What are the most common types of skin cancer. How can you identify potential skin cancer symptoms. What are the risk factors for developing skin cancer. How can you prevent skin cancer and protect your skin.

Understanding Skin Cancer: Types and Prevalence

Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer worldwide, affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when there is uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the skin, typically due to damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. While skin cancer can be serious, early detection and treatment significantly improve outcomes.

There are several types of skin cancer, each with distinct characteristics:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
• Melanoma
• Bowen’s Disease
• Keratoacanthoma
• Actinic Keratosis

Understanding these types and their associated risks is crucial for early detection and effective treatment.

Basal Cell Carcinoma: The Most Common Skin Cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequently diagnosed form of skin cancer. It develops in the basal cells, which are found in the lower part of the epidermis. While BCC is generally slow-growing and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, it can cause significant local damage if left untreated.

Identifying Basal Cell Carcinoma

BCC often appears as:

• A pearly or waxy bump
• A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
• A bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns

Is BCC dangerous? While it’s the least aggressive form of skin cancer, BCC can be disfiguring if allowed to grow. Early treatment is key to preventing extensive damage to surrounding tissue.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A More Aggressive Form

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer. It develops in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. SCC is more aggressive than BCC and has a higher risk of spreading to other parts of the body if left untreated.

Recognizing Squamous Cell Carcinoma

SCC often presents as:

• A firm, red nodule
• A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
• A sore that doesn’t heal or repeatedly heals and reopens

Can SCC spread to other parts of the body? Yes, if left untreated, SCC has the potential to spread to lymph nodes and distant organs, making early detection crucial.

Melanoma: The Most Dangerous Skin Cancer

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It develops in the melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, which gives skin its color. While it’s less common than BCC and SCC, melanoma is more likely to spread to other parts of the body, making it potentially life-threatening.

Detecting Melanoma

The ABCDE rule is a helpful guide for identifying potential melanomas:

• A – Asymmetry: One half doesn’t match the other
• B – Border: Irregular, jagged, or scalloped edges
• C – Color: Varied shades of brown, black, or tan; sometimes red, white, or blue
• D – Diameter: Larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
• E – Evolving: Changes in size, shape, or color over time

Why is melanoma so dangerous? Melanoma can spread quickly to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream, making it more difficult to treat in advanced stages.

Bowen’s Disease: An Early Form of Skin Cancer

Bowen’s Disease, also known as squamous cell carcinoma in situ, is an early form of skin cancer that affects the outermost layer of skin. While it’s not invasive, it can progress to invasive SCC if left untreated.

Identifying Bowen’s Disease

Bowen’s Disease typically appears as:

• A slow-growing, reddish-brown, scaly patch
• A flat or slightly raised lesion with a well-defined border
• A lesion that may be itchy or tender

Is Bowen’s Disease serious? While it’s not immediately life-threatening, Bowen’s Disease has the potential to develop into invasive SCC, so early treatment is important.

Keratoacanthoma: A Rapidly Growing Skin Tumor

Keratoacanthoma is a relatively common low-grade skin tumor that originates in the pilosebaceous glands. It’s characterized by rapid growth over a few weeks or months, followed by spontaneous resolution in many cases.

Recognizing Keratoacanthoma

Keratoacanthoma typically presents as:

• A dome-shaped, flesh-colored or reddish growth
• A lesion with a central keratin plug
• A rapidly growing tumor that may reach 1-2 cm in diameter

Should Keratoacanthoma be treated? Despite its potential for spontaneous regression, Keratoacanthoma is often treated as a type of SCC due to its similar appearance and potential for malignant transformation.

Actinic Keratosis: A Precancerous Skin Condition

Actinic Keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, is a precancerous skin condition caused by long-term exposure to UV radiation. While not cancerous itself, AK has the potential to develop into SCC if left untreated.

Identifying Actinic Keratosis

AK often appears as:

• Rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed areas
• Flat to slightly raised, pink, red, or brown lesions
• Lesions that may be itchy or sensitive to touch

What percentage of Actinic Keratoses progress to skin cancer? Studies suggest that approximately 5-10% of AKs may progress to invasive SCC over time, highlighting the importance of early treatment and prevention.

