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Lucie
25-11-2013, 06:13 PM
Does anybody know what Cookson's policy is on returns? I've read the "returns" bit on the website & it doesn't answer my question.

I'm looking at buying the Jewellery Photography Light Box. The description is really vague; there are no reviews / youtube videos / examples of pics taken using it.

If I buy it & I can't achieve satisfactory results, can I return it for a refund? or does it actually have to be faulty?
I don't want to find out after purchase that you can only get decent photos of you've for thousands of pounds worth of camera & lenses.
Thanks all. x

Goldsmith
25-11-2013, 07:03 PM
I do not expect Cookson would accept a return if you just didn't like your photographic results. It's just like saying that if you bought some jewellery tools and then couldn't make jewellery would you expect them to take them back. The lightbox is just a tool and will never guarantee good photos. My personal opinion is that the best photos will always depend on the camera and lens quality.
Just Google "do it yourself lighbox photography" and see what you can achieve with very little cost.

James

Lucie
25-11-2013, 07:13 PM
Kinda what I thought ;)
I've made a lightbox in the past and wasn't happy with the results. I'm guessing neither the camera or the light box were good enough.
I need to photograph on pure even white and be able to "cut out" the images.
I've now paid 4 photographers who haven't been able to do this, so i'm now stuck on which direction to go in & sick & tired of throwing money away.

It's quite difficult to find information on exactly what camera / lenses I need to buy to achieve the desired results. I'm happy to make a purchase if I can guarantee results.
Think I might end up waiting for some reviews from people who know more about this than me.

pearlescence
25-11-2013, 09:08 PM
It's an online sale so Cookson's is as bound by the Distance Selling Regulations as anyone else (eg me). You have full right to send it back for no reason whatsoever with a notification within seven days after receipt, and get a full refund (including any postage paid)
you do not have to give a reason.

Lucie
25-11-2013, 10:10 PM
Thanks :)
I think it's probably the best way to go in the long run, but I'm going to try to figure out exactly what camera to buy first.
It looks like a good piece of kit; just probably a waste without the right camera - It's just knowing what to look for??? :confused:

Dennis
25-11-2013, 10:11 PM
Lucy, as James has said, at the heart of photographing Jewellery is a camera with manual options, especially to influence the white balance, change the depth of focus and make your pictures brighter or darker (exposure compensation). Both the entry level Canon or Nikon DSLR kits will fit the bill, unless you have a great deal of money to spend. You will also need to download the manual and spend weeks gradually reading and digesting it. I do not use the macro function on my Canon EOS1100D, because it is entirely automatic, but am considering borrowing a better dedicated macro lens to try out.

A 40mm light cube on line can cost as little as £10. so there is no need to make your own and then you need perhaps two table lamps with strong bulbs and a tripod or table clamp for the camera. It also helps to have an additional LED light or sparkler to give life to stones by shining it on them directly.

Lastly you need a way of editing your pictures. I find Photoshop Elements 10 does it for me, but also takes some learning. An introductory course and a hand book help. I have met a few photographic experts, but they struggle with jewellery, because it is such a specialised subject. However there are some good articles about photographing in general and jewellery in particular, to be found online. That said I am no expert and am still struggling. Dennis.

Lucie
25-11-2013, 10:20 PM
Hey Dennis. Wow, that was fast :)
I've tried a few light box/ tent set ups an never managed to achieve that completely "floating on white" effect I'm aiming for. I think it's the lighting I get wrong, which is why I was looking at this new light box as a possibility.
Editing wise, I'm sorted and have had quite a lot of painstaking practice.

My current camera is shockingly bad. It's knowing what camera & lenses to go for (& where to look for the info that's befuddling me).
Would you go for the Cannon or the Nikon, or isn't there much in it? The Nikon D3200 gets the best Amazon reviews, but I'm guessing that might not mean a lot when I only need it to do this one specific job.

Dennis
26-11-2013, 03:17 AM
HI Lucie, as far as I can tell, the way to achieve a white background is to persuade the camera to recognise white as white and not as a colour. This is to do with getting the white balance right, but comparing my results using photographic cards as standard, or just allowing the camera to chose automatically after increasing exposure compensation, there is no difference.

