Open AccessDigital camera images obtained using a light‐emitting diode illuminator and their dermatological applications
Author(s) -
Ahn Hyo Hyun,
Kim Soo Nam,
Kye Young Chul
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/j.0909-725x.2006.00134.x
Subject(s) - flash (photography) , computer science , digital camera , computer vision , photography , artificial intelligence , digital photography , digital imaging , computer graphics (images) , digital image , optics , image processing , physics , image (mathematics) , art , visual arts
Background/purpose: Although digital cameras have powerful macrocapabilities, flash macrophotographs are often unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to develop a light‐emitting diode (LED) illuminator for macro digital photography that allows colorimetric investigations of the skin. Methods: We devised an LED illuminator suitable for acquiring super‐macro digital images of the skin. Reference CIELAB color chart values were compared statistically with computed values from digital images in order to obtain equations for real CIELAB values. Using these, we acquired and analyzed images of various dermatological conditions using an LED illuminator. Results: The images obtained with the devised LED illuminator were more reproducible than flash‐assisted photographs. With proper camera settings, the devised LED illuminator and the color analysis method developed during this study provided digital skin images containing colorimetric information. Conclusion: A digital camera equipped with an LED illuminator is a useful tool for dermatological research and clinical practice.