Background - The best background colour to use when photographing finds is light grey, this prevents any use of flash from reflecting against white, reduces shadows and is light enough for most finds. Fossils from the chalk may be best taken under 'Black Backgrounds' and for publications it is best to photograph on a white background with no flash under 'white=light' to avoid 'Block images' 
Type of Camera - Most cameras are capable of taking photos of fossils without too many problems, for best results choose a digital camera with a high resolution and 'Macro' facility. This is particularly handy for smaller fossils. If you have a number of Micro fossils, a 'Super Macro' facility is required. We also recommend the use of a Tripod, this enables you to take photos without the use of flash which prevents the reflection and 'bright spots'. Angles - Many people ask us what is the 'best angle to take', our answer is three shots..'Top, Bottom and Side'. Taking these three shots makes identification so much easier. Certain fossils may require certain angles. For instance, when shooting ammonites, be sure to get a shot of the 'Side' since most ammonites can be only identified from the pattern on their side. Take one of the top and bottom two. If in doubt, the more angles the easier it is to identify, we can then see a more clearer '3D' model rather than the common '2D' shots' |  |  |
Scale - You should always use something that can be used to show the scale of the fossil. It is best to keep the object consistent and think carefully about how that object could change in the future. For example, we had some photos from a university in 1998 where they used a mobile phone to compare the size of the fossil....back then mobile phones where chunky things and today if anyone saw the shot they would believe the fossil was larger than it really was, in a similar way people use coins but over time coins change shape and what happens if we go into the 'Euro'?.....all those sizes can quickly become forgotten. The answer is to think carefully about what you use as a scale. 
Our best advice is to use a black and white 'Block Ruler' graduated in cm or if you have very small fossils, in mm. UKGE now uses a special 'Geo Ruler' which is graduated in cm and 10cm in alternating colours. This makes photographing so much easier. The rulers are plastic and hard, perfect for field use. 
Avoiding Shadows - To avoid shadows, you should either photograph using high power 'White Spot lighting' directed from two angles at your specimen, one lamp on the left and one on the right against a white background, OR for take either outside in a 'Shaded area' or indoors on the floor away from direct sunlight. You can always use digital photo editing software to remove the shadow on most fossils. | 
