How to Make a Jewelry Light Tent
Upscale jewelry photography for advertisement or public display requires a professional look that you can't achieve by photographing the object on your kitchen table. Setting up a light tent, will reflect light in a flattering way over an even white surface to illuminate the jewelry and truly make it appear upscale. The price tag for an already assembled light tent can cost a small fortune at retail value. Making one on your own will save money and give you great results.
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Things You'll Need
- White Bristol board
- Camera with light attachment
- Tripod
- White muslin (long enough to reach from the camera to the jewelry)
- Clear Scotch Tape
- Overhead white lamp light
Instructions
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Lay your white Bristol board on a flat surface and make sure all white lights in the room are turned on. Any additional light will only help even out the wash of white surrounding the jewelry in the light tent. Make sure to place the jewelry on the Bristol board prior to shooting.
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Position your camera on a tripod a foot away from the Bristol board, focus your lens and turn on your light attachment.
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Drape the white muslin over the camera and extend it to the Bristol board, completely covering the jewelry object. If the muslin is less than pure white, the object won't appear as vibrant when photographed, so be sure the muslin is pure white.
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Tape the muslin onto the top of the camera. Make sure the muslin is positioned properly over the camera and jewelry, with none of the outside area around the Bristol board showing.
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Take a test photo with the muslin in place to be sure your light tent is working to your satisfaction. If you find the tent too dark, add an overhead light directly over the jewelry, covered by the muslin to finish your jewelry light box.
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References
- Photo Credit vertical light box image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
