Gallery of Separation Results
Here, we show several examples of our separation results. In each case, we mention the separation method we have used. In all cases, the scene image is the sum of the computed direct and global images. However, to bring out the details, for some of the scenes we have brightened the direct and global images by a scale factor (between 1 and 2) with respect to the scene image. By clicking on each of the thumbnail images shown below, you can see the corresponding high resolution image.
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Hands of Different Nationalities
Method : Checkerboard
 
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(b)
  
 
(c)
  
 
(d)
  
Scene
Direct
Global
Here, we show separation results for hands of people from four different nationalities - (a) African American female, (b) Asian Indian male, (c) Spanish male and (d) Chinese male. Notice how the direct component mainly includes the surface reflection due to oils and lipids on the skin. It also reveals the details of the micro-geometry of the skin surface.  It is also interesting to notice the difference in the micro-geometry of the different samples. Most of the color of the skin comes from subsurface scattering, as seen in the global image. In contrast to the direct component, the global  component does not reveal the roughness of the skin’s surface and only includes albedo variations due to the melanin levels within the skin.
 
Hand with Tattoo
Method : Checkerboard

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Scene

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Direct

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Global
Here we show the separation results for a hand with a green tattoo. Notice that the green tattoo appears in the direct image and is very dark in the global image, indicating that the pigments of the tattoo ink are more opaque than the tissues of the skin.
 
Face
Method : Singe Image

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Scene

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Direct

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Global

The separation results for this face were obtained from a single high resolution image (click here to see the image) captured with the face lit  by a high frequency stripe pattern. By assuming smoothness of surface properties, low resolution direct and global images are computed from the captured image. The resolution of the results shown above are one-fourth the resolution of the captured image. Similar to the case of hands, the specular reflections due to oils and lipids are captured in the direct image. The micro-geometry of the skin is however not visible due to reduction in resolution. The skin tone is produced by subsurface scattering and is measured in the global image.
 

Oiliness Changes: This video shows novel images generated by scaling the direct image and adding it back to the global image. MPEG, Quicktime

Skin Tone Changes: This video shows novel images generated by changing the hue of the skin in the global image and adding it back to the direct image.
MPEG , Quicktime
Face With and Without Makeup
Method : Checkerboard
 
(a) Without makeup
  
 
(b) With makeup
  
Scene
Direct
Global
Similar to the previous skin examples, when no makeup is applied to the face, the separation results show specular reflections in the direct image and the skin tone in the global image. However when cosmetics is applied, the face appears matte in the direct image due to a layer of powder. The specularities in the direct image are mainly due to the skin illuminators applied over the powder. In the global image notice that there is hardly any subsurface scattering in the lip area due to the presence of the think lipstick layer.
 
Different Hairs
Method : Checkerboard
 
(a)
  
 
(b)
  
 
(c)
  
 
(d)
  
Scene
Direct
Global
Separation results for four types of hairs - (a) Blonde, (b) Brown, (c) Auburn and (d) Black. Note that the direct image makes all the hairs look like dark tan hair.  The direct image reveals the complex BRDF of individual hair fibers, which is due to the nested-cone structure of each fiber. One can observe the complex structures of the specular highlights as well as rainbow scattering effects that are known to occur in hair fibers. The direct image also shows some random speckle artifacts due to the color demosaicing operation applied to the captured images. The global images for first three hair samples have the appearance of a flat texture such as that of finished wood and is almost non existent in the case of black hair. The global component arises from multiple reflections of light between the hair fibers and is seen to account for the color of the hair.