Understanding what jewelry means and the emotions they evoke is the key to successful jewelry photography. A photographer needs to master how to ensure sharpness, exposure, and lighting when taking pictures.
These photos include jewelry like stud earrings, proposal rings, and wedding rings made from different types of diamonds and gemstones. Click here to see garnet stone price in Australia today. And if you need a wedding photographer for your upcoming wedding ceremony, then make sure to hire someone who has the experience and expertise covering wedding events.
As the demand for beautiful diamond jewelry keeps growing, photographers need to take more photos that capture the feelings, sentiments, and sparkle of these precious stones. But how can one effectively do so? Here are 10 simple steps on how to photograph jewelry, as there are some great options out there such as the mens pendant necklace you can find online perfect for any male friend or loved one you have. You may also want to have a peek at this silver chain link necklace here and get yours!
1. Adjust your Camera
Select a good camera and adjust its shutter speed and aperture. This is because it takes knowledge, talent, skills, and practice to capture sharp and crisp photos.
Also, taking pictures becomes easier if you are familiar with your camera. Choose a camera lens that is best for jewelry. You can make quick adjustments to get the look you desire.
For example, if you take photos of diamond wedding bands, you can adjust the DSLR camera settings to 11 apertures. The exposure of your camera should be set to level 1 and a slow shutter speed.
2. Choose the Best Surface and Positioning
Choose a surface where you will place the jewelry. This can be a table or a plain white or black surface. Position your jewelry on this surface.
If you are taking a picture of bridal sets, choose an angle that will show all the details of the coordinated wedding and engagement rings. The jewelry should present a stunning and seamless matching set. You can also zoom in on particular features and blur the background.
It is also best to choose a flat lay that feels luxurious like a piece of silk cloth.
3. Provide Stability and Lighting
A tripod stand provides the stability you need to capture sharp images. This means the camera will not shake as you adjust your focus, light, and take the photos.
It is crucial to use soft light for diamond jewelry. Natural lights are the best choice for jewelry. You can also use fluorescent bulbs to get the perfect lighting. These bulbs do not overheat, which is good for gemstones.
4. Set the White Balance
Adjusting white balance enables you to capture colors in the jewelry. Properly adjusting your camera’s white balance helps you capture jewelry the same way they look in real life. Another way of correcting white balance is using a gray card.
If you do not adjust the white balance, your pictures will not show the correct colors. Such photos don’t provide the correct images, and it might not be possible to use them for catalogs or other important purposes. Also, make sure you don’t compromise the quality of images as you correct the white balance.
5. Avoid Camera Flashes
Avoid camera light flashes when taking photographs. Instead, create a controlled lighting setup such as lightboxes. This helps to eliminate shadows and create soft lighting. Soft lighting provides you with more professional results.
When taking photos, avoid using different types of light because they are likely to produce different colors on the jewelry.
6. Manage Reflections
Gemstones are used to make jewelry like diamond earrings and wedding rings for women. Such jewelry can be highly reflective. This means your image can be reflected in the jewelry when taking photos.
It is important that you manage such reflections. In most cases, managing or eliminating reflections is a process of trying different methods.
One of the methods you can consider is using paper. Place paper at the bottom and around your camera lens to eliminate reflections.
7. Choose a Good Background
Creatively select a background that tells an interesting story. Consider using props that narrate your story effectively. Add style and personality. For example, you can combine an engagement ring with a rose flower to express love and commitment.
Photographers also consider how background colors and elements blend with jewelry. The props you choose should always complement your jewelry. Make sure the features of your jewelry stands out and avoid using too many colors or elements that might distract your viewers.
8. Consider Choosing Contrasting Colors
Contrasting colors enable you to create attractive images. Experimenting with different colors will help you come up with different interesting images.
You can use solid colors of different shades that will make your jewelry items stand out. Remember not to use many shades that can distract your audience from the main item.
9. Clean Jewelry Before Taking Pictures
Well-cleaned and polished jewelry allows you to take clear and beautiful photos. Photographs can reveal details about a piece of jewelry. That’s why it’s important to clean and polish all jewelry before capturing them on a digital camera.
Wipe the jewelry using soft and damp cotton. You can also use a microfiber cloth to make the jewelry shine.
After cleaning and polishing, wear gloves. Gloves help so that you don’t leave fingerprints on the jewel pieces when handling them. Make sure all the essential features are captured, including all the details and sparkle of the jewelry.
10. Review and Edit the Image
The goal of taking photos is to highlight the important parts of the jewelry. These can be diamond tennis bracelets, diamond studs, or diamond earrings.
Reviewing and editing your images can help you remove blemishes, unwanted lighting, or light contrast. It can also help to eliminate shadows to get a clear focus on your items.
Check your photos a final time and ensure all images are captured the right way. Reviewing and editing your pictures is as important as the images you have captured. Take advantage of photography software that allows you to manipulate colors and lighting effects in your jewelry photos.
Key Takeaway
Photographing jewelry needs practice. The more you take beautiful pictures of jewelry, the more you learn and become better at doing it.
Focusing on challenging areas like shooting diamonds can greatly improve your skills. Understanding how to photograph jewelry makes it possible to shoot jewelry images for catalogs and reveal the intricacies of the jewelry.
This is because every precious gemstone is unique and will leave your customers with unique experiences. Such techniques enable you to capture focused, clear, and unique shots of jewelry. It enables you to come up with beautiful images where all important details are in focus.