Risk Factors for Skin Cancer Development

Understanding the risk factors for skin cancer can help individuals take appropriate preventive measures. Some key risk factors include:

• Excessive UV exposure (sunlight or tanning beds)
• Fair skin
• History of sunburns
• Family history of skin cancer
• Weakened immune system
• Exposure to certain chemicals
• Advanced age

How does UV radiation contribute to skin cancer? UV radiation can damage the DNA in skin cells, leading to mutations that may cause uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of skin cancers.

Genetic Factors in Skin Cancer

While environmental factors play a significant role in skin cancer development, genetic predisposition can also increase an individual’s risk. Some genetic conditions associated with increased skin cancer risk include:

• Xeroderma pigmentosum
• Basal cell nevus syndrome (Gorlin syndrome)
• Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome

Can genetic testing help determine skin cancer risk? While genetic testing can identify certain mutations associated with increased skin cancer risk, it’s not routinely recommended for the general population. However, individuals with a strong family history of skin cancer may benefit from genetic counseling and testing.

Prevention Strategies for Skin Cancer

Preventing skin cancer involves a combination of sun protection measures and lifestyle choices. Key prevention strategies include:

1. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
2. Wear protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses
3. Seek shade, especially during peak sun hours (10 am to 4 pm)
4. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps
5. Perform regular skin self-examinations
6. Schedule annual skin check-ups with a dermatologist

How effective is sunscreen in preventing skin cancer? Regular use of broad-spectrum sunscreen has been shown to reduce the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, by up to 50%.

The Role of Diet and Supplements in Skin Cancer Prevention

While sun protection is paramount, some research suggests that certain dietary factors and supplements may play a role in skin cancer prevention:

• Antioxidant-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, green tea)
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Vitamin D supplementation (in consultation with a healthcare provider)
• Polypodium leucotomos extract

Can dietary changes alone prevent skin cancer? While a healthy diet may contribute to overall skin health, it should not be relied upon as the sole means of skin cancer prevention. Sun protection measures remain essential.

Early Detection and Screening for Skin Cancer

Early detection is crucial for successful skin cancer treatment. Regular skin self-examinations and professional screenings can help identify potential skin cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.

Conducting a Skin Self-Examination

To perform a thorough skin self-examination:

1. Examine your body front and back in a full-length mirror
2. Check your sides with arms raised
3. Examine your forearms, underarms, palms, and fingernails
4. Look at the backs of your legs and feet, between your toes, and your toenails
5. Use a hand mirror to check your back, neck, and scalp

How often should you perform skin self-examinations? Monthly self-examinations are recommended, along with annual professional skin checks by a dermatologist.

Advanced Screening Technologies

In addition to visual examinations, several advanced technologies are being developed to aid in skin cancer detection:

• Dermoscopy
• Confocal microscopy
• Artificial intelligence-assisted imaging analysis
• Genetic expression profiling

Are these advanced screening technologies widely available? While some technologies like dermoscopy are commonly used in dermatology practices, others are still in research stages or limited to specialized centers.

Treatment Options for Skin Cancer

The treatment approach for skin cancer depends on various factors, including the type and stage of cancer, its location, and the patient’s overall health. Common treatment options include:

• Surgical excision
• Mohs micrographic surgery
• Cryosurgery
• Radiation therapy
• Topical treatments (for certain early-stage cancers)
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy (for advanced melanoma)

What is the success rate of skin cancer treatments? When detected and treated early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers can exceed 90%.

Emerging Therapies in Skin Cancer Treatment

Research into new skin cancer treatments is ongoing, with several promising therapies on the horizon:

• Oncolytic virus therapy
• Photodynamic therapy
• Nanotechnology-based treatments
• Combination immunotherapies

How soon might these emerging therapies be available? While some of these therapies are already in clinical trials, it may be several years before they become widely available for skin cancer treatment.

Living with Skin Cancer: Psychosocial Impact and Support

A skin cancer diagnosis can have significant psychological and emotional impacts on patients and their families. Common challenges include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Body image concerns
• Fear of recurrence
• Relationship difficulties
• Financial stress

Support systems play a crucial role in helping individuals cope with these challenges. Resources may include:

• Support groups
• Counseling services
• Patient education programs
• Financial assistance programs

How can patients find appropriate support resources? Many hospitals and cancer centers offer support services, and organizations like the Skin Cancer Foundation provide valuable resources and information for patients and their families.

