How to Photograph Jewelry Using a Light Box
Metallic objects such as jewelry present a huge problem for hobbyist photographers. The very thing that makes them so beautiful, their shine, also makes them a pain to photograph. Most of the problem comes from light exposure. You need just the right kind of lighting to take the best photograph of your jewelry. This is what is called ambient lighting, when the light source is diffused rather than directional. To get this effect, photographers use what is called a light box.
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Instructions
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Place your light box in a moderately lit room, away from direct light. Arrange your jewelry inside of it. Prop the piece up on a piece of neutral colored fabric at between a 30 and 45 degree angle.
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Place small spotlights on tripods on either side of the light box. Point the spotlights at the walls of the light box and turn them on. The light passes through the walls and is diffused by the white fabric of the box.
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Arrange your camera on a tripod a foot away from the box. Turn off the camera's flash and turn on the macro setting. Your camera's macro setting allows it to take photos of small objects with as much precision as possible. The macro setting usually has a tulip for a symbol.
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Look through the camera's eyehole or check its display. Make sure that the view of the jewelry piece is the view you want. If your camera is too far away, move it closer. Do not use your camera's zoom if you can avoid it. Adjust the display if you are dissatisfied with its appearance. If a frontal view of the piece does not look good, try a three-quarters view. Make sure your camera is focused on the display.
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Set your camera's timer or use a camera remote to take the picture. Do not use your hands. Pressing the button on your camera by hand jostles the camera too much and usually results in a blurry photo of such a small object.
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Take lots of photos. Take photos from different angles. A lot of photography is a matter of luck, even for professionals. The key to taking a good photo of something is to take lots of photos of it. One or two will come out well, whereas the rest can be deleted.
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References
- Photo Credit vertical light box image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
