A method is used for imaging applications so that one can simultaneously apply multiple illumination schemes and simultaneously acquire the images, each associated with one of the multiple illumination schemes. The illumination schemes can be, but not limited to, any combination of reflective illumination, transmitive illumination (backlighting), bright field illumination, dark field illumination, diffused illumination, cloudy-day illumination, and structured illumination. The radiation can be in any wavelengths, ranging from sonic waves, ultra sound, radio waves, microwaves, infrared, near infrared, visible light, ultra violet, X-rays, and gamma rays. The radiation of each of the illumination schemes used in an imaging application is modulated, that is, affixed with a unique signature. One or more imaging devices can be used to collect the radiating rays simultaneously after the rays interact with the object(s). The image signal(s) are then demodulated, separated into several images, each is associated with an illumination scheme, based on the signatures. A preferred embodiment is to use radiation wavelengths of 430 nm, 575 nm or 670 nm as the signatures.