Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
number) in the first photo frame. The frugal scholar will get at least four cases (one label per
side) per self-stick note. These little sticky notes are also very useful for inserting personal
opinions or queries in the photo to later facilitate differential diagnosis or other follow-up
for example.
If the work area is windowless or has high ceiling lights, lighting may need to be
augmented in order to obtain sharp photo images. Many institutions have photo worksta-
tions with adjustable lighting available for visiting scholars. However, if this is not the
case, inexpensive small tabletop swing arm lamps are invaluable (and can be totally disman-
tled for portability). Depending on the available light, as few as two and as many as four
lamps may be needed. Set up the camera so it makes larger megapixel images to avoid pixe-
lation so they can be used in journal publications or if photos should need cropping. Larger
size photo files will require sufficient storage capabilities and a backup (e.g., an external hard
drive AND a file hosting service).
If a personal photo workstation needs to be created, consider what the most effective
background color and texture should be to showcase the bone features. The background
should not reflect light, cast a harsh shadow, have a texture that draws the focus of the
camera lens, or be a distraction for the viewer. Three types of portable backgrounds are
the most effective: (1) cloth, (2) sand, or (3) translucent plastic windowpane or photo-frame
glass.
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The most portable option is the fabric remnant. The cloth should be at least one
square meter to allow folding or bunching to prop an unstable bone fragment. The color
value should also contrast enough with the object so that grayscale photos are not mono-
chromatic. Therefore, having several background cloths of different colors and textures
will meet all contingencies.
A shallow pan with very small diameter craft sand is an inexpensive and extremely effec-
tive method for photographing small bones or loose teeth. Of course the only shortcoming
here is stray sand grains, but keeping a mini dust pan set handy as well as lining the photo
station with a shower curtain liner will catch errant grains. A method of virtually eliminating
object shadow is a photo background composed of a piece of sturdy plastic photo-frame or
window pane that is either already etched or frosted, or clear but covered on one side with
translucent self-adhesive shelf liner paper. Support the plastic pane at the corners (low-tech
options include small paper cups or toy blocks) a few inches above the tabletop. Placing
colored paper or cloth on the table underneath the pane provides a diffused background
color. Blue is particularly pleasing as the effect mimics the sky. This translucent background
also enables greater maneuverability with light (e.g., enabling back lighting) and camera
angles. See DiGangi and Moore (Chapter 2), this volume, for further recommendations
regarding photographs.
When circumstances permit, pathologies should be radiographed or CT scanned. This
documentation may be a critical factor in differential diagnosis as cortical thickness, obliter-
ation of the medullary cavity, endosteal lytic or tumorous lesions, bone density, and trau-
matic injury are not always evident from macroscopic examination, particularly if the
bone is intact. It is also important as comparative medical data are often exclusively
radiographic.
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Products include Plexiglas. Most hardware stores sell small plastic windowpanes and many photo or
poster frames use plastic instead of plate glass.
