Guide to photographing musical instruments

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.

For synths and keyboards, photograph:

• complete top or slightly angled view;
• keybed;
• control panel;
• display;
• side panels;
• rear;
• connections;
• underside where relevant.

Avoid photographing very close with an ultra-wide lens, as keys near the edges can appear distorted.

For long instruments, it may be better to step back and crop moderately afterwards.

For a pedal, photograph:

• complete top surface;
• controls;
• footswitch;
• inputs and outputs;
• power connection;
• sides;
• underside;
• serial number or label;
• any hook-and-loop material;
• scratches and marks on edges.

If the box, manuals or power supply are included, add a separate image showing the included items.

The main image should show nearly the entire item and make its shape immediately recognisable.

Leave a small margin around the subject and avoid accidental cropping.

For long objects such as guitars or keyboards, choose an orientation that makes good use of the available frame.

The main photo does not need to be the most creative one; it should be the most informative at a glance.

For microphones, photograph:

• body;
• grille;
• connector;
• included clip or mount;
• serial number;
• dents and marks.

For controllers and DJ equipment, show:

• jog wheels;
• faders;
• crossfader;
• pads;
• display;
• connections;
• power connection;
• the most frequently touched surfaces.

Close-up images should still be wide enough to make clear which part of the device is being shown.

Before shooting, clear the area around the item.

Remove where possible:

• other instruments;
• unnecessary cables;
• packaging;
• personal objects;
• visually dominant decorations;
• accessories that are not part of the sale.

If a stand or technical support is required to hold the item, make sure it does not appear to be part of the offer.

The set should make the main item immediately identifiable.

The perceived colour of an item can change because of reflections from the environment.

Strong red, green or blue walls can contaminate glossy surfaces. The same can happen when light sources with very different colour temperatures are mixed.

If colour is important for identifying the finish or variant, use a reasonably neutral environment and consistent lighting.

A listing photo should help the buyer understand the real colour, not create a more dramatic but less faithful version.

Whenever possible, use one family of light sources.

For example, avoid photographing beside a window while a very warm household lamp is also illuminating the item.

The image can then contain bluish and yellow areas that are difficult to correct at the same time.

If you use artificial light, try to use similar sources. If you use window light, switch off ambient lights that introduce obvious colour casts.

Colour consistency across the image set is as important as the exposure of a single photograph.

When possible, use the smartphone’s main camera.

Ultra-wide lenses can distort proportions when used too close, while digital zoom can reduce detail.

For a close detail, it is often better to move physically closer while maintaining enough distance to avoid distortion, or use a genuine optical telephoto camera where available.

For overall views, avoid extreme perspectives that make parts of the item appear much larger or smaller than they really are.

After the main view, photograph surfaces that are not visible.

Depending on the item, useful views may include:

• rear of the body;
• back of the headstock;
• rear panel;
• cabinet sides;
• underside of a pedal;
• rear connections;
• bottom surface;
• edges.

Keep a similar distance and camera height between shots where possible. The image set will then be easier to compare.