Many people believe that product photography is easy--after all, you are not working with people or pets, and the product cannot talk back to you. However, taking pictures of inanimate objects is more difficult than it sounds. Photographing jewelry can be especially difficult, because you are contending with strange reflections, intricate details and generally expensive pieces that must be showcased beautifully. Taking your time to ensure every detail is perfect will result in excellent jewelry shots.
Watch Out for Glare
Jewelry can be especially finicky to photograph when it is silver, gold or another shiny metal. It reflects flashes and softboxes, and the glare can ruin a shot. To avoid glare, try angling the piece away from the softbox or flash. You may have to open up your aperture, but you will avoid catching the glare directly. It is fine to get a bit of a gleam on edges and sides, but it looks unprofessional to have it reflecting directly on the surface. Use natural light whenever possible, as it illuminates jewelry nicely, and you avoid the problems that come with using a flash. If you are shooting in a studio, try using a tripod and turning the modeling mode on for your lights. This technique will allow you to use a very slow shutter speed but still keep the camera steady.
Check Your Presentation
Careful and artful presentation can make or break jewelry photography. Wear gloves when handling the pieces, and make sure they are cleaned before you start snapping pictures. Nothing ruins a shot faster than a big fingerprint smudge in the middle of a beautiful locket. Additionally, pay attention to the best way to display your pieces. The background should be complementary in color and texture, but it should not overshadow your piece. Metals look excellent against dark, velvety backgrounds. Kitschy, colorful jewelry can be shot against plain white or black, although you can have a bit more fun with these pieces and try displaying them stacked up on a table. Unless otherwise directed by your client, keep the silly props to a minimum: Photographing engagement rings does not mean you need to strew confetti and champagne glasses all over your surface.
Shoot the Details
When shooting jewelry, the devil is in the details. This type of close-up shooting is known as macro photography. Invest in a good macro lens or a set of extender tubes to do fine detail work. Although it is important to show the entire piece, these close-up shots can convey the intricacy of a piece much more intimately than an overview shot. A tripod is very necessary for these shots, as is proper lighting. If you are shooting an engraving, position the light to showcase the shadows and the grooves. The same holds true for hand-painted pieces or intricate beadwork.
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