Digital camera images obtained using a light-emitting diode illuminator and their dermatological applications.
OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
A digital camera equipped with an LED illuminator is a useful tool for dermatological research and clinical practice.
Ahn
Hyo Hyun
HH
Department of Dermatology, Korea University Medical College, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Soo Nam
SN
Kye
Young Chul
YC
D003124:Colorimetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008029:Lighting / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012666:Semiconductors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology