Clean the instrument before taking photos

Before photographing the item, remove dust, fingerprints and ordinary surface dirt using methods appropriate to the material.

The goal is to make surfaces and details easier to see, not to make the item appear newer than it is.

Avoid aggressive products or improvised polishing immediately before shooting. Some finishes, plastics, metals and paints can react badly to unsuitable products.

Scratches, dents, corrosion and other permanent marks should remain visible when relevant.

A clean item photographs better; an item whose defects are artificially hidden through lighting, angles or retouching is not being represented faithfully.