Photo How To

Yesterday we provided an important warning about the finite lifespan of your camera and why it's essential that you check shutter count regularly to anticipate costly repairs, missed shots on location, or even a total breakdown. We're following up on that today with a couple less-dire maintenance hacks from pro Andy Rouse.

Rouse is an award-winning wildlife photographer whose enlightening tutorials take us behind the scenes as he travels the globe "in search of the perfect shot." Today's episode finds him in India during a dusty time of year, and both he and his cameras are covered in dirt. His main concern is the filthy equipment, and in the next four minutes he provides simple tips "that will keep your cameras and lenses in tip-top condition."

He begins with a preventative measure using a free elasticized shower cap "borrowed" from a hotel that he stretches over a lens while hiking on dusty days. In fact, he admits to having "a whole load of them in my rucksack." And remember that precautionary measures are always worth taking for extra protection—even if you shoot with "weather and dust resistant" equipment.

The first beneficiary of Rouse's cleaning process is his camera. He explains that a cloth doesn't get the job done effectively because it can't get in between dials, buttons, and other difficult-to-reach crevasses. Instead, he carefully employs both a blower-brush and a soft toothbrush ("nicked off an airplane") to clean out all the grime-filled nooks and crannies. Unfortunately, he doesn't reveal where he stole the blower-brush.

Now Rouse turns his attention to a lens with "the twisty bits caked in dust." Once again, his toothbrush and blower-brush play an important role in a process that Rouse says, "I find quite therapeutic."

Rouse provides some cautionary notes about cleaning the front and rear elements of the lens, and he recommends not to undertake this task unless necessary. So there you have it: Just go out and "obtain" the simple cleaning accessories required and get the job done today.

Then head over to the Wildman Rouse YouTube channel for more gear tips and shooting techniques.

And please don’t ignore the tutorial mentioned at the onset with regard to checking your camera's shutter count to avoid any unwelcome surprises before it's too late..