Assignment #58: Jewelry

[Nikolai]

Jewelry is surprisingly hard to photograph properly. Shiny and tiny, it tends to reflect everything around it, go out of focus faster than a racing car and cause all other possible problems for a person who tries to photograph it.
Nevertheless, this week we're going to take a shot at it.
Our goal is to create an image of a jewelry that would be suitable for one or several of the potential customers:

Online jewelry store (white page, no visible b/g)
Fancy magazine full page ad (dark artsy b/g)Start with rings. Advance to earrings. Finish up with chains, bracelets and/or pendants.

As always, fresh images only.

Let's get bejeweled!

[Antonio Correia]

What a coincidence ! (http://www.dslrforum.com/index.php/topic,6162.0.html)
:D :thumb

[Nikolai]

What a coincidence ! (http://www.dslrforum.com/index.php/topic,6162.0.html)
:D :thumb
Indeed :lol3
By trust me, I'm coming with the subjects all by myself! :wink :deal

[Antonio Correia]

Indeed :lol3
By trust me, I'm coming with the subjects all by myself! :wink :deal

That did not come to my mind !
:D

[ShepsMom]

Ok, i tried, i really did, i swear. I promis no to do it EVER again!!!

Artsy-fartsy my butt!!!

http://intruecolors.smugmug.com/photos/219681766-M.jpg

http://intruecolors.smugmug.com/photos/219681587-M.jpg

http://intruecolors.smugmug.com/photos/219681551-M.jpg

http://intruecolors.smugmug.com/photos/219681302-M.jpg

http://intruecolors.smugmug.com/photos/219681985-M.jpg

http://intruecolors.smugmug.com/photos/219682340-M.jpg

http://intruecolors.smugmug.com/photos/219681614-M.jpg

http://intruecolors.smugmug.com/photos/219682672-M.jpg

OK, Before you yell at me for posting tons of shots, i just have to repeat, i did try and this is the proof. I just spent 1 hour shooting these :roflOMG. Thank you for the laughs anyway!! Now i need to go back and do something more productive!

[Nikolai]

Ok, i tried, i really did, i swear. I promis no to do it EVER again!!!

Artsy-fartsy my butt!!!
...
OK, Before you yell at me for posting tons of shots, i just have to repeat, i did try and this is the proof. I just spent 1 hour shooting these :roflOMG. Thank you for the laughs anyway!! Now i need to go back and do something more productive!
Marina,
I lreally like the first 4 :thumb , the rest it kinda meh :dunno
Thank you for trying! :thumb

[Antonio Correia]

My try without macro lens. Just the 24-70
I know it has too much shadows, that the shadows inside the ring are not very nice, that the shadow of the ring to the right is not nice ... but I tried.
More ? Yes, later.:D


http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220169144-M.jpg

Nikolai: b/g stands for what ?:dunno
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220200333-M.jpg

Shot with my home-made macro lens (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=70138) ! :D
I know, it's not perfect. The background is not very ... black ?

[Nikolai]

ring

Thank you!

[Moni]

I shot these as a creative fashion editorial:

http://monicarooney.smugmug.com/photos/221095420-M.jpg
http://monicarooney.smugmug.com/photos/221095950-M.jpg

http://monicarooney.smugmug.com/photos/221096493-M.jpg
http://monicarooney.smugmug.com/photos/221097316-M.jpg
http://monicarooney.smugmug.com/photos/221098273-M.jpg
http://monicarooney.smugmug.com/photos/221099060-M.jpg
http://monicarooney.smugmug.com/photos/221099646-M.jpg

[Antonio Correia]

http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220664177-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220663455-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220662041-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220661238-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220659825-M.jpg Very sensual henn ? No white pages however :scratch

[Antonio Correia]

http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220717183-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220723732-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220693813-M.jpg

No white pages either :toni :deadhorse

[ShepsMom]

Moni, very nice work!

