Jewelry Photography: High Key Pendants and Things That Dangle

[S230]

interesting thing was that I was doing something similar but I used cardboard box instead. I cut away 4 sides and glued with white paper. Then used a light to shine through. really ugly work.

[Mike Panic]

wow - i thought i was the only one who had those slaves!

nice write up

[PhotosGuy]

Great post!
wow - i thought i was the only one who had those slaves!
Haha! I'm using 283's!

[PhotosGuy]

Well, that's nice to know. I've only had them since the '70s. They've probably got 30,000 miles on them! ;-)

[PhotosGuy]

Yes. I never would have guessed that I'd still be using them after all that time!

[vsodhani]

Hi,

I have been attempting to take pictures of my jewelry for almost 4 months now. I have to say ive come along way but I am still not there. I ended up buying a lightbox which has helped but I am still having troubles. I am using a Canon G6 which may be one of my problems. The lightbox vendor told me to attach a 2X close up lens and shoot from the top of the box in macro mode. The images are average at best. Most of the time the camera focuses on the bottom of the ring. I am primarily shooting platinum with diamonds (which i read in your posts is the hardest to shoot... excellent!). I am considering upgrading my camera and try it in my light box. Do you recommend this? I was thinking of the Canon Rebel XT with a 50mm macro. Do you mind me asking what camera you are using.

Thanks so much

[PhotosGuy]

If you can't M focus with the G3, maybe you can fool it by putting something contrasty near the focus point you want & then PS it out after.
Yes on the Canon Rebel XT.
No on the 50mm macro. If you can afford it, a longer one will give you a better working distance. I hated the 55 for the Nikon, but the 105 was great. If you can, try each in a store.

[PhotosGuy]

I forgot that you're working with a small tupperware "tent", so the 50 macro would be best. Different strokes... ;-)

[vsodhani]

First off i appreciate the detailed and helpful replies. its nice to hear some expert advice in a field i seem lost in.

I am still a bit unclear on a couple of things though. I am not a seasoned photographer so please bear with me. I had bought a Nikon D70 months back with a 50mm macro lens and ended up returning it because the DOF was severly limiting. My main photographs are rings and ideally i would like to get the top of the ring to the bottom of the shank in focus. Having the shank be a little out of focus is acceptable but from my shots with the D70 only the center of the ring was clear. the edges would be blurry and the bottom of the shank completely out of focus. my regular point and shoot was taking clearer pictures in super-macro mode.

you mentioned DOF issues but i got a bit confused. i saw some images of rings you shot and they looked very nice. in order to gain that sort of DOF did you do anything special. here is just a link to a nicely shot ring from a web retailer (i realize its photoshoped to death but the sharpness is what i am trying to achieve):

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4096&catid=93&filter_id=0&nav1=settings_channel.asp&page=1&col=3&row=1&pos=3&set_shape=

you can see the zoomed picture also.

thanks again

[Orogeny]

Thanks for this thread, guys. I have been asked by a relative who makes jewelry to photo some of her stuff so that she can show it to potential buyers. Looking around, I found this thread, which has been very helpful.

I have one dumb question. Why use slave flashes instead of a constant light source like a halogen or fluorescent lamp?

Tim

[PhotosGuy]

Again, different strokes, Tim. I have strobes but prefer halogen so I can see what's happening better. But I'd also use a larger tent for control, too.
Bloo will give you his reasons, but I seem to remember that he uses a wax to hold the jewlery in place.

[Claire]

Sorry for the interruption. Bloo, I tried PMing you both it says that is shut of. PM/email me.

[PhotosGuy]

Claire, I understand that Bloo has been "banned from the board for criticizing" a moderator, and strictly my guess, for having a sense of humor. Too bad.

[Carzee]

Bloo Dog banned? Say it ain't so... thats a real loss.

[jfrancho]

That is a box of rocks.

[vsodhani]

he's been banned. ah thats really too bad. he seems quite knowledgable and so helpful. does anyone know how to contact him. im shooting jewelry and could use one more answer before i go ahead with my setup.

thanks so much,
vikas

[PhotosGuy]

PM your question & email address to me & I'll pass it on to him.