Photographing jewellery can be an extremely difficult task. Jewellery can look stunning in person, but capturing that beauty through a camera is a big challenge. There are so many things to consider in order to get the right shot, so we have put together a quick guide of the different things that you need to consider when you are photographing jewellery!
Keep An Eye On Reflections
The first important thing to know when photographing jewellery is that there is often an issue with reflections. Shiny metals, diamonds and other gemstones often show reflections when they are being photographed, which can completely ruin the image. So, in order to avoid this, make sure that you test the lighting and also the angle that you are wanting to take the image from, so you know if any adjustments need to be made prior to the shoot beginning.
The best thing to do is to have your camera positioned on a tripod with the camera angled slightly down and use natural daylight where possible. Avoid using mirrored surfaces that will complicate the issue even more, and stick to matte surfaces where possible. This should help to minimise the reflections you see.
Consider Your Background Carefully
Something else you should do is consider your background carefully. If you’re shooting for e-commerce purposes, then you’ll predominantly be shooting a white background; however, it’s important to also have dedicated lifestyle photography, as potential customers want to see your jewellery on models, as well as professional lifestyle photography. For example, you might have a photo of a nature-inspired sapphire ring design worn by a model, then in the background, it could be leaves and flowers to reinforce the meaning behind the jewellery. Or if you’re shooting something like Arabic jewellery, styling alongside other meaningful and complementary jewellery would be important.
Turn Off The Flash
If you use the flash on your camera when taking photos of your jewellery, it often results in a harsh-looking photo, which is unlikely to make the jewellery look its best. You are also likely to get bad reflections, especially with shiny jewellery. Use natural lighting where possible and take the photos next to a window.
Of course, getting perfect natural light for a photoshoot isn’t always easy, so you could also use off-camera lighting with a diffuser, bringing the light you need to help the jewellery shine without it being too harsh or bold. You will get a soft and beautiful shot without having to wait around for the perfect natural lighting.
Make Sure It’s Clean
Another thing that is often overlooked is making sure that the jewellery is clean. Even the smallest fingerprint can show up very clearly on high-quality images, so getting rid of any marks is a must! This is especially important for older jewellery, such as vintage pieces.
Either give all your jewellery a good clean the day before the shoot, or clean each piece just before it is shot. Then, when you are positioning the jewellery on set, wear a pair of clean cotton gloves to avoid any last-minute finger marks. Although this may seem extreme, a small dirty mark or smudge could be enough to put someone off buying your jewellery! So, a small amount of time and effort to make sure it’s clean will certainly be worth it.
Use A Macro Lens
Using a macro lens is also key to help you pick up on all the key details of the jewellery. The pieces are smaller anyway, but then you also need to pick up on beautiful details to show the value of the jewellery. The close focus helps the intricacy of jewellery to shine. It’s also important because there’s a 1:1 magnification ratio that ensures the jewellery appears life-sized on the camera sensor.
Summary
So, there you have it! If you keep an eye on reflections, turn off the flash and make sure the jewellery is clean, you will be well on your way to capturing your jewellery beautifully. Getting the right lens is also key and can really change the end result of the photography. Taking a small amount of extra time to make sure the photos are right could make a significant difference when it comes to the result.