The camera stubbornly introduces a grey purple tinge, or other shade related to colours present in the subject. You can get rid of it in part by increasing exposure compensation further, but the the subject is whited out. One thing I do know is that having it lit from beneath makes the problem far worse.

So if you want a good white background it's Photoshop I think, to alter the background in one way or another.

As far as choice of marques is concerned, I went for the Canon, because the reviews said that it gave truer colours. I now know that these can be edited later. They also said that the LCD screen did not have good definition and this I find a drawback on my Canon, because I use it to compose my pictures and you can take lots of shots before you notice a detail is untidy.

There are tons of reviews out there and I do have a good branch of the Camera Exchange in the Strand who have competitive pricing and some knowledgeable staff. But ultimately you must strive to become your own expert. Dennis.

pearlescence
26-11-2013, 08:44 AM
you'll only get the floating effect inside the computer. The photo will need 'cooking'.

Rob Taylor
26-11-2013, 08:53 AM
Hi
Our returns policy is here http://www.cooksongold.com/help/returns.jsp, in summary we offer a 30 day no quibble returns policy (the legal requirement is 7 days) and you can download freepost returns labels to attach to the parcels (simply take to your nearest Post Office to get a tracking number or certificate of posting dependent upon which label you use).

We do state that items need to be in the original condition to be accepted back and wherever possible in the original packaging.

rgds
Rob

Lucie
26-11-2013, 10:12 AM
Thanks guys.
I've finally decided to get a decent camera rather than going down the ill-fated photographer route again. There's only so many times I can get my fingers burned!
I'll spend some time hunting out the best reviews and trying to perfect the camera shots with my current set up before I make a decision on the new light box.

ps: I've sent you a message Pearlescence. x

Dennis
26-11-2013, 02:14 PM
you'll only get the floating effect inside the computer. The photo will need 'cooking'.

How do you do it then Wendy? It would solve a lot of problems. Dennis.

ShinyLauren
27-11-2013, 01:38 PM
Hi Lucie,

My photography experiments over the years have lead me to the conclusion that it is only possible to get the floating on white look by placing the object on a translucent surface and lighting through the surfact from below. Set the camera for correct exposure on the piece, and the backlighting should still make the background appear white.

I've not had a chance to actually play with this properly yet, as the boy and I are hoping to move house soon and I've been banned from buying anything new until we know how much less space we have, but hoping to get a translucent shooting table when we move and try this out.

I use a Canon, usually with a dedicated macro lens if I'm shooting a few different things, but just use my regular lens if I just need a quick custom order shot before I post something and can't be bothered to set everything up properly.

If you get the lightbox, do let us know how it goes - I have looked at it previously and not been sure.

Dennis
27-11-2013, 07:23 PM
My photography experiments over the years have lead me to the conclusion that it is only possible to get the floating on white look by placing the object on a translucent surface and lighting through the surface from below. Set the camera for correct exposure on the piece, and the backlighting should still make the background appear white. .

Well Lauren, I presume that you set the exposure manually then? regards Dennis.

trialuser
27-11-2013, 09:11 PM
I think what you are trying to achieve is what is known as high key lighting.
Google high key product photography or similar.
A couple of results. One (http://www.photigy.com/tabletop-hi-key-product-photography-shooting-glassware/). Two (http://www.tabletopstudio.com/jewelry_photography.html)

Dennis
28-11-2013, 09:43 AM
Thank you, I have looked at those and bookmarked them for further study. Dennis.

ShinyLauren
28-11-2013, 01:07 PM
.

Well Lauren, I presume that you set the exposure manually then? regards Dennis.

Yes, I usually use fully manual mode on the camera - sometimes aperture priority if I'm in a hurry and can't be bothered faffing.

Lucie
03-01-2014, 12:34 PM
H Lauren

Just to let you know that my shiny new camera and light box have just been delivered. I ended up buying the large lightbox as I figured I could us it for most of my sculptures too - It's HUGE!!
I've still got to wait for my macro lens to arrive, but I'll post some photos once I've got the hand of everything & you can see f you think the results are worth it :) xx