I. Five Core Principles of Tongue Image Photography
1. Equipment Setup
- Phone Settings: Turn off beauty filters, use the rear camera in macro mode (focus on the tongue surface)
- Assistive Tools: Use a white background cloth (to reduce glare interference)
- Selfie Techniques: Hold the mirror and take a photo of the reflection (refer to the diagram at the end of the article)
2. Photography Scope
- Tongue Surface Area: From the tip to the root of the tongue (fully exposing the tongue coating)
- Under the Tongue Area: Sublingual veins and frenulum (with the tongue tip lightly touching the lower lip during photography)
- Prohibitions: Avoid including teeth/lips (to prevent glare interference)
II. Guide to Dynamic Tongue Image Photography
1. Key Points for Dynamic Video Photography
- Photography Actions:
- Extend the tongue naturally → curl the tongue tip upward → flatten the tongue body → press down the tongue root (repeat 3 times)
- Hold each action for 2 seconds (to facilitate observation of tongue dynamics)
- Video Example:
2. Key Frame Analysis
| Action Phase | Observation Focus | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Tongue tip curling up | Presence of cracks/fissures on the tongue tip | Hyperactive heart fire/excessive spleen dampness |
| Tongue body flattening | Uniformity of tongue coating distribution | Liver qi stagnation/spleen and stomach disharmony |
| Tongue root pressing down | Thickness and moisture of the tongue root coating | Kidney yang deficiency/damp heat in the lower jiao |
III. Techniques for Photography Without Assistance
1. Three-Step Mirror Photography Method
- Position Calibration: Place the phone on a fixed stand, ensuring the screen displays the entire tongue surface
- Light Adjustment: Use natural light to obliquely illuminate the tongue surface (avoid direct light causing glare)
- Focus Locking: Tap the screen to focus on the middle of the tongue (ensuring the tongue root is clearly visible)
2. Correction of Common Errors
| Type of Error | Solution |
|---|---|
| Tongue deformation | Lightly touch the tongue tip to the lower lip to maintain natural extension |
| Insufficient light | Use a ring light (color temperature 5500K) |
| Tongue root obstruction | Tilt the head back 15° to expand the field of view |
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