1. A polynomial texture mapping (PTM) also known as reflectance transformation imaging (RTI) apparatus, comprising: a plurality of pod legs extending from a central top location to a base location, the central top location configured to be coupled with an imaging device; one or more markers located on one or more of the pod legs, the one or more markers denoting a location at which a light is to be placed when the imaging device is capturing an image of an object of interest.