Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
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I bought my 18% gray card at a photo shop years ago-- they can also be bought on eBay, cheaply enough.
taking pictures of pearl jewellery
- Thread starter New Zealand Natural Pearl
- Start date
I bought my 18% gray card at a photo shop years ago-- they can also be bought on eBay, cheaply enough.
Adeline Leigh
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Oh wow, this thread, remarkable, the insights that have been shared. I like the submerged in water trick, I can barely tell the bubbles but I guess better for pearls on silk or cord, and pearls with genuine gold/ platinum, than pearls with metal finding due to possible corrosion?
But thanks everyone for contributing.
But thanks everyone for contributing.
Amanda
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- Jan 25, 2012
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Just a couple more, as I've been experimenting. Both these photos were taken of the same necklace. The first was taken on a pale blue background, the second on a white one. In both cases, I metered off a grey card (which can be bought very cheaply, someone asked, in any photo shop).
GemGeek
Pearlista
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I guess I thought I had read this thread, but, surprise, here is a wealth of info! I have some thoughts...
First, if your photo is for the purpose of selling, you want it to look as close as possible to the real thing so that your customer will not be disappointed and return the item. You want it to look good, but not too good. The very best thing to do in this case is to include multiple photos in different light. You have no control over the light when the customer first opens the box, so having more than one lighting example will prepare them for what they first see.
I would especially caution against using water in photos of pearls you are selling without disclosing the fact. But, when you just can't get them to look their best, the water trick is a great shortcut.
Here, I spent a couple of hours trying to capture the color and finally resorted to water. I used a fine sable brush to painstakingly remove the bubbles - and there were a zillion tiny ones that only showed when the photo was on the computer. Extra strong reading glasses are handy for this!
Focus is a big issue. I have a super duper SLR Nikon and a little Nikon Coolpix. The depth of field difference means that I get better consumer photos with the smaller camera because more of the field is in focus at the same time. That means that more of the pearls look sharp and shiny.
But, if you have a ring or earrings where just a small part needs to be sharp, you can do a soft focus background with the item glistening in the foreground - very arty!
I only use Photoshop or Elements to do two things. First, to correct the background color - very very handy. Click on the area that should be white and woo hoo it's fixed. And who hasn't got a fabulous photo and then seen a little cat hair or bit of dust? You can just smudge/erase it out.
As for light, I have all the fancy white box/reflectors/studio lights. You just have to continually experiment. Sometimes I add a high intensity lamp to spotlight because the white box can take away too much of the shine.
Best of all is indirect daylight indoors, near a window, or in a sunny room. Try putting yourself between the window and the pearls - that can sometimes make them pop the color.
I hope everyone is having a terrific weekend,
Blaire
First, if your photo is for the purpose of selling, you want it to look as close as possible to the real thing so that your customer will not be disappointed and return the item. You want it to look good, but not too good. The very best thing to do in this case is to include multiple photos in different light. You have no control over the light when the customer first opens the box, so having more than one lighting example will prepare them for what they first see.
I would especially caution against using water in photos of pearls you are selling without disclosing the fact. But, when you just can't get them to look their best, the water trick is a great shortcut.
Here, I spent a couple of hours trying to capture the color and finally resorted to water. I used a fine sable brush to painstakingly remove the bubbles - and there were a zillion tiny ones that only showed when the photo was on the computer. Extra strong reading glasses are handy for this!
Focus is a big issue. I have a super duper SLR Nikon and a little Nikon Coolpix. The depth of field difference means that I get better consumer photos with the smaller camera because more of the field is in focus at the same time. That means that more of the pearls look sharp and shiny.
But, if you have a ring or earrings where just a small part needs to be sharp, you can do a soft focus background with the item glistening in the foreground - very arty!
I only use Photoshop or Elements to do two things. First, to correct the background color - very very handy. Click on the area that should be white and woo hoo it's fixed. And who hasn't got a fabulous photo and then seen a little cat hair or bit of dust? You can just smudge/erase it out.
As for light, I have all the fancy white box/reflectors/studio lights. You just have to continually experiment. Sometimes I add a high intensity lamp to spotlight because the white box can take away too much of the shine.
Best of all is indirect daylight indoors, near a window, or in a sunny room. Try putting yourself between the window and the pearls - that can sometimes make them pop the color.
I hope everyone is having a terrific weekend,
Blaire
GemGeek
Pearlista
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- Sep 20, 2006
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Pearls are so frustrating because what your eye sees and what the camera captures are often so different. I really like this photo, too, because the shell and pearls are so beautiful. And I didn't do anything to the photo. It was taken in a cheapo white plastic bowl.
CLICLASP
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- Apr 23, 2006
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Did you notice the black pearls and white pearls cannot be photographied according the same process/ light? mainly when you put them on a white paper, white on white hum ...
I agree with Blaire that indirect daylight indoors, near a window, or in a sunny room. Try putting yourself between the window and the pearls
that kind of shadow brings more light to pearls ( but darken the background)
I agree with Blaire that indirect daylight indoors, near a window, or in a sunny room. Try putting yourself between the window and the pearls
that kind of shadow brings more light to pearls ( but darken the background)
I'm fascinated by the underwater idea! I know nothing about camera's and photography...I point and shoot...finding the little flower is as close to pro as I'm going to get... So, a very dumb question...what exactly do you mean when you say to 'meter off the grey card' . I get that there is some 'grey card' that one can purchase...but what is 'metering off" ??
CLICLASP
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- Apr 23, 2006
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Hi Katbran
As far as I have investigated on the gray/ grey card subject, this is part of the instructions for use that is supplied with the card,
as it was stated above, just look for on ebay to get a cheap one ... I am awaiting mine to be delivered.
There are also a lot of youtube demonstrations very useful on the subject, just type "youtube gray" or "grey card" and you will get info on 'metering off"
As far as I have investigated on the gray/ grey card subject, this is part of the instructions for use that is supplied with the card,
as it was stated above, just look for on ebay to get a cheap one ... I am awaiting mine to be delivered.
There are also a lot of youtube demonstrations very useful on the subject, just type "youtube gray" or "grey card" and you will get info on 'metering off"
New Zealand Natural Pearl
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- May 4, 2008
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The more I see Smeagol, the more I am attracted to him. He's very handsome.
This look took a lot of mirrow work!
Smeagol is a siamese cat and with its 6 cat years (42 in human years) the centre of our workshop. If he doesn't sleep on the chair next to his master he sits on the jewellery displays to flirt with the female customers. He likes the feeling of pearls under his paws and watching us collecting them from the floor afterwards. Fresh fish would be very welcome as a present of his admirers he is telling me.
CLICLASP
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- Apr 23, 2006
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It is obvious that black, pink and white pearls are not to be shot with same light and settings...
Applying the very good advices given in posts above, here are for criticisms 3 photos of the same white pearl strand on a white sheet of paper with 3 different settings ; all 3 have been treated the same way, after shooting .
All opinions welcome, (setting to be disclosed after being criticized to remain impartial)
Applying the very good advices given in posts above, here are for criticisms 3 photos of the same white pearl strand on a white sheet of paper with 3 different settings ; all 3 have been treated the same way, after shooting .
All opinions welcome, (setting to be disclosed after being criticized to remain impartial)
