fotografìa de joyería

8/14/2019 fotografa de joyera

1/13

Pgina 1welry Photography Tips - How to photograph Jewelry

11/11/2009 13:42:28ps://reader010.{domain}/reader010/html5/0627/5b3275e32e21f/5b3275e47c4fe.png

My Account| Order Status | Wish List

Connectwithus:

Home> Tips & How To's > Jewelry PhotographyTips

Jewelry Photography TipsLearn howto achieveand shoot your ownprofessionaljewelryphotos.Checkout our BrandNew! Jewelry PhotographyQuick-eGuide that summarizesand shows you the step-by-step

processon how to photographjewelry. Lear howto photographjewelry in 10 easy steps.

Jewelry PhotographyTips Menu:

1. JewelryPhotographyin a nutshell- A quick introductionto jewelryphotography

2. The Basics: Key elements in jewelryphotography

3. How to photographsilver jewelry, white gold, and platinumjewelry

4. Avoidingunnecessaryshadowsand reflections

5. Positioningyour jewelry - Usingdifferentjewelryaccessories

6. How to photographa ring while "floating" - Usingholdingwax

7. Giving Sparklesto your jewelryusing white natural daylightLEDs

8. Halogenlightingused for photographingred rubies, amethyst, and others.

9. Artistic jewelryphotographyby usingblack and white acrylics

10. How to get a perfectly white backgroundwhenshootingjewelry

11. How to get a perfectlyblack backgroundwhenshootingjewelry

12. Tools & Accessoriesused in jewelryphotography

1.Jewelry Photographyin a Nutshell

Simple steps for photographingjewelry

As you may know by now, jewelryis very difficultto photographbecauseit reflects in manycases up to 99% of

the light is receives. It is very shiny, highlypolishedand above all this it may containcolor stonesor diamonds

that make the job even harder.

In manycases, photographinga piece of jewelryis like taking a picture of a mirror you will see all kind

of items being reflectedinto the piece the lights, the camera, yourself, the table etc. Also if you try to use

your newdigital camera to do the job, two majorthingsmay happen. If you use a flash, you will eitherwash

out the item (over illuminated) or it will be under illuminatedwith lots of dark areasand uneven lightingfrom

one side to the other.

The solutionto Jewelryphotographyis the use of an enclosedlightingsystem. The reasonsare many. The

enclosedsystem wrapseven and balancedlight aroundthe entire productyoure photographing. The advantages

includean evendistributionof light, consistentnatural lighting, eliminationof glare, and illuminationof hard to

reachspots.

Tips for Ph otographingJewelry:

1. Use a closed photographysetup with soft wrap-aroundcontinuouslighting

2. Performa custom white balanceaccordingto the light you are using

3. Be sure you have set your camerato manualmode

4. If you are going to photographrings or bands, set your maximumapertureto the highest f/stop in order

to get the maximumdepthof field.

5. Turnoff the flashon your camera, and if you can, connectthe camera to the wall usinga power

adapter. This will ensure that you not run out of batteriesduring the shootingsession.


2/13

Pgina 2elry Photography Tips - How to photograph Jewelry

11/11/2009 13:39:35://www.mkdigitaldirect.com/tips/jewelry_photography_tips.html

1. Continuous natural daylight lighting: To evenly reproduce the colors in jewelry

2. Diffused lighting: To eliminate shadows and hard spots

3. White Balance adjustment: To adapt your camera to the lighting environment used to photograph

4. Depth of Field & Focus: To get a sharp and clear image

5. Shutter Speed/Exposure time: To control the lightness and darkness of your image

6. Stable camera mounting (tripod): To ensure your camera is stable to avoid a blurred photo.

1. Continuous Natural Daylight Lighting

Jewelry is very difficult to photograph because its shiny highly polished surface reflects, in many cases, up to

99% of the light it receives. If you use flash photography, youll usually end up with glares and hot spots . The

key is to use continuous natural light which has the ability to evenly and accurately reproduce all the

spectacular colors found in the different elements of jewelry. Therefore, for photographing jewelry we will be

using fluorescent daylight light.

