Lighting device, image pickup apparatus and portable terminal unit

A lighting device comprising:

• a substrate;
• and
• at least three light emitting elements mounted on the substrate, each having an upper light emitting surface in rectangular shape and side light emitting surfaces in rectangular shape, the light emitting elements comprising a first, second, and third light emitting elements,
• wherein one of the side light emitting surfaces of the first light emitting element is directed to face one of the side light emitting surfaces of the second light emitting element, with a light-gathering region, where the light emitting elements are not located, being interposed therebetween;
• the third light emitting element is disposed close to the first and second light emitting elements;
• a first vertical side line forming a boundary between neighboring side light emitting surfaces of the first light emitting element is directed to face one of third vertical side lines forming boundaries between neighboring side light emitting surfaces of the third light emitting element;
• and a second vertical side line forming a boundary between neighboring side light emitting surfaces of the second light emitting element is directed to face another one of third vertical side lines forming boundaries between neighboring side light emitting surfaces of the third light emitting element.