Photographing jewellery can be an extremely difficult task. Jewellery can look absolutely stunning in person, but capturing that beauty through a camera is a big challenge. There are so many things to consider in order to get the right shot, so we have put together a quick guide of the three main things that you need to consider when you are photographing jewellery!
Keep An Eye On Reflections
The first important thing to know when photographing jewellery is that there is often an issue with reflections. Shiny metals and gemstones often show reflections when they are being photographed, which can completely ruin the image. So, in order to avoid this, make sure that you test the lighting and also the angle that you are wanting to take the image from, so you know if any adjustments need to be made prior to the shoot beginning.
The best thing to do is to have your camera positioned on a tripod with the camera angled slightly down and use natural daylight where possible. Avoid using mirrored surfaces that will complicate the issue even more and stick to matte surfaces where possible. This should help to minimise the reflections you see.
Turn Off The Flash
If you use the flash on your camera when taking photos of your jewellery, it often results in a harsh looking photo which is unlikely to make the jewellery look its best. You are also likely to get bad reflections, especially with shiny jewellery. Use natural lighting where possible and take the photos next to a window.
Of course getting perfect natural light for a photoshoot isn’t always easy, so you could also use off-camera lighting with a diffuser, bringing the light you need to help the jewellery shine without it being too harsh or bold. You will get a soft and beautiful shot without having to wait around for the perfect natural lighting, which works especially well for vintage jewellery.
Make Sure It’s Clean
Another thing that is often overlooked is making sure that the jewellery is clean. Even the smallest finger print can show up very clearly on high-quality images, so getting rid of any marks is a must! This is especially important for older jewellery, such as Art Deco engagement rings, which might need a good shine before being shot.
Either give all your jewellery a good clean the day before the shoot, or clean each piece just before it is shot. Then, when you are positioning the jewellery on set, wear a pair of clean cotton gloves to avoid any last minute finger marks. Although this may seem extreme, a small dirty mark or smudge could be enough to put someone off buying your jewellery! So, a small amount of time and effort to make sure it’s clean will certainly be worth it.
Summary
So, there you have it! If you keep an eye on reflections, turn off the flash and make sure the jewellery is clean, you will be well on your way to capturing your jewellery beautifully. Taking a small amount of extra time to make sure the photos are right could make a significant difference when it comes to the end result.