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When it comes to photographing silver, white gold and platinum high-polish (mirror finish) jewelry, the first thing one has to understand about silver is the natural properties it has. Silver jewelry, in most instances, tends to be a natural mirror that reflects everything that is around it. For this reason, one has to carefully place silver jewelry and with the correct surroundings in order to create an image that can truly show the silver jewelry piece in its true and natural look.
When people want to learn more about photography they sometimes
think about taking online photography classes
To illustrate the idea that silver, white gold platinum jewelry mirrors its surroundings, we have placed a silver ring in three different photographing environments, and have showed you the result of each of them. Please view the following images, and read the text along each photograph. After the photographs, you will find tips on how to photograph silver.
For this tutorial, we have used the MK Photo-eBox™ lighting system & a Canon S5IS
Note: Photos have had the brightness & contrast adjusted - then cropped. Nothing else
Photo 1 Silver appears "Too White" | Photo2 Silver appears natural |
Click image to enlarge  | Click image to enlarge  |
In this photo, we can see that the silver looks too white, as it reflects the lit surface of the Photo-eBox. There is nothing you can do to avoid this; as silver will simply reflect everything surrounding it. The ring looks unnatural, although the background is fully white. | In this photo we can see that the silver looks much more natural, as it reflects the metallic background it is against. By using this metallic surface, we can make the ring reflect metal, and thus appear metallic and natural. Also note that the purple stone looks more real. |
Photo3 The silver ring looks more natural | |
| In this photo we have used a black background. If you take a look at the silver ring, you can see that it reflects part of the black background and also parts of the white walls of the Photo-eBox. Once you have understood that silver acts just like a mirror you can understand that when photographing jewelry, its surroundings will directly affect how the image will appear. View tips | |
Tips and suggestions for photographing silver, white gold & platinum jewelry:
- Do not use a white background when photographing silver jewelry: In order to get a photograph that presents silver in a much more natural and real way, you want to avoid a white background; as white will only make the silver look white, dull and unnatural. View silver rings in completely black backgrounds.
- Use dark or metallic-like backgrounds: When using a dark or metallic-like background, you are allowing the silver, white gold or platinum jewelry to reflect a more natural color; because you are reflecting it against backgrounds that create a contrast between the white walls of the photography lighting system and the surface it is against. This contrast, lets the jewelry appear natural in color while creating a three-dimensional look.
- Photograph silver jewelry inside a photography lighting system or light box: In order to provide the correct lighting and reflections in silver jewelry photographs, you need to have a diffused lighting source inside a closed environment. Such as the walls enclosed inside the Photo-eBox lighting system. Learn about diffused wrap-around natural lighting and why you need it.
- Don't expect reflection-free photographs: When it comes to the facts of nature, don't expect the impossible. You have to completely understand the nature and fact that silver, white gold and platinum high-polish jewelry will always act as mirrors, and will always reflect its surroundings.
Don't expect your photos to be completely reflection-free, as there is nothing you can do about this (unless you use an editing software). In some photos you will see the reflection of the camera lens, or other surroundings. It is impossible to completely avoid them. (In photo 1 & 2 above, you can see the reflection of our camera to the right of the purple stone - it's the black spot you see). To avoid the camera's reflection (as in photo 3) we move the ring, so that the purple stone would be directly in front of the camera lens, and thus avoiding it's reflection in the silver of the ring.
4. Avoiding unnecessary shadows and reflections
When photographing jewelry, there are certain shadows and reflections that might be necessary to create a three-dimensional look, or that you may simply want as a personal preference. Yet, there are other reflections and shadows that are unnecessary and that you want to avoid in order to have a photograph that presents your jewelry in the best way possible.
The first thing you need to understand about reflections and shadows is how they are produced and why they appear or exist. Though it may seem obvious, shadows are created when an object is exposed to direct lighting (which can come from light in a room, the sun, or through the use of a regular lamp); while reflections are created in any object that is composed of reflective materials such as metals or glass.
What you need to do, is to avoid this direct light that creates shadows, and avoid those surroundings that create reflections in your jewelry. Please read the following steps on how to avoid shadows and reflections in your jewelry or view example photo.
