Tool for the job?
Aug 30, 2013 09:47:22 #
Hiya!
I'm so new to photography that my ears are not only wet, they are dripping! I need some advice desperately!
I very recently purchased a Nikon D3100 and a Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG macro lense. My goal is to take detailed pictures of handcrafted jewelry to be submitted to judges for shows and uploaded onto a website. Problem is, I'm not sure I purchased the correct camera for the job, (I can still exchange or return it) but that could just be my inexperience. I've taken decent close ups of sections of a piece but cannot figure out how to get detailed shots of the whole object, e.g. a necklace. Plus, the "good" pictures I've managed we're all taken using Live View which is not an option that can be chosen permanently on my camera. I'm also having lighting issues with both, but so far the Nikon pictures are not much better than the ones I took from my iPad. This is not how it should be, I'm sure.
I'm so new to photography that my ears are not only wet, they are dripping! I need some advice desperately!
I very recently purchased a Nikon D3100 and a Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG macro lense. My goal is to take detailed pictures of handcrafted jewelry to be submitted to judges for shows and uploaded onto a website. Problem is, I'm not sure I purchased the correct camera for the job, (I can still exchange or return it) but that could just be my inexperience. I've taken decent close ups of sections of a piece but cannot figure out how to get detailed shots of the whole object, e.g. a necklace. Plus, the "good" pictures I've managed we're all taken using Live View which is not an option that can be chosen permanently on my camera. I'm also having lighting issues with both, but so far the Nikon pictures are not much better than the ones I took from my iPad. This is not how it should be, I'm sure.
Nikon
Nikon
iPad
Aug 30, 2013 09:57:12 #
A poor workman always blames the tools, there is nothing wrong with what you have just how you use it as a beginner
Google photographing jewelry youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUHCJtI7v-U
Google photographing jewelry youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUHCJtI7v-U
Aug 30, 2013 10:03:42 #
Abbeylayne wrote:
Hiya!
...I'm also having lighting issues with both, but so far the Nikon pictures are not much better than the ones I took from my iPad. This is not how it should be, I'm sure.
...I'm also having lighting issues with both, but so far the Nikon pictures are not much better than the ones I took from my iPad. This is not how it should be, I'm sure.
You experience is exactly the same as mine when I first started using a dSLR (a Canon Rebel XT to be precise). I did not have much of a clue, and my first pictures from it were worse than those I had been getting from my older Powershot G2 point-and-shoot.
There's nothing wrong with your camera. You have an excellent camera and lens for what you need to do. All you do need to do is practice. Play with lighting. Play with aperture to control your depth of field. Play with ISO to ensure a fast enough shutter speed to avoid shaking. But play - and play - and play. If you dedicate yourself to this for a few weeks, you'll be getting much more pleasing results.
Check out Infrared Photography section of our forum.
Aug 30, 2013 11:12:28 #
Aug 30, 2013 11:21:19 #
[quote=musickna]You experience is exactly the same as mine when I first started using a dSLR (a Canon Rebel XT to be precise). I did not have much of a clue, and my first pictures from it were worse than those I had been getting from my older Powershot G2 point-and-shoot.
There's nothing wrong with your camera. You have an excellent camera and lens for what you need to do. All you do need to do is practice. [quote=musickna]
Thank you! Nice to know I'm not the only one who has experienced this particular dilemma. Also very nice to know that the camera that I dithered over for weeks will get the job done. The playing part is fun, or will be once I let go of the abject fear of doing something to harm the camera!
There's nothing wrong with your camera. You have an excellent camera and lens for what you need to do. All you do need to do is practice. [quote=musickna]
Thank you! Nice to know I'm not the only one who has experienced this particular dilemma. Also very nice to know that the camera that I dithered over for weeks will get the job done. The playing part is fun, or will be once I let go of the abject fear of doing something to harm the camera!
Aug 30, 2013 11:25:50 #
One of the reasons for the purchase is that it is not always possible to shoot in natural light. The YouTube video in your initial answer led me to another video concerning using LED lighting. I had been wondering if that was a viable replacement for natural light and will certainly attempt using it.
Aug 30, 2013 12:14:39 #
I use led for close up macro and video Google macro led lighting or Google led ring light youtube
Check out Landscape Photography section of our forum.
Aug 30, 2013 12:29:57 #
Sheila
Loc: Arizona or New York
Your camera is fine and the lens is not ideal but it can work fine.
From what I am seeing, everything looks over exposed and the focus could be better in some.
1. Always use a tripod for this type of work.
2. Use a neutral background -- one color, often black or white are used but any solid neutral would do.
3. Use natural light whenever possible.
4. If you can't use natural light, you may want to make a light box. This is basically a cube with white cloth sides to diffuse light. One side has a place to insert lens. Directions to make may be found on line or you may purchase. You use this with lamps or flash but they even and diffuse the light for better pictures.
