Best way/angles to take images for a lettuce

[Harsh Muriki]

Hello. I am trying to get a 3D reconstruction of a lettuce plant. Is there a best/optimum way (to adjust the angles of the camera) to take the images of the plant to get the best 3D reconstruction?

Thanks for the reply!

[Brian Harrison]

I don't have a definitive answer, but this is my experience.

- Have the subject fill about the middle half of the photo.  I'm not sure why, but this always seems to work better than when the subject fills the whole image.

- Be sure the entire subject fits inside the depth of field.  Small apertures and tripods are your friends.

- Try about every 10 degrees, both azimuth and elevation (around and up).  I have tried closer spacing.  It doesn't seem to improve much, but creates vastly more points that overwhelm the computer.  You will notice that as you approach the top, the pictures get closer together.  This is not desirable, so take fewer towards the top, and only one at the top.

- Around gaps and overhangs, make sure to have at least two or three photos that can see down inside.

- Avoid deforming the subject as you work.  Lettuce is bendy.  When you move it, the shape will change.  Avoid touching it while you work.  If you are outside, avoid windy days.

Let's see how that goes.