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Focus & soft lighting
Proper exposure settings
Creating sparkle
Daylight color LEDs

Taking good quality pictures of jewelry for most is an unsolved mystery.  However, there are some simple techniques used by the professional, which even amateur photographers can use to obtain dramatic results with minimal effort. The following examples show the basic setup that should allow anyone to achieve results they can be proud of.l

These images were all taken using a Canon Digital Rebel camera.  The basic setup we used included an EZcube^® to soften the shadows and eliminate glare, while providing a clean and clutter free background.  We used a TableTop Studio Light Set as the light source, equipped with true color daylight balanced compact fluorescent bulbs.  We also used a special Diamond dazzler LED bulb to light up the diamonds in the photos shown.

The keys to good jewelry photography are sharpness, lighting, exposure, and in the case of gemstone photography, trying to create some sparkle.

Good jewelry photography needs sharp, crisp focus. It is worth getting out your camera's manual  to find out how to put the camera in "spot focus" mode.  The normal focus mode of digital cameras is some sort of average focus mode.  That means that the camera will look at a wide area of a scene and base the focus on that area.  Since you want to control where the camera is focusing, it's better for jewelry photography to put the camera into spot focus mode, this will allow you to control more precisely what the camera will be focusing on.   However, even in spot focus mode many digital cameras can't really "lock-in" on a small shiny object like gemstone jewelry using auto focus.  So unfortunately, for close-up jewelry photography,  you need a camera with good manual focus capability.

Another key to a sharp image is a tripod.  It is absolutely essential to use a tripod or similar camera support when shooting jewelry. A sturdy tripod is better than a flimsy one, but any tripod is many times better than no tripod. Use a tripod.

Another key to good jewelry photography is the lighting.  Normally diffuse (soft) lighting works best for jewelry. You have probably already discovered that an on-camera flash does not lead to good jewelry photos.  Not only is the camera's flash too bright at such a close distance, but it is probably in the wrong position to actually light up the jewelry properly.  On camera flash will also create harsh and distracting shadows. Rather than flash, we like to use continuous lighting for product photography. Using continuous lights makes it easier to visualize what the final image will be like. We prefer daylight balanced compact fluorescent bulbs for lighting . These bulbs provide nice, natural-colored light and they produce very little heat so they can be left on for long photo sessions without over heating the photographer. Even fluorescent light bulbs will need to be diffused and for that we use an EZcube light tent as the diffuser. A small light tent makes it easy to reduce glare and control shadows for jewelry photography.

Proper exposure is also key to good jewelry photography.  (For more information on adjusting the exposure for jewelry images take a look at this page.) Tabletopstudio4187

Now lets look at some specific jewelry photography situations that go beyond the basics.

Adding sparkle to faceted gems... A light tent provides nice soft lighting for jewelry and makes for a pleasing image. However, the light tent may not provide the direct lighting necessary to "light up" faceted gemstones.  Faceted gemstones like diamonds need to be illuminated by a light source that is positioned at nearly the same place as the camera.

The "sparkler" light is the third  light, and the key to having properly lit faceted gemstone jewelry. This light must be positioned so that you see the stones sparkle.

1. Two lights are normally positioned to sides of the EZcube, which diffuses the light and eliminates glare. These lights provide the main lights for the piece of jewelry.
    

2. The third light, "the sparkler" light is positioned to shine directly into the gemstone to illuminate the stone. Because this light is not diffused by the light tent, it needs to be a weaker light than the side lights. You will need to move this light until you see the gem light up. Then move the light stand to keep the light in that position.  (Make sure you are looking through the camera's viewfinder when positioning the sparkler light). 

...All of the newest EZcube^® models have a  convenient flip-top feature which makes it easy to shoot another piece of jewelry without moving the camera or lights.  

Standard gemstone sparkler
includes low watt 5000k CFL bulb

Adding brilliance to diamonds ...Tabletopstudio has a created a special bulb, for diamond photography, that has 18 daylight color LEDs. This Diamond Dazzler bulb provides the direct, focused, hard light that is needed to unleash the fire of your diamonds, without producing unwanted glare! This bulb is an absolute must have for diamond photography.

1. This daylight colored LED bulb is made to bring out a diamonds fire; or add brilliance to any faceted gemstone.
    

2. The Diamond Dazzler^TM LED bulb is made to fit nicely into the Sparkler lights 5" reflector.

This new LED bulb is made to match our 5000k daylight color lights and has 18 daylight colored leds ...

... Screws right into the Tabletopstudio sparkler light for use shooting diamonds and other faceted jewelry.

Diamond Dazzler LED bulb

Standing up small charms or pendants using wax ...

Wax is a great invisible hand when it comes to standing up small pendants/charms.

1. Just place a small bead of wax on the bottom of your charm or pendant to stand it upright.
    

2. Instead of using a bust, drape the chain in a meandering fashion around the charm. I use a makeup brush to push the chain into place.

Stands up with wax!

The new EZcube design makes it easy to suspend your jewelry ...  

EZ Rigging video clips

Windows

Quicktime

These Swarovski crystal earrings appear to be floating in mid air. The inside of each new 20" and 12" EZcube now has fabric strips lined with white grommets making suspending small subjects with "invisible thread" super easy.

1. The new design addition referred to as "EZrigging", allows unlimited possibilities for ways to suspend your small jewelry. To read more about this new design click here.
    

2. This elevation also eliminates all shadows beneath the jewelry. 
    

3. Now you can suspend any type of jewelry you need to photograph such as hoop earrings, clip-on, chandelier style & more ... the possibilities are endless.

To take full advantage of all of these new features ...

Creating a soft reflection for a professional touch ...

The bracelet above is in poor position because the edges of the platform intersect the jewelry making it impossible to crop out the seams.
 

A white or clear high gloss acrylic platform provides a soft reflection of the jewelry placed on top. The elevation of the platform also eliminates any shadow beneath the jewelry.

1. Moving the subject away from the  background material (by raising it)  throws the background out of focus which helps the background "disappear".
    

2. Position the bracelet in the middle of the acrylic platform, so the edges can be cropped easily out of the photograph.

Photograph the bracelet in
several positions

Creating a dramatic black reflection using "Black Ice"...

Using a high gloss black acrylic platform creates a dramatic reflection. "Black ice", is a favorite of pro photographers and can be used to create many desirable effects depending on light positioning.

1. By inserting a black piece of paper along the back inside roof of the cube we can eliminate all of the unwanted tent reflections.
    

2. Now the only reflection that will show in the final cropped image is of the watch on pure black.

Left image shows more reflections than we want. We can actually see the tent itself, reflected in the black ...

... But after black paper is inserted inside of the tent, all unwanted reflections are eliminated, as shown on the right.

A single light source makes pearls look more round ...

Styling your pearls, by positioning them in a pleasing way, is critical for a professional look. Professional photographers often hire a photographic stylist to help with the layout.

1. By using only one light source positioned above, the pearls appear rounder with more dimension.
    

2. A floor light positioned on the table next to a 20" EZcube with the stand legs only partially opened ; fits on a table and acts as a boom light would from above.

One light source helps define
the round shape

 Jewelry Photography Tools

EZcube^® light tent
For soft, diffused lighting, softer shadows, and reflection control, new design for suspending small items like earrings.

Tabletopstudio ShortEZ light set

White & Black Acrylic 9"x9"x3"
For use as a background that creates
professional looking reflections.
 

EZ Rigging

* staging accessories sold separately.

* Photoshop/Photoshop Elements
* These items are sold separately