A method for forming an optimized image of a subject includes steps of acquiring a plurality of one-dimensional images, generating a measured sinogram from the plurality of one-dimensional images, and determining a plurality of trial images. In the step of acquiring, the method acquires a plurality of one-dimensional images of the subject captured by a rotating-slit imager having (a) a detector, and (b) a slit collimator having a slit oriented at one of a respective plurality of slit-rotation angles, relative to the subject, about a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to a front surface of the detector. In the step of determining, the method iteratively determines a plurality of trial images each having a respective trial sinogram. The optimized image is one of the plurality of trial images and its corresponding trial sinogram differs from the measured sinogram by less than a predetermined tolerance.