How to Get a Clean, Colorful Photograph of a Fresh Tattoo?

Ok, so, when I finish a color tattoo, sometimes the colors don't look the way they will when they're healed. A little bit of blood is under the skin, and it goes a little red underneath, so things like blues become a little red looking? Yet you see photographs tattooists post of fresh tattoos that look perfect, like they're stuck on!
I hope this makes sense.
Is it to do with the way I'm tattooing, or is there a knack to it?

There is a nack to taking the picture and it's something you just have to play around with it. Your camera and lighting will effect it so play around with your settings, make sure you take the pic somewhere well lit etc Try with flash, without. In the digital age you an afford to have a few goes :icon_smile:

Jason Ackerman in the video "From Stretch to Skin" recommends original Listerine. He says it burns quite a bit but it make for a great picture. My brother recommends Bactine to reduce redness and discomfort, not necessarily for pictures but I assume it would work. I have not tried either but I am wondering if anyone on the forum has?

Thanks! I've got a good camera, I just haven't taken it into work yet :S Silly of me, I know.
I use Vasocaine, it's pretty much the same as bactine, it works well for numbing once the line work is in, and reduces some of the redness, but with certain colors like blue, etc, sometimes, depending on the client, some people just seem to go really red underneath it, vasocaine or not, and some clients it looks fine? My mentor told me to put a lot of vaseline over the fresh tattoo and let it rest for 10 minutes, then wipe it off before trying to take a photograph, but on some people that just doesn't seem to work, it still looks a bit red underneath.

I googled the Listerine thing! Apparently witch hazel is good for that aswell? Might try it on myself first, see if it works, haha.

glitterxgore said:

I googled the Listerine thing! Apparently witch hazel is good for that aswell? Might try it on myself first, see if it works, haha.

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Witch hazel is what I use, also for cutting black to lighter shades.

hey guys im quite into photography so i thought i may be ale to help a little. If you have to use a flash try taping tracing paper over it, this acts as a diffuser and will reduce glare from any ointment. also if you have a manual white balance you could try setting it for shaded areas, this will give it more warmth which is great for using around flourescent lightning. there are also free photo editing software available for download over the internet which is fantastic for tweeking colours and contrast. It is also alot cheaper than the *£80 for basic photoshop elements. if any 1 is interested in which is good software them pm me and i'll tell you. I know this is an old thread but I thought id give a bit of advice anyway.Im all ways happy to help with photography questions :icon_biggrin:

Witch hazel one is the best and nice tips from djanon as well.