Systems and methods are presented herein for generating an X-ray image wherein the X-ray image generator has no electrical connection with an X-ray source which generates the X-rays. The X-ray image generator comprises a screen which converts at least a portion of the X-rays generated by the source into light; a mirror which reflects the light such that a light-measuring device is focused on the screen, a photon detector which triggers the light measuring device when it detects photons related to the generated X-rays, and a computer connected to at least the light-measuring device which processes the output from the light-measuring device into an image displayable on a computer screen.