A device and method for non-contact optical imaging of a selected surface area of a user's hand, wherein the surface area is actively guided in a non-contact manner into a target position with respect to an image capture unit. For this purpose, the device has a frame in which the hand is inserted, assuming an actual position, roughly related to the target position. In addition, the device contains at least one active means for localizing the respective actual position and an output unit via which feedback is given to the user and the user iteratively guides the surface area into the target position. Advantageously, the device and method are suitable for distinguishing a natural hand from an artificial hand.