Need help getting into product photography

So one of my friends is launching her own jewelry and accessories line and she's asked me to help her take pictures of her products.

Up until this point I've almost exclusively shot portraits/fashion/etc. with some adventuring into nature/landscapes

Commercial and tabletop photography is completely foreign to me. I know that a certain setup is required. I want to be able to do the shots with an all white/black background (possibly with the reflective surface) and seamless transition from background to foreground.

Something similar to the photo in this thread: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=983781

but obviously with jewelry instead and with the option of white.

I have a $100 amazon giftcard collecting dust and I was hoping to blow it on something that would allow me to do these kinds of shoots. I'm just sort of taking a stab in the dark since there isn't much info on this arena in the forums (no commercial photography photo sharing section which is a bummer). I narrowed it down to a couple options which *seemed* reasonable and like they would work but could really use some advice/suggestions

I was thinking about: http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1294725​679&sr=1-3

Though at that point I'm unsure what to do as far as lights for it.

Anyways, some help would be much appreciated =)

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=281524

That thread really helps.

I appreciate the link. However, the initial post has almost no information or pictures in it. While there are some nice pictures of others set-ups, there are almost no explanations of how they created them or what materials they use. With over 250 pages, I don't really have the time to fan through all of them =/

Going back to my time issue, I don't think i have the spare time to undertake another DIY project (got plenty of DIY repairs for my loft first). Plus I really want to utilize this amazon gift card.

So if you have any recommendations for the table top kits or lights to use with them that are on Amazon I'd really appreciate it =)

still looking for some advice on lights and a light box =)

A small seamless and a couple lights would do... or maybe a plexi

Start with a light box and some daylight bulbs if you are not familiar.

Blowing out a backdrop and lighting up the front with strobes is harder than it looks...

That would be my advice.

gibsonla wrote in post #11627377
still looking for some advice on lights and a light box =)

I purchased this light tent : http://www.skaeser.com …/tent-dome-softbox/Detail

I was able to get this the first time I used it. I haven't used the black BG yet.
The images you have a link to, are photo shopped to get the reflection. That's another issue you'll need to deal with.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

I built my own... PVC pipe and muslin fabric that I sewed around the PVC. Works like a charm but if you don't know how to sew it may not be the thing for you.

www.tabletopstudio.com has a lot to look at. A bunch of how-to's as well.

i came across this today and was thinking about saving to get it, might be what you are looking for also...

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …e_Light_Boom_De​sktop.html

gibsonla wrote in post #11615459
So one of my friends is launching her own jewelry and accessories line and she's asked me to help her take pictures of her products.

Up until this point I've almost exclusively shot portraits/fashion/etc. with some adventuring into nature/landscapes

Commercial and tabletop photography is completely foreign to me. I know that a certain setup is required. I want to be able to do the shots with an all white/black background (possibly with the reflective surface) and seamless transition from background to foreground.

Something similar to the photo in this thread: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=983781

but obviously with jewelry instead and with the option of white.

I have a $100 amazon giftcard collecting dust and I was hoping to blow it on something that would allow me to do these kinds of shoots. I'm just sort of taking a stab in the dark since there isn't much info on this arena in the forums (no commercial photography photo sharing section which is a bummer). I narrowed it down to a couple options which *seemed* reasonable and like they would work but could really use some advice/suggestions

I was thinking about: http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1294725​679&sr=1-3

Though at that point I'm unsure what to do as far as lights for it.

Anyways, some help would be much appreciated =)

Have you found a product yet? I am also looking into this.

You could use your light set up and get a light box that comes with black, blue and red attachable clothes with it. The main thing I would be concerned about is a macro lens or Tilt/shift lens. When you take pix of the jewelry the best results I have had were with a macro lens, but with the narrow DOF you will have to close your aperture down to get the entire piece in focus. A neckless or ring are not as bad as a bracelet. If you don't get the entire piece in focus the product won't sell. The TS lens allows you to Tilt and shift the lens to increase or decrease the DOF.


Plexiglass at Lowes will work for a reflective surface. $16 for a for a large piece about 1/4" thick.

drdiesel1 wrote in post #11628761
The images you have a link to, are photo shopped to get the reflection.

That may be, but there are other ways to get a reflection as well. Heck while I was reading this I just threw down a piece of acetate on my desk blotter here at the office and snapped this image of a coke can with my iPhone. Crude, true; but you get the idea...

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Celtic Tiger wrote in post #11727057
That may be, but there are other ways to get a reflection as well. Heck while I was reading this I just threw down a piece of acetate on my desk blotter here at the office and snapped this image of a coke can with my iPhone. Crude, true; but you get the idea...

Oh, there's no doubt about it. You can get a real reflection, but his example wasn't the real thing so I felt the need to point that out for him

drdiesel1 wrote in post #11727161
Oh, there's no doubt about it. You can get a real reflection, but his example wasn't the real thing so I felt the need to point that out for him

Not trying to be contrary here but interestingly, I went back to the link and the guy says he did it with black plexiglass. See somewhere around the 5th post down. Hmmm...it looked shopped to me too.