Photograph Tint Samples Like a Pro
Our team members know optics, and they’re constantly pursuing perfection in every process. That’s why we have inspection stations located throughout the manufacturing cycle - we hold ourselves to the highest standards and believe that constantly checking for quality is key, including in our tinting processes.
And while we always prefer a physical tint sample from our customers, we also understand that it's not always possible. So, if you need to send us a photo of a tint sample, please use the following tips and tricks; they’ll give our team the accurate information we need so that we can meet your expectations the first time.
For the shortest production time and the most accurate color matches, photograph lenses using these best practices:
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Use a high-resolution camera; if you don't own a digital camera, most iPhone and Android devices will work.
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Clean the lens to remove dirt or dust, but do not use compressed air.
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Turn off the flash on your camera and get as close as possible to the lens without adding shadows.
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Hold the lens in front of a white background that has almost no shadows.
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Tilt the lens or camera as needed to minimize glare to capture the best color with minimal distractions.
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Change the position of your camera, lights, and background until you get a photograph that looks as good on your screen as in real life.
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Take as many pictures as you need to accomplish a match.
When photographing lenses, please do not:
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Take a picture of the lens lying flat against a surface (such as flat on a table). The shadow between the lens and the surface makes a color or density match difficult.
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Avoid having shadows in your images. They can alter the color of the lens.
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Please do not photograph the lens on a background that is cluttered or colored. Plain white works best.
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If using natural light, avoid direct sunlight to reduce glare.
Real-Life Examples
As you can see, the color and density is greatly altered depending on how much light is coming through the lens, the color of the lights and the background, and the placement of shadows and glare.
THESE ARE ALL THE SAME LENS
THESE ARE ALL THE SAME LENS
To get the best photographs, make or purchase a photo light box
A light box is an empty box with white sides and a smooth, white backdrop. These boxes provide even lighting, and give you the ability to control shadows.
If you have access to a photo light box or something similar, please use it for photographing tint samples. Otherwise, you could make your own light box. Here’s an easy “how-to” to set up a quick and inexpensive light box.
When sending Cherry your finished photos:
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Send Full Resolution images in Slack (Don't know what Slack for Customer Service is? Ask your Sales Consultant for more information!)
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Send Full Resolution Images for free through WeTransfer.com to customerservice@cherryopticallab.com
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Here’s a Video Tutorial for using WeTransfer on desktop
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Here’s a Video Tutorial for using WeTransfer on your mobile phone
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Your clear, accurate photos will help us deliver the results you expect. If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help you, every step of the way.