Long-term Follow-up and Survivorship

After successful treatment, skin cancer survivors require ongoing care and monitoring. Key aspects of long-term follow-up include:

• Regular skin examinations
• Continued sun protection measures
• Monitoring for recurrence or new skin cancers
• Management of treatment-related side effects
• Psychosocial support as needed

What is the risk of developing subsequent skin cancers? Individuals with a history of skin cancer have an increased risk of developing new skin cancers, emphasizing the importance of ongoing vigilance and preventive measures.

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Skin Cancer Pictures | Most Common Skin Cancer Types with Images

Home /
Skin Cancer / Skin Cancer Pictures

Medically reviewed by Dermatology Professor Chris Bunker *

Skin cancer images by skin cancer type. Skin cancer can look different than the photos below.

Jump to:
Basal Cell Carcinoma | Squamous Cell Carcinoma | Bowen’s Disease | Keratoacanthoma | Actinic Keratosis | Melanoma

Skin cancer often presents itself as a change in the skin’s appearance. This could be the appearance of a new mole or other mark on the skin or a change in an existing mole.

Please remember that you should always seek advice from your doctor if you have any concern about your skin. Skin cancers often look different from skin cancer images found online.

Skin Cancer Pictures by Type

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. There are several different types of skin cancer with Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Bowen’s Disease, Keratoacanthoma, Actinic Keratosis and Melanoma most commonly occurring.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, and least dangerous whereas melanoma (often referred to as malignant melanoma) is the most dangerous type.

Below you will find skin cancer pictures of these six types, but remember that skin cancer should be diagnosed by a doctor. Comparing your skin lesion to skin cancer images found online cannot replace medical examination.

If you have any pigmented mole or non-pigmented mark on your skin that looks different from the other marks or moles on your skin, that is new or that has undergone change, is bleeding or won’t heal, is itching or in any way just seems ‘off,’ visit your doctor without delay – don’t lose time comparing your mole or mark with various pictures of skin cancer.

If you want to be proactive about your health, you may want to photograph areas of your skin routinely including individual moles or marks to familiarise yourself with the appearance of your skin (especially if you have any unusual looking atypical moles). A skin monitoring app may be a useful tool to assist in that process.

MIISKIN PROMO

Tracking your moles for changes?

Miiskin helps you routinely take full-body photos and close-ups of moles to look for new or changing moles and marks.

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Basal Cell Carcinoma Pictures

Basal cell carcinoma usually appears in areas of the skin previously exposed to high levels of UV radiation such as the head, neck, ears and the back of the arms and hands. It is common in exposed skin of outdoor workers or people who have used sun tanning beds in the past.

As the basal cell carcinoma pictures below indicate, this type of skin cancer usually shows as a fleshy coloured bump that does not disappear over time and tends to grow slowly in size, eventually breaking down and ulcerating.

Below are pictures of skin cancer on the neck, face and trunk (from the left to the right). These images show common areas where basal cell carcinoma develops, but it can develop anywhere.

Basal cell carcinoma. The skin cancer pictures in this article were licensed from DermNet NZ

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Squamous Cell Carcinoma Pictures

Squamous cell carcinoma also appears in areas most exposed to the sun and, as indicated in the pictures below, often presents itself as a scab or sore that doesn’t heal, a volcano-like growth with a rim and crater in the middle or simply as a crusty patch of skin that is a bit inflamed and red and doesn’t go away over time.

Any lesion that bleeds or itches and doesn’t heal within a few weeks may be a concern even if it doesn’t look like these Squamous cell carcinoma images.

View more images

Bowen’s Disease Pictures

Bowen’s disease is a type of superficial skin cancer that affects the upper layer of skin (sometimes even referred to as squamous cell carcinoma in situ, and intraepidermal carcinoma (IEC)).

Most often, this skin condition causes red (sometimes brown), scaly patches on the skin and usually develops on legs, head, neck, palms or soles.

The patches caused by Bowen’s disease tend to grow slowly and are effectively treated, but if left untreated, there is a small risk of developing into a more serious type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

The most effective method of lowering the chance of getting Bowen’s disease is to limit your exposure to the sun.

In the photos below you can see examples of Bowen’s disease:

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Keratoacanthoma Pictures

Keratoacanthoma often shows itself as a little volcano-shaped skin lesion that most often develops in sun-damaged skin. It grows rapidly for a few weeks to months.

