posted on February 2, 2007 11:16:24 AM new
Hi guys,
I need to learn how to take better photos of the jewelry that I want to list. I have tried Macro to get better close ups, but they come out fuzzy. The shots that I take in auto mode on the Canon A-1 camera seem to catch every glint of the sun and turn out too shiny.
There must be a way to get great shots the first time and I suspect it involves the lighting. I have used with or without the flash, some are too dark and the others too light.
Thank for your input and good luck with your sales.
posted on February 2, 2007 01:41:21 PM new
Lighting is everything with jewelry.
I use two methods:
1) Camera
2) Scanner
Most relatively flat things go on the scanner, which does a pretty good job of uniformly lighting the piece.
For the camera, I use clip-on fixtures with compact fluorescents, but here's the thing: You need to get natural light compact fluorescents. I currently have one above the photo stand and one on each side in front. The natural light bulbs tend to run $10-$15 each at Home Depot and such.
Camera:
Scanner:
Oh, and unless you need extreme detail, shoot your pictures in low resolution. I had quite a battle over this with my sweetie (the camera buff) but low res is perfectly fine for the Web in most cases.
posted on February 2, 2007 03:28:37 PM new
Thanks Michael for the great link to the How to take pics of jewelry site. This site is full of information that would help anyone who is in the dark about taking photos of all their stuff. It is a great advert for the EZcube also, which I think would be helpful for the person who is taking lots and lots of pics of very small items.
For Fuzzy, have you used the EZcube at all? I have a scanner that is old and slow and I think your pics of the bracelet are just fine with the low resolution camera pic. I will have to buy a natural light bulb, in fact I have a plant light bulb that may work for me. Thanks to you both for the help and hints.
posted on February 2, 2007 06:12:04 PM new
Stop is right; it's genuine emerald. I have some similar emerald pieces I haven't listed yet, plus a whole bunch that have rubies and sapphires too. All from the manufacturer samples, which means that most of them are just quantity one.
If you like emeralds:
Redheads and emeralds are a dangerous combination.
fLufF
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[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Feb 2, 2007 06:13 PM ]
posted on February 2, 2007 06:16:36 PM newhave you used the EZcube at all?
Nope, not yet. I saw a pop-up laundry hamper at Bad Breath and Beyond that looked remarkably like an EZcube, so I bought it, but I haven't tried it yet.
You don't need a tripod, at least I don't. And I disagree completely with his statement that you can't take sharp pictures of gemstone jewelry with autofocus. I do it every day with my FujiFilm FinePix E500. I also would not use black velvet jewelry busts or stands for photography, but that's just me. It has never worked for me. I gave all my display pieces away.
fLufF
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[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Feb 2, 2007 06:23 PM ]
posted on February 2, 2007 07:33:18 PM new
wouldm't that be
bangle pin ring bangle?
oooch. just bought a new stove.....on Ebay of course. might have to put off buying the pretty green & gold jewelry for a bit. DH is already peeing his pants. don't know why as I saved him a ton of money.
