title: The Frontal View of the Nose: Lighting Effects and Photographic Bias.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most aesthetic rhinosurgeons rely on proper photographic documentation of the nose using several different views. The frontal view is probably the most important, but it is also the most demanding.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the frontal view, delicate, 3-dimensional (3D) anatomic structures require special photographic skills. Lighting is crucial for detail rendition and 3D reproduction of the nose, and for apparent photographic bias.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared the quality of reproduction and photographic bias with different symmetric and asymmetric lighting in common clinical practice described in the literature. The photographs were compared for anatomic reproduction, shadowing, 3-dimensionality, and apparent changes of nasal shape (bias).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symmetric lighting did not satisfy the demands of the rhinosurgeons because of marginal 3-dimensionality, reduced detail rendition, or photographic bias. Strongly asymmetric lighting altered the nasal shape adversely for bias depending on the side of illumination, but led to very good 3-dimensionality. Slightly asymmetric lighting demonstrated the best results for detail rendition and 3-dimensionality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Classic symmetric quarter light is a practicable lighting technique with limitations in the rendition of detail and 3-dimensionality. Slightly asymmetric lighting offered a perfect compromise, with substantially improved detail rendition and 3-dimensionality. Strongly asymmetric lighting may lead to photographic bias depending on the side of illumination. Frontal documentation of the nose with asymmetric lighting should, therefore, always be performed in duplicate, with asymmetric lighting from the right side and from the left side, to prevent misleading interpretations.
authors.affiliation: Dr Strub is a Senior Staff Member, Dr Mende is a Resident, and Dr Meuli-Simmen is a Professor and Senior Consultant at the Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland. Dr Bessler is a Senior Consultant at the Clinic of Head and Neck Surgery, Rotes Schloss, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Benedikt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Strub
authors.affiliation: Dr Strub is a Senior Staff Member, Dr Mende is a Resident, and Dr Meuli-Simmen is a Professor and Senior Consultant at the Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland. Dr Bessler is a Senior Consultant at the Clinic of Head and Neck Surgery, Rotes Schloss, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mende
authors.affiliation: Dr Strub is a Senior Staff Member, Dr Mende is a Resident, and Dr Meuli-Simmen is a Professor and Senior Consultant at the Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland. Dr Bessler is a Senior Consultant at the Clinic of Head and Neck Surgery, Rotes Schloss, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meuli-Simmen
authors.affiliation: Dr Strub is a Senior Staff Member, Dr Mende is a Resident, and Dr Meuli-Simmen is a Professor and Senior Consultant at the Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland. Dr Bessler is a Senior Consultant at the Clinic of Head and Neck Surgery, Rotes Schloss, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bessler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008029:Lighting / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012225:Rhinoplasty; D016896:Treatment Outcome