Capturing really good photos is important and makes a significant difference to your doctor's assessment and report. Before proceeding, please read these quick tips to capturing great skin images. You, and your doctor, will thank you for it :)
Select your device which takes the best quality images - your
standalone camera or modern smart phone or tablet.
If using a smart phone or tablet, use the rear camera (not the front "selfie"
camera). The rear camera takes higher quality images.
Ask someone to take the photos for you where possible.
If your device has a 'self-timer' or 'delay photo capture' feature, this can be
useful to use so that you can concentrate on holding the device as still as possible at
the time the photo is taken.
Good lighting is important so please make sure that you are in a well-lit room or
area (ideally evenly-lit and not in direct sunlight, which will create glare). A plain
background helps ensure the camera focuses on your skin and not something in the
background.
Optional: Circle the mole or spot you are concerned about with a pen, if you have
others nearby.
Keep the camera, phone or tablet lens parallel to your skin (and
not at an angle).
Position the skin spot in the centre of the screen.
Ensure that there are no shadows in the image and that the light is even across the
area of skin.
Hold the device steady and take several photos.
Ensure the camera is focussed on the particular mole/spot. Some devices allow you to
tap the screen in the camera preview to ensure the camera is focussed on a particular
area.
- Take some photos from around 50 cm away (so that the doctor can see the
surrounding area).
- Then take a range of closer shots, while staying in focus. Sometimes it may be
easier to stay 30 cm away and use a little camera zoom than to try and get too close.
See what works best for you and your device.
If your camera or device has a "macro" photo setting, you might try using that to
capture a close-up photo.
Take a number of photos for review.
Review the photos and select the best ones, having checked for
clarity and focus.
Include one photo from around 50cm away.
Include your best other closer photos.
Keep the largest file size you can and do not reduce or shrink the file.
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