Remember: all of our photography lighting systems contain continuous fluorescent lighting in at least the

bottom/platform, right and left panels of the box. Other lighting systems, like the MK "The Box" also contain

light on the back, top and doors. Other features include LED lighting, rotating platforms, halogen lighting and

more.

2. Diffused Lighting

When illuminating jewelry, you have to make sure never to expose it to light directly, as direct light will be

reflected on the jewelry, and will create hot spots and shadows. What you need to do is expose jewelry

through diffused lighting, which is light that has passed through some sort of light diffuser.

The diffuser evenly spreads the light, and eliminate all hot -spots, shadows and reflections. Remember, that all

of our photography lighting systems already include natural daylight that is exposed through the boxes

thermoplastic housing that acts as light diffusers. View examples of photos with and without diffused light

3. White Balance

A key element of successful product photography is white balance. You need to be able to program the white

balance setting on your camera. Although many cameras will come with pre-program options or presets you

need at least one custom white balance option. This means that the camera can "read" and self-adjust itself to

be able to take pictures under many light conditions. This feature is very important.

If your camera cannot perform this custom adjustment, its very likely that youll end up with badly colored

product pictures, especially if you are try ing to take pictures of products against a white background. Youll

likely end up with all kinds of color variations: yellow, blue, magenta, green etc.

Do not misunderstand the white balance feature to mean that the background is going to be always white.

White balance means that the camera needs to adjust itself to the ambience light you are using, to give you

accurate and true colors of the items being photograph.

Want to learn more? View our tutorial on Setting the Custom White Balance (Step # 9)

4. Depth of Field & Focus

Setting the Depth-of-field in your camera is an important element in photographing jewelry. The first thing we

need to do is to take advantage of the maximum depth-of-field that any camera has to offer. The camera

should be set to manual mode so that the smallest aperture (For commercial consumer cameras use F8 .0, for

professional camera use F16.0 ) setting can be selected. This will allow us to focus the entire piece of jewelry,

rather than only parts of it.

The second thing we need to do is to focus the lens to get an image as clear as possible. Most digital cameras

have an auto-focus option which can be used, please select this.

Want to learn more? View our tutorial on Setting the aperture (Step #6)

5. Shutter Speed/Exposure Time

Cameras need to control the amount of light so that an image is not too bright (over exposed) or too dark

(under exposed). Similar to our eyes, light enters through the lens and strikes the inside of the camera. Digital

camera uses a charged coupling device (CCD) to capture the light of an image. Think of a CCD as 'film' in a

conventional camera. Therefore, term exposure generally refers to a combination of aperture and shutter speed

control to obtain the correct amount of light. View examples of over and under exposed photos (See Step 4.3 ).


3/13



6. Stable Camera Mounting

When photographing jewelry, we recommend you to mount your camera to a stable surface (either a Tripod or

our lighting systems' "L" bracket) in order to get the sharpest photographs possible. If you hold the camera with

your hands, it is very likely that you will slightly move the camera while photographing (even if you don't

notice - because we as humans can't perfectly hold it still) , and your photos will come out blurry.


4/13



In this photo we have used a black background. If you take a look at the silver ring, you can see that it reflects

part of the black background and also parts of the white walls of the Photo-eBox. Once you have understood

that silver acts just like a mirror you can understand that when photographing jewelry, its surroundings will

directly affect how the image will appear. View tips

Tips and suggestions for photographing silver, white gold & platinum jewelry:

Try not use a white background when photographing silver jewelry: In order to get a photograph that

presents silver in a much more natural and real way, you want to avoid a white background; as white

will only make the silver look white, dull and unnatural. View silver rings in completely black

backgrounds.

Use dark or metallic-like backgrounds: When using a dark or metallic-like background, you are

allowing the silver, white gold or platinum jewelry to reflect a more natural color; because you are

reflecting it against backgrounds that create a contrast between the white walls of the photography

lighting system and the surface it is against. This contrast, lets the jewelry appear natural in color while

creating a three-dimensional look. View a metallic background

Photograph silver jewelry inside a photography lighting system or light box: In order to provide the

correct lighting and reflections in silver jewelry photographs, you need to have a diffused lighting

source inside a closed environment. Such as the walls enclosed inside the Photo-eBox lighting system.