Antonio, did you use frozen fish for your rings???? :scratch:scratch:scratch

[Antonio Correia]

...Antonio, did you use frozen fish for your rings???? :scratch:scratch:scratch

No, I didn't. :D
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/220664854-Th.jpg
This was our dinner. Grilled with letuce and tomatoe salad :wink
:thumb

[Nikolai]

I shot these as a creative fashion editorial:

Moni, these are great! I like the theme! :thumb

[Nikolai]

Very sensual henn ? No white pages however :scratch
Interesting... But yes, I'd prefer more standard background. This one has too much light/texture in it, so it distracts fromt he primary subject... :dunno

[Antonio Correia]

I think this time you will like this photo Nikolai.
However, I am aware that it is far from beeing a good photo. I do know it could be improved. But I don't have two flashes, nor ... well... excuses :D
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/221067381-M.jpg

[Nikolai]

I think this time you will like this photo Nikolai.
However, I am aware that it is far from beeing a good photo. I do know it could be improved. But I don't have two flashes, nor ... well... excuses :D

You're right, that's what I'm after! :thumb
And I said in the very beginnning that shooting jewelry is tough (almost like women who like it so much:-) :deal

[Antonio Correia]

You're right, that's what I'm after! :thumb
And I said in the very beginnning that shooting jewelry is tough (almost like women who like it so much:-) :deal

I am going to try in some hours an idea I just had as I was walking my daily 3,5 kms ! ...
:wink

[frg]

Just could not nail the focus with the closeup flter:cry dof extremely narrow ..... gonna try again later

http://francis.smugmug.com/photos/221287054-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

Just could not nail the focus with the closeup flter:cry dof extremely narrow ..... gonna try again later

Nice first try, thank you! :thumb

[entropysedge]

Here's my first try at this one:

http://www.entropysedge.com/earings1a.jpg

Taken with my Fuji S5 and Sigma DC18-50mm 1:2.8 macro f/22 ISO 200 aperture piority. Cropped in CS3, then replace color, hue saturation and unsharp mask.

[Nikolai]

Here's my first try at this one:
Taken with my Fuji S5 and Sigma DC18-50mm 1:2.8 macro f/22 ISO 200 aperture piority. Cropped in CS3, then replace color, hue saturation and unsharp mask.

Thank you! :thumb

Since it's not on a white b/g I assume this is supposed to be fancy magazine ad. WIth that in mind I'd say too much of a too bright b/g and not enough accent on the earrings themselves.. :dunno

[Jed Smith]

Seems like these assignments should be a good time to learn how for a new beginner like myself. See what you think, hopefully I stayed within the "rules" of play. The resolution isn't the best as these were all taken with the kit zoom lens (18-55)--that's my best excuse and I'm sticking with it.

http://theworldtrekker.smugmug.com/photos/221824643-S.jpg
Wasn't sure if reflective white surfaces went with the theme...

http://theworldtrekker.smugmug.com/photos/221824754-S.jpg

http://theworldtrekker.smugmug.com/photos/221824855-S.jpg
Note: the reddish on the back is real and is why someone will be getting a new ring after this it would seem. Supporting it over the surface with a paperclip requires tape, not just bending the paperclip around the ring... :doh

http://theworldtrekker.smugmug.com/photos/221824907-S.jpg
Ah, what wonders b/w does for removing that pesky problem...now if only it were that easy in real life...

[entropysedge]

Atempt #2:

http://www.entropysedge.com/earings2.jpg

[Nikolai]

Seems like these assignments should be a good time to learn how for a new beginner like myself. See what you think, hopefully I stayed within the "rules" of play. The resolution isn't the best as these were all taken with the kit zoom lens (18-55)--that's my best excuse and I'm sticking with it.

...
Ah, what wonders b/w does for removing that pesky problem...now if only it were that easy in real life...

Thanks, Jed, great entries! :thumb

[Nikolai]

Atempt #2:

Thank you!
Uhm, I'm not sure. Now it looks plasticky. :dunno
Please check Jed's entry above, this is more what I had in mind...:deal

[Moni]

Ok, here are my tries at a black background.

http://monicarooney.smugmug.com/photos/226337854-M.jpg

http://monicarooney.smugmug.com/photos/226338328-M.jpg

http://monicarooney.smugmug.com/photos/226338065-M.jpg

This is so hard to focus...I need a macro lens.

