Direct computation of shape from shading

A direct method for the recovery of surface shape from image shading is presented. The method in its basic form is applicable to shading patterns obtained when a distant overhead point light-source illuminates a convex or concave Lambertian surface possessing a single extremal point at which surface height has either a local maximum or local minimum. A key quality of the method is its ability to operate without explicit prerequisite information concerning the shape of the sought-after surface. Consideration is also given to the manipulation of images of more complex surface shapes.