Learn about diffused wrap-around natural lighting and why you need it.

Don't expect reflection-free photographs: When it comes to the facts of nature, don't expect the

impossible. You have to completely understand the nature and fact that silver , white gold and platinum

high-polish jewelry will always act as mirrors, and will always reflect its surroundings.

Don't expect your photos to be completely reflection-free , as there is nothing you can do about this

(unless you use an editing software). In some photos you will see the reflection of the camera lens, or

other surroundings. It is impossible to completely avoid them. (In photo 1 & 2 above, you can see the

reflection of our camera to the right of the purple stone - it's the black spot you see). To avoid the

camera's reflection (as in photo 3) we move the ring, so that the purple stone would be directly in

front of the camera lens, and thus avoiding it's reflection in the silver of the ring.


5/13



This photograph shows no shadows and reflections because it was photographed inside a Photo-eBoxlighting system that

contains wrap-around natural daylight . The natural daylight that is exposed through the sides, back and bottom of the Photo-

eBox, avoids all the shadows and reflections in the ring. The lit bottom allows the background to be completely white, and

make the ring toappear to be " floating".

Photo of a ring with reflections and shadows

Non-diffused lighting (from outside environment)

xis photo was photographed outside of the Photo-eBoxon a white plastic surface, with the light in the room. You can see

that regular light will create shadows on the ring, while the fact that the ring is in the outside allows the surroundings to

reflect on the ring. The arrow pointing toshow reflections on the ring shows the reflections of the walls orceiling from the

room, which as you can see add an unprofessional look to the ring's photo, and do not show the true colors of the ring.


6/13



Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge

The pyramid ring stands is used for holding

rings at a 45 degree angle. They come in black (pictured), white,

and transparent. Learn to use

The set of two watch stands may be used for watches aswell

as bracelets.

3 . Pendant Stand 4 . Earring Stand


The pendant standmay be used for photographing bracelets,

pendants and other jewelry pieces that you would like to

photograph while having the natural pull of gravity.

The earring stand is similar to the pendant stand, but it is

angles at a different degree . It contains two small holes for

placing a set of earrings. Also gives you the natural gravity

pull.


7/13



Step 3 - Example 1

Click image to enlarge

Step 3 - Example 2


Step 3 - Example 3


Step 3 - Example 4



8/13



When illuminating your jewelry with LED light it is important to only use the right amount of light, not too

much and not too little. Most LED natural daylight products will not allow you to control the intensity of the

light with a dimmable switch, but in this example we have used the Mini-Lite 350-2, that does contain a

dimmer switch and allows you to control the light.

Steps for proper illumination:

Step 1 : Turn off the fluorescent light on your lighting system box - View boxes

Step 2 : Turn on the Mini-Lite 350-2 or other LED light, and direct it towards your jewelry. Once you

have the light box turned off, you will be able to see only how much LED light you will be using.

xep 3: Now turn on the fluorescent lights on your lighting system box.

Step 4 : Take a photograph of your item. Check the photo to see if you like it.

Step 5 : If needed, adjust the intensity of the LEDs to a proper level. The correct amount of intensity, is

the one that begins to show sparkles and brings out your jewelry piece to life, but it's not excessively

strong that it is too shiny. View the first photo shown above.

Too much LED lighting No LED light at all


This photo has been exposed to too much LED lighting,

which make the ring appear too shiny.

This photo has not been exposed to any LED lighting. As

you can see in the blue stone, there are no "sparkles"

This is how we shot the photograph. Inside a Photo-ebox Plusand a Canon S5 IS

The gooseneck that you see on the photo on the right, is the Mini-lite 350-2

A few more examples with and without LED lighting:

See more photos with/without LED Lighting

With LED lighting No LED Lighting


With LED lighting No LED Lighting


9/13


11/11/2009 13:42:28p://www.google.com.mx/intl/es/options/



10/13


11/11/2009 13:42:28p://www.mkdigitaldirect.com/tips/jewelry_photography_tips.html

Have you ever seen and wonder edhow those fancy jewelry photos on magazineads are photographed? -

Well, here's one artistic effect that's you can easily achieve.

