Clinical Photography Manual
Clinical Photography Manual
Clinical Photography Manual
by Kris Chmielewski
Introduction
2
CONTENT
Equipment 4
Camera 5
Initial camera settings for dental photography 7
Lens 8
Flash 10
Brackets 14
Accessories
Retractors 15
Mirrors 16
Contrasters 17
Intraoral photography
Recommended settings 22
Frontal views 23
Occlusal views 23
Lateral views 24
Portraits
Recommended settings 26
Views 27
Post-production 29
3
Equipment
Equipment
4
Equipment | Camera
Camera
The best results can be achieved with a digital single Custom shooting mode
lens reflex (DSLR) camera. This type of camera has
interchangeable lenses, providing great flexibility. To This option allows you to record and save the settings
choose the proper body for dental photography, that are used most often. For dental photography,
important elements to consider include size, weight, settings for capturing intraoral images can be saved
custom shooting modes, sensor type and size, built-in so that the camera is always ready, no matter who
wireless controller, and manufacturer. is using it or when. Some cameras have more than
one custom shooting mode. This makes it possible to
record and save one mode for intraoral photography
Size and weight and a second one for portraits. Some Canon cameras
have three modes available. In Nikon models there
A mid-size camera is easy and comfortable to hold, are two modes: U1 and U2. Please refer to your
even with one hand. The total weight will include the specific camera’s manual to go through the process of
camera, lens, and flash. Each of these components can recording your favorite settings to the user modes.
influence the total weight.
DSLR camera body with interchangeable lens Two custom shooting modes: U1 and U2
This manual reflects the author’s experience with certain camera brands and is not necessarily the opinion of Dentsply Sirona. The inclusion
of these experiences does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, warranty or recommendation of, and Dentsply Sirona make no
representations and/or warranties about, any of the camera brands mentioned herein.
5
Equipment | Camera
Camera
In general, DSLRs have one of two types of sensors: Some cameras have built-in wireless controllers. This
full-frame sensors or APS-C sensors. The first is feature enables communication between the camera
bigger. A full-frame DSLR has a sensor that is the and a wireless external flash without any additional
same size as a frame of traditional 35mm film, wires. The user only must set the communication
measuring 36x24mm. The more popular APS-C sensor between the wireless flash and the camera.
cameras have much smaller 22x15mm sensors. This
means a full-frame sensor has over 2.5 times the Cameras that have built-in wireless controllers include:
surface area of an APS-C sensor. Nikon:
D70, D70s, D80, D90, D200, D300, D300s, D7000,
Both types can have the same number of pixels and D7100, D7200, D600, D610, D700, D750, D800/
resolution. The size of the pixels is crucial to image D800E and D810.
quality. In dental photography, the difference in quality Canon:
of the final photograph is not recognizable. - Canon EOS 600D (Rebel T3i / Kiss X5)
- Canon EOS 650D (Rebel T4i / Kiss X6i)
The advantage of a full-frame camera is mostly - Canon EOS 700D (Rebel T5i / Kiss X7i)
noticeable in portrait photography with shallow depth - Canon EOS 750D (Rebel T6i / Kiss X8i)
of field. The advantage of an APS-C sensor is bigger - Canon EOS 760D (Rebel T6s / EOS 8000D)
depth of field and lower price. - Canon EOS 60D
- Canon EOS 70D
- Canon EOS 7D
- Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Manufacturer
6
Equipment | Initial camera settings for dental photography
•S
et correct date and time
•C
hange color space to Adobe RGB
•W
hite balance: flash or 5500K
• ISO 200
•M
etering mode: evaluative metering (Canon),
3D Matrix (Nikon) Image quality:
RAW + jpg (Canon),
•S
elect single Auto Focus point NEF + jpg (Nikon)
White balance:
flash or 5500K
Set correct
date and time ISO 200
7
Equipment | Lens
Lens
On the market you can buy system macro lenses Image stabilization
such as Nikon and Canon (meaning that the lens and
camera are produced by the same company). Or Newer lenses have built-in systems that can
lenses can be purchased from independent companies compensate for image blur caused by small,
such as Sigma, Tamron, or Tokina. Lenses generally involuntary movements known as camera shake.
are not inexpensive, but it should be possible to find In dental photography, this feature doesn’t have
one that will fit your budget. a big impact because the shutter speeds vary
in the range from 1/60 to 1/250 of a second. If
A few features to consider before buying the lens are your lens has an image stabilization system, you
the desired focal length, magnification ratio, image should read the lens manual carefully to know the
stabilization, and lens speed. criteria for using it. These lenses are more expensive.
