Macro Jewelry Photography

Here is a test shot taken recently in preparation for my wife's jewelry website. Issues I am working to resolve in this type of shot is to provide a clear photograph of the piece of jewelry when blown up, elimination of glare and overexposure from the flash-lighting setup, and to eliminate any shadows that might occur based on the lighting setup.

Camera Settings:
- Exposure: 1/8 sec
- Exposure Bias: 0
- Aperture: f32
- ISO: 200
- Metering Mode: Pattern
- Focal Length: 105mm
- Flash: Did not fire
- Lighting Setup: Lightbox created using PVC frame with sheer fabric draped over it
- Lights: Three 120w Flourescent Flood Lights
- Diffusion: Sheer white fabric

Initial tests with more textured background fabric almost eliminated the shadows, however, the texture detracted greatly from the jewerly. Going to a less textured fabric in this example, the background does not compete with the jewelry, but the shadows are somewhat present. I plan to work with different placement of lights to try and overcome shadows. The three lights were placed in this fashion. One on each side angled at 45 degree toward the jewelry at jewelry height. The third light was placed above and slightly in front of the jewelry with the light aimed toward the jewelry at about a 60 degree angle.

I am finding that the 105mm f2.8D lens requires a lot of light with the smaller aperture settings than I am used to with other lenses. I guess I was expecting with 3 - 120w lights to be able to set the shutter speed to 1/250 second rather than the 1/8 I did to get the brightness I achieved.

I am relatively pleased with the elimination of glare and overexposure in this shot. While there is a bit on the silver, for the most part I don't feel that it detracts from the image.

I am pleased with the clarity of the image and feel it enlarges well. I decided to go to f32 to make for a larger depth of field to keep as much of the jewelry in focus as I could.

It's all about learning so any comments or suggestions you have, good or bad, so I would appreciate your comments

My first blog entry...

Well, I've decided to give blogging a try as a way to display some of my photography with the intent of generating discussion to receive feedback / suggestions on ways to improve my skills.

My initial thought is that I will post photography technique topics with one or more example photos to display the results of the technique. Some will be based on techniques I have learned, and some based on a technique I need assistance with getting right.

Camera setting information will be posted along with the photographs as I find it a good learning exercise to display what settings were used to achieve a given result. Where appropriate, setup shots will be taken as well to illustrate how a technique was executed.

The goal is for folks to make comments and suggestions related to the topic at hand to improve the outcome of the technique.

Over time, this will build a series of photography technique topics that will be available to myelf and others. Hopefuly as topics are discussed, others will have the opportunity to learn new techniques or enhance existing techniques.

Thanks, David