Photographing Jewelry: A jewelry designer has asked me to photograph some of her pieces. Some will be lying flat or on a jewelry display neck form. Some will also be on a live model.

hairnet1948 Loc: Eighty Four, PA (South of PGH)

A jewelry designer has asked me to photograph some of her pieces. Some will be lying flat or on a jewelry display neck form. Some will also be on a live model. What lens do you recommend for the flat close-ups? I have the 24-105 lens that came with my Canon 6D. Should I get a macro lens? Any advice about lighting? Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks.

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

hairnet1948 wrote:

A jewelry designer has asked me to photograph some of her pieces. Some will be lying flat or on a jewelry display neck form. Some will also be on a live model. What lens do you recommend for the flat close-ups? I have the 24-105 lens that came with my Canon 6D. Should I get a macro lens? Any advice about lighting? Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks.

No need for a macro lens specifically. My wife uses an old Canon A540 P&S for most of her work selling antique and estate jewelry, here's an example: http://www.trocadero.com/stores/periodpieces/items/1295776/Adorable-14k-Enamel-Watch-Pin-by-KREMENTZ

She has a DSLR, but mostly doesn't use it for these things, and the P&S does a fine job with detail, makers marks, hallmarks, etc.

It is the lighting that matters, two or three studio lamps and a light tent do the job nicely.

Good luck

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

hairnet1948 wrote:

A jewelry designer has asked me to photograph some of her pieces. Some will be lying flat or on a jewelry display neck form. Some will also be on a live model. What lens do you recommend for the flat close-ups? I have the 24-105 lens that came with my Canon 6D. Should I get a macro lens? Any advice about lighting? Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks.

The images that you create will be a reflection of you; and more importantly, a reflection of the talent if the jewelry designer. If you accept the request, don't compromise, and cheap out with less than appropriate gear. Invest in a macro.

hairnet1948 Loc: Eighty Four, PA (South of PGH)

Hey thanks a lot, and the wife's pictures do look great.

hairnet1948 Loc: Eighty Four, PA (South of PGH)

Kmgw9v wrote:

The images that you create will be a reflection of you; and more importantly, a reflection of the talent if the jewelry designer. If you accept the request, don't compromise, and cheap out with less than appropriate gear. Invest in a macro.

I have been thinking about a new lens anyhow, do you have recommendations?

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

hairnet1948 wrote:

I have been thinking about a new lens anyhow, do you have recommendations?

Most people on the Canon side recommend the EF 100mm macro: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-Macro-Fixed-Cameras/dp/B00004XOM3

The EF-S 60mm macro is also considered a good lens - I have one - but the additional lens to subject distance of the 100mm lens seems to be preferred, and you have a FF body, so the EF-S lens wouldn't be an option anyway....

Also, there are extension tubes that could be a less costly option....

Good luck.

hairnet1948 Loc: Eighty Four, PA (South of PGH)

Peterff wrote:

Most people on the Canon side recommend the EF 100mm macro: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-Macro-Fixed-Cameras/dp/B00004XOM3

The EF-S 60mm macro is also considered a good lens - I have one - but the additional lens to subject distance of the 100mm lens seems to be preferred, and you have a FF body, so the EF-S lens wouldn't be an option anyway....

Also, there are extension tubes that could be a less costly option....

Good luck.

Thanks, I was thinking about extension tubes. I will check both and compare.

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

hairnet1948 wrote:

Thanks, I was thinking about extension tubes. I will check both and compare.

The Canon extension tubes are pricey, but robust and provide full EF functionality. There are really cheap ones that only offer manual capability, but could be purchased for a few bucks just to prove the case....

Good luck....

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Peterff wrote:

The Canon extension tubes are pricey, but robust and provide full EF functionality. There are really cheap ones that only offer manual capability, but could be purchased for a few bucks just to prove the case....

Good luck....

We also need to keep in mind that this type of shooting is typically studio type shooting so no real need for expensive Auto tubes or even spending on a macro lens.
Whatever you do, in this type of photography your knowledge and use of lighting/specular and shadow control is what is going to make or break the shoot, way more so than the equipment you use!
If you are not an experienced product shooter, especially with shiny bits, will make for a long day.
Reflective is the most specialized of all. The specular reflections need to be controlled. Good luck. ;-)
SS

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

Kmgw9v wrote:

The images that you create will be a reflection of you; and more importantly, a reflection of the talent of the jewelry designer. If you accept the request, don't compromise, and cheap out with less than appropriate gear. Invest in a macro.

I also agree with the above comment, although it does depend on the circumstance. If you are doing a photo shoot for advertising, or for a catalog / website or similar then doing the best possible work is extremely important. Your 6D, plus a good lens (existing, macro or extension tubes), plus good lighting is the way to go.

If you are selling individual pieces as my wife does on an online market place then accuracy, not photographic quality is more important, and time spent is an important part of the financial equation especially for low cost pieces.

If promoting a jeweler's work with a few select images then the cost, time and effort to deliver the best possible work is completely justified.

Given your existing equipment I would start with the lighting stuff. Then if you need (or want) a macro lens it is up to you....

Good luck

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

SharpShooter wrote:

We also need to keep in mind that this type of sho... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup:

...And specular and spectacular is what most jewelry is about, all about the interaction with light!

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

hairnet1948 wrote:

Hey thanks a lot, and the wife's pictures do look great.

Thanks. My wife just sold a piece to a repeat customer for an anniversary gift - the customer bought wedding jewelry from her - and he sent a very nice hand written note back, saying that not only were they delighted with the item, but it looked even better than in the photographs!

It is worth considering that you do not want the photographs to look better than the real thing, but to set the expectation exactly and to leave the customer delighted with their purchase!

Bobbee

hairnet1948 wrote:

A jewelry designer has asked me to photograph some of her pieces. Some will be lying flat or on a jewelry display neck form. Some will also be on a live model. What lens do you recommend for the flat close-ups? I have the 24-105 lens that came with my Canon 6D. Should I get a macro lens? Any advice about lighting? Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks.

I was doing this for someone, for the pieces that are flay look up Focus stacking. The macro thread will be accustom to this.

PhotoshooterNJ Loc: NJ

[quote=Kmgw9v]The images that you create will be a reflection of you; and more importantly, a reflection of the talent if the jewelry designer. If you accept the request, don't compromise, and cheap out with less than appropriate gear. Invest in a macro.[/

You can use a macro lens if need be but it's not a necessity

Jcmarino

If it were me......I would rent a macro and make sure you have good lighting. Exposures on the models should highlight the jewelry not the model. On individual jewelry shots make sure your background is complimentary and lighting shows off the detail. Look at Vogue magazine for ideas on composition and lighting.