Swarovski Crystal Photography tips - how to take pictures of Swarovski



The basic photography set-up Focus and diffuse lighting Setting the correct exposure	Creating sparkle ... Aurora Borealis Hanging Swarovski earrings is easy What's "Invisible thread"?	Floating earrings at different heights New ways to hang earrings Swarovski Crystal Photography Tools
Taking good quality pictures of Swarovski Crystal 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. For our example photos we used authentic Swarovski items, however the same principles would apply to similar type products. Tabletopstudio4187 These images were all taken using a Canon Powershot S3 or Canon Digital Rebel digital camera. The basic setup we used included the EZcube^® to soften the shadows and eliminate glare, while providing a clean and clutter free background. The EZcube^® has built in features made to support small, suspended, jewelry pieces in the air. We used TableTop Studio's ShortEZ light set, equipped with daylight balanced compact fluorescent bulbs as the main light source. We also used the EZcube EZstaging accessory kit to hang items within the light tent. Three keys to good crystal jewelry photography... sharpness, lighting & exposure. Good crystal 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 Swarovski style crystal 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 results. (For more information on adjusting the exposure settings on your camera for jewelry images take a look at this page.) Tabletopstudio4187 Now lets look at some specific crystal jewelry photography setups & situations in greater detail.

Creating the Sparkle

The wonderful thing about photographing Aurora Borealis Swarovski Crystals is that the "sparkle" is built in. These crystals actually have a colorful special reflective finish applied to the facted surface of half of each bead. This colorful finish is easily captured with our basic two light set. However if you were to photograph Swarovski jewelry that is combined with traditional faceted gemstones, you would need to use a third light known as the "Sparkler". Faceted crystals, glass and gemstones all reflect light differently. This will effect your choice of lighting as well as the light positioning. In our following example cases we used only two lights and a setup like the one shown here. Tabletopstudio4187

Swarovski Crystal Chandelier earrings

Photographing Swarovski crystal chandelier earrings use to be a challenge to prop up or lay flat for a photo. Now, with the EZcubes built-in grommets this type of difficult subject can be easily suspended on invisible thread.

	Now, Swarovski chandelier earrings can just hang on invisible thread.
	A small black paper background is held in place behind the earrings by one EZclip, suspended from a clear rod.
	The earrings are hung on "invisible thread" strung from one side of the EZcube to the other, gripped tightly by two EZclips.
	The "Invisible thread" is easily removed from the final image using image editing software such as Photoshop Elements.
	Accessories used : 5 EZclips, 1 suspension rod & invisible thread all hung inside the 20" EZcube.

Styling a Swarovski crystal necklace in a coiled, rising, "snake-like" position. The possibilities are truly endless for ways to dangle your items.

	A Swarovski crystal necklace dangles magically, like a serpent, rising from invisible thread.
	The small strand of invisible thread is easily removed from the final image using Photoshop Elements.
	Accessories used : 1 EZclip, 1 suspension rod & invisible thread all hung inside the 20" EZcube.

Swarovski Aurora Borealis Crystal clip-on earrings

Swarovski crystal clip-on earrings can be easily suspended for shooting, saving hours of frustration and time. Just clip them onto the thin thread and shoot. Tabletopstudio4187

	Now, Swarovski clip-on earrings can just hang on invisible thread.
	A small black piece of paper is held by one EZarm, to reflect black into the lower beads for added definition.
	The invisible thread and background were easily removed for the final image.
	Accessories used : 2 EZclips, 1 EZarm & invisible thread all hung inside the 20" EZcube.

Swarovski bracelet with Aurora Borealis crystals

The EZrigging system makes it easy to photograph completely shadowless images of bracelets, earrings, and many other small valuables. Jewelry can be easily suspended for shooting, saving hours of frustration and time.

	Now, bracelets can just hang on invisible thread.
	The invisible thread was easily removed for the final image.
	Accessories used : 1 EZclips, 1 suspension rod & invisible thread all hung inside the 20" EZcube.

Swarovski Photography Tools Great tools for shooting any type of crystal jewelry or beads
Built-in white grommet strips holds support rods, clips, or invisible thread	EZcube^® light tent For soft, diffused lighting, softer shadows, and reflection control, new design for suspending small items. Tabletopstudio ShortEZ light set 10" Flood lights with stand mounts Adjustable tabletop size light stands "Daylight color" CFL bulbs EZstaging Kit... White EZclips Clip rotates 360 degrees Slide onto the clear rods Grips invisible thread EZarms 10" flexible support arm Clips at both ends Grips small items firmly Invisible thread Thin, clear monofilament Suspends objects in air Clear support rods For dangling subjects Spans the EZcube EZstar effects CD 225 various sizes, shapes and colors of STARS that are ready to drag and drop onto any image, using most software that supports "layers", such as Photoshop Elements. * Photoshop/Photoshop Elements * These items are sold separately	EZstar examples
		Clear acrylic Support rods
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