Standardization for the biomedical photographic department

Abstract

Biomedical photographers work in a variety of scientific and aesthetic disciplines. Photographs with the greatest scientific value are those that are made under repeatable photographic conditions and that meet the aesthetic criteria of the viewer. The photographic parameters include sharpness, detail, colour balance and films and format. The aesthetic criteria include composition, clarity, and information content. These parameters and visual criteria may be met without great difficulty in a one-man department, but they pose more of a problem in a department of several personnel because of individual priorities and abilities. By standardizing photographic procedures, however, a high percentage of scientifically useful and visually acceptable photographs can be attained from several personnel on changing assignments.

This article presents a method for developing standard procedures along with illustrations of typical subjects. In addition, a review system is described that facilitates the updating of information due to new techniques and materials or changing department or client objectives.