Keratoacanthoma is most commonly found in older and light-skinned people and usually grows on the hands, arms, trunk and face.

KA’s are characterized as a type of non-melanoma skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma. It is usually treated surgically.

Pictures of Keratoacanthoma are found below:

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Actinic Keratosis Pictures

Actinic keratosis (AK) often looks like a small, rough, scaly patch on the skin. It grows slowly and takes years to develop. People over 40, who have fair skin and hair, and light-colored eyes (blue or green), are more likely to develop Actinic keratosis.

Actinic keratosis (AK) usually develops on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, neck, scalp, and the back of the hands.

The best way of lowering the risk of getting Actinic keratoses is also by reducing sun exposure.

AK patches are considered a precancer, because if not treated in time, they could develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

The following photos represent how some AK’s might appear on the skin e.g leg, nose, ear:

Actinic keratosis affecting the leg

Actinic keratosis affecting the nose

Actinic keratosis affecting the ear

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Melanoma Pictures

Melanoma (often referred to as malignant melanoma) is one of the more serious forms of skin cancer and sometimes arises from an existing mole on the skin. More commonly melanomas show up as new marks or moles on normal skin as is the case with the other types of skin cancer. Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body but they are most common in males on the back, and in females on the legs.

It is important to tell your doctor if you see any of your moles changing or any new marks or moles appearing on adult skin.

The skin cancer pictures below show that melanomas can appear in an area that has not had much UV exposure in a person’s lifetime, such as the sole of the foot.

Lentigo Maligna Melanoma

Melanoma – change in border

Melanoma – on the sole

View more melanoma pictures

What Do the Early Stages of Skin Cancer Look Like?

As skin cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the skin, getting to know your skin is important to catch any skin changes early. Any new spot or marks that are different from the other marks on adult skin – and any changing moles – are the most important early signs of skin cancer to look for.

How Do You Know If a Spot Is Skin Cancer?

To learn more you can read this article on the signs of skin cancer or this article on melanoma symptoms, but don’t forget to get any skin concern you may have checked out by your doctor.

You can also read our guide on how to check your skin regularly, if you want to learn more about how to form a skin checking routine for yourself.

Tracking Changes to Your Skin with an App

Some people find it helpful to photograph areas of their skin such as the back or individual lesions to be able to better spot any future changes.

Over the past years, smartphone apps that can help consumers track moles and skin lesions for changes over time have become very popular and can be a very helpful tool for at-home skin checks.

This page does not replace a medical opinion and is for informational purposes only.

Please note, that some skin cancers may look different from these examples. See your doctor if you have any concerns about your skin.

It might also be a good idea to visit your doctor and have an open talk about your risk of skin cancer and seek for an advice on the early identification of skin changes.

* Prof. Bunker donates his fee for this review to the British Skin Foundation (BSF), a charity dedicated to fund research to help people with skin disease and skin cancer.

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Skin cancer in dogs – photos, symptoms, treatment in the veterinary clinic “Svoy Doktor”

There is one word that all pet owners, regardless of breed, are afraid to hear: “Cancer”. This diagnosis strikes fear into the heart of every owner. Therefore, we decided to tell you more about whether skin cancer occurs in dogs and what are its features.

If you suddenly notice a strange induration, a neoplasm, a swelling on the pet’s skin, a wound that does not heal for a long time, then, without waiting for the size of the detected changes to increase, show your dog to an oncologist.

You may not know that your pet has cancer, as it is completely covered in hair. In addition, dogs can be at risk for many types of skin tumors, which can be malignant. But, fortunately, with early diagnosis, the animal can be cured.

Exposure to and damage to the skin by sunlight is one of the factors in the formation of cancer. On the surface of the body there are areas that are not covered much by hair, such as the ears and nose, and animals with fine or light hair are generally more susceptible to the sun throughout the body. But, if in humans exposure to UV radiation is the main cause of the disease, then in dogs it is the genetic predisposition that plays an important role in the development of skin cancer.

In addition to genetics and sunlight, skin cancer in dogs can be provoked by:

• autoimmune diseases;
• degenerative processes of the body associated with the aging of the animal;
• disorders in the work of the endocrine system;
• parasites, viruses, bacteria;
• bad ecological situation;
• chemical and radioactive burns;
• chronic inflammation of the skin.

