11-30-2017 03:13 PM
Trying to get my lighting setup right. Seems no matter what I try, gold tone jewelry always looks silver tone when I use a dark background. I love the way the dark background makes the piece really stand out. Is there any way I can keep this "wash out" from happening? So time consuming to edit each one and even then - the color is no where correct. Thanks!
Solved! Go to Best Answer
11-30-2017 05:45 PM
Your camera is metering the background, not the subject. I suggest you take a reading of the object itself, set the white balance accordingly, then photograph the jewelry on the desired background.
Photography shiny objects is not easy. Personally, I try to avoid black or other dark backgrounds -- neutral light or bright colors seem to work better for me. These photos are not perfect; at the time, I was using a single Ottlite rather than a pair of LED lamps. It's fairly obvious that the light source is above and to the right ay about a 45-degree amg;e.
The Trifari earrings rest on the plain white back of a business card. The string of glass beads with a golden clasp is shown on a white patterned placemat. The Scottie pin on a crocheted doily displays both detail and scale.
Two critical elements -- pure white light and precise focus -- help define the subject and integrate the minimal background into the overall photo. I prefer to fill the frame when possible, but tiny objects often demand a "useful" background to reduce shadows and balance the exposure.
For vividly colored objects, I often employ bright backgrounds. The lanyard is arranged on a royal blue peechee folder but a length of blue double-knit fabric serves well for larger pieces such as dinner plates, postcard groups, books or magazine ads.
For your goldtone jewelry, you might try purple, bronze or woodgrain backgrounds.
~~C~~
11-30-2017 05:45 PM
Your camera is metering the background, not the subject. I suggest you take a reading of the object itself, set the white balance accordingly, then photograph the jewelry on the desired background.
Photography shiny objects is not easy. Personally, I try to avoid black or other dark backgrounds -- neutral light or bright colors seem to work better for me. These photos are not perfect; at the time, I was using a single Ottlite rather than a pair of LED lamps. It's fairly obvious that the light source is above and to the right ay about a 45-degree amg;e.
The Trifari earrings rest on the plain white back of a business card. The string of glass beads with a golden clasp is shown on a white patterned placemat. The Scottie pin on a crocheted doily displays both detail and scale.
Two critical elements -- pure white light and precise focus -- help define the subject and integrate the minimal background into the overall photo. I prefer to fill the frame when possible, but tiny objects often demand a "useful" background to reduce shadows and balance the exposure.
For vividly colored objects, I often employ bright backgrounds. The lanyard is arranged on a royal blue peechee folder but a length of blue double-knit fabric serves well for larger pieces such as dinner plates, postcard groups, books or magazine ads.
For your goldtone jewelry, you might try purple, bronze or woodgrain backgrounds.
~~C~~
11-30-2017 05:54 PM
duchess - thank you! My camera is a point and shoot... so I will step down from black/white and bring in other colors. It was in the back of my mind gray, gray but I forgot the reason... not necessarily the color but the "less harsh" contrast I was asking the camera to handle.
Got it:) Thanks again for your advise and examples.