Cover aging. whaddaya think?

[Joe Gwinn]

It's not nearly as pronounced in person. Flash and lighting make them look much more apparent that they really are. I find it difficult to photograph something like this without it popping out at you.

The problem is the specular reflection off the uncorroded shiny metal. Put the pickup cover in a light tent. This will soften things.

http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/19002.html

http://www.jpgmag.com/stories/458

http://www.ezcube.com/

[kevinT]

I got this a while ago for taking pics of products. Pretty handy. Has a tripod for the camera, lights, and it all folds up nice and neat.

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/73033.asp

[Possum]

easier method

I use a cheap and easy method of photograhy that gives you more control actually. I use two desk lamps one on each side then tape toilet paper, a single layer over each lamp. I'm using compact flourescent lights with regular lights watch out you don't start a fire! The toilet paper softens the light and having two desk lamps you can move them around for effect. I also use bounce cards and white reflector cards to add highlights if needed. The beauty of digital photography is you can see what you're getting right away.
Attached is a sample before retouching, dust is always a problem, all that stuff was retouched out in the final....