How to Start Photographing Jewelry
Photographing jewelry should be simple right? Jewelry is pretty so when you take pictures of it, they should turn out pretty.
If you have an ebay store or sell jewelry online then you know how false that statement is. It's very difficult to get a picture that accurately depicts a gemstone, or isn't just a shiny blob. Here is how to make photographing jewelry easier.
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Instructions
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Use a background. Find a black velvet piece of cloth that won't distract from your gemstone. A shiny fabric like satin may look luxurious off camera but it reflects too much light.
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If you are taking pictures of earrings & don't have an earring stand, don't despair. Hang the earrings from a candlestick or even on the ears of a model in a magazine. Try draping necklaces around lampshades.
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Fall in love with macro. Most digital cameras have a macro feature that enables you to really zoom in on an object. This will give you a much more detailed shot than the auto mode. The more detail you have the less your jewelry will look like a shiny blob.
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Vary shots. Take pictures both up close & also with a model. This way people will be able to see the detail of the jewelry, but more importantly the size of the jewelry & how it will look on them.
If you read the feedback for most jewelry sellers you will hear complaints that the jewelry is smaller than the buyer thought it would be. Show how it compares to everyday objects like a quarter.
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Back up a little. Your pictures might not be very clear because you are holding the camera too close to the subject. If there is a little bit of background in the shot, the camera can focus better. You can always crop the photo later.
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Find the best lighting. You can buy or build a special box or lighting tent just for taking pictures of jewelry. Instead, take pictures on an overcast day. This will give your gemstones the sparkle that comes with natural light. It also avoids washing it out the way the sun will.
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Take lots of photos. You might have to take thirty photographs before you get one good one. Even though it doesn't seem like your composition has changed, light is constantly moving around. Some pictures will be steadier & clearer than others. Avoid taking just one shot.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a tripod or set the camera on a table for a very steady clear photograph.
If you are having trouble getting an accurate color of a gemstone, try putting it next to a common everyday item of the same color, like a bowl of blueberries. This way people will be able to tell exactly how your camera distorts colors.
Avoid taking jewelry photographs at night. The overhead lighting makes the photographs grainy & the color unrealistic.
Crop & resize your pictures but avoid photoshop. Sure the jewelry might look better if you edit out a flaw or add a little sparkle or even a fancy background. Photographing jewelry is more about accuracy than art. The buyers of your jewelry want to know exactly what they are getting, flaws & all.
- Photo Credit sarakastic
