Many earlier references are still very appropriate to working today for example: In 'Standards in Gross photography' Halsman J, in 1955, made the following recommendations and suggestions:

The main considerations are:

• Aesthetic effect of the picture
• Visual acuity of the observer
• Practicability of method in contributing to ease of interpretation of a photograph during comparative study

Factors to be considered include:

• Picture framing
• Ratio of specimen size to background area
• Devices for identification and scaling
• Background hues
• Ratio of background luminance to luminance of the specimen
• Overlays
• Choice of background

He also postulated standards required for a good gross specimen photograph as:

1. The gross specimen, properly illuminated, must be the primary subject of the photograph.
2. The background must always be subservient to the subject in hue, brightness and saturation, and must not compete with it for attention.
3. The background must not falsely affect the interpretation of the specimen.
4. Included in the photograph must be a device to indicate the exact size of the specimen or areas of trauma. This device should be located so as to indicate the proper viewing position. It must be clear and easily interpreted, but again must not compete for attention with the specimen.
5. A device to indicate special areas of interest should be used only when needed and must not be placed upon the original specimen or be made an intrinsic part of the negative or transparency.