Louis Assoulin vs. Scam Artists—How to Spot a Counterfeit Nikon Camera

If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Most of the time, an unusually low price means it’s going to be a fake. When it comes to photography, using fake equipment—especially fake batteries and chargers—could lead to not getting your money’s worth, camera damage, or worse, physical injury. It can be hard to distinguish a genuine Nikon product bought from Louis Assoulin vs. scam sellers, but here’s how you can verify the authenticity of your purchase:

Look at the retail box

A genuine Nikon box will feature both the Nikon logo at the upper left corner and the model number on every side of the box. These may either be printed or embossed. Beware that sometimes, counterfeit cameras may come in genuine Nikon packaging.

Pay close attention to the box’s label

The box’s side panel should have a label that features the serial number with a barcode along with the Nikon logo and model number. It should also include additional manufacturing information. Confirm that the serial number listed on the box matches the one on the actual product.

Confirm that there’s an instruction manual

Nikon cameras always come with a well-designed and easy-to-read instruction manual in their boxes. Check the quality of the print—smudged letters, low quality paper, and poor grammar are signs that the manual—along with the camera—is a fake.

Check the warranty card

New Nikon cameras come with a warranty card. As with the instruction manual, check for any glaring errors in grammar and spelling. Also make sure that the serial number listed on the card matches the one found on the camera and the box.

Inspect the camera

As mentioned, the model number and the serial number listed on both the box and warranty card will also appear on the camera itself. The model and serial number location on the camera may vary, but it’s usually found on the camera base. Again, make sure that these match the ones on the warranty card and box.

If everything checks out, then congratulations. You have just bought yourself a quality Nikon product. You can avoid all the uncertainties and worries next time, by purchasing your photography equipment from trusted retailers. Help Louis Assoulin fight against scam sellers by purchasing from him or other trusted photography dealers.

Cameras from Louis Assoulin: How to Take Proper Photographs of Tattoos

The method for taking photographs of models with tattoos is a bit different from that of models with natural skin. Tattoos obviously make the skin look different, so a different setup and approach must be taken to accurately capture them. The differences are mainly in the small details, but before everything else, make sure your photography equipment is up to par and bought from quality sellers like Louis Assoulin. Once your equipment is ready, follow these easy tips to ensure your success:

Find your focus

In tattoo photography, your focus isn’t a single point, it is t an area of the image that you want to emphasize the most. This will typically be the central tattoo. If your model only has one tattoo, use the most interesting part of that tattoo as your focus.

Get the depth of field right

A shallow depth of field gives the impression that you are ‘covering up’ the model’s tattoo. If the tattoo is large, use telephoto to get the whole tattoo in focus and blur the background. Adjust your model’s position accordingly, if you prefer using a 50mm prime lens.

Properly light the tattoo along with the model

Proper lighting is key to having both the model and the tattoo adequately displayed. Regarding your use of rim light, make sure the tattoos are at an ideal distance from the light, or else they will burn out. Tattoos are best kept in the mid-tones, where they can be properly lit and clearly visible.

Pose your model based on the tattoos

While most model photography will rely on posing the model in a way that complements her body, tattoo photography means accentuating the tattoos at the expense of the pose. This means you have to pose the model in such a way that the tattoo you want to photograph won’t get wrinkled, stretched, or distorted in a not-so-ideal manner.

When shooting a tattooed model, it wouldn’t hurt to talk to him or her as you set up your gear. More than a way to pass the time, this is a great way to watch them, observe their general posture, and get an idea of how they move. You can put that camera purchased from vendors, like Louis Assoulin, to better use that way.