Every company has a different acronym for image
Focal length stabilization (e.g. Nikon-VR, Canon-IS, Sigma-OS,
Tamron-VC).
In photography we can differentiate between prime
lenses and zoom lenses. A prime lens has a fixed focal Tip: when you shoot from a tripod, please switch off
length and is described in mm. the image stabilization mode on your lens to avoid
When you select the lens, please be aware that lenses blurry images. Otherwise your lens by default will try
can have different mounts. Before you buy your lens, to detect shaking and can give a false reading.
make sure it has the connection that will fit your
camera. Although a prime lens has only one focal Lens speed
length, it can come in lengths ranging from wide angle
ones through longer telephoto ones. Two features influence the so-called lens speed. First
A zoom lens has a range of focal lengths available to is the maximum lens opening described with the
the photographer in one lens; it is described as the aperture number, such as f/2.8. This means that the
focal range in mm for instance: 70-200mm. specific lens is not built to open more than the size
of the aperture. The aperture number influences the
amount of light that comes into the lens barrel and
Magnification ratio the camera and, ultimately, how easy it is for you to
look through the camera’s viewfinder and see a bright
For dental photography, the best lens is a macro image that is easy to compose.
lens with a magnification ratio of 1:1. This means that
with minimum focusing distance, which is the closest Second is the auto focus speed. More expensive
distance from the lens to the object to get a still sharp lenses have ultrasonic motors built-in. They allow for
image, you can capture a real life 1cm object with the very fast and accurate adjustment of the focus to get
same size on your sensor. Be careful. While lenses with a sharp image when you are shooting in auto focus
the “macro” description can be found on the market, mode.
that doesn’t mean they always have a 1:1 magnification
ratio.
8
Equipment | Lens
•N
ikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Lens
•N
ikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Lens
•S
igma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for
Nikon
•T
okina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro
Autofocus Lens for Nikon
•T
amron 90mm f/2.8 SP AF Di Macro Lens for Nikon
•T
amron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD Lens
for Nikon
•S
amyang 100mm f/2.8 ED UMC Macro Lens for
Nikon
•R
okinon 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens for Nikon F
•C
anon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
•C
anon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens
•S
igma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens
for Canon EOS Cameras
•T
amron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD Lens
for Canon EOS
Canon EF 100mm
•T
amron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Autofocus Lens for f/2.8L Macro IS
Canon EOS USM Lens
•S
amyang 100mm f/2.8 ED UMC Macro Lens
for Canon EF
9
Equipment | Flash
Flash
Flash types
10
Equipment | Flash
Recommendations
For surgery, a ring flash is the top A dual flash can also be used A ring flash has more limitations
choice. Its compact size and the during surgical procedures, but for documenting prosthetic
position of the flash tubes next essential in this case is the close procedures. The straight direction
to the lens makes it possible to position of the flash heads next to of the light creates a “flat” picture
perfectly illuminate all the areas in the lens axis. Such a position can flooded with light. The glossy
the limited space of the oral cavity. be set on the dedicated mount surface of tooth enamel reflects
ring for the specific flash models the light, and the information on
(Canon MT-24EX and Nikon R1C1) such a picture is limited (like color,
or with brackets. transparency and texture). A better
choice is dual flash on a bracket.
By controlling the distance and
flash head position, you can easily
capture many more details.
