Daily Wire Tip Jan. 9: Photographing Your Wire Jewelry
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
January 9, 2011
Question:
I am having difficulty getting a clear picture of my wire wrapping designs. What type of camera do you suggest, and do you use a light box always? I am almost ready to pay a professional to take the pictures! Thank you!
-Robin in Redding, California
Answer:
Yes Robin, taking good photos of your work is very important and does not have to be difficult. Before you invest in equipment, ask yourself, Where are these photos to be used? Are you putting them on the Internet to sell your jewelry? Are they going to be used to jury into a show? Are you writing an article that will be printed? Will the images need to be really huge or printed out?
Personally, I use a digital light box mainly for taking stepped-out pictures for patterns, so there is no background to confuse the viewer. I also use my light box when I want a photo that I can cut out the entire background from (I use Adobe Photoshop). For most jewelry shots I use a neutral, no-shine background that will not take away from the main item, but rather enhance the design. For example, a piece of driftwood or a cool rock (however, I think using crystals takes away from the feature item).
As for a camera choice, I have used an expensive camera with all types of lenses in the past, but it has since died. I presently use a simple digital camera with both an auto-focus as well as manual options. My first camera was over $400, and my new one was just $130! I also have to tell you that I am not a professional photographer. My experience has come from trial and error – which is not expensive, it just takes time.
The two most important features of a camera used to take pictures of jewelry are a Macro setting, and being able to turn off the flash. Investing in an inexpensive tripod is a must! One tip I have learned is not to use the zoom option when using a Macro setting, as the Macro will enhance your item automatically, and the zoom can actually ruin the auto feature of the Marco.
This article, Photographing Your Jewelry Using a Lightbox not only shows you how to make your own Lightbox, but also how to use it!
The best way to select a camera is to go to a camera shop/store (no, not the one at a department store), and ask the experts there. Tell them what you wish to do with your camera and what results you expect, as well as your budget. They will be able to make suggestions, and often you have a week or two to experiment before you can no longer take the camera back. (This is how I made my recent purchase.)
As for hiring a professional photographer, yes, I also do this. When you are ready to apply to some of the major art shows out there, to me it is worth the cost to have my work shot by a professional. Be careful when choosing a photographer though, because glass and jewelry are the most difficult items to shoot well. I am sure that folks will jump in and share their experiences, this is a great subject. Thanks for asking!
Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong
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Filed under:Daily Wire Jewelry Tips‚ Photography‚ Sales, Marketing, Shows, & Display
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I use a lightbox I also use a Nikon D3000SLR camera and Nikon 85 mm f/3.5G ED DX VR Micro Lens. This gets you professional
looking pictures and if you want to do juried shows or sell your things on your own website or Etsy or Ebay I recommend going this route. I also use a tripod. This is not a cheap setup so unless you are prepared to use it on a regular basis try Dales route.
Robin, thanks for sharing a more professional approach.
A professional photographer, who is also a beader, told me that indirect natural light is best. My favorite place to take pictures is on the back porch in the morning light. I can really tell the difference between natural light and indoor light! As for backgrounds, I have several terry cloth towels – white and navy blue, depending upon the color of the stones or beads. They are cheap, available at any discount or department store and can be tossed into the washer and dryer as needed. I also like to use a piece of plain denim, and sometimes I use a piece of lace for interest. With an auto focus, the most important thing is to be patient and wait for the camera to get itself ready for the shot. I know this is hard, but patience with the camera’s auto focus is really a virtue worth learning.
Hi Katherine, I also like to take photos on a cloudy day, on my porch, under a table umbrella – nice info to share – thanks so much!
I use a Nikon Coolpix L1 which has the macro setting as suggested, and found it to be an excellent camera for just that same thing. Also have a light box but find that limits your work area. I use natural indirect light (11-3) with items on a plain white background on a windowsill in my office. I also do a white balance check on the camera every few photos in case the lighting has varied since the first check. This ensures no false variations in jewelry colors. Keep turning the jewelry piece to take advantage of highlighting different features. Eventually you’ll become familiar with what you’re looking for and won’t have to take as many photos.
Great info Dorothy, thanks for sharing your photography techniques with us!
Set your camera on ‘macro’ for really close ups.
I actually took about 10-15 pcs of my jewelry with me to several stores and tested out cameras before I bought mine, and I agree, Dale a $130 with a macroo setting was the best!
Not having had luck with photos/cameras I usually get fairly good results with a flatbed scanner.
Thanks Lesia, you are so right! Often I make quick photos by using my scanner – thanks for reminding me : )
A timer is also an invaluable tool. Shots can end up blurred even with a tripod when you push the button to take your shot.
Another helpful feature on your camera is the timer (used with a tripod, of course). That way the camera takes the shot, and prevents inadvertent shaking and a fuzzy picture.
Another useful tool is an inexpensive “remote switch” that you plug into your camera while it is on a tripod. Similar results as the timer, but you don’t have the wait. And, I agree that natural light on a porch or under a tree is the best. I like matt backgrouds too. To hold your jewelry in place try museum gel to hold it to get just the right angle. And editing in Photoshop Elements is really helpful.
Liz,
I use a sony cyber-shot for my photo’s of my bead work and they come out pretty good, have post a few on my face book, got lots of comments how good the photos of my work look and how much they like my work which real encourage you to keep up the good work.
I’m pleased to see that I am not the only one using a flatbed scanner to record my jewelry pieces. I use plain copy paper and select color copy, then punch the pages to store in a looseleaf binder. The scanner certainly does not produce an adequate image for internet sales, but I use it just to keep a record of my work, adding the names of materials used and costs, date completed, and who I made it for if I made it specially for a friend or family-member. Since the image is “life-size” I can tell how long a necklace or bracelet was, what size beads were used, etc. It really comes in handy if someone wants to add a matching bracelet or earrings later.
It cracks me up that so many of us use natural light on the back porch. I have a portable light box (affordable from an ebay shop) that I use for more formal shots. But I like using props, especially in my Etsy shop pictures. When my inexpensive digital broke (okay, I dropped it), my father gave me an expensive one – it’s just not the same so I may just buy another cheap one for my jewelry. Thanks for all the good input from all the other photo-snapping jewelry junkies out there.
I have a Sony Cyber shot as well and though I have taken many pictures in the past with numerous cameras I have not had good results until now. I am in the process of building my light box and am excited for the results this new camera holds! Next I have to figure out how to transfer my pictures from the camera to the web site… it’s a process, right?
Oh yeah Jane – we learn to wear many hats!
I have been photographing minerals and crystals for years as an amateur.
I use a simple 3.1 megapixel Pentax Optio S I bought in 2003. I’ve taken over 500,000 photos, and it still works.
I also use Macro and Super Macro settings without a flash in a simple lightbox from Walmart. For lighting, I combine natural northern light and 500K color spotlights (one on either side, outside of white panels for diffused light).
Also, a bright color setting helps. It’s the one with the flower with petals icon on my camera.
Crystal faces are tricky, as they can act like mirrors, so taking shots from many different angles helps to find a shot that works.
To see some examples go to http://www.delminsociety.net/marchshow2010/marchshow2010_photos.htm#Display Cases .
Hope this helps.