Photographing an antique diamond ring: Hi, looking for advice on how to set up a diamond ring in order to photograph it? Thanks!

SophieLila Loc: Pace, FL

Hi, looking for advice on how to set up a diamond ring in order to photograph it? Thanks!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

One suggestion is to enter antique diamond ring in google's image search page. You'll have tons of ideas to inspire you.
--Bob

SophieLila wrote:

Hi, looking for advice on how to set up a diamond ring in order to photograph it? Thanks!

SophieLila Loc: Pace, FL

Thanks, just started doing that and kind of backed off when several sites relied heavily on Photoshop- which I don't own. Will continue looking.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

SophieLila wrote:

Hi, looking for advice on how to set up a diamond ring in order to photograph it? Thanks!

what camera and lenses do you have?
what lighting equipment you have?

check out;

http://www.leibish.com/4-essential-tips-on-how-to-photograph-your-diamonds-article-948

if you don't have the equipment, hire a pro. My rates are very reasonable.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Used to assist a photog who shot for a well-known jeweler.
He used an 8 x 10 view camera for the catalog stuff.
For lighting he used a big softbox and a secondary diffusion panel between the box and the rings.
That gave him the basic lighting.
He then added several "spot" lights to make them sparkle.
They looked a bit dead without the spots.

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

SophieLila wrote:

Thanks, just started doing that and kind of backed off when several sites relied heavily on Photoshop- which I don't own. Will continue looking.

Not sure what you're looking for in the final image. Here's one I did recently. Although it was processed in Photoshop... other than the crop, most of the processing could have been accomplished by simply setting my in-camera picture control to 'vivid'.

(Download)

leftj Loc: Texas

SophieLila wrote:

Thanks, just started doing that and kind of backed off when several sites relied heavily on Photoshop- which I don't own. Will continue looking.

You're not going to get your best image SOOC. It will require some post processing. It doesn't have to be Photoshop.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

SophieLila wrote:

Hi, looking for advice on how to set up a diamond ring in order to photograph it? Thanks!

Please Google the following "how to set up a diamond ring in order to photograph it".

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

SophieLila wrote:

Hi, looking for advice on how to set up a diamond ring in order to photograph it? Thanks!

I recently saw a show about diamonds, and photographing them to get the sparkle takes good lighting.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=how+to+photograph+a+diamond&*

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Ship it to me- LOL
If you get a chance hit it with one of those laser pointers and enjoy the vast color show that results.- seen it done in a video but never did it my self

Harvey

PixelStan77 wrote:

what camera and lenses do you have?
what lighting equipment you have?

check out;

http://www.leibish.com/4-essential-tips-on-how-to-photograph-your-diamonds-article-948

if you don't have the equipment, hire a pro. My rates are very reasonable.

SophieLila Loc: Pace, FL

Laser pointer? I had never heard of that, may have to try it. I have a Sony A7II with the 28-70 lens kit, and Sony's "G" 70-300 lens. This is an heirloom diamond engagement ring, and a family member wanted a picture of it. I did want to thank everyone offering advice - I'm new to forums so catching up on responses is still a challenge for me.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

shoot on a plain surface, many jewelers now want white only background I like black better, keep things out of the back, it distracts, shining a flash light ( if u dont have studio lights etc) will help bring out some sparkle ,
shooting on a mirror is interesting.

SophieLila Loc: Pace, FL

This is for a family member, luckily. I did experiment with the mirrored surface of my iPhone darkened iPhone screen. I find the black mirror reflects more pleasingly than white. Did not have enough light to reflect the sparkle. I thought if I put the camera in manual mode I would get a crisp and sharp image. Not so LOL! Someone recommended a field guide to the Sony A7II, haven't received it yet.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

These older diamonds generally have far more cuts and give off fantastic lights - one company uses these to register them for insurance purposes as like snow flakes - no two are alike.

SophieLila wrote:

Laser pointer? I had never heard of that, may have to try it. I have a Sony A7II with the 28-70 lens kit, and Sony's "G" 70-300 lens. This is an heirloom diamond engagement ring, and a family member wanted a picture of it. I did want to thank everyone offering advice - I'm new to forums so catching up on responses is still a challenge for me.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

SophieLila wrote:

This is for a family member, luckily. I did experiment with the mirrored surface of my iPhone darkened iPhone screen. I find the black mirror reflects more pleasingly than white. Did not have enough light to reflect the sparkle. I thought if I put the camera in manual mode I would get a crisp and sharp image. Not so LOL! Someone recommended a field guide to the Sony A7II, haven't received it yet.

Photographing jewelry such as this is quite complicated, and mostly it is the lighting and backgrounds etc.

Since this appears to be a once off project investing in light tents and lamps seems like overkill, but you can emulate that effect. Perhaps string up a cotton pillow case or similar with some strong back lighting, and a couple of strategically place LED flash lights - one behind, on in front and to the side - for example might get the sort of effect that you want. Perhaps a shiny black plastic sheet as a surface if you like that effect. It could get the effect that you want inexpensively in both effort and cost.

My wife buys and sells antique jewelry on line, and also works for a high end jewelry designer / wholesaler. We have the light tents and lights and so on, but it is amazing what you can do with household objects and some very inexpensive supplies.

Good luck.