DENTAL Introduction

When we begin our career as dental students, many times we

PHOTOGRAPHY:
intend to start documenting our clinical cases. However, the
equipment is often expensive or complicated to use if there is
no prior training.

When I started my personal journey in dental photography,

GLOWING GLOVE
I bought my first camera and lens, and later I realized that the
flash was the real game changer in photography. I always feel
motivated to try different options in order to get that soft light
effect that looks so attractive in photos that certain diffusers
provide but I didn’t have that equipment at the time.

TECHNIQUE
On my way to explore these options, one day I decided to
place a balloon on my ring flash and press the shutter, the
result seemed amazing to me. The next day I went to my dental
office but instead of taking a balloon, I decided to do it with
a latex glove, and it turned out I was able to achieve the same
soft effect as with a high-quality diffuser. I found this eureka
moment interesting and, above all, replicable.

José Luis Gutiérrez Quintero DDS

René Israel Rodriguez Romero DDS

2 SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023 3


Currently, we have a wide variety of diffusers on the market, from
the simplest options such as making a diffuser with paper sheets to
diffusers specifically designed for dental photography. However, for
students with bare knowledge in this path of photography, it turns
out to be complicated to make a buying decision.
Despite being in a time when the world is more globalized,
obtaining specialized dental products can be a challenge. It is
difficult for many products manufactured in Europe to reach Latin
American regions due to shipping issues, import taxes or simply
because the intermediaries do not have enough stock to cover the
demands. In addition, the price of the products increases, causing
them to be a luxury item for the user rather than a basic piece of
equipment.
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The Flash
Compatible equipment for GG
Most dentists start with a ring flash, which is considered a versatile
and handful day-to-day flash. It is the most widely used flash but
the problem is that it cannot be used with many other diffusers
on the market. However, it could be disassembled and used with
the GG as an independent flash and diffuser. This technique works
best with a twin flash and wireless speedlight for more control over
lighting.
The glowing glove (GG) or latex glove technique is a creative Ring Flash
and quick option to solve the need to take a quality photograph,
especially if you do not have first-hand equipment, which, although
it does not replace a good diffuser that is comfortable and practical,
can provide a solution to a day-to-day situation.
Through this article, we will begin to explore the different light
diffusers but also the practical uses of GG in dental photography.
Twin Flash
Speedlites
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 Hardness & Softness
Light can be described as being either ‘’hard’’ or ‘’soft’’. Hard
light results in high contrast, with hard-edged shadows and
bright contrast. Soft light results in low contrast, with pale
shadows and highlights with attenuated edges.
In Figs. 1a and 1b we use the GG in front of the flash to create
a soft light effect on the model, while in Figs. 2a and 2b we can
create a hard light effect by not using any type of diffuser.

[Fig. 1a] [Fig. 2a]

Soft Light Hard Light

[Figs. 1a and 1b] Set: Speedlites Yongnuo 560IV Shutter [Figs. 2a and 2b] Set: Speedlites Yongnuo 560IV – Shutter
[Fig. 1b] [Fig. 2b]
Speed 1/125 Aperture f20 ISO 200 Flash 1/4 Speed 1/125 – Aperture f20 – ISO 200 – Flash 1/32

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 Light Modifiers
In our own experience, these are the top best diffusers on
the market that provide better results for portrait and dental
photography.

Softbox 20’’ x 28’’ LumiQuest Pocket bouncer LumiQuest Ultrasoft

Mini Softbox 9.1’’x 9.1’’ Mini Softbox 6’’ x 7’’ Glowing Glove Paper sheet

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 GG Reflection
The use of black acrylic screens allows a mirror effect to be
achieved, being very useful in artistic product photography
without the need to be edited afterwards.

This reflection can also be obtained with other elements such as

mirrors and even tablet or cell phone screens.

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 • Make sure you have a clean white
latex glove.
• It can be inflated to around 7 inches.
• Test the position of the glove and
then secure it with clear tape.

