Bright Field and Dark Field Lighting

Understanding the "W":

Reflected light is the same angle as the source.  Bright-field: light is reflected into the camera.  Dark-field: light is reflected away from the camera.

Bright Field Lighting:

• Good for high contrast but specular reflections on shiny or reflective surfaces


• Twice the field of view at the camera lens


• Avoid “hot spots”: Diffused light source provides even illumination in the brightfield

Dark Field Lighting:

• Diffused light is reflected into the camera and specular light is reflected away


• Light source is outside the “W”


• Light is reflected away except for textured surfaced and elevation changes