Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the photographic representation of a cylindrical, especially plate-shaped object, having a front surface and an envelope surface, by means of a camera oriented towards the front surface. Said method uses a lens system having a beam path which is embodied in such a way that the envelope surface is represented as an annular surface surrounding the image of the front surface. Preferably, the diameter of the lens system is larger than the width of the workpiece. Alternatively, a mirror in the form of the inner surface of a conical envelope surrounds the object to be photographically represented, the camera being positioned with its lens system essentially on the conical axis.