Keeping It Clean

Email us | Phone: +1 615-771-5611

Forgot your password? | Not a member? Sign up for free

Home > Blogs! > Niagaragirl 's Blog

Keeping It Clean posted on 4th of april, 2008

I recently completed a photo shoot for a client that was on a tight schedule. They had purchased some discounted ad space with a fast approaching "deadline for materials" date and wanted a photo that was fresh. After the main subject is selected, I try to get the best product sample that is available. In this case, my subject was a piece of metal industrial hardware. Being that their warehouse was on site, I select the best piece available with regards to cosmetics. The reality of some industrial hardware is that it is not always "blemish free", so I aim to select a sample without scratches or cosmetic defects. When shooting any object, especially a small one, the biggest enemies can be dust and dirt. Proper preparation and cleaning go a long way in saving retouch time.

Proper prep and cleaning transfer into stock photography too, especially if you do a lot of object shooting. Be sure your work area is absolutely clean. I have a nice 3 inch wide plain nylon paintbrush that I will use to whisk away particles on my shooting surface just before the object is placed. The nylon brush will develop a very small staic charge, and te dust particles will actually be attrated to it. Even on white seamless, for closeups, dust and little threads etc will show up. It's of course, much worse when shooting on black. When shooting very small objects, a handheld magnifier and a pair of tweezers, plus a hand blower like the Gitzo Rocket can be helpful in removing those last particles, like those little nasty threads that like to attach themselves to jewelry.

Tags: cleaning dirt dust particles preparation

Comments (4)

	I have always wondered how the objects in the extreme close up shots we see in the glossy magazines appear so clean. How do you manage to keep the airspace around these objects so dust free? - posted by Pureandclean on October 01, 2010
	Great advice, Thanks - posted by Irisangel on April 07, 2008
	yeah! peace! - posted by Kuteng on April 05, 2008
	great advice - posted by Denisebeverly on April 04, 2008

This article has been read 624 times. 3 readers have found this article useful.
Photo credits: Edward Westmacott, Niagaragirl.

Search the blogs!

Latest articles (RSS 2.0

)

Hey Dude?!! Where's My Spring??

Web or Blog? Or Both?

Carelessness Will Get You Everytime

Keeping It Clean

The Spambots Found Me

Ruthless Editing

The Corporate Message And The Designer

Waiting For Spring

Loving 3D Again

Create your own blog in seconds...

My favourite articles

None
More favorite articles

About Me

Niagaragirl
confidential info

<10

>Photographer and graphic designer with an interest in fractal and computer generated art. I recently renewed my longtime interest in 3D illustration.



	Upload image \| About Us \| FAQ \| Contact Us \| Terms of use \| API / Referral program \| Site map \| Privacy policy \| Free Stock Images Support - phone: +1 615-771-5611, Click here to contact us

	Copyright © 2000-2012 Dreamstime. All rights reserved. Dreamstime is a member of PACA and CEPIC.