How to make better pictures of jewelry we want to share in the forum?

[ayis]

We all are very blessed to be part of this forum, sharing knowledge and building friendships.

 

One of my favourite thing  here is to post and view photos, but i found it always awkward to take pictures as my camera does not render the best part of the pieces....too shiny, too gloom, not enough light, colour change....ect...

 

Share with us your little secrets for home made beautiful pictures.

 

Cheers

[SARAH CORBETT]

two angle poise lamps to lose the shadows help me a lot, also super macro feature on the camera.

I use a fluorescent light which seems to avoid glare too.

I think that finding a goos background helps too

Sx

[Preethi]

Hi Ayis, I wish my photos were better too! At the moment, I just use my Canon G series (which works really well in low light conditions I think) with a macro setting like Sarah advised. And then, I'm embarrassed to admit, that I modify the image with iphoto.

My lovely husband, noting my frustration and laziness, created a lightbox for me a couple of weeks ago. It's a marvellous thing, very easy to make (http://www.wikihow.com/Create-an-Inexpensive-Photography-Lightbox) and easy to use. Gets rid of the shadows. You just stick the object in the box, point and shoot. Gives professional quality images. 

I haven't used it yet though because I need to shine a fairly powerful light through the top (could be just a lamp), but it's almost impossible to find a 100 watt or more bulb here in Denmark. Finally got a 120 watt bulb last week and burnt down the holder as the lamps here are not made for heavy watt bulbs. So I'm now hunting for a lamp...What would life be without these little projects :)

[Eva Baby]

@Chantal thanks a lot for the roses, I really feel flattered. It is not only a question of photographing, but also a question of imagination and creativity. Sometimes a plain background is wonderful, but sometimes an interesting background adds a lot to a beautiful picture. A tip I would give - take several shots slighlty different so that you can choose afterwards and take the best version. THe light plays a very important role - not too much and not too little. And finally a confession: I always use photoshop to cut the photo, to adjust size, to sharpen it, to increase or decrease colours, contrasts, light. I love the play with photoshop and trying out versions, IF I have the time. Not quite right, I only have Photoshop Elements, a cheaper version of it.

But it works well, try it out, after a while, you will have fun with it.

[Eva Baby]

@Hi Chantal, first I hope you enjoyed your birthday evening! Sometimes the light also falls for me on the wrong place (and reflects on silver parts, especially flat ones), this happens to everyone, so don't be discouraged! Re-start when you feel like it! (Really, this happens to me too, sometimes. We have all our good and bad days). I am curious to see your special piece! About photoshop: I had no-one to show me anything at all, I tried all alone by doing, found out this and that and became better by the time, discovered new applications, etc. Until now, there are things that I cannot do, because I have not found out yet how, eg. putting photos together. I have done it, and it worked out fine, but I do not know anymore how I did it! Can you imagine? It`s crazy. Like you, when I am calm and have lots of time and piece, I'll try again.....Goodluck!

[ayis]

Thank you ladies, great tips!

@Preethi: tis is very clever and outrageously genious, i will try to build one as soon as i get my hands on the elements. thank you

[Sigrid van Roode]

I usually photograph my pieces on a black background (actually: the chador cloth I brought from Iran is the best background I have!), which I take very much care to spread out evenly. I usually avoid direct light, so I either use a lightbox or shuffle around in my house until I find the perfect spot.

And I always make sure the background is as clean as possible...most of the time photographing is spent on plucking away dust, hairs and the like.

It's always great fun to photograph jewelry, I sincerely enjoy taking the time to come up with an acceptable picture!

[SARAH CORBETT]

Hey Sigrid, I use selotape to clean fabric before I take pics...

Sx

[Sigrid van Roode]

Haha, great minds, Sarah...! I use it almost on an industrial scale: works like a charm! That, or wetting the cloth slightly (with black that usually works well, not soaking it, obviously) produces a good result.

[SARAH CORBETT]

I also use blu tak to hold things in a good position sometimes...

[Harald]

I feel flattered by your compliment! Thanks

Chantal said:

Ayis a lot of people have wonderful pics but Eva and Harald  -amongst others- seem to be the specialists!