Beading Daily

Re: I am trying to photograph my jewelry

Caroline king — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:48:29 GMT

I have problem about photographing my accessories before, and I searched online, there are many good articles online. You can search them and read them. By the way, I like your earrings.

Re: I am trying to photograph my jewelry

shanks — Sat, 11 May 2013 02:23:45 GMT

When using your scanner, try turning off the lights in the room and do a scan, then try the scan again with the lights on. See which gives you a better picture. On the earring scan, try leaving the lid of the scanner open with the lights off, it could give you a pleasant surprise.

Google has a free editing program called Picasa 3 which is easy to use and does a very good job on pictures. Scanned over 600 buttons and edited them all with the program. Can be seen on the etsy site

Re: I am trying to photograph my jewelry

KathyK1999 — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:08:12 GMT

I just started listing some of my jewelry on Etsy. We're using a DSLR camera with a macro lens, on a tripod, with a shutter release cable. We're using a white background (be sure to check your white balance) with natural light. Then use Photoshop to crop/tweak as necessary, and save as jpg for uploading to the web.

Kathy

Re: I am trying to photograph my jewelry

beadinstyle — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:59:43 GMT

Hi Angel. I feel your frustration, I do! I have spent and wasted SO many hours (NOT counting the $s) trying to set up a quick clean work flow that I can repeat simply, take my photos and then get on with other (any) things in my life. Like making jewellery, just for instance :-) I have had good and bad lightboxes, simple cameras, backgrounds, ... oh just thinking of it all is embarrassing. I am reasonably intelligent, but I am NOT a photographer by instinct, training or learning.

So ... why am I replying to you post, then?!! I found Jim Lawsons dvds. Aaahhh. Simple language, and what's more ... he actually photographs jewellery! I couldn't translate other photographic tips or methods to my jewellery photography. And believe me, those who love photographing landscapes, birds, people, whatever, mostly have no idea how difficult it is to take photos of small beads, crystals, earrings and metal.

I now have a small dedicated "photographic studio" similar to Jim's but using what I had. I no longer struggle with little lightboxes (they are so awkward to move around in and about. I bought a sturdirr tripod, with better adjustments, and a light tent. Both on special at a speciality shop in Melbourne, Australia.

I rarely change from a white background. I don't have time or patience enough to set up stunning individual backdrops for every piece of jewellery I want to publish online. And I like the idea of consistency. And simplicity. I have used a black background to shoot my beloved pearls. Per Guru Jim's guidlines ... they looked fabulous. *loud celebratory yells and happy dances* !!

Start looking at jewellery photos you like. Why do you like them? I couldn't answer this once. Better now. I like it when the jewellery is simply arranged, showing all of the item. Simple shading if there is any colour. But that's just me.

I've said enough. There will be many others with more skill and expertise who might chip in with more advice. I too, would welcome that! Good luck Angel.

Re: I am trying to photograph my jewelry

jewelrymaking11 — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:47:36 GMT

This jewelry set is very beautiful!! I like it so much!!!

Re: I am trying to photograph my jewelry

KipperCat — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:41:37 GMT

Hi Angel,

there are even more good articles on photographing jewelry if you google them. I read a blog post awhile back that I wish I could remember that went into more detail. I should have kept it! You need to use the macro setting on your camera. A light grey background is very good for most colors. Cameras are usually better than scanners.

That's about all I can remember off the top of my head! the good news is that you can take great jewelry photos with the right knowledge and a few basic tools.

Re: I am trying to photograph my jewelry

Angel@35 — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:25:04 GMT

So sorry Paula if I wasn't clear....I have 2 flatbed scanners, that if you position things right will take great shots (capture images) of whatever you lay on them (with great details) ...plus I have a digital camera with all the tools needed to take great shots too. I also have all the software programs needed to manipulate your shots.

The problem is I'm not really good in photographing jewelry and I want my jewelry to be captured right with all the colors and details showing and as you can see with the earrings on the scanner it made the ear wires look silver and gold when actually they are gold, you see what I mean. I think I should have played around more with the contrast and brightness on those.

It seems to me that I will be using my digital camera with props to capture true colors and I'm going to have to play around with my equipment to figure out what's best to use. Photographing jewelry seems to be a whole new playground for me.

Oh and I am going now to search the forums for other photographing jewelry ideas and tips, thanks.

Angel

Re: I am trying to photograph my jewelry

Cavecreekbeads — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:00:56 GMT

Hi Angel,

Not sure I am following completely so apologies if I misunderstood your post. There are some good articles from this forum, I believe, on photography for your beaded creations. When you say scanner, are you scanning a physical photograph to create a digital image or are you actually using the scanner to get the image? Sorry to sound so dense, I just wasn't sure that could be done!

To get really high quality photos, here's what I think you need:

light box (can buy or make one)
a dslr camera that allows you to change the settings
a variety of background cloths - I have white and black but you can go crazy with different colors

If you don't have the above or find them cost-prohibitive, I think the most important thing is really good lighting and would advise you to check some online resources for how to make a photo light box. It's worth the investment.

But please advise if I have misunderstood your question.

Thanks!

Paula

I am trying to photograph my jewelry

Angel@35 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:16:11 GMT

Guys,

I am having the hardest time trying to get my photos online....don't know which is best the scanner or my camera.

would you all look at these and tell me what am I doing wrong here! I have tried this without a picture behind the jewelry and with a photo (maybe its the paper I'm using) I have all sorts of scrapbooking pages I can use but I can also be sitting here till the cows come home trying to decide which to use. What do you all think? I need suggestions, because I am about to start posting to etsy and facebook.

This is also where I am have problems with...I have so much jewelry to post this is going to take some time...I would rather be making jewelry than posting jewelry, LOL

Angel

this one looks sooooo close and distorted ....scanned image, but I think the scanner takes better pics though.