Photometric Stereo is an efficient image-based 3D reconstruction technique that has been used to reproduce very high-quality reconstructions. However, it faces a couple of limitations: first, one needs to capture images of the 3D scene with different illumination directions. It implies that the 3D scene remains motionless during illumination changes, which prevents the reconstruction of deforming objects. Second, the captured images must be obtained from a single point of view. This leads to depth-map based 2.5D reconstructions, instead of full 3D surfaces. But compared to other 3D imaging methods such as geometry modeling and 3D-scanning, this solution is a valuable tool when examining embossed surfaces where grain texture, carving, deteriorations can be identified. In this paper, we give an outline of Photometric Stereo and provide a case study of our 3D scanner.