I held the ring up with a back wire (you can see the dark part on the right side) that I cloned out after.
The extra lighting is with a flashlight with a rather blue light.



The gold itself is a little dinged -- they are my rings and I've had them 5 yrs now.

-- I should add, my rings are white gold...

[Nikolai]

Ok, here are my tries at a black background.

Thank you, nice entries! :thumb
I told you, jewelry IS hard to shoot :deal :wink

[doug pettway]

alrighty, i have new appreciation for those who photograph these little buggers.

Here are two pics of my wedding band.

http://douglaspettway.smugmug.com/photos/244178090-M.jpg

http://douglaspettway.smugmug.com/photos/244178096-M.jpg

i've really got to get some dedicated photographic lighting for stuff like this. :D

[Nikolai]

alrighty, i have new appreciation for those who photograph these little buggers.
Here are two pics of my wedding band.
i've really got to get some dedicated photographic lighting for stuff like this. :D
Thank you, glad you're getting some ideas:-)

[Chrissiebeez_NL]

hi all!

inspired by the reversed lens macro i decided to try some jewelry with it :rolleyes

Just an hour into trying to focus with it i got this. what do you think?

http://chris-en-hils.smugmug.com/photos/246129150-M-1.jpg

[Nikolai]

hi all!
inspired by the reversed lens macro i decided to try some jewelry with it :rolleyes
Just an hour into trying to focus with it i got this. what do you think?


Thank you for the entry!
As you have already probably learned, the things that are especially hard with the jewelry shots are:

focusing
lighting
backgroundYour shot is indicative to all three of them. But don't despair! If my own experience is of any value, it takes WAY more than one hour to master this kind of shots...

[Chrissiebeez_NL]

hi Nikolai!

thank you for your encouraging words! i just 'discovered' this technique and will be working on it the comming time but i thought it would be a nice to have a place to work from. i will try different things and when i feel things have progressed i will post them :D

BTW, i loved the vegetable and jewelry shots!! :bow haha

[WilliamClark77]

I just recently noticed this assigment section. Hopefully I can participate more often.

"Jewelry" was up top when I checked earlier and seemed to be great to try out for my first assignment since it's coming a flood outside. This was also my first try shooting a ring. It didn't look so beat up when I took it off my finger :D

http://WilliamClark77.smugmug.com/photos/248941714-M.jpg


http://WilliamClark77.smugmug.com/photos/248941701-M.jpg

[Nikolai]

I just recently noticed this assigment section. Hopefully I can participate more often.

"Jewelry" was up top when I checked earlier and seemed to be great to try out for my first assignment since it's coming a flood outside. This was also my first try shooting a ring. It didn't look so beat up when I took it off my finger :D


William, thank you for your entry, nice images!:thumb

[affdigphotos]

http://www.affordabledigitalphotography.com/photos/191196182-L-1.jpg

[Nikolai]

two rings
Very nice, thank you, great entry!:thumb

[affdigphotos]

Very nice, thank you, great entry!:thumb

Yes, but I didn't read the rules first. This was taken a while ago...

[Nikolai]

Yes, but I didn't read the rules first. This was taken a while ago...
oops... Well, hopefully you can make amends and take a fresh one! :wink

[lunadoeeyes]

so happy I found this lesson. I have this to put up for the critique (raw and honest is great!) Also a question how to get a great shot of a clear crystal with very subtle colors? :dunno

[lunadoeeyes]

so this is the necklace :scratch :dunno:huh :rolleyes :cry

[lunadoeeyes]

the first thing that caches my eye is the beads are dark. say what you will...I hang my head it looked better on my monitor

[Nikolai]

Luna,
none of these entries can play any of the suggested roles. :dunno
Please check the OP and let's try again... :wink

[AndrewT]

Here are a couple I shot for a friend who designs jewelry.

http://taylord-images.smugmug.com/photos/214080615_zrdvx-L-1.jpg

[AndrewT]

Here are a few I shot for a friend who designs jewelry. Shooting jewelry is definitely challenging, but fun.

