Please note that all before-and-after photographs were taken in a controlled
and consistent environment. Dr. Lam takes all of his own photographs himself*
to maintain consistency, and all photographs were taken with a Nikon D100
digital camera with a 105mm Nikkor VR macro lens to achieve consistent
1:1 distortion-free images. The same compression is used for all photographs,
namely hiqh-quality JPEG. Photographs were taken in a room without ambient
light and a closed door (the door is programmed to shut automatically)
with only uniform overhead lights. No fill or flash photography was used,
as Dr. Lam believes that fill/flash lights can distort reality and can
make a patient appear different than how you would see that individual
if he or she were sitting in front of you. Conversely, a single spotlight
from above can create an artificial result in casting overly harsh shadows
on a face that would not otherwise exist in reality. Therefore, Dr. Lam also avoids
this scenario. Also, all photographs were taken in the same room with
the identical background, a uniform light blue and smooth painted wall.
Dr. Lam takes frequent follow-up photographs of his patients and therefore
does not ask his patients to remove all makeup for photography. Furthermore,
he believes that a patient should wear the normal amount of makeup that
she would be accustomed to so that the photography would be both consistent
and represent how that person would be viewed by a passerby. Again, Dr.
Lam believes that having a patient remove all of her makeup before a photography
session is both unnecessary and does not represent a real-life situation.
However, the patient wears the same amount of makeup typically in the
before and the after image.
Dr. Lam maintains positioning measurements on all four walls as well as
distance measurements to attain consistency in patient positioning (respecting
Frankfort Horizontal Planes) and subject to photographer distance. When
a patient is asked to turn, he or she turns the body fully on a backless
stool to minimize neck distortion that would otherwise occur during isolated
neck turning. Metering the patient the same every time also ensures consistency.
Dr. Lam never retouches his photographs but occasionally will crop the
images to match more precisely to permit a valid comparison. Dr. Lam takes
his clinical photography seriously (perhaps too seriously) and has written
on the subject of consistent and honest clinical digital photography for
facial plastic surgery and hair restoration in scientific articles and
in major textbooks and has lectured nationally and internationally on
his rigorous photographic techniques. What he does not accept is the untruthful
and inconsistent lighting, makeup, and neck positioning found in many
other of his colleagues' work.
*All hair restoration photographs are taken by his hair-transplant coordinator,
Emina Karamanovski, and no one else. Ms. Karamanovski has been extensively
trained by Dr. Lam and closely monitored for consistency in her photography.
Dr. Lam's writings on digital photography are listed below:
2006
"Pictorial Documentation: Traditional Photography and Digital Imaging", Samuel M. Lam, M.D., Byron J. Bailey, et al., ed., Head & Neck Surgery-Otolaryngology, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 2006.
2004
Comprehensive Facial Rejuvenation: A Practical and Systematic Guide to Surgical Management of the Aging Face, Edwin F. Williams, III, M.D., Samuel M. Lam, M.D., Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA (ISBN: 0-7817-5093-8).
2002
"Digital Imaging in the Plastic Surgery Practice", Samuel M. Lam, M.D., International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology 2002; 4:201-214.
2001
"Digital Corner", 8 articles ("Digital Photography", "Digital vs. 35-mm 2002 Photography, Part 1", "Digital vs. 35-mm Photography, Part 2", "Scanners", "Software", "Hardware", "Printers", and "Projectors"), Samuel M. Lam, M.D., Facial Plastic Times, September, October, November, December 2001, January, March, April, June, July 2002.
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