5. Switch to manual focus and focus carefully.
There are a number of sites on line or books that have articles on setting up for photographing jewelry. If I were doing a lot of this, I would use a macro lens such as a 60mm, 85mm, or 105mm lens but this may not be in your budget. It takes some practice to become skilled in doing exactly what you want.
From what I am seeing, everything looks over exposed and the focus could be better in some.
1. Always use a tripod for this type of work.
2. Use a neutral background -- one color, often black or white are used but any solid neutral would do.
3. Use natural light whenever possible.
4. If you can't use natural light, you may want to make a light box. This is basically a cube with white cloth sides to diffuse light. One side has a place to insert lens. Directions to make may be found on line or you may purchase. You use this with lamps or flash but they even and diffuse the light for better pictures.
5. Switch to manual focus and focus carefully.
There are a number of sites on line or books that have articles on setting up for photographing jewelry. If I were doing a lot of this, I would use a macro lens such as a 60mm, 85mm, or 105mm lens but this may not be in your budget. It takes some practice to become skilled in doing exactly what you want.
Aug 30, 2013 12:48:55 #
Here's a good site that will help you head in the right direction:
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/
Keep practicing and soon you'll be an expert.
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/
Keep practicing and soon you'll be an expert.
Aug 30, 2013 13:05:58 #
MisterWilson wrote:
Here's a good site that will help you head in the right direction:
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/
Keep practicing and soon you'll be an expert.
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/
Keep practicing and soon you'll be an expert.
Man, that site has LOADS of good info!
Thanks for posting it!!
Aug 30, 2013 14:27:54 #
Abbeylayne wrote:
One of the reasons for the purchase is that it is not always possible to shoot in natural light. The YouTube video in your initial answer led me to another video concerning using LED lighting. I had been wondering if that was a viable replacement for natural light and will certainly attempt using it.
Abby, artificial light is always better for studio type work like you are doing. It's very difficult to control natural light, because it's constantly moving/changing.
LED is good, especially if you are not using strobes. Tungsten, continuous lights, also known as video lights, are also known as, "hot lights", for a reason. Artificial light is always exactly the same, day or night.
As JR has said, watch every uTubes you can find.
Your lens is relatively long, so you will need a bit of space/distance to get an entire necklace into the shot. Good luck. SS
PS, you have some nice jewelry.
Check out Smartphone Photography section of our forum.
Aug 30, 2013 15:10:16 #
MisterWilson wrote:
Wow! I had also purchased a book on tabletop photography but this website actually has more info. Thanks.
Aug 30, 2013 15:30:47 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Your lens is relatively long, so you will need a bit of space/distance to get an entire necklace into the shot. Good luck. SS
Your lens is relatively long, so you will need a bit of space/distance to get an entire necklace into the shot. Good luck. SS
THAT'S the issue that had/has me confused! With the iPad, I had to get very close to the subject of the photo. With the camera, I can't get it in focus if I'm too close but when I move back it doesn't look like I'm getting detail in the viewfinder.
P.S. Thanks for the compliment!!
Aug 30, 2013 15:42:59 #
JR1 You are so unkind in your comments - not a poor workman but an apprentice who has not learned the full potential of their tools- therefor asks for assistance - not a slap in the face.
Yes, a Google or Youtube search on jewelry photography will give several good tutorials on the subject.
.
Harvey
Yes, a Google or Youtube search on jewelry photography will give several good tutorials on the subject.
.
Harvey
JR1 wrote:
A poor workman always blames the tools, there is nothing wrong with what you have just how you use it as a beginner
Google photographing jewelry youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUHCJtI7v-U
Google photographing jewelry youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUHCJtI7v-U
Aug 30, 2013 15:46:12 #
Sheila wrote:
Your camera is fine and the lens is not ideal but it can work fine.
From what I am seeing, everything looks over exposed and the focus could be better in some.
If I were doing a lot of this, I would use a macro lens such as a 60mm, 85mm, or 105mm lens but this may not be in your budget. It takes some practice to become skilled in doing exactly what you want.
From what I am seeing, everything looks over exposed and the focus could be better in some.
If I were doing a lot of this, I would use a macro lens such as a 60mm, 85mm, or 105mm lens but this may not be in your budget. It takes some practice to become skilled in doing exactly what you want.
Thanks for the input. By overexposed do you mean too much external light? Or are you referring to shutter speed? I'm putting your lens suggestions on my wish list but am relieved that what I have now will be adequate for the time being. I'm also relieved that the difficulties I'm having are from lack of experience/knowledge and not insurmountable. I will certainly put in whatever learning time I need to. In fact, this is all becoming quite interesting the more I read. Thanks again.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out Printers and Color Printing Forum section of our forum.