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 GG White Background
Different lighting schemes where we can move the position of
the flashes. In these sequences, we can experience the different
light positions, as well as a third light in the background to obtain
a white background.

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 GG Textures &
Black Background
In this example, we use two side flashes to increase the lighting
and highlight the effect. However, having only one main light,
you can get the texture effect. The more lateral, the more
texture. If the photograph is taken at infinity, a black background
will be obtained.

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 To obtain a texture effect with a white background, it is White background
recommended to have a main light that goes from the back to
the side. In this example, we do not use two light sources since
[Figs. 3a and 3b] SET:
we run the risk of losing the texture effect in the photo. – Shutter Speed 1/125
– Aperture f25
– ISO 200
– Flash 1/4
– Camera Canon SL2
– Lens Macro Canon 100 mm IS USM

[Fig. 3a] [Fig. 3b]

Black background

[Figs. 4a and 4b] SET:

– Shutter Speed 1/125
– Aperture f25
– ISO 200
– Flash 1/4
– Camera Canon SL2
– Lens Macro Canon 100 mm IS USM

[Fig. 4a] [Fig. 4b]

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 GG Intraoral pictures

GG Cross-polarization [Fig. 5a] [Fig. 5b]

[Figs. 5a and 5b] SET: – Ring Flash Yongnuo 560IV – Shutter Speed 1/125 – Aperture f22 – ISO 200 – Flash 1/4

For this technique, we required background light. The GG or any

other diffuser can be used.

Many different lighting schemes can be applied with GG

technique as far as your imagination can go!

[Fig. 6a] [Fig. 6b]

[Figs. 6a and 6b] SET: – Twin Flash Godox MF12 – Shutter Speed 1/125 – Aperture f18 – ISO 200 – Flash 1/4

[Fig. 7a] [Fig. 7b]

[Figs. 7a and 7b] SET: – Twin Flash Godox MF12 – Shutter Speed 1/125 – Aperture f20 – ISO 200 – Flash 1/2

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 GG Labial Pictures
Another possibility and personally I believe that you can get the
most out of this lighting is in lip photographs.

Soft light
Set:
– Speedlites Yongnuo 560IV
– Shutter Speed 1/125
– Aperture f25
– ISO 200
– Flash 1/4 - 1/8

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 Flash Setting
GG Common Mistakes
When we place the GG, the flash loses power therefore we must
increase its power to obtain the correct picture.
White Balance

The color of the glove can modify the color temperature in the
photograph. You must use completely white gloves because there Overexposed
are some yellow-white ones; another option is to improve the color
temperature in editing programs. 1/2 power flash

Correct

1/4 power flash

Underexposed

1/16 power flash

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 Conclusions
It is easy to find many options on retail pages that create
confusion and overwhelm the user when choosing the best
option, where the selection criteria are sometimes based
on cost. It is easy to find equipment or products at low cost
on pages like Amazon or AliExpress. However, many of these
products do not meet quality standards, causing dissatisfaction
about the product and the technique, when in reality it is the
low quality that does not allow to have a pleasant and true
experience about it.

It is important to understand that although GG is not the first

option to work with, it is the simplest option to start training
in light management and diffusers. Once we master this area,
we can start working with more specialized equipment and
mastering each of the different light management techniques.

This technique can be tiring for a single operator due to

the handling of the camera, the comfortable flash, and the
retraction on the patient. It is recommended to have an assistant
to optimize working times.

Acknowledgement

We want to thank Dr. Jordi Manauta for bring me the idea

of ''GG'' for the name of this technique, Dr. Raul Vergara for
facilitating the work models for the lab photos and to Dr. Mijail
Quezada and Brenda Ruiz, our models in the extraoral and
intraoral photos.

José Luis Gutiérrez

Quintero DDS

René Israel Rodriguez

Romero DDS

26 SUMMER 2023