Signs of skin cancer can help you understand and visually identify abnormalities in your pet. We distributed them according to the diagnoses:

• Squamous cell carcinoma:
• hard, raised warty patches;
• ulcerative defects and non-healing wounds.
• Mast cell tumors – mastocytoma:
• soft swelling without clear boundaries, similar to “fat”;
• rubber inflamed ulcers.
• Melanoma:
• swelling or bumps of strange color on the lips, in the mouth, on the balls of the feet, and also in the region of the claw;
• brown growths on the skin.

Important : Beware of the risk that ulcers or other abrasions associated with cancer may be misdiagnosed as simple infections. Therefore, specialist advice is required.

Photo

To understand what skin cancer looks like in dogs, here are some real cases from our practice:

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Picture 4

Picture 5

Many skin lesions in dogs are found to be benign, but some are malignant. Only an oncologist can determine the difference between them, who conducts special morphological studies to study the cellular composition of the tumor – histology and cytology.

The most common types of skin cancer in dogs are:

1) Malignant melanoma

It often arises from mutated pigment cells in the dog and is located on areas covered with hair. Melanocytoma is a benign tumor, so it does not metastasize.

Most malignant melanomas appear on mucous membranes and in the mouth. At the same time, in about 10% of cases, they are found on areas of the body covered with hair. They grow rapidly and can also spread to other internal organs, including the liver and lungs.
Specialists have not identified specific reasons for the appearance and development of melanoma. The only thing that can be said for sure is their direct connection with the genetics of the dog. In addition, trauma or compulsive licking of a particular area of ​​the skin can increase the likelihood of dangerous cells multiplying, thereby increasing the likelihood of them mutating and turning into malignant tumors.

2) Squamous cell carcinoma

In dogs, this form of cancer is caused by sun exposure. Scientists believe that in this case there is also a link between the papilloma virus and the development of squamous cell tumors in some breeds.

Squamous neoplasms can easily spread to surrounding lymph nodes. They are quite aggressive, so they are able to destroy most of the tissue around the tumor.

3) Mast cell tumors – mastocytoma

Mastocytoma occurs in cells of the immune system and is quite common in dogs. Veterinarians also don’t know what specifically causes mast cell tumors to develop, although there are cases where they have been linked to inflammation or irritants in the skin. The available evidence tells us that genetic factors are very important here, and the hormones estrogen and progesterone can also influence the growth of dangerous cells.

Important : All dogs can get skin cancer, but some types of this disease occur in certain breeds.

Let’s note one more important point – which breeds have a predisposition to skin tumors:

• Basset Hounds, Keeshonds, Standard Schnauzers, Collies, Dalmatians, Beagles, Bull Terriers, and all fair-skinned short-haired dogs – squamous cell carcinoma.
• Boston Terriers, Beagles, Schnauzers, Labrador Retrievers, Pugs, Boxers – mast cell tumors.
• Miniature Schnauzers, Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Airedale Terriers from 5 to 11 years old – benign melanocytomas.
• Black dogs, and Scottish terriers and schnauzers – malignant melanomas on the fingers or in the nail bed.

Now let’s see how skin cancer in dogs manifests itself depending on the type of disease and the location of the tumor on the body.

Melanomas

Benign melanocytomas can be very small or, conversely, quite large – 6 cm in diameter. They appear on areas of the skin that are densely covered with hair, and also have a brown, black, gray or red tint.
Malignant melanomas usually occur in the mouth, lips, nail beds, and paw pads. At the same time, they often become infected on the paws, which leads to an erroneous diagnosis.

Squamous cell carcinomas

These are hard and raised tumors that look like warts. They often occur on the abdomen and around the genitals.
On the paws, carcinomas can be painful, ulcerated, and cause your dog to limp.

Mast cell tumors (mastocytoma)

This type of skin cancer resembles rubber and grows quite slowly. More aggressive mast cell tumors grow faster and may ulcerate.

Important : Mast cell tumors most often occur on the trunk, although about 25% of cases are found on the legs.

To detect skin cancer in dogs, the oncologist will need to perform the following procedures:

• Fine needle aspiration – needed to take a small sample of tumor cells for cytology.
• Biopsy – taking the damaged part of the tissue for histological examination.

