dpcarriere

Please forgive if this is out of line, I don't believe it is, or if the post is misplaced.

For many, many years 30ish+ my hobby was cutting gemstones. It was challenging on many fronts and exceedingly rewarding when all fell into place. You folks know that feeling, that rush of euphoria when you see the shot that you've always wanted that just falls into place. I became fairly decent at it before my wrist gave out. Not being ambidextrous I sold all my gear and took up photography. With gemstones in hand I figured I would stuff a few of them under the camera and take a few shots. But uhhhh, that didn't work too well. So I did my research and tried and tried again. But uhhhh, this isn't working so well. The folks that do this well aren't too keen on divulging techniques. The books and tutorials don't seem to produce those really killer photos.

Now I don't want to do this for a living. I just wanna play with my camera. So the question to the group is, can someone give me a hand with photographing gemstones? I would prefer to have them shot by someone with an interest in doing so as opposed to my doing it. Anyone??

I'm in metro Phoenix if you would like to see a couple stones.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I would try to make the lighting as diffuse as possible and experiment with a circular polarizing filter.

dpcarriere

Thanks John. You are absolutely correct with the lighting. Lighting is everything and all the high quality photos I've seen that I respect are evenly lit. That's been my problem. At least one of them that I'm aware of. A polarizer you say. Thanks for the input

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

The right lighting (studio lights), angle, depth of field, and the right background. Black velvet works for a lot of things, as does black plexiglass or black mylar sheet. Very shinny and the reflection adds to the look. I used to shoot a lot of products and if you want, I will email you some samples. Email me at rd@rondial.com

Rusty Lens

I always try to photograph small items in a "light-tent". It gives you a diffused more even light. Usually make my own rather than buying. Can be made any size from any white material that will let light through; cloth, paper, etc. Make a wire frame out of coat hangers etc. to drape cloth over or with paper make a cone with the white paper stapled together. Cut a hole on one side for the lens. Experiment with the lighting placement to find what works best (close, far, above, side, back etc.) Experiment with what you put under the gem also. Can use a mirror, colored art board or colored cloth with perhaps clear glass. The more you play with it the more possibilities you will see.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Light Tent is the way to go.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I third this opinion. I’ve also used a ring flash on a black velvet backdrop for some of my own jewelry projects. I believe Rio Grande sells some backdrop and display products that photograph well.

Andy

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Depending on how you might shoot a photo of a gem stone how about using a Ring Light I think it might work quite well you get even light or lights and left and right of the subject matter! Or on a copy stand.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

My new Neewer ring light allows you to adjust so that the light is unidirectional, from top, bottom, or eithe side. TTL available, too, and about fifty bucks new. I may play around with it myself.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

You did not mention camera or lens.
For small things like gemstones a high IQ (mega pixels) body with a good macro lens to get the fine details, grain (if any-things like turquoise) and color patterns of the gems. The macro will also allow you to fill the frame and not have to crop much thus making maximum use of the sensor. Also I would probably use a full frame camera.

Most people have recommended black back grounds, try other colors and if you can get one try a light table with light coming through from underneath. And colored filters for the lights will help in some cases.

I once had an assignment in a photo class at the university to duplicate a magazine ad (the instructor(s) did this to every class, they had a supply of ads to duplicate) after two weeks of driving ourselves nuts trying every lighting scheme etc (I think a few tried magic and voodoo.) we were told this was one of those things you can't do - every image was altered (film days so-airbrushed). But all of us had done as well as anyone could and learned a lot about lighting etc in doing so. Some of those (all?) images you want to equal probably have a lot of work done in Photo Shop. That plus the shear experience of the photographers - nudging lights just a bit without really being able to explain why "It just looks/feels better."

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

What about an macro lens as well for photographing up close with the Ringlight?

dpcarriere

Thanks Robert,

The camera isn't the issue. I have a Sony A7RII 42 Meg FF and I've bolted the Sony FE 2.8/90 Macro G OSS to it. All sitting on the lovely Benro I mentioned in another thread. My pics are sharp, just crummy as well as crystal sharp. One of my big issues is lighting, of that I am aware. The lighting has to be bright and well diffused, very well diffused. A properly cut gemstone, of which mine are, will act like a beacon light source and seemingly throw out more light and color than seems is put into it. Poorly cut stones and most native cuts stones are dead and the input light sinks into them and is lost out the bottom of the stone. They are no challenge, they're "deadheads". The real challenge is to capture the essence of a properly cut gemstone without being blinded and totally washed out. A properly cut gemstone will transmit almost all light back to the viewer and in this case the camera. That is the problem.

I think John, it was, said to use a Circular Polarizing Filter. I do believe he's hit the nail on the head. So now I have to research out those sweeties as I believe there are filters and then there are FILTERS. I really didn't want this to be a life long project. It took me over 20 years to figure out how to cut a stone. Photography was supposed to be fun, just fun. Set the aperture, set the ISO, set up the shutter speed and watch all the fun.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

What color backgrounds are you using behind your gem stones it the stuff reflecting light incorrectly and are you getting light flares from the stones? Post some of your work might help us to diagnose your issues!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

"Photography was supposed to be fun, just fun."


If it is worth learning it worth learning right, and that is often work (34 years as a classroom teacher who had a lot of students who complained "it isn't fun")

dpcarriere

All I have to do is understand how to control light. Beginning to sound like a Masters project.