Steps for photographing jewelry without unnecessary shadows and reflections:
- Step 1: Get a photography lighting system with wraparound and diffused natural daylight. Learn why this is important and view various photography lighting systems.
- Step 2: Place your jewelry item inside the enclosed photography lighting system. At this point, you are making sure that the surroundings of your jewelry are nothing but natural daylight and white backgrounds.
- Step 3: Adjust your camera settings (Learn How) and begin photographing. The correct camera settings will allow you to take photographs with the correct exposure, focus, colors and qualities of your jewelry.
Photo of a ring without reflections or shadows-photographed inside the Photo-eBox Using Diffused Lighting (from the inside the Photo-eBox) | |
| This photograph shows no shadows and reflections because it was photographed inside a Photo-eBox™ lighting system that contains wrap-around natural daylight. The natural daylight that is exposed through the sides, back and bottom of the Photo-eBox, avoids all the shadows and reflections in the ring. The lit bottom allows the background to be completely white, and make the ring to appear to be "floating". | |
Photo of a ring with reflections and shadows Non-diffused lighting (from outside environment) | |
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| This photo was photographed outside of the Photo-eBox™ on a white plastic surface, with the light in the room. You can see that regular light will create shadows on the ring, while the fact that the ring is in the outside allows the surroundings to reflect on the ring. The arrow pointing to show reflections on the ring shows the reflections of the walls or ceiling from the room, which as you can see add an unprofessional look to the ring's photo, and do not show the true colors of the ring. <<<> |
5. Positioning your jewelry - using different jewelry accessories
There are many accessories you can use to hold jewelry items while photographing, deciding which ones to use depends on the type of photograph you want, or simply your preference. Jewelry accessories will help you position rings, earrings, pendants, loose stones, diamonds and other pieces in various positions and angles in order to get a photograph from the perspective you desire.
Positioning your jewelry correctly is essential for getting a professional jewelry photograph. When shooting photographs, you have to remember that you want to get the best shot possible of your jewelry, as it is your photographs the ones that your customers will look at and judge, rather than your actual jewelry. Thus, taking photos from the correct angles and perspectives is the key to successful shots. View Jewelry Accessory Kits available
In the next few photographs we'll show you various accessories that you may use:
1. Pyramid Ring Stand | 2. Set of two Watch Stands |
3. Pendant Stand | 4. Earring Stand |
| The pendant stand may be used for photographing bracelets, pendants and other jewelry pieces that you would like to photograph while having the natural pull of gravity. | The earring stand is similar to the pendant stand, but it is angles at a different degree. It contains two small holes for placing a set of earrings. Also gives you the natural gravity pull. |
6. Positioning your jewelry - using holding wax
The accessory you need is "Positioning holding wax". This specially manufactured wax allows you to position your jewelry in an upright vertical position or at various angles. The wax is hard and resistant, yet flexible enough for you to handle it and mold it to your needs.
Using the positioning holding wax in jewelry photography: (pictured below)
- Step 1: Grab the wax from the corner and take a very small piece (1 to 3 mm)
- Step 2: Take the wax piece and mold it into an egg or oval shaped ball
- Step 3: Position the wax on the surface, then kindly place the ring above the it.
7. Giving Sparkles to your jewelry using white natural daylight LEDs
Diamonds and gems presented in jewelry stores do not sparkle as intense as compared to being displayed in the sun. While the sparkle produced by illuminating jewelry with metal-halide, halogen, and florescent lighting are good, it could be better.
New advances in technology have created a unique opportunity for the jewelry business. A scientific breakthrough in light emitting diodes (LED) has produced lighting that matches the full spectrum of the sun. As a result, retailers can now display their jewelry with maximum radiant potential.
A photograph with the right amount of LED lighting
This photo was photographed inside a Photo-eBox Plus™ and the Mini-Lite 350-2 LED light.
Utilizing the new LED technology, MK Digital has crafted the SparkleLite™ product line. With MK SparkleLite lighting your customers will be amazed at the fire and brilliance of your diamonds and gems. Using specially calibrated and color corrected super white LEDs, your jewelry has the ability to out-sparkle the competition.
