dswanna

I'm a jeweler and having problems getting good and interesting shots of my pieces for the web and email. Does anyone have any tips? I've been using a Nikon CoolPix P100. This is my first digital camera and I used to a heavier steady camera so I've been using a tripod. Anyway, I'm attaching one of the better shots that I got. I'm having a hard time getting close enough to get detailed photos - I know that has to do with the lense. I'm thinking of selling the camera and getting something else. I have a low budget $300 - any recommendations? Thanks! Deborah

Earrings

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

Does your camera have a macro mode? If so, enable it and try again. This allows you to get alot closer than you would otherwise.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Start here http://goo.gl/HNkC4
And welcome to the forum!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Interesting info there. Something new to try.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum. We have a lot of smart people here, so I know they'll have some good ideas.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

In addition to using a macro lens (any point and shoot has great macro capability and should work just fine if your lighting is right), use a black velvet background and where possible, hang the jewlery from fine black thread 6 to 10" in front of it. Do not use flash. Place your lighting source to one side about 60 degrees off camera axis.
Experiement, but this should get you much closer to an attractive shot.

papajoe60 Loc: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Hello all !! I did a photo shoot for a friend of mine in which she wanted to capture some of her bronze and copper jewelry from Mongolia. I shot with my Nikon D80 from the top of a step ladder using my 70-200mm lens. the pieces were set on a table covered with a black cotton fabric and the lights were moved to set some mood. I got some good shots out of the 300 or so tries.
Moral : Shoot MANY pics. You'll get some that are just right !

mvy Loc: New Hampshire

I'm a jeweler and having problems getting good and interesting shots of my pieces"

Hello,
My experience as a watch collector led me to understand the solution for taking good listing photos was to get the right light on the subject. The camera was secondary.

To that end, I tried a variety of color balanced lamps, a circular flash, and Nikon, Canon, Pentax, cameras--film as well as digital. I always set up on a desk top. And was never satisfied with the results. Finally the light dawned, no pun intended.

My solution was to buy one of those fold up, white, cloth, light boxes which can be place by a window where the sun shines in. I bought the 18" inch size.

My preferred camera is a Sony TX7. This Sony is an older version of the TX cameras, and is available for a reasonable price. I also use a Canon G11 and Lumix FZ100 from time to time.

In sum, a white light tent, a window where the sun shines in, and a small digital camera can produce wonders.

If you'd like to see some photos of my setup and some results, just send an email and I'll create some for you.

All the best,

Martin

Normanc Loc: Manchester UK

A macro lens will certainly help. Just as important is the background. Black will work wonders for your image.
Try to avoid using flash, daylight is always best. as has already been stated, hang the jewellery by a piece of black cotton a few inches, or even feet, in front of your black background at the same time avoiding light falling onto the backgroud. Your subject will stand out well under those conditions.
Your image could also be tweeked in one of the editing programmes that are readily available.

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

my daughter is a jewlry maker and she uses the black velvet backgrounds inside one of those $50 light tents (like listed above). she just uses a point and shoot camera on a small tripod.

it's all about the lighting to make jewelry pop.

Bill gomberg

One suggestion for one of many cameras suitable ; Panasonic Lumix Lx DMC 3 and at least one spare battery and a. ( Sandisc 4 gb card . ) Cut the top and bottom off a one gallon plastic milk jug with the jewelry inside on the bottom and shoot straight down by strong window light with the camera on a boom while mounted on a STURDY tripod and tripping the shutter wit eithacable releaseOR the camera's self timer . Once you master this you could look into off camera artificial lighting . In any case , Don't use the camera's. Built in flash for this application .
The jewlleryitself I suggest should be on a black or blue velvet or velveteen cloth .

Bill gomberg

One suggestion for one of many cameras suitable ; Panasonic Lumix Lx DMC 3 or 5 and at least one spare battery and a. ( Sandisc 4 gb card . ) Cut the top and bottom off a one gallon plastic milk jug with the jewelry inside on the bottom and shoot straight down by strong window light with the camera on a boom while mounted on a STURDY tripod and tripping the shutter wit eithacable releaseOR the camera's self timer . Once you master this you could look into off camera artifial lighting . In any case , Don't use the camera's. Built in flash for this application .

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

If you want to eliminate the reflections you'll need a light box. This creates indirect lighting. You can purchase one or you can make your own.

If you're near a Walmart you could purchase a Rubbermaid white translucent kitchen can and two inexpensive flex neck desk lamps with 40 watt bulbs for under $25.00.

Lay the Rubbermaid on it's side and direct the light from the lamps on the sides of the Rubbermaid. This will create a soft defused lighting which will eliminate the reflections on shiny surfaces.

JimKing Loc: Salisbury, Maryland USA

The light tent or light box is the easiest way to go. However here is a shot I did with two umbrellas. This is shot on a piece of plate glass with the background several inches below to keep it out of focus. Placing the jewelry directly on a background usually gives me a bunch of spots to retouch no matter how clean I think the background is.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If you take a LARGE Tupperware bowl and turn it upside down and cut a hole ( or slot) in the bottom ( I know - ruins it ! ) - place this over the jewelery and shine at least two lights from opposite sides onto the translucent bowl. Position camera lens over the hole ( or slot ) you cut to take image.