Photography - How to make your product look the best.

**Di Sandland** · 24-08-2009, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Kalorlo

I'm going to be trawling through the camera websites today (my boyfriend's old digital camera with no macro mode is not cutting it), but I was wondering if anyone had any particular models of camera they liked/would recommend? Just to give me an idea of what I should be looking for. Do I want a separate macro lens at this stage, or just the ability to add one later should I need it?

I should be able to have a go with a friend's DSLR this weekend - I suspect his will be a little higher-end than I'm looking for, but it's always good to have a comparison!

I'm not an experienced photographer, but I can read the manual and am willing to spend some time fiddling with settings to get things right.

I recently bought my OH a Canon 1000D - an SLRD. It is brilliant and we can put a macro lens on as and when we can afford it. Having said that, the pics on my site were taken with my trusty old Nikon compact digital and I'm very pleased with them.

For lighting I used this little light tent, which I lit from each side with halogen lamps (only cheap ones). Halogen is good as the light is very close to daylight spectrum.

**bustagasket** · 24-08-2009, 09:52 AM

or lighting I used this little light tent, which I lit from each side with halogen lamps (only cheap ones). Halogen is good as the light is very close to daylight spectrum.

I bought one of those from ebay at about 7 am this morning lol!!!

**Kalorlo** · 24-08-2009, 11:10 AM

Thanks Di - it's on The List to check out

**agent_44** · 24-08-2009, 11:14 AM

Canon Powershots always seem to produce good results with jewellery. They're Bridge cameras so sit between the point and click cameras and DLSRs.

I have and really like Fuji Bridge Cameras too, though never tried it for jewellery.

You will find though that a higher end bridge will cost more than a low end DSLR. Canon have a great selecton of entry level ones - I bought a 350D a couple of years back, but since my OH is into his photography I got a free upgrade

Still have and use the 350D though, with a decent macro lens, though the kit lens will still give you good results.

It might even be worth looking at 2nd hand DSLRS? You could pick a 350D up for about £100 now I think.

**bustagasket** · 24-08-2009, 11:17 AM

i only have a Sony Cybershot, perhaps thats why i struggle. We bought it about 4 years ago ready for going to Malaysia, and in general photos its brilliant, but does seems to struggle with my jewellery close ups

**CyberPaddy66** · 24-08-2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by bustagasket

I bought one of those from ebay at about 7 am this morning lol!!!

We've had ours for about a year and we still haven't gotten the correct lighting sorted out

**bustagasket** · 24-08-2009, 11:22 AM

what i like is the fact that its not a permanent set up if you dont want it to be. Seeing as i have yet to get #2 to clear his ruddy room, i am still having to put everything away after using it. I am looking at the two halogen lights that Di suggested now too.

**Charlotte** · 24-08-2009, 11:26 AM

I've just bought a softbox light tent off ebay... so am I supposed to just do this on a bright day, or do I need lots of lights pointing at it, or in it? Lol... that probably sounds stupid asking that AFTER buying something but hey

**bustagasket** · 24-08-2009, 11:28 AM

lmao we are all buying them now lol - we should get group discounts on these things lol

**CyberPaddy66** · 24-08-2009, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Charlotte

I've just bought a softbox light tent off ebay... so am I supposed to just do this on a bright day, or do I need lots of lights pointing at it, or in it? Lol... that probably sounds stupid asking that AFTER buying something but hey

Daylight is supposed to be the best but if you don't take pictures outside you'll get a lot of directed light and shadow from the windows, in that case some daylight bulbs on stands is your best bet.