Any advice for shooting a tool and die shop?

[shooter mcgavin]

My dad is a vp of a tool and die shop and thy would like for me to come in and take some pictures for their website. The only problem is, I don't really have any sort of product shooting experience. I was just wondering if anyone here has done a similar sort of shoot and would have any tips to share or good example pieces to show me?

I've been looking at the big tool and die shops' sites to get a better idea, and even those don't seem to really have anything that I wouldn't be able to do, but I just like to be prepared.

I won't be shooting many smaller things, like gauges, so a seamless backdrop isn't really an option. Most of it will be larger tools and a couple of rooms.

They do have a really nice facility, so I think most of what I'll do will be more than acceptable, but I just thought I'd see if anyone here has some wisdom to share on the topic. Thanks!

[RandyMN]

If they sell large tools it would help if they have a display area. Hopefully the dispaly area is arranged for you in a way that will help keep cluttered backgrounds minimal.

To try and get truly professional results with large heavy tools is quite a job and you will just need to use all your photographic ability to keep lighting good and backgrounds non-distracting.

A lot of window light would also help by just using a bit of fill flash, but for anyone to offer suggestions I think we would need to know the lighting conditions as well.

[shooter mcgavin]

Thanks for the response. As far as lighting goes, I have some strobes that I can use, but the ambiance lighting is pretty much as bad as it gets. There are few windows in the actual shop, but the office is very modern and well lit with large windows, but of course you can't exacly bring the large tools in there. The lighting in the shop is overhead fluorescents.

There is room though, to move the larger tools to an uncluttered background, I think that's sound advice.

Thanks!