An apparatus is provided for locating features of an object using varied lighting. The apparatus includes an image processor which is configured to send a plurality of commands to a digital camera which is used to obtain a plurality of digital images of an object without moving a location of the digital camera and the object. The image processor is arranged to receive the digital images of the object from the digital camera and the image processor is configured to control a level of illumination from at least one light source for illuminating the object. The image processor includes an illumination changer, a subtracter, an analyzer, and a controller to control and coordinate the illumination changer, the subtracter, and the analyzer. The illumination changer changes a level of illumination of any of the at least one lighting source before the image processor sends a command to the digital camera to obtain a next digital image. The subtracter subtracts at least a second digital image of the object from a first digital image of the object to produce a difference image of the object. The analyzer analyzes the difference image and locates at least one feature of the object based on the difference image.