Darkfield microscopy imaging techniques provide a method to view features in blood not normally shown with phase contrast and brightfield illumination. This method illuminates the specimen from the side, not from behind, so the background is black. Minute features of the blood are shown in a glowing light as it reflects off their surfaces. In live blood cell analysis, darkfield microscopy is best used to understand and view the cause of improper nutrition and problems in the body. Some evaluations are done solely using phase contrast or even using only brightfield, but they are missing a whole spectrum of enlightning information that can only be viewed in true darkfield.