11
Equipment | Flash
Flash
Ring Flash
•C
anon MR-14EX II Macro Ring Lite
•M
etz 15 MS-1 Macro Ringlight (wirelessly controlled
flash)
Dual Flash
•C
anon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash
•C
anon Speedlite 270EX II. You need two of them + Canon MT-24EX
bracket. Macro Twin Lite
Flash
If your camera doesn’t have a built-in wireless
controller, you will need a Canon Speedlite Transmitter
ST-E2.
External Flash
•C
anon Speedlite 600EX-RT
•C
anon Speedlite 430EX II
12
Equipment | Flash
Ring Flash:
•M
etz 15 MS-1 Macro Ring light Digital Flash
(wirelessly controlled flash)
•N
ikon R1C1 Wireless Close-Up Speedlight System
Portraits:
•N
ikon SB-910 AF Speedlight
•N
ikon SB-700 AF Speedlight
13
Equipment | Brackets
Brackets
Photomed bracket
Agno’s bracket
14
Accessories | Retractors
Accessories
Retractors
Recommendation Self-retracting
Plastic retractors are more comfortable for the retractor
patients.
15
Accessories | Mirrors
Accessories
Mirrors
Occlusal mirror
Lateral mirror
16
Accessories | Contrasters
Contrasters
Recommendation
Select contrasters coated with black silicone. It’s more
durable, will not scratch, and is more pleasant for the
patient. The anterior contraster is used most often.
Anterior contraster
Occlusal contraster
Lateral contraster
17
Camera & instruments positioning
Correct position of the photographer and the patient. The axis of the lens is at the eye level of the patient.
18
Camera & instruments positioning
19
Camera & instruments positioning
20
Camera & instruments positioning
21
Intraoral photography | Settings
Intraoral photography
22
Intraoral photography | Views
Equipment: Equipment:
•D
SLR Camera set with 100mm macro lens and ring •D
SLR Camera set with 100mm macro lens and ring
flash or dual flash flash or dual flash
Accessories: Accessories:
•S
elf-retracting retractor • Self-retracting retractor
•A
nterior contraster • Occlusal mirror
Advice: Advice:
•H
old the camera with the back of the camera parallel •4
5 degree angle between the mirror and the camera
to the plane of the front teeth. for occlusal shot is recommended.
•F
ocus on the front teeth. •F
ocus on the occlusal surface of the first bicuspids
(premolars).
Shots:
•F
ull arch should be visible from the central incisors
•R
etracted view in the MIP position: upper and lower to the mesial of the second molars.
teeth are in the full contact. Upper and lower teeth •E
liminate the fog on the mirror
are visible at least from first molar to first molar. (air blow or heat the mirror).
•R
etracted view with teeth apart.
Shots:
•U
pper teeth from canine to canine
(with and without contraster). • Full upper arch
•L
ower teeth from canine to canine • Full lower arch
(with and without contraster).
23
Intraoral photography | Views
Lateral views
Equipment:
•D
SLR Camera set with 100mm macro lens and ring
flash or dual flash
Accessories:
•S
ingle sided retractor
•B
uccal mirror
Advice:
•U
pper and lower teeth should be visible from the
central incisors to the mesial of the second molars.
•F
ocus on the canine (cuspid)
•E
liminate the fog on the mirror
(air blow or heat the mirror)
Shots:
•R
ight lateral retracted view in the MIP position:
upper and lower teeth are in full contact.
•R
ight lateral retracted view with teeth apart:
upper and lower teeth are not in contact.
•L
eft lateral retracted view in the MIP position:
upper and lower teeth are in full contact.
•L
eft lateral retracted view with teeth apart:
upper and lower teeth are not in contact.
