X-Ray

[modafoto]

Hi

I don't know much about taking X-ray photos, but is it something that you can do as an amateur? Is the equipment available to buy (used hospital equipment) and where does one buy the film?

I am aware of the risk when being exposed to radiation, but that you can protect yourself from. I think it would be a LOT of fun taking X-rays and use them for creative purposes.

Greetings Morten

 

[Bob Carnie]

Morten
I have heard of fine art photographers renting an Xray lab to do creative shots, If I can remember the photographers work I will email you their names
Try asking local hospitals,

 

[mark]

There is a guy who is doing x rays of flowers. It is being done and they are pretty cool looking.

Look at these http://www.xray-art.com/

 

[roy]

Morten, have a look at www.xray-art.com

 

[modafoto]

Cool.

I'll try talking to the hospital. I know some nurses who might help me with that.

I mainly want to shoot the human body in X-ray.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Morten
I thought shooting the human body and overlapping a realistic version on top was very interesting. Mikeal Graff photographer - toronto did exactly this a few years back, very talented photographer.
As well another idea, would'nt it be neat to do cat scans or MIR of the body fluid path or nerve path or blood paths and overlay them onto the real body, I thought of this for Colour work , printed on Cibachrome .
How much to rent a private MIR lab with technician.???

 

[sparx]

I saw a magazine article earlier this year about a guy that shoots almost exclusively in X-Ray. The article included a photo of a 747 that took something like 6 months to take and splice together. I will go through my collection of mags tonite and see if i can dig out the mag or the photographers name.

 

[Robert Kennedy]

Morton - First of all, you need to consider a few things...

1 - Xrays are not "casual" things. There is no way in hell, any reputable hospital or radiologist will let you NEAR an Xray machine. Stevens, from the above website is a radiologist. He CAN use an Xray machine. Do not expect to be allowed "after hours" use of a machine. And if you are allowed, expect someone to find out, and expect to possibly....and here is the catch...GO TO JAIL. Governments have strict laws about this kind of thing. Especially in nations where they own the equipment....

2 - Xray machines are not "point and shoot". They need to be calibrated to the subject. Stevens uses this to his advantage being able to seperate out certain parts of the subject etc. I am not sure how particular machines do this, they may be automated somewhat now, but it is not to be played with.

3 - Stevens doesn't use a hospital Xray machine. He uses a scientific one which is very different. So, even a guy with training and access isn't using hospital equipment.


Now, you could probably go to one of those "full body scan" places and get an Xray done of the subject, but besides saying "give me a pictures of thsi and that", you will have no real control. Also you will be limited in the exposure you can give the subject. 36 frames is not healthy.....

 

[photomc]

I agree with what Robert stated and here is another thought. Most X-ray, at least here in the states, has gone digital. This is part of the drop in analog film use. You might check with some mfg. because some companies do use it to look for stress fractures like planes, etc.

 

[gr82bart]

Ditto what Robert stated. The use of X-rays in the US is regulated strictly under the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and In Canada with the Atomic Energy Commission. I am certain there are similar rules and regulations in Europe. These rules and regulations cover the use and registration of equipment that contain nuclear isotopes for the production of x-rays. I'm pretty sure the language in the regs state that use is for medical and scientific purposes only. It covers the sale of this equipment as well, so I highly doubt you can just buy a used one from a hospital or dentist through above board channels (ie you need a lisence). This doesn't mean that you could not get an one time exemption lisence with conditions attached, but the paperwork filing would probably drown you in beaurocracy. I would caution you against this. X-ray over exposure can lead to some serious cancers.

Then again, there's always e-bay...you never know!

Art.

 

[Dave Parker]

All the legitimate sellers on ebay also are govened by the rules and regulations and as such will list this in their auction listing, so I am sure you will run into a road block in trying to purchase the equipment, if the seller in not legitimate, you may find one, but think about it, would you want to buy a piece of equipment from a non-legitamate dealer that could do a lot of harm, not only to the subject, but the person operating the machine? X-ray is a very specialized field requiring many years of study to do it correctly, The idea is intriging, but I don't think it is worth the risk.

Dave Parker
Ground Glass Specialties

 

[modafoto]

Morton - First of all, you need to consider a few things...

1 - Xrays are not "casual" things. There is no way in hell, any reputable hospital or radiologist will let you NEAR an Xray machine. Stevens, from the above website is a radiologist. He CAN use an Xray machine. Do not expect to be allowed "after hours" use of a machine. And if you are allowed, expect someone to find out, and expect to possibly....and here is the catch...GO TO JAIL. Governments have strict laws about this kind of thing. Especially in nations where they own the equipment....

2 - Xray machines are not "point and shoot". They need to be calibrated to the subject. Stevens uses this to his advantage being able to seperate out certain parts of the subject etc. I am not sure how particular machines do this, they may be automated somewhat now, but it is not to be played with.

3 - Stevens doesn't use a hospital Xray machine. He uses a scientific one which is very different. So, even a guy with training and access isn't using hospital equipment.


Now, you could probably go to one of those "full body scan" places and get an Xray done of the subject, but besides saying "give me a pictures of thsi and that", you will have no real control. Also you will be limited in the exposure you can give the subject. 36 frames is not healthy.....

DAMN. I better give up this idea! I guess they're strict rules about installing this stuff at home, too!

Morten

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

I've been working with Real Time Xray systems since 1986 (FeinFocus and Phoenix). The real-time sensor arrays are digital, but we use the Xray source to expose film as well. Our machines are heavily lead shielded and radiation monitored.

I am going to try to attach an example (an unlucky ant that ventured into our lab).

 

[modafoto]

My wife has fallen a few times and has been X-rayed. I will start with the photos of that...and the X-ray of my root canal in near past could be used too. My dentist would be thrilled to get a 16x20 print for her waiting room.

 

[rjr]

Morten, no, I don´t think there are rules for xray machines at home because there is not much reason to have one at home at all. ;-)

I know a guy who has a small x-ray source for photographic usage - but he is from that business, installing and servicing them and got that one from a dentist who got a new one.

Most modern systems (besides those digitals) don´t fog the film by themselves - the sources are small, radiation is relatively minute. IIRC they expose a luminous film which then only fogs the film itself.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Roman, some exceptions are the Xray systems I am using. They are quite capable of exposing conventional Xray film and have real time CCD digital focal plane arrays as well.

These systems have very small (micron and nanometer range) spot sizes and an extremely wide power range (up to 230KV). Notice the resolution in the ant picture I posted.

However, they are very expensive and very heavy ($500,000. and 2 tons).

 

[Robert Kennedy]

Then again....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=26261&item=3849166638&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63996&item=3848742825&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63998&item=3848965687&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63996&item=3849022028&rd=1

And my favorite....for the radiologist on the go...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11820&item=3849041389&rd=1