difficult to determine with each camera. The focal lengths and distances of lenses built for the 35 mm would need to take into account the smaller sensor sizes. For example, the 50 mm lens would now be the equivalent to a 30 mm lens on a digital camera with a 2/3 sensor size. This was determined by taking the diagonal of the sensor and multiplying it by 1.5.
Simplify background with backdrop Using a backdrop will help simplify your photographs, eliminate distracting objects, help to produce a contour of the patient, and maintain consistency between photographs taken during different timed intervals. The choice of a background colour is
important. Medium blue is often used for the same reasons that laps and drapes are blue and green in the operating room — to counter the amount of red seen to prevent eyestrain, as well as offering contrast to the red seen in medical subjects9
.
Naturally, it was carried into the clinical setting to make the backdrop colours in
. All depended on the film
operative and clinical photographs consistent. Medium blue also contrasts well with a variety of skin tones. A white background should be avoided because it reflects light and can make subjects appear washed out. It is also not as aesthetically pleasing and does not work to provide enough contrast and contour definition. Black is often used but can absorb a lot of light. It may not work well with dark-skinned people, but has been used successfully with additional background or rim lights to highlight the subject’s contour from behind11
. If a room has been dedicated to
photography, the wall can be painted blue. A flat-based paint should be used instead of a gloss to prevent reflections from the flashes. If material is used, make sure it is wrinkle-free with no sheen. Polyester works well for most cases. rolled paper backdrops can be used with stands and are available at professional photography stores.
Conclusions The value of photography in a clinical practice setting is often underestimated. Staff members are regularly used to perform the practice of patient photography and are often not properly trained in photographic standards. Using these guidelines you can improve the quality of your photography, which in turn improves the documentation of your talent and can create better communication and trust with your clients and patients.
References
1. Aperture. Bockaert V. Digital Photography Review.
http://tinyurl.com/bouyy (accessed 15 June 2011)
2. Shutterspeed. Bockaert V. Digital Photography Review.
http://tinyurl.com/6hbnf7f (accessed 15 June 2011)
3. Depth of Field. Bockaert V. Digital Photography Review.
http://tinyurl.com/6x6gg4e (accessed 15 June 2011)
4. Focal Length. Bockaert V. Digital Photography Review.
http://tinyurl.com/pz4fb (accessed 15 June 2011)
5. Macro Photography Tips for Point and Shoot Digital Cameras. Rowse D. Digital Photography School. http://
tinyurl.com/2ubmgjl (accessed 15 June 2011)
6. Digital Zoom. Bockaert V. Digital Photography Review.
http://tinyurl.com/69vwadp (accessed 15 June 2011)
7. Viewfinder. Bockaert V. Digital Photography Review.
http://tinyurl.com/63t7yhv (accessed 15 June 2011)
8. International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Protection of patients’ rights to privacy. Br Med J 1995; 311(7015): 1272
9. Williams AR, Nieuwenhuis G. Clinical and operating room photography. In: Vetter JP. ed, Biomedical Photography. Boston: Focal Press, 1992
10. Galdino GM DaSilva D, Gunter JP. Digital photography for rhinoplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg 2002; 109(4): 1421–34
11. Williams AR. Positioning and lighting for patient photography. J Biol Photogr 1985; 53(4): 131–43 12 Sommer DD, Mendelsohn M. Pitfalls of
nonstandardized photography in facial plastic surgery patients. Plast Reconstr Surg 2004; 114(1): 10–4
13. Young S. Maintaining standard scales of reproduction in patient photography using digital cameras. J Audiov Media Med 2001; 24(4): 162–5
.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This is an edited chapter from Cosmetic Bootcamp Primer, edited by Kenneth Beer MD PA, Mary P. Lupo MD FAAD, and Vic Narurkar MD FAAD. It is available from Informa Healthcare, at
www.informahealth
care.com
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