frontal
images
Preview image
Seat the patient upright, head propped in a
vertical position. Set the magnification. Hold
the camera at the approximate distance: 10" for
1x, 5" for 2x, and 3" for 3x. (The ranging lights
will be used later, for final focusing.) Preview
the area of interest through the viewfinder,
using the grid screen for alignment. The front
of the camera should be parallel to the patient’s
face. If necessary, use lip retractors to allow
light in.
Focus and shoot
Press the shutter button lightly to turn on the
ranging lights. Move the camera nearer or
farther until the lights merge. Check that the
subject is composed as required, then press
the shutter button all the way to take the
picture. The picture will be ejected from the
front of the camera.
Evaluate sharpness, color saturation
and composition
The area around the merged ranging lights
will be sharpest; areas that are farther from the
camera will be less sharp. The depth of field
decreases at higher magnifications, and is split
equally in front and behind the point of
sharpest focus. The depth of field at 1x is 0.9",
at 2x 0.3", at 3x 0.2".
Color saturation will vary, as teeth are
highly reflective. Take 2 or 3 pictures using
different Lighten/Darken settings. (Note that
skin tones will darken as teeth become more
saturated.)
Composition will be improved by cropping
out unwanted areas. Use a higher magnifica-
tion and move in closer so that the entire
picture will be filled with the area of interest.
