Diamond and Jewelry Photography

[boruch]

I am trying out some jewelry photography with macro and regular lens and I am using PS CS to edit the pics.
I am having quite a few issues with different stages of the process.
(Actual size photos, focus, clarity to name a few)
If there is anyone out there who could tell me anything usefull I would be eternally grateful!
Thanks.

[Vegas Poboy]

What kind of lighting are you using? Reflective objects is hard to capture maybe try using a light tent or box.

[dreamer]

it is a MUST to keep the camera absloutly still. i find it very hard to do this with my camera.

but if you have a camera with shutter speed control, increase the shutter speed and increase the ISO level.

use a tripod, but if its too big use use a book or small object to place the camera on, with a diamond since its clear, its a good idea if you increase contrast to show the edges, hopefully you have this on your camera, you cannont simply fix it in PS... start off with a good pic end up with a good pic =).

i've had simailer problesm with clear opjects, tey using a different colour background to show the white diamond. Or if its a ring and it has gold surronding it, that will help bring it out a bit more.

hops this helps. =]

[TeraGram93013]

First off, let us address the focus problem.

1. Use manual focusing. Use a mid-size aperature. Find your "front" focal plane. Find your "back" focal plane. Take four images, starting at the front and then moving 1/4 of the way through the desired depth of field with each shot. Review. Want greater DOF? Decrease aperature and go again.

2. The use of tripod is essential in this kind of work. You want as low an ISO setting as you can get for maximum color and light quality. Depending on your light set up and aperature you may need quite long exposures.

Regarding "actual size" of images, you'll need a 1:1 macro lens or better for best quality.

Regarding "clarity", this is a confusing term. If you're talking about getting decent contrast and minimizing lens-flare and glare you'll need a combination of a good lighting setup and proper focus with appropriate depth of field.

You might also try experimenting in each round of set-ups with a polarizing filter.

[dreamer]

If you keep the shutter to long wouldn't that overexpose? I normally just increase shutter speed and increase light senetivity...

[stopbath]

If you keep the shutter to long wouldn't that overexpose? I normally just increase shutter speed and increase light senetivity...
With any change of shutter speed, there is a reverse change in aperture to be performed. You can change your ISO too, but that is not the best way to do it. Keep your sensitivity (ISO) low to gain better image quality, then balance your Aperture and Shutter Speed to gain correct exposure. ONLY when required by physical limitations of the camera (You need faster shutter speed, but aperture is already wide open...) or for effects (more grain in the photo) do you fiddle with the ISO.

[leo11877]

Hi,
Below is the link of photgraph of the studio setup that I used to take the
pics of jewelry. Also are some sample images

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/leo11877


I used a simple black cardboard, pasted plain white matte paper on top of it. Place the product, on top of that and then place a rectangular U shaped paper on top of it. Use 2, 3 light lamps with pure natural lightbulbs. U will have to play with the light positions to get optimum effect.


Basically in order to take macro shots of such products, you have to keep the following things in mind

1) Diffuse the light falling on the subject. For this you can Use a lightbox, softbox or simply some diffusion material between the lights and subject. Alternatively u can use MACRO RING LIGHT for the same. SAMIGON makes a special type of flash for same. Other vendors are Sunpak, Vivitar, etc.

2) Keep the aperture of camera at f/10 or f/11 the more the number the more of the object comes into picture.

3) Play with whitebalance, exposure settings depending on the type of lighting used. U will Need a camera that supports manual focus, manual apperture and exposure settings.

4) you can use mirrors in order to shine light on the diamond or jewels.

5) There are DULLER SPRAYS available in market in order to dull the shining on the gold or silver

6) Use a macro lens to get as close as possible to the subject. Sometimes u can use telephoto lens on large subjects.

Equipment needed
1) Good digital camera. For eg. Canon G2, G3, G5, Digital Rebel
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 5700 etc
Olympus C5050, 3040, 4040, 5060, E10 E20 etc


2) Light box, Clouddome or Macro Ring Light
go to www.clouddome.com www.photoflex.com www.vivitar.com

3) Go to www.webphotoschool.com for some great tutorials.

4) Some good lenses, CLOSEUP , Macro Lenses (search for them on ebay)

Remeber, You have to play a lot with the settings and positions.


Hope this helps

Leo11977[/img]

[boruch]

Thank you all very much for all your knowledgable input.
Let me just tell you a bit about the equipment I'm using. I have a canon rebel with a macro lens. A special lighting box (by MK). Tri pod. Some stands and prop-ups for jewelry.
I am sure at least some of your suggestions will improve my work.
I have tried using a longer exposure time but I find the pictures are coming out too light. I also cant figure out how to use the manual focus- the camera seems to go back to auto when I take the pic.
Another thing I am expermenting with: placing the objects against backrounds that will allow me to remove them later in a photo editing program (eg. PS) so that the object will appear background-less!

[MediaMagic]

Another trick you can use to get some wonderful effects on the stone is to use a small light panel under the jewelry. This works best if you are shooting the piece with it lying fllat. Take a black piece of paper (or any other color as long as it does not allow light to pass through) and cut or pierce a small hole so that it is slightly smaller than the stone. Now, place the ring (or whatever) on the paper so the stone is directly over the hole. The light from the flat panel will shoot through the hole and through the stone to create some pretty cool visuals while not spraying onto the rest of the ring. Light the scene as usual for a more normal shot with a glowing stone, or you can just use only the light from the panel to create some very artistic shots. This works awesome with rubies, emeralds, some cuts of diamonds, really any clear stone makes a good candidate to try.

Sometimes the effect is truly gorgeous, then sometimes not so great. It really depends on how the stone scatters the light and how large the hole in the paper is.

David

[tuessb4]

I am also trying to do some jewelry photography with a new Canon 20D. I am a novice at this and want to know where to purchase some display items to prop up the jewelry for better visuals. Are there any really good books and sources for jewelry photohraphy props out there that you recommend?

[leo11877]

Search Amazon.com for books and ebay for Jewelry props!

[PhotosGuy]

2) Keep the aperture of camera at f/10 or f/11 the more the number the more of the object comes into picture. Lenses are sharpest about 3 stops down from max. At about f/22, they start to lose sharpness fast, depending on the quality of the lens. So you have to hit a happy medium as Leo said.
Photographing Rings the Easy Way (http://www.webphotoschool.com/all_lessons/jewelry_reflective/Photographing_Rings_the_Easy_Way/index.html)
Techniques for Shooting Jewelry (http://www.webphotoschool.com/all_lessons/jewelry_reflective/Techniques_for_Shooting_Jewelry/index.html)

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