The resulting samples will be analyzed in the laboratory and will help the veterinarian to make an accurate diagnosis.
Additional diagnostic tests may be recommended to help determine the stage of the disease in your dog. They will optimize treatment and give more accurate predictions.

Most skin cancers can be successfully treated at an early stage, allowing animals to continue a comfortable and happy life.
Cancer treatment may include:

• immunotherapy;
• radiation therapy;
• targeted therapy or palliative care;
• chemotherapy;
• surgical intervention.

The choice of options always depends on the type of tumor, its location and degree of progression.

For example, the first step in the treatment of malignant melanomas is surgery. If the neoplasm cannot be completely removed, or if it has already spread to nearby lymph nodes, radiation is usually used. In these situations, the cancer can go into remission in up to 70% of cases, although relapses are common.

Canine mast cell tumors are best treated with surgery, with or without radiotherapy, depending on size and location. Chemotherapy and/or steroids may be prescribed as additional measures.

Squamous cell skin cancer in dogs can also be removed surgically. If tumors occur in unresectable sites, radiation or chemotherapy may be recommended.

Early detection of cancer is the key to good treatment outcomes. During regular grooming, pay attention to any growths, rashes, so you can immediately notice any changes.

Remember that a routine visit to the veterinary oncologist for preventive purposes will help to identify skin cancer in the early stages. Oncology in dogs in the Svoi Doktor clinic is carried out only by experienced specialists who take each four-legged patient under their personal control.

Whenever you notice an unexplained or unusual growth, swelling around the fingers, or other symptoms in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately. When it comes to your dog’s health, it’s always best to play it safe.

Head of Oncology Department,
oncologist Solovieva O.V.

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Perfect Skin Tones – Canon UK

Perfect Skin Tones – Canon UK

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Natural skin tones are one of the most challenging aspects of portrait photography. Jade Keshia Gordon gives five tips for success.

Reproducing skin tones accurately and naturally is one of the most challenging aspects of portrait photography. Unusual lighting and strange color tones can make a model’s skin look unnatural, and to fix this, you’ll have to put in a lot of editing effort. Not all of us can afford to hire a make-up artist for a photo shoot, but there are several ways to ensure accurate and natural skin tones by setting up your EOS camera, which will reduce your post-processing workload.

Fashion and beauty photographer Jade Keshia Gordon shares 5 simple tips to help you capture your model’s skin tones perfectly. She talks about different approaches to shooting light and dark skinned models, as well as how to set up your EOS camera for consistent results.

Follow Jade’s tips to learn how to accurately reproduce skin tones easily!

1. Avoid harsh lighting and direct light

Shooting in natural light is a great way to illuminate your subject and reproduce realistic skin tones. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/640 sec, f/1.4 and ISO320. © Jade Keshia Gordon

Harsh direct lighting can create unwanted shadows – shooting on an overcast day with diffused lighting will produce softer shadows that help define the contours of the model’s face and figure. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/1000 sec, f/1.2 and ISO320. © Jade Keshia Gordon

Softer light tends to make portraits more beautiful. When shooting outdoors on an overcast day in bright light, you will get diffused light that will gently convey any skin tones. On clear sunny days, when the harsh light is not diffused due to the absence of clouds, it is better to shoot in the shade to avoid excessive contrast on the face of the subject.

“When it comes to rendering skin tones, the first thing to think about is lighting,” confirms Jade. – If you are shooting a person with fair skin, and the sun shines directly on his face, it can look very faded in the frame. So be prepared to lower the brightness level or rotate your subject to work with backlight.”

“When I work in the studio, I often set up two lights – one of them is aimed at the background and located behind the subject, and a beauty dish is placed in front of the model, a little to the side, to highlight the person’s face.”

2. Expose different skin tones correctly

Don’t look for a one-size-fits-all approach for portraits of people regardless of their skin color—choose the best lighting, exposure, and white balance for different skin tones. Taken on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with a Canon EF 100mm F2. 8L Macro IS USM lens at 1/125 sec, f/4.5 and ISO50. © Jade Keshia Gordon

Jade says the most important things to remember about adjusting the exposure so that light skin tones do not come out blown out. © Jade Keshia Gordon

Jade regularly works with models of different skin colors and finds a special approach to each one.

“It’s important to avoid overexposure when taking portraits of people with white skin,” she explains. – The portrait will be more effective if the viewer can distinguish the freckles, skin texture or makeup of the model. With excessive light, it can be difficult or even impossible to restore detail in such areas of the frame.

