Take Pictures of Jewelry for the Internet
Photographing jewelry for the Internet can be frustrating, especially if you are not familiar with photography. In order to capture the beauty of a jewelry piece, it is necessary to position it properly and have adequate lighting, especially if the jewelry contains gemstones.
Instructions
1. Create a backdrop for your jewelry. If the jewelry has light-colored stones or is silver or gold, a dark backdrop is appropriate. If the stones are darker or if the color of the jewelry is darker in shade, a light colored backdrop is more appropriate. The fabric used for your backdrop should be matte so that excess light does not reflect off of it. Professional jewelers typically use velvet for this purpose, since it does not reflect light.
2. Position your jewelry. If you have a professional stand for your jewelry, you can place the piece so that it is showcased properly. These stands are typically available at jewelry supply stores. If you do not have a stand, you can make your own, or simply position your jewelry so that its main features are front and center. For example, if you have a solitaire ring, you will need to position it so that the stone will be the main focus of the picture. Try a few different positions until you find the one that showcases the jewelry appropriately.
3. Add lighting. A professional photographer would use small key lights to remove any shadows that can detract from a piece of jewelry. If you don't have key lights, you can achieve the same effect by using small lamps placed around your work area. Even flashlights can be used in a pinch if they are positioned so that the light falls on the jewelry, highlighting the areas you want to showcase.
4. Take several pictures. It is best to use a digital camera when you are taking pictures of jewelry for the Internet. This way you can instantly tell if a picture comes out how you would like it, and you're free to take as many shots as you need. Try to get a picture of each angle of the piece of jewelry you are photographing.
5. Adjust elements as necessary. If your photos are not coming out the way you would like, you can change the backdrop, add or take away more light, or simply change the position of the jewelry.