While super white LEDs are great, SparkleLite products offer an additional design advantage. By placing the LEDs on a precise angle, the effect creates multiple points of light, which brings out even more surface sparkle.
Proper LED light illumination:
When illuminating your jewelry with LED light it is important to only use the right amount of light, not too much and not too little. Most LED natural daylight products will not allow you to control the intensity of the light with a dimmable switch, but in this example we have used the Mini-Lite 350-2, that does contain a dimmer switch and allows you to control the light.
Steps for proper illumination:
- Step 1: Turn off the fluorescent light on your lighting system box - View boxes
- Step 2: Turn on the Mini-Lite 350-2 or other LED light, and direct it towards your jewelry. Once you have the light box turned off, you will be able to see only how much LED light you will be using.
- Step 3: Now turn on the fluorescent lights on your lighting system box.
- Step 4: Take a photograph of your item. Check the photo to see if you like it.
- Step 5: If needed, adjust the intensity of the LEDs to a proper level. The correct amount of intensity, is the one that begins to show sparkles and brings out your jewelry piece to life, but it's not excessively strong that it is too shiny. View the first photo shown above.
Too much LED lighting | No LED light at all | |||
This photo has been exposed to too much LED lighting, which make the ring appear too shiny. | This photo has not been exposed to any LED lighting. As you can see in the blue stone, there are no "sparkles" | |||
The gooseneck that you see on the photo on the right, is the Mini-lite 350-2 | ||||
With LED lighting | No LED Lighting | |||
Click image to enlarge  | Click image to enlarge  | |||
With LED lighting | No LED Lighting | |||
Click image to enlarge  | Click image to enlarge  | |||
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8. Halogen lighting used for photographing rubies, amethysts, opals, emeralds, and other stones.
As we have mentioned before, the illumination of jewelry in photography is one of the most important elements for achieving quality photos. Although most jewelry only needs to be photographed with fluorescent light, certain types of gem stones and jewelry need halogen light illumination.
Halogen lighting provides a warm light environment that provides the optimum viewing and photographing condition for rubies, pearls, opals, emeralds, amethysts. If fluorescent lighting is used, there will be a shift in the color of your gem stones and precious stones which might not allow you to appreciate them in their natural colors and characteristics.
Note: Please test your jewelry with both fluorescent and halogen lighting, as different gem stones and precious stones will act differently to both types of lights. While we do recommend halogen lighting to the previously mentioned types of stones, we encourage you to test both types of light. Please remember that when photographing with halogen lighting, you need to adjust the white balance of your camera. Learn how
Steps for properly illuminating jewelry with Halogen lighting:
- Step 1: Turn on the halogen lighting on your lighting system box
- Step 2: Adjust your camera's white balance's to the halogen lighting. View how (Step #9)
This will adjust your camera, so that the halogen light appears to be white, while maintaining the true colors of your jewelry and stones.
- Step 3: Simply adjust the shooting speed of your camera, then photograph. View how (Step 4.3)
Fluorescent Lighting Improper light- Bad photo White balance w/fluorescent light Click image to enlarge | Halogen Lighting Proper light- Bad photo White balance NOT adjusted Click image to enlarge | Halogen Lighting Proper light- Good photo White balance adjusted Click image to enlarge |
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This is a photo with fluorescent lighting. You can see that the red stone looks very dark and is improperly shown. It does not show the stone's true colors and qualities. | This is a photo with halogen lighting. You can now see the stone's red color. Yet, the rest of the ring and photo look yellow, which make it a bad photograph. | This is a a photo with halogen lighting, but after our camera's white balance wad correctly adjusted. Now the photo DOES present the ring in it's true and natural color. |
Note: All photos are completely unedited in any way, they have only been cropped. Photos were photographed inside an MK Photo-eBox II™ with a Canon S5 IS. View current camera models
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9. Artistic jewelry photography by using black and white acrylics
Have you ever seen and wondered how those fancy jewelry photos on magazine ads are photographed? - Well, here's one artistic effect that's you can easily achieve.
Most jewelry photographs that are used for catalogs, online stores, eBay, or other forms of marketing, don't really look too fancy - but they should. Because when it comes to having that cover or front page photo, or photos that will make a sale, you want to make your jewelry look very special.