24
Intraoral photography | Views
Upper & lower teeth Maxillary anterior teeth Maxillary anterior teeth
MIP position / retracted view retracted view retracted view with contraster
f>22, 1/200s f>22, 1/200s f>22, 1/200s
Upper & lower teeth Mandibular anterior teeth Mandibular anterior teeth
mouth open / retracted view retracted view retracted view with contraster
f>22, 1/200s f>22, 1/200s f>22, 1/200s
Maxillary arch / occlusal view Right lateral MIP view Left lateral MIP view
retracted view with mirror retracted view with mirror retracted view with mirror
f>22, 1/200s f>22, 1/200s f>22, 1/200s
Mandibular arch / occlusal view Right lateral open view Left lateral open view
retracted view with mirror retracted view with mirror retracted view with mirror
f>22, 1/200s f>22, 1/200s f>22, 1/200s
25
Portraits | Settings
Portraits
26
Portraits | Views
Portrait views
Equipment:
•D
SLR Camera set with 100mm macro lens and
external flash
Accessories:
•S
olid/uniform background (black, white, or grey)
•F
lash diffuser
Advice:
•F
ull face from the top of the head to the neck
•P
atient should look into the lens or straight ahead
(in 45- and 90-degree positions)
•A
uto focus on the eye
Shots:
•F
ront views in 3 positions (lips together, apart,
and full smile)
•4
5-degree views (left and right) in 3 positions
(lips together, apart, and full smile)
•9
0-degree views (left and right) in 3 positions
(lips together, apart, and full smile)
27
Portraits | Views
Frontal view / not smiling Frontal view / mouth open Frontal view / full smile
f/11, 1/200s f/11, 1/200s f/11, 1/200s
45° right profile / not smiling 45° right profile / mouth open 45° right profile / full smile
f/11, 1/200s f/11, 1/200s f/11, 1/200s
90° right profile / not smiling 90° right profile / mouth open 90° right profile / full smile
f/11, 1/200s f/11, 1/200s f/11, 1/200s
45° left profile / not smiling 45° left profile / mouth open 45° left profile / full smile
f/11, 1/200s f/11, 1/200s f/11, 1/200s
90° left profile / not smiling 90° left profile / mouth open 90° left profile / full smile
f/11, 1/200s f/11, 1/200s f/11, 1/200s
28
Post-production
Post-production
Post-production is the process that occurs after In the Library Mode, you can organize your pictures,
taking the photographs. It covers multiple actions like apply keywords, and organize other metadata. An
importing the pictures to the computer, managing the advanced search engine is incorporated. This is a very
files, developing the pictures, adjusting the exposure, important tool for quickly finding specific pictures
correcting the color, cropping, cleaning, and also among the thousands.
exporting the files for different media.
The Develop Mode has all the necessary tools for
In dental photography it is very important to establish correcting exposures, white balance, and color;
a digital workflow to help stay organized and maintain cropping; cleaning up dust and scratches; and making
control over file locations and security. For all of these, other improvements. One of the most important
proper hardware and software is essential. features of the Lightroom software is the way it treats
files. It is not destructive, meaning that when you
One of the best software packages available on develop your pictures, the software creates a recipe.
the market for this purpose is Adobe Photoshop It records all your actions, which are saved in the
Lightroom. The software was created for photo- history. Permanent changes are applied to the picture
graphers. Modules include Library, Develop, and when files are exported. But the original files remain
sharing modes such as Slideshow, Book, and Print. untouched, so you can always return to the original
Each of these modules is designed to meet the file in the file history.
photographer’s needs.
The software allows for working with different file
types, including RAW, jpg, TIFF, psd, and png.
29
How to prepare pictures for lectures and for print
The size of the recorded picture is represented in the Optimal image settings for print:
number of pixels (points). The pixel is the smallest
single component of a digital image. Each pixel holds File settings for TIFF:
information about color. The number of pixels in an
image is sometimes called the resolution. • Format: TIFF (ask the editor or print house)
•R
esize to fit: long edge 2000 pixels
•D
on’t enlarge
•R
esolution: 72 pixels per inch
Output sharpening:
•A
mount: high
30
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About Dentsply Sirona Implants About Dentsply Sirona
Dentsply Sirona Implants offers comprehensive solutions Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of
for all phases of implant therapy, including Ankylos®, professional dental products and technologies, with a 130-year
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treatment outcomes, resulting in enhanced quality of life provide innovative, high-quality and effective solutions to
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