A technique for decreasing reflection during cadaveric photography

Abstract

To create anatomical educational materials that can be viewed in three dimensions using stereo photographs and photogrammetry, multiple photographs must be taken from different directions. In this process, shadows and reflections from different positions in each photograph are undesirable for creating three‐dimensional (3D) anatomy educational materials. Although a ring flash eliminates shadows, allowing light to enter from all directions, reflections cannot be eliminated. In particular, Thiel‐embalmed cadavers, which are widely used in clinical anatomy, are highly wet and exhibit strong specular highlights. In this study, a straight polarization filter was attached to a handheld camera lens and ring flash, and shooting was performed using cross‐polarization photography. Consequently, even in Thiel‐embalmed cadavers, the details lost due to the effects of reflections and shadows can be recovered, and good results can be obtained when taking stereo photos or creating a 3D model using photogrammetry.