A pitfall in clinical photography: the appearance of skin lesions depends upon the illumination device.

BACKGROUND

Pictures of skin lesions are usually recorded with a camera equipped with a ring-type electric flash. In some cases the photographs do not reproduce the image perceived by the naked eye.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the quality of photographs taken with the ring-type electric flash.

METHODS

Photographs of skin lesions and an experimental skin model were taken under different illumination conditions including a standard light source, full-spectrum fluorescent ceiling lights and the ring-type electric flash.

RESULTS

Images taken under illumination with a standard light source box resembled those perceived by the naked eye. The full-spectrum fluorescent ceiling lights produced adequate results. Pictures taken with the ring-type electric flash showed some deficiencies including reduction in contrast, loss of shading and excess reflection.

CONCLUSIONS

The ring-type electric flash is not an ideal device for recording skin lesions. An illumination device compatible with a standard light source should be employed to yield maximum fidelity.