Product Photography: I have a client and she wants me to photograph her rings for online selling. I was going to use my 60mm macro. I don't want to use a flash and I was thinking about...

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

I have a client and she wants me to photograph her rings for online selling. I was going to use my 60mm macro. I don't want to use a flash and I was thinking about doing it using bulb mode with a flashlight. What do you think? Anybody have some tips and tricks for this?

GrandmaJoy Loc: North Carolina

You can go to the search section and type in jewelry photos or anything relating to that. You will find lots of suggestions and help. Search is on the top line.

I wish you the best.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Light tent setup would be best.

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

gemlenz wrote:

I have a client and she wants me to photograph her rings for online selling. I was going to use my 60mm macro. I don't want to use a flash and I was thinking about doing it using bulb mode with a flashlight. What do you think? Anybody have some tips and tricks for this?

http://www.lighting-academy.com/index.php?id=830
it is in German but can look at pics

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Get some very fine solid wire that you can stick in modeling clay and wrap around the back of each piece, the purpose being to separate the image from the background and eliminate shadows. Some PP may be necessary if the clay or wire is visible, but with careful placement, that should be minimal.

abby Loc: Tampa, Florida

gemlenz wrote:

I have a client and she wants me to photograph her rings for online selling. I was going to use my 60mm macro. I don't want to use a flash and I was thinking about doing it using bulb mode with a flashlight. What do you think? Anybody have some tips and tricks for this?

I would use a light box/light tent set up. Most photos stores have them. Diffuses light nicely without glare reflected off the jewelry.

sudzmonn Loc: here , there , everywhere

http://www.joeedelman.com/
he talks a lot about lighting , on humans but still its interesting , you might find something useful

Sirpixxalot Loc: NNJ

You have the right lens, I hope it is a G version, D version works great but sometime have issues when focusing on small objects. You will need good sturdy tripod, couple of strobes or speedlights with soft box or soft box tent, white surface or any other color per clients request and last but not the least good photo editing software may be Photoshop CS5 or newer. I do product photography but have not done any ring shots for a jeweler however did many ring shots for weddings in my studio you can check them out at http://www.panoramicreign.com under weddings header or follow me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TPRphotography If you have any questions please PM me. Good luck:)

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

I would experiment with slow shutter speeds rather than bulb mode for this. If your light source is continuous, your camera should meter in the neighborhood of the correct exposure. In general, a light tent is good but I have also read that multiple specular light sources like small halogen builds bring out the sparkle in jewelry or maybe it's just cut gemstones. I haven't gotten around to trying this firsthand yet.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

JBTaylor wrote:

In general, a light tent is good but I have also read that multiple specular light sources like small halogen builds bring out the sparkle in jewelry or maybe it's just cut gemstones. I haven't gotten around to trying this firsthand yet.

JBTaylor is on the money!
I worked as an assistant on shoots for a very well known national jewlery store. The diffuse lighting is a great start, but to get them to sparkle, add some small-source lights to get them to come to life. Makes a huge difference.

pigpen

Mogul wrote:

Get some very fine solid wire that you can stick in modeling clay and wrap around the back of each piece, the purpose being to separate the image from the background and eliminate shadows. Some PP may be necessary if the clay or wire is visible, but with careful placement, that should be minimal.

I have done this in the past. Take the image with the wire and clay etc.(camera on tripod) Then, without changing any setting on the camera, take another image with all objects removed. Then use layer mask. Hell, you can even make it look like it's floating, if you like.

nicelights Loc: 30 miles east of LA

The modeling clay and wire are good ideas. Since you live in Arizona you might also try earthquake putty...... or a tiny drop of hot melt glue. By all means discuss with your client what SHE wants to project as an image of her company. I would suggest that you also record several jewelry shows on QVC and HSN also the Jewelry Channel if it is available They show many different ways of merchandising that are successful in today's market. And yes you will want a way to create highlights and sparkle. A small adjustable desk lamp that uses a MR-10 or MR-16 bulb might work well.

StonyClove Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Find a translucent flexible diffusion material and cut it into such a shape that when you join the two ends, it forms a truncated cone. The size of the cone is determined by the size of the object you are shooting. Place the cone over the subject. Aim the camera lens through the top, smaller opening at the subject. A macro lens will probably be necessary if you are shooting jewelry. Use a polarizer filter. Shine your flashlight (or any other light source) through the translucent cone onto the subject. Use a light for each side, or maybe three lights. Vary the angle and intensity of the lights to achieve the lighting ratio that best illustrates the best qualities of the subject. If you shine a bare flash light directly onto a piece of reflective jewelry, you are looking at an ugly mess.

Larrie Loc: NE Ohio

hangman45 wrote:

http://www.lighting-academy.com/index.php?id=830
it is in German but can look at pics

Both IE8 and IE9 have a translate function under the "page" shade.

Larrie Loc: NE Ohio

Mogul wrote:

Get some very fine solid wire that you can stick in modeling clay and wrap around the back of each piece, the purpose being to separate the image from the background and eliminate shadows. Some PP may be necessary if the clay or wire is visible, but with careful placement, that should be minimal.

Go to a jeweler and get some mounting wax it peels off easy without causing damage.