Jewelry Making - Trying to Photograph

[Lady]

Hey everyone!

Have recently become involved in jewelry making! It's kind of like the local farmers here in our town - there are so many cabbages they start offering you ten at a time - I have tons of bracelets - earrings - necklaces - ankle bracelets - haven't tried rings as yet but going to soon : )

I need to sell these items - and am trying to take photographs of them - I would call myself a good photographer but when I take a photo of a bracelet or necklace, etc. - they don't come out -they're out of focus - they're too light - too dark - I don't understand it - as other photos come out fine.

Anyone know what to do - let me know please : )

Hugs - Shell

[AndyL]

You might want to try a light tent/cube. You can find them on eBay. Photographer might have some tips tho from a professional's point of view.

[Aimfred]

Photographing jewelry can be especially challanging, mainly because the metal tones often will not come out correctly. In trying to photograph my own pieces, I have found that it is best to construct a light booth type thingy - using matboard, cardboard and fabric and a lamp for light. I then used the macro setting on my camera, and turned off the flash. Some pieces looked better using natural light from a window on a sunny day, rather than the lamp. Basically, you just have to experiment A LOT to find out what works with your particular camera.

Good luck, and have fun making jewelry! I hope to have time to get back into it after I finish school. I just don't have the time now.

[Ursulinda]

The other thing I would do besides the "light tent" is photograph it on a neutral tone background - not black or white - because the camera tries to 'think' average - some real photographer is going to have to explain it.

[Frogman]

One word. Macro. :lol:

It is a setting on your camera indicated by a flower. Turn that on. It allows you to shoot subject matter that is closer than 24" to the lens. It will make them clear and the right color. Also don't take photos straight down, it causes the flash to mess up the photo, take them on a slight angle.

[Barrie]

These are great suggestions. I would just add that you can use a flash if you diffuse the light. Try holding a translucent plastic lid in front of the flash (like what's on a pringles can). Oh, and manually focusing your camera may give you better results.

This site has tools that they sell but they also have some good tips (http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/jewelry_photography.htm#focus).

If you google "photographing jewelry" you'll come up with a bunch of info. I've photographed purses and toys for people before who wanted to sell them on a website but haven't done jewelry. I learned some things looking up stuff for you.

[Frogman]

Barrie, we can use a pringles can but what does your camera do? Is there a "diffuser" on it? Just curious how nicer cameras do it, I haven't noticed any photographers with cans of Pringles. I bet Will's harness has a spot for them though! :rofl:

[MichellesCharmWorld]

The macro setting helps 100% I also rely heavily on my editing abilities :) Photoshop can help with a lot! good luck!