Jewellery Photography (Photos Added)

[Georgia's Dad]

Hi anyone know the best way to light it?

I've had a client e-mail me asking to if I can as always wouldn't want to say NO so any help with light set up would be gratefully appreciated.

Michael

 

[Garry Edwards]

What sort of jewellery?
On a model or as still life?
What kind of lighting and lighting experience do you have?

 

[Georgia's Dad]

Sorry Garry

Still Life bling stuff I think, my client is a web-designer and has a few clients that have online jewelry shops

I mainly do portrait work on a white background

Michael

 

[bb123]

some good info here

 

[Georgia's Dad]

Cheers bb

 

[turnip]

If you want a quick and cheap tip.
If you are trying to photograph a piece of jewellery that is shiny and the reflection is bothersome. Put it in a shallow dish of water, it works really well.

 

[Garry Edwards]

some good info here

Well, a light tent will give you consistent if boring results and may be exactly what your clients want.

But with a decent softbox, a few pieces of tinfoil, black card, broken mirror, tiny light sources etc you can do much better and produce dynamic selling shots instead of just accurate representations of the products.

Shut up Garry, don't get on your hobbyhorse again

 

[..MD..]

Well, a light tent will give you consistent if boring results and may be exactly what your clients want.

But with a decent softbox, a few pieces of tinfoil, black card, broken mirror, tiny light sources etc you can do much better and produce dynamic selling shots instead of just accurate representations of the products.

Shut up Garry, don't get on your hobbyhorse again

well i agree with this quote


and tis what i would be doing..


md

 

[Georgia's Dad]

cheers guy I'll try so things out later

 

[strobemonkey]

Well, a light tent will give you consistent if boring results and may be exactly what your clients want.

But with a decent softbox, a few pieces of tinfoil, black card, broken mirror, tiny light sources etc you can do much better and produce dynamic selling shots instead of just accurate representations of the products.

Shut up Garry, don't get on your hobbyhorse again

It would be nice if you can show us a sample setup Gary...

 

[whipspeed]

Definately a light tent, try to make sure the front is covered as well so you don't get too many reflections in the metal. Try to light all round as well.
Also with cut stones, set the focus to the back of the stones and you pick up all the facets in detail.

 

[Garry Edwards]

It would be nice if you can show us a sample setup Gary...

The whole point of real lighting is that there's no such animal as a lighting setup.
This applies to all lighting, regardless of subject.
The nearest thing you could get to a 'standard' for this is to set up a sofbox ovehead (usually on a wall mounted boom) so that the light is directly above and angled forward. That isn't a rule but it's a common starting point.
Then the composition is arranged and the camera set up to give the required view, composition is then finally tweaked.
Then effect lights (always very small light sources) are set in whatever positions are needed to add light as necessary
Then reflectors are added to add to the effect, absorbers are added to create negative light, meter readings are taken and lighting power, light positions etc are adjusted to suit.
Then you press the button, and start on the next one.

 

[Georgia's Dad]

Thanks guys for everything here's the first attempts

C&C welcome and needed