Lenses for Jewelry Photography

Series Summary

Photography is the practice of making images by exposing film or another medium to a timed flash of light. The basic equipment used for photography has changed dramatically in the last decades, many people finding digital photography an inexpensive and creative hobby. We use photography as a means of communication worldwide: to sell things, to tell stories, capture memories, evoke passions, fight for causes, make new meanings, and inspire the imagination. Mastering the art of photography is a technical and challenging experience. Even with an automatic, digital camera, one has to learn how to frame a shot, choose a background, interact with the subject, use natural light, and select the right supplies and tools.

In this free video series, professional photographer Michael Seto teaches you how to photograph jewelry. You will learn which cameras and lenses to use, what lights work well, other equipment to use, and more. Michael talks about diffusing light and using light boxes, and he demonstrates setting up an enclosure to keep your product in a blank, white environment. Michael offers his tips for arranging blocks and mirrors, using acrylic boards, and hiding reflections. It is all here.

Video Transcript

"Hi, my name is Michael Seto. I’m a professional photographer and in this clip we're going to talk little bit about lens selection for jewelry photography. Jewelry photography is a very specific type of photography and in order to really do it well, you need some special life lenses. Let’s look down on this table and talk little bit about some of the lenses I have here. You got to your basic kit lens that typically comes with any camera. This is a seventeen to fifty-five millimeter. This often will do an adequate job but not a great job of jewelry photography. The key lens you want to buy is called the macro lens. These are specially designed to focus very close up. This is a sixty millimeter macro lens by Nikon. This will get you a great close up of a piece of jewelry or an insect or whatever you’re photographing from about a foot away. The next lens we want to talk about is the hundred-five millimeter lens and that will get you a little closer. So, if you really want to do some good jewelry photography, remember the lens is important. You want to get a macro lens. This is going to get you the best image of your jewelry."