http://taylord-images.smugmug.com/photos/214080615_zrdvx-L-1.jpg

http://taylord-images.smugmug.com/photos/305218908_wkHGh-L-1.jpg

http://taylord-images.smugmug.com/photos/214078423_NJb7s-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

Here are a few I shot for a friend who designs jewelry. Shooting jewelry is definitely challenging, but fun.
Nice! Thank you!:thumb

[Carolina_Blue]

Nik, I know you said jewelry is very difficult to shoot and in one other thread, you wrote that pearls were particularly difficult. Here are two attempts I made today. Both were shot against a black velvet backdrop with a table lamp on the left dimmed by a white cloth, and a stand lamp on the right. How could I make these better? Mild editing in PSE on levels but uncropped.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/3931/pearlstrand.jpg

f/6.3, 1 sec, ISO 100, focal length 23.1 mm

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9853/pearlpendant.jpg

f/8, 1/2 sec, ISO 100, focal length 18.3 mm

[Nikolai]

Nik, I know you said jewelry is very difficult to shoot and in one other thread, you wrote that pearls were particularly difficult. Here are two attempts I made today. Both were shot against a black velvet backdrop with a table lamp on the left dimmed by a white cloth, and a stand lamp on the right. How could I make these better? Mild editing in PSE on levels but uncropped.

f/6.3, 1 sec, ISO 100, focal length 23.1 mm

f/8, 1/2 sec, ISO 100, focal length 18.3 mm
Carolina, I always thought pearls are white... Pearly-white, to be more specific ;-)
Are these really copperish/yellowish/brownish? :scratch

[Carolina_Blue]

Carolina, I always thought pearls are white... Pearly-white, to be more specific ;-)
Are these really copperish/yellowish/brownish? :scratch

They are white, but not paper white. The lamps are yellow. I'll see if I can fix the white balance more or else shoot with natural light in the morning. I'll repost if there is an improvement.

[Nikolai]

They are white, but not paper white. The lamps are yellow. I'll see if I can fix the white balance more or else shoot with natural light in the morning. I'll repost if there is an improvement. One - amongst many - of the reasons why jewelry is very hard to shoot (well) is that the color accuracy should be immaculate. Please spend big bucks on those little things, and if a picture in a catalogue turns out to be even a bit off - it can end very bad quicker than you can say "white balance"...

[Carolina_Blue]

:dunno Are you saying I should spend big bucks on lights?:scratch

Or did you really mean that people who buy from ads spend big bucks on the little jewelry, and they better get what they bought?

Also, pearls come in yellow, pink, gold, gray and black too! Will shoot in the a.m. and see if they come out closer to white.

[Nikolai]

:dunno Are you saying I should spend big bucks on lights?:scratch
If you want to shoot jewelry professionally, I would think about something like that...


Or did you really mean that people who buy from ads spend big bucks on the little jewelry, and they better get what they bought?

Yes, primarily.

Also, pearls come in yellow, pink, gold, gray and black too! Will shoot in the a.m. and see if they come out closer to white.
I understand. That's exactly the problem. Precious gems can be pretty much of any color, so a good photo of such a gem must be very accurate - otherwise people may have a wrong idea...

[cbbr]

She said yes...

http://brberrys.smugmug.com/photos/550482692_iKqQM-L.jpg

http://brberrys.smugmug.com/photos/550482641_m3ina-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

She said yes...

Thank you for the entry!

Shadow on the first one is really distracting. When shooting highkey, it's often advantageous to shoot jewelry on a transparent base, or somehow keep it off the ground completely. Or use the dome so there is no shadow...

[cbbr]

Thank you for the entry!

Shadow on the first one is really distracting. When shooting highkey, it's often advantageous to shoot jewelry on a transparent base, or somehow keep it off the ground completely. Or use the dome so there is no shadow...

Second try. I may have to set this one up again, it really is more difficult than it sounds.

http://brberrys.smugmug.com/photos/550777673_tYkbw-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

Second try. I may have to set this one up again, it really is more difficult than it sounds.

Better :thumb , but no cigar yet :dunno .
Try some plexiglass/acrilic base. Or switch to darker material..
And yes, it is difficult. :deal