“For dark skin, you need a lot of light,” Jade continues. – Black color absorbs light, so you need to provide enough scene lighting to emphasize the features of the model. However, it is difficult to find a balance here, because when you overexpose you will also get a photo devoid of detail. ”

“I usually use backlight when shooting people with dark skin tones, both in the studio and in the sun. It creates a nice glow on the sides of the face, and with the help of a reflector, you can use some of this light to illuminate the face.”

3. Use the Portrait Picture Style

This photo was taken using the Portrait Picture Style, which produces a warmer color tone. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/640 sec, f/1.4 and ISO320. © Jade Keshia Gordon

This photo was created using the Standard Picture Style, so the colors look a little more subdued but true to life. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/640 sec, f/1.4 and ISO320. © Jade Keshia Gordon

Selecting one of the on-camera Picture Styles will help you forget about setting Multiple options – Each Picture Style offers a specific combination of sharpness, contrast, saturation, and hue that greatly affects skin tones in portraits. As you might expect, the Portrait Picture Style is best suited for shooting people, reducing sharpness to some degree and brightening it up for softer skin tones.

“In this case, I chose portrait style because the standard picture style didn’t have enough saturation,” says Jade. – In portrait style, all shades of red in the image are slightly enhanced. So the camera helped me bring out the bright pink top of the dark-skinned model, as well as ensure that the skin tone is accurately captured, avoiding orange-red highlights.”

If you select the Portrait picture style with default settings, skin tones may appear slightly reddish or yellowish in certain lighting conditions; To fix this, move the Hue slider in the Picture Style settings.

4. Manually adjust the white balance

This image was created using Daylight white balance for natural color reproduction. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/640 sec, f/1.2 and ISO320. © Jade Keshia Gordon

made the entire color range of this portrait warmer (orangish). Taken on a Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/640 sec, f/1. 4 and ISO320. © Jade Keshia Gordon

For uniform skin tones, choose a preset white balance according to lighting conditions, or create your own pattern by selecting a custom white balance from the camera’s main menu. If the lighting stays the same, you will get shots with stable colors.

If you select auto white balance, the camera will adjust the color temperature to eliminate color casts. This can cause the skin to appear orange (warm) or bluish (cool). When shooting in RAW format, the white balance can be changed during the editing stage, but a proper camera setup will provide better preview accuracy.

“These examples show the effect that different white balance settings have on the model’s skin tones,” explains Jade. “In this case, I like the results I got with the Daylight profile as the skin doesn’t look washed out and the orange tones don’t stand out too much. This Picture Style just makes the colors a little more saturated and matches how the model looked in my eyes at the time. ”

5. Shoot in RAW

Shooting in RAW format means that the camera retains all the color and tonal information recorded by the image sensor, giving you more freedom in image processing. © Jade Keshia Gordon

If you’re shooting in JPEG or HEIF format, you’ll need to set up your camera settings correctly before taking your photo. This includes the color space, which defines the range of colors that will appear in a photo. This setting can be configured from the main menu of the camera.

Jade always works in RAW and recommends it even to those just starting out in portrait photography as it makes it much easier to correct skin tones in post. RAW files contain more image data than JPEG and HEIF files, and allow you to freely adjust image settings such as white balance, color characteristics, and sharpness in RAW file editing software such as Canon Digital Photo Professional without affecting the original data Images.

Author: Marcus Hawkins

• Objectives for digital mirror cameras

  EF 24-70mm f/2.

  8L II USM

  Professional zoom lenses of the series L for a permanent maximum diaphragm F/2.8 provides excellent image quality.

• Lenses for the EOS R

  RF 85mm F1.2L USM

  The RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens lets you unleash your creativity, as well as delivering stunningly sharp portraits and low-light shots.

• Mirrorless cameras

  EOS R6

  Whatever you shoot, the EOS R6 lets you unleash your creativity in new ways.

• Lenses RF

  RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM

  Fast 35mm macro lens with f/1.8 aperture, wide-angle perspective, close focusing distance and Hybrid IS.

• Lenses RF

  RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM

  The ideal lens for everyday shooting with full-frame SLR cameras. The RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM is an easy-to-use, lightweight and compact lens that will help you take your photography to the next level.