On a recent overseas trip, I was reminded of a fun job we did a while ago for Oxfordshire based Cobalt Light Systems. Cobalt are at the cutting edge of airport security scanning systems, with machines that can analyse the contents of bottles and other containers, without the need for them even being open – or in scientific terms “non-invasive through barrier chemical analysis”.

Whilst passing security, I spotted one of cobalt’s units in action – the photographic work we undertook for Cobalt was rather fun – in producing product images for use on the machine’s user display – all sorts of different types of containers for drinks, foodstuffs etc.

Cobalt wanted images that were instantly recognisable to the user, in any language but they were wary of copyright and trademark infringement – so we set about doctoring images of well know brand products in photoshop. Photoshopping images is a large part of the work we do, both in terms of optimising product photography and also longevity of product images – we recently photographed a large selection of Rothschild wines for Waddesdon’s online gift shop and provided product images of wine bottles both with and without (edited) vintage years on the wine labels.

This level of Photoshop proficiency can be very useful when product images are required but the product itself is at a prototype stage, with some details yet to be configured – but you need to have someone that is good at it, as there is nothing worse than an image that is obviously Photoshopped!