Jewellery photography is a specialised field that requires specific skills and equipment to capture the beauty and complexities of delicate pieces. It’s crucial for online retailers, as customers can only physically inspect the jewellery after purchasing it. High-quality, professionally shot photographs can impact purchasing decisions and promote brands. In today’s digital age, jewellery Photography Montreal is essential for online shopping. So, if you want to learn how to take great jewellery photos or improve your current process, here’s what you should know.
What is the right equipment?
- Camera
Jewellery photography can be done with smartphones or a DSLR camera. Selecting the right camera depends on the shoot location, type of photography, and client needs. Mid-range or high-end DSLRs are ideal for outdoor or studio shoots. High-megapixel cameras with reasonable prices can produce high-quality prints.
- Lens
Selecting the right lens is crucial for capturing stunning jewellery photos. Standard lenses, with an angle of view of 50–55 degrees, are ideal for human vision. Macro lenses are ideal for intricate shots, while fixed-millimetre lenses produce sharper, higher-quality images. Choose a lens that reflects your creativity.
- Tripod
Tripods are a cost-effective solution for achieving optimal aperture and ISO settings, reducing camera shake, and improving photo quality. They also provide consistency, making it easy to replicate your setup even on different days, ensuring optimal results regardless of the lighting setup.
- Lighting
Lighting is crucial for capturing the beauty of jewellery photography. Maximising natural light, using windows adjacent to a wall, and using larger windows are recommended. Artificial light sources, like softboxes, can be purchased. Various kits of lighting for jewellery photography are available online, but start with simple setups and experiment with different techniques to improve your photography.
- Background
Shooting jewellery products against a white backdrop ensures true colours and better lighting. Reflective jewellery absorbs other colours, making it easier to capture accurate images. A simple backdrop like folded paper can make a significant difference, avoiding the hassle of stretching a white sheet and resulting in precise and accurate product images.
- Props
Props like mannequin busts and white backgrounds can enhance the presentation of jewellery. For necklaces, cover them with a white cloth for a more realistic look. Adding colourful sweets or delicate flowers can add interest and make jewellery photos stand out. Attention to detail is crucial in photography.
How Do You Take Stunning Jewellery Photos?
- Style your jewellery.
For beginners in jewellery photography, a white background is a popular starting point. However, consider incorporating various props like marble slab backdrops, textured accents, and ring stands to add visual interest. Experiment with different setups until you find the best look for displaying your products.
- Prepare your jewellery.
To capture jewellery photography, use a DSLR camera and good lighting. Keep your jewellery clean and polished after each use, using cotton gloves. Place your jewellery in a flat section of a sweep, leaving room for a white reflector card later.
- Camera Settings
To build customer trust, focus on capturing detailed jewellery photography. Avoid artsy low-aperture shots and use high-aperture and full-focus photography with f-11 or higher aperture settings and ISO 100. Set white balance to capture the intended colours, either manually or using the camera’s automatic mode. Double-check the results for accuracy.
- Position your lighting.
To achieve optimal results with artificial lighting, position one light source and softbox at a 45-degree angle to the product, and position the camera directly in front of the jewellery piece to avoid unwanted shadows and create a pure white background.
- Angle and Composition
Jewellery photography is a beautiful art form that requires attention to composition. Focus on the item, display it in situ, use a mannequin bust or model, dangle it against a plain background, and remove the wire for floating effects. Clean, fingerprint-free, and lint-free clothes are essential for a stunning finish.
- Get the focus right.
To capture the best jewellery shots, adjust focus points based on the size of the gemstone or ring. Use a single AF point on a contrasting edge or manual focus for sharper images. Wide apertures are ideal for brighter shots but may reduce the depth of field. Avoid clustering items and use a shallow depth of field for essential focus.
- Take the photo.
To capture stunning jewellery photography, position your camera on a tripod and tilt it slightly onward. Place diffusing umbrella lights on either side of your product, angled downwards, and ensure equal power for even light distribution and eliminating bright spots.
- Editing and post-processing
To prepare jewellery photos for your online store, use a free online photo editor and learn basic image enhancement techniques. This will create visually appealing visuals for marketing and sales channels, or you can hire a professional editor for a more convenient experience.
What are some tips for taking better jewellery photos?
- Experiment with various angles.
Invest in high-quality product imagery to enhance customer trust and the shopping experience. Provide multiple angles of your jewellery, capturing its overall quality and beauty, and capitalising on potential sales.
- Select the appropriate colour space.
Selecting the right colour space during editing significantly impacts colour accuracy in photography, with sRGB being the best choice for online photos due to its web-optimised nature.
- Keep your setup simple.
One of the most important jewellery photography tips is to simplify your jewellery photos. Simplifying jewellery photography requires a solid surface, white paper backdrop, camera, lens, lighting, and metal clamp. Avoid complex compositions and focus on story-telling elements for success.
- Eliminate unwanted reflections.
Learn techniques to capture stunning metallic jewellery photography without distracting reflections, ensuring clarity and focus on features, while utilising double overhead light for optimal results.
- Maintain a consistent and eye-catching style.
Consistency in jewellery photography is crucial for a seamless e-commerce experience. Create clear guidelines and track details to avoid product quality differences and distractions.
Conclusion
Jewellery photography is an art form that requires a distinct set of skills to capture the beauty of each piece. It is a manageable art form that requires an understanding of camera setup, lighting, post-processing, and editing techniques. With dedication and practice through various jewellery photography tutorials, you can experiment with more complex setups and techniques. This art form allows you to express yourself artistically and connect with others. Start today to create unique jewellery photographs that your audience will love.
Based in Montreal, Impression Photography offers perfect jewellery photography services, enhancing the natural beauty of gems while preserving their uniqueness and ensuring stunning photos for selling or documenting collections.