Most jewelryphotographsthat are used for catalogs, online stores, eBay, or other forms of marketing, don't

really look too fancy - but they should. Because when it comes to having that cover or frontpage photo, or

photos that will make a sale, you want to make your jewelrylook very special.

A popular productphotographyeffect, is the use of a product's reflectionon the surface that it is being

photographed. This is a techniqueregularlyused for photographinga very special and uniqueitem, as it has as

a purposeto make the productstand out and look "twice" as nice (the reflection).

Here's a ph otoof what we are talkingabout. Then's we'll sh ow you how to take it.

xphotowasphotographedinsidea Photo-eBox witha whitereflectiveacrylic& a CanonS5 IS Camera

Steps for photographingin a reflective white surface:

Step 1: Turnon the fluorescentlightingon your lightingsystem box

Step 2: Adjust your camera's white balanceto the white fluorescent light. More

Step 3: Place the white glossy acrylic inside of the box.

Step 4: Takephotographs, and enjoy the look of the photos!

Now using a Black acrylic

Reflectivephoto with LED light

Clickimagetoenlarge

Reflectivephotowithout LED light

Clickimagetoenlarge

Thesephotoswerephotographedinsidea Photo-eBox

witha blackreflectiveacrylicandCanonS5 IS digitalcamera

Steps for photographingin a reflective black surface:

Step 1: Turnon the fluorescentlightingon your lightingsystem box

Step 2: Adjust your camera's white balanceto the white fluorescent light. More

Step 3: Place the blackglossy acrylic inside of the box.

Step 4: Add a black velvet or black plastic at the back of the box. This is donein order to get a

completelyblack reflectionon the black acrylic. Otherwise, the acrylicwouldr eflectthe white walls

of the box, and wouldend up looking gray. See belowStep 5: Place your jewelrynear the edgeof the acrylic and the black velvet.

Step 6: Takephotographs, and enjoy the look of the photos!

Please Note: You can add your ownbackgroundswhenphotographingwatches in order to create uniquely

artistic photographs.


11/13



MK LightingSystems

View all Products

ProductTour Benefits

How it Works: Text | Video

Compareall products

Sample Photographs

PhotographyStartupGuide

PhotographyTips & How To's

Call Toll-Free: 1-800-258-6230

to talkwith a lightingexpert

set-up, placetheblackor whitereflectiveacrylicon thebottomof the lightingsystembox.

Thenplacetheblackvelvetpieceon thebackof thebox. Referto theimagebelow.


12/13



3. Place a white backgroundinside your photographylightingsystem (If it doesn't already containone).

Preferablyuse a white acrylic (or somethingelse that is white) in the bottom& back of your

photographylighting system or light box.

4. Place your item inside your closed photographylightingsystem or light box.

5. Choose your desired shutter speed in your digital camera. The shutterspeed is usuallya fractionthat

appearsin your camera screen (like 1/100 or 1/250), when usingmanualmode. By changingthe shutter

speedof your camerayou are able to make your photosdarker or brighter. Play around with the shutter

speedand figureout the which shutter speedprovidesyou with the best photo - one that is not too

dark, and not too light. Learn more (Viewstep #4.3)

6. Edit y our photo's brightnessand contrast. This will ensure that your background, which mightstill be

slightly gray (rather than full white) turnsinto a perfectly white background. By justadding a little bitof brightnessand contrast to your photo, you'll be able to achievethis. Learn more (Viewstep #4.6) .

For full informationon howto achievebetterproductphotos, read our PhotographyStartupGuide


13/13


Accessoriesused:

Box of Holding Wax Black and white Acrylics

Titling Kit Metallic Background

Documents

fotografìa de joyería