A popular product photography effect, is the use of a product's reflection on the surface that it is being photographed. This is a technique regularly used for photographing a very special and unique item, as it has as a purpose to make the product stand out and look "twice" as nice (the reflection).
This photo was photographed inside a Photo-eBox™ with a white reflective acrylic & a Canon S5 IS Camera
Steps for photographing in a reflective white surface:
- Step 1: Turn on the fluorescent lighting on your lighting system box
- Step 2: Adjust your camera's white balance to the white fluorescent light. More
- Step 3: Place the white glossy acrylic inside of the box.
- Step 4: Take photographs, and enjoy the look of the photos!
Now using a Black acrylic | |
Reflective photo with LED light Click image to enlarge | Reflective photo without LED light Click image to enlarge |
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These photos were photographed inside a Photo-eBox™ with a black reflective acrylic and Canon S5 IS digital camera | |
Steps for photographing in a reflective black surface:
- Step 1: Turn on the fluorescent lighting on your lighting system box
- Step 2: Adjust your camera's white balance to the white fluorescent light. More
- Step 3: Place the black glossy acrylic inside of the box.
- Step 4: Add a black velvet or black plastic at the back of the box. This is done in order to get a completely black reflection on the black acrylic. Otherwise, the acrylic would reflect the white walls of the box, and would end up looking gray. See below
- Step 5: Place your jewelry near the edge of the acrylic and the black velvet.
- Step 6: Take photographs, and enjoy the look of the photos!
To set-up, place the black or white reflective acrylic on the bottom of the lighting system box.
Then place the black velvet piece on the back of the box. Refer to the image below.
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10.New! How to get a perfectly white background when shooting jewelry
I'm sure this is something a lot of people want to achieve, but don't know exactly how to do it and what tools they need to use in order to get a perfectly white background in their photos. White is the most popular background used in product photography for the internet and catalogs.
Steps to follow to achieve a white background in your jewelry photos
Get a digital camera that has a full manual mode, which also has a MANUAL or CUSTOM white balance setting (which allows you to manually configure the white balance). This is essential in order to manually allow your camera to adapt to your photography lighting environment (studio).
Learn how to set-up your camera for product photography
Use a wrap-around diffused photography lighting environment If possible, make sure it has illumination on the platform (where you'll place your items, like the one in all the MK Lighting Systems), as this will increase your success of achieving a truly white background. Wrap-around means that the photography environment must enclose your items from all sides so that nothing from the outside reflects in your jewelry. Diffused Lighting means that the lighting that illuminates your jewelry should pass through a light diffuser (like the inside of the MK Lighting systems) so that the light does not hit your jewelry directly, which would otherwise create shadows in your photos (like sunlight does).- Place a white background inside your photography lighting system (If it doesn't already contain one). Preferably use a white acrylic (or something else that is white) in the bottom & back of your photography lighting system or light box.
- Place your item inside your closed photography lighting system or light box.
- Choose your desired shutter speed in your digital camera. The shutter speed is usually a fraction that appears in your camera screen (like 1/100 or 1/250), when using manual mode. By changing the shutter speed of your camera you are able to make your photos darker or brighter. Play around with the shutter speed and figure out the which shutter speed provides you with the best photo - one that is not too dark, and not too light. Learn more (View step #4.3)
- Edit your photo's brightness and contrast. This will ensure that your background, which might still be slightly gray (rather than full white) turns into a perfectly white background. By just adding a little bit of brightness and contrast to your photo, you'll be able to achieve this. Learn more (View step #4.6) .
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11.New! How to get a perfectly black background when shooting jewelry
Don't like the typical white background everywhere? No problem. Let's make Black the new White and change it a little. Many jewelry pieces don't necessarily look their best on a white background, and in fact you can sometimes appreciate a jewelry piece much more when the background creates a greater contrast in the photo.
Steps to follow to achieve a black background in your jewelry photos
- Follow steps 1 and 2 from above (how to achieve a white background)
- Place a piece of Black Velvet in the bottom & back of your photography lighting systems. If you want to shoot straight down from the top, you only need to place the black velvet on the bottom platform (not in the back).
- Follow steps 4 and 5 from above, and if needed also follow step #6 (you might not need to).
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