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Photo Jewelry Tutorial

Product photography requires that the photographer is able to photograph the item in a way that it not only accurately reflects the product but also makes it desirable. This is especially true when photographing jewelery. To successfully accomplish this, photographers will use a combination of lighting techniques, backdrop, product position, camera position and lens selection. Building a successful picture starts with the client's idea for the picture then the photographer must use his skill and equipment to deliver the image.

Things You'll Need

Three studio lights
Tripod
Digital Camera
Mid range telephoto lens
Memory card
Sync card

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the product display stand. This will vary depending on the type of jewelery you are photographing. In most cases a soft black felt or velour material makes a good base for the image.
- 2
  Position the jewelery you will be photographing. A designer or the client may be on hand to direct this part, as there may be a feature that they want to illustrate the most. Once the jewelery is positioned the photographer can start to position the studio lights.
- 3
  Place the "main" light at a 45-degree angle to one side of the product. Since jewelery is reflective you should use a "Softbox," which looks like a small tent, with a white floor. Aim this towards the product. Set this light on full power. Position a second light on the opposite side of the product at the same angle and set the power of this "fill" light at half power. You can position a third light with no softbox to provide light from either directly above or behind. Set this light to half power as well.
- 4
  Attach the camera to a tripod and attach a medium telephoto lens to the camera. A medium telephoto is between 85mm to 135mm lens. This focal length of lens will accurately photograph the subject for size and perspective.
- 5
  Install an empty memory card into the camera, attach a "sync" cord that will trigger the studio lights to fire at the same time the camera takes the picture.
- 6
  Compose the image and press the shutter release to take the pictures. Shoot the product for a few frames, then reposition the product to show another angle of it.

Photography