I just got my new lights so I might play with then later this week, today I'm trying them out on lustreware, I'm getting a lot of reflected light even in the tent.
I think shiny silver should be fine though.
Look forwards to hearing how you get on Jill.
Tabby
Hi Stu
I think the purple looks good but you need softer lighting, the light is quite glaring in your first image, and detracts from the detail of the jewellery. The purple works well with the silver but not so much with the coloured stones as there's not a lot of contrast between the two and the jewellery is absorbed in to the background somewhat.
You don't have to use macro on your photos but a lot of people find it helps. Before I had a DSLR, my particular camera (I can't even remember what it was now, an old Olympus I think) gave me better results not using macro. I now use a Canon D40 with an EF-S 60mm macro lens exclusively for studio jewellery pictures. Don't be afraid to try other settings on your camera, you might find something else is preferable for you.
Lucinda
You probably know this already, but a piece of white card propped up to reflect light back onto the piece from in front will reduce reflection and glare.
The biggest improvement for me was when I installed Photoshop Elements 9. It allows you to see your pictures before and after, side by side. I use the Guided option to sharpen, crop, straighten, increase or decrease the highlights, remove spots and blemishes, or even unwanted features and adjust the colour. Because it tells you what to do, you can be quite successful after only a short period of experimentation and there are books to take you further, but I don't feel the need.
Dennis.
Thanks Dennis for some useful information. I put the curtain on the front of the light tent for my larger stuff like bowls as you get images reflected but I had forgotten to do something with the jewellery set up.
i took some pictures yesterday using the same camera setting but moving the lights around, I'll post them when I have a moment. I think they all need adjusting on the computer though.
Hi Jille, the first one wins for me. I doubt there is any need to experiment further. Is it a rolled print of one of those imitation leaf skeletons? I think it's splendid.
Kind regards, Dennis.
Last edited by Dennis; 25-01-2011 at 09:50 AM.
Likewise, I think - although the highlights look a little blown out, there's slightly more detail in the second one.
As for leaf skeletons - I've run out of the synthetic and all I can find are the real ones, which don't hold up to rolling; anyone got a source they'd share?
Would you mind explaining precisely why your post had an irrelevant link to a bike shop there? Or shall I just assume you're a spammer and deal with it accordingly?
Added - Ferdinand followed that by posting his bike shop link in another thread too, so now won't be playing.
Last edited by ps_bond; 25-01-2011 at 11:18 AM.
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