In my previous columns we talked about capturing your digital images and how they can be used you have taken them. We have discussed different cameras and lenses, different camera setups, and camera functions. We have also discussed different software and how to save and maintain your images. In this column I want to discuss what constitutes a good image and what does that mean.
In May I had the privilege of speaking on a digital photography round table at the AACD conference in San Diego. I was on stage with Steve Snow who practices in California, Gregg Lutke who practices in Dallas, and Rhys Spoor who practices in Seattle. Each of these doctors is an incredible clinicians, photographers, and lecturers. We were each chosen for a seat on the round table due to our different views and techniques on digital photography. I assure you I learned as much as from the other lectures as the audience. As the round table progressed I was very interested in the techniques used by the other lecturers. Greg and Steve use Nikon cameras and Rhys and I prefer Canon. One of the main differences between Greg and I is the use of histograms for each clinical photo and Steve and I differed on the use of TTL metering. It was not long into the course that I began to question whether or not I should change my techniques even though they are working fine. It forced me to ask myself the question, “When is a picture or image good enough?” As dentist we are often accused of taking the most menial task and taking it to a level that is almost pathological. I am not sure this is always a bad accusation. We all have patients that demand our very best. Every day I have to ask myself is this prep good enough and have I polished this composite filling to an acceptable level.
So how do I know if my images are good enough? Greg showed how he shoots RAW images and edits each image with a histogram. I shoot RAW files when I am doing photo shoots to sell my images. Smart Practice sells my marketing photos to dentist now. My photos are n their latest covers. When I send photos to Smart Practice or other companies that I want to be paid for I make the images their best. So I do edit them for print. I also edit my own marketing photos to match the print type media. But I do not use histograms to edit clinical photos. But watching Steve and Greg make me think about the color accuracy of my clinical shots. So I decided to try this with my own images. I took a folder of images I sent to the lab last month for 20 unit veneer cases. I edited each image I sent, about 20 images in all. This included the diagnostic photos, prep photos, and temporary photos. I have to say it did make a difference in how the images looked. But the difference, while there, was very slight. I used Adobe Photoshop 6 to make the changes. It took me several minutes per image using Greg’s technique. This technique would take up my entire lunch hour for one case or I would have to train a team member to make these changes. And I still had to take the time to burn the images to a disk to send to my ceramist. This would be a strain on my busy general practice to make the editing corrections on every case. Or maybe I am attempting to fix what is not broken, at least for my practice. I spent time in my office writing articles, including this one, reviewing lab cases, etc. I took the time to look back on the cosmetic cases I have done over the past few years. When it comes to color, I simply do not have issues with my ceramist. I would attribute this to both my camera techniques and the computer skills of my ceramist. I spoke with my ceramist about this. His pointed out that I have yet to send a crown or veneer back to him for color changes. So the question has to be asked, “If I have not sent a crown back for color changes in years, why change”.
After the course I had several dentist ask me if they should switch cameras, spend more money, take more time to edit their images, etc. My answer was that I did not have the answer for them, only for myself. But I did have some advice for them. If you are having problems then find those without those problems and duplicate what they are doing. But if you are not having problems, don’t change just for the sake of changing.
I have asked Dr. Steve Snow, Dr. Greg Lutke, Dr. Rhys Spoor, and others to share their techniques in my column. I know their techniques, while each different in certain aspects, will be a benefit to everyone.