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Photographing Jewelry for Website
Mar 24, 2018 09:40:03   #
Rloren
 
Hello,
I am intermediate level. I have to photograph jewelry bracelets for a website. I have a light box and all the lighting I would ever need. It will be trial and error doing it indoors trying to balance the light, reflections, shadows, etc.
My question: Wouldn't it be easier to just photograph outside on a bright day in the shade?
I would appreciate any input or advice...thanks.

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Mar 24, 2018 10:00:42   #
cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA
 
Why would you take a lightbox outside? Just not sure I really understand what you want advice on. I shoot small objects as well but I do it all inside either in a lightbox or on a small background using a flash. How can I help you?

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Mar 24, 2018 10:03:57   #
AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!
 
Except that shade can add a bluish cast that you will need to correct. AND, if your jewelry is highly polished, beware of flare and highlights. Indirect lighting will work best, but you may still get reflections. I sometimes use a polaroid.

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Mar 24, 2018 10:09:24   #
Rloren
 
cjc2 wrote:
Why would you take a lightbox outside? Just not sure I really understand what you want advice on. I shoot small objects as well but I do it all inside either in a lightbox or on a small background using a flash. How can I help you?


I would not take the light box outside. Just set up the jewelry on a table, say on some felt, and use a tripod of course.
Wouldn't the outside light be perfectly balanced and bypass trying to get everything right indoors?

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Mar 24, 2018 10:57:16   #
cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA
 
Rloren wrote:
I would not take the light box outside. Just set up the jewelry on a table, say on some felt, and use a tripod of course.
Wouldn't the outside light be perfectly balanced and bypass trying to get everything right indoors?


You are correct in your assumption that White Balance is important when shooting jewelry. That is one reason that controlling the light is such an important part of the equation and best done indoors. What equipment will you be using to do this work? More information is needed.

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Mar 24, 2018 11:28:45   #
Rloren
 
cjc2 wrote:
You are correct in your assumption that White Balance is important when shooting jewelry. That is one reason that controlling the light is such an important part of the equation and best done indoors. What equipment will you be using to do this work? More information is needed.


I made a light box which has mylar top and sides. I have 2/3 daylight bulb units, and 2 flash units.
For me, it will just be a matter of setting things up, shoot away, and make adjustments till I get it right.
As a newbie, I have no set formula. It's just trial and error till I get the shot I want...

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Mar 24, 2018 13:34:00   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Rloren wrote:
Hello,
I am intermediate level. I have to photograph jewelry bracelets for a website. I have a light box and all the lighting I would ever need. It will be trial and error doing it indoors trying to balance the light, reflections, shadows, etc.
My question: Wouldn't it be easier to just photograph outside on a bright day in the shade?
I would appreciate any input or advice...thanks.


That would be fine. but the color temperature will vary, especially at the beginning or the end of the day, and lighting levels will change with passing clouds. You will have far more control if you use indoor lighting, preferably speedlights, to illuminate your light tent. Also be aware that the light will change color with different power settings. You want the trial and error, so that you can get it right. With skylight you can't make any real adjustments.

To be perfectly accurate - use a Colorchecker Passport - and you will get 100% consistent results. Even if you decide to take your setup outside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDtebpvATzc

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Mar 24, 2018 14:39:28   #
BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA
 
This question may sound silly, but I am really serious. With digital cameras offering the advantage of comparative techniques, why not try both (and several other imagined) ways to take the pictures? You can use good costume jewelry to experiment. Then compare the results of the pictures from each area and lighting to determine the best result.

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Mar 24, 2018 21:07:14   #
cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA
 
Rloren wrote:
I made a light box which has mylar top and sides. I have 2/3 daylight bulb units, and 2 flash units.
For me, it will just be a matter of setting things up, shoot away, and make adjustments till I get it right.
As a newbie, I have no set formula. It's just trial and error till I get the shot I want...


You would be better off, IMHO, using one light source or the other, but not both. If you use the daylight bulbs only, you have only one light source to balance. The other advantage of constant light, and it's a big one, is that you see what you get right through the viewfinder, including any glare or shadows, and can move the lights as needed. Flash units will most certainly work, but they will take more practice. Check out some videos on the web to help you get started, or just jump in and learn things! Best of luck.

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Mar 24, 2018 21:18:42   #
Rloren
 
Thank you everyone for your input here...

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Mar 25, 2018 09:47:32   #
Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.
 
Rloren wrote:
Hello,
I am intermediate level. I have to photograph jewelry bracelets for a website. I have a light box and all the lighting I would ever need. It will be trial and error doing it indoors trying to balance the light, reflections, shadows, etc.
My question: Wouldn't it be easier to just photograph outside on a bright day in the shade?
I would appreciate any input or advice...thanks.


You ask, "Wouldn't it be easier?" You might try shooting some outside then YOU decide which is easier. Wouldn't that make more sense?

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Mar 25, 2018 15:56:40   #
spraguead Loc: Boston, MA
 
Problem with taking photos in natural light is that the light is never the same. You will get more consistent lighting, from shot to shot, with indoor lighting. Just make note of the your light set up that gets the desired look. You may have to adjust with different jewelry but this way you have a start and are more likely to keep a consistent look, which is important when you're selling product with imagery.

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Mar 25, 2018 17:29:10   #
Rloren
 
spraguead wrote:
Problem with taking photos in natural light is that the light is never the same. You will get more consistent lighting, from shot to shot, with indoor lighting. Just make note of the your light set up that gets the desired look. You may have to adjust with different jewelry but this way you have a start and are more likely to keep a consistent look, which is important when you're selling product with imagery.


Yes , thank you. That's one reason I posted the question. Outdoor lighting or the photos will never be consistent. I never thought of that...thanks

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Mar 25, 2018 17:54:24   #
jcboy3
 
Rloren wrote:
Hello,
I am intermediate level. I have to photograph jewelry bracelets for a website. I have a light box and all the lighting I would ever need. It will be trial and error doing it indoors trying to balance the light, reflections, shadows, etc.
My question: Wouldn't it be easier to just photograph outside on a bright day in the shade?
I would appreciate any input or advice...thanks.


If you are photographing jewelry for the first time, I really doubt that you have all the lighting you need. Or even the props you would need.

The main reason NOT to shoot outdoors is that you cannot control reflections. Do you want a reflection of a tree in your jewelry?

Shoot indoors. Use scrims/flags to control reflections. Use multiple lights with large, shoot through umbrellas or softboxes. Use acrylic sheets to add reflections. Investigate special lights to create specular highlights.

There are a lot of resources on the web; research is your friend.

I will suggest one item, and that is an Interfit On-Camera Reflector (it's white/silver with a hole in the middle for your lens). This will block a lot of reflections of you and your camera. I have a piece of black velvet with a hole cut in it that I can drape over the reflector, in case I want black instead of white (never use the silver, too bright).

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Mar 27, 2018 19:38:31   #
speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho
 
Rloren wrote:
Hello,
I am intermediate level. I have to photograph jewelry bracelets for a website. I have a light box and all the lighting I would ever need. It will be trial and error doing it indoors trying to balance the light, reflections, shadows, etc.
My question: Wouldn't it be easier to just photograph outside on a bright day in the shade?
I would appreciate any input or advice...thanks.

Absolutely not, only good flash can bring that jewelry to life! Go, get creative and have fun!!! Speedlights work wonderfully for this!

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