Filters for jewelry photography

[TG.]

I've been asked to take some photos of some jewelery for a friend, not done this type of thing before but i know you can get filters to bring out the sparkle from the jewelry, so does anyone have any experience of this, and what are the type of filters i should be looking for, just to add i don't have a macro lens anymore, but i do have an 85mm 1.8 and a 50mm 1.4 so i am hoping these will suffice, as it's not something i intend to get into so buying a macro lens wouldn't be an option for me right now, many thanks in advance

 

[ecniv]

First up you need soft light... so a tent type thing or lights with soft boxes are essential.
For filter, try looking at star filters (they screw in the from and split the light at light source/reflections).

I have tried before and found it very difficult to get the shots I wanted... got close...

Also look at some tubes (cheap ones will do) prolly work very well with the 85mm.

Alternative is to borrow a lens from a friend or hire one?

On the assumption you are male, your other half/sister/mother/friends jewelry might be a good place to practice. Good luck


I think these were taken some time ago with a Konica Minolta 5D...
Jewelry 1
Jewelry 2
Jewelry 3
Jewelry 4

...I might try some more shots this week

 

[CT]

You can get star filters which produce those twinkly effects on the hghlights on suitably lit jewellery. Just be aware though, that some people wont be impressed if they give a misleading impression of the product. The TV shopping channel QVC used to use these filters on their cameras, but stopped doing so after numerous compalints about it when people were receiving items of jewellery not quite as dazzling as the ones shown on TV. You could fall foul of advertising standards legislation too these days I'd imagine if you intend doing it commercially.

 

[TG.]

Thanks for the advice both, i will look more in to this, that surprises me CT, jewelry shops have been doing the same thing forever in their window displays, although i can see why folk would be peed off about it

 

[CT]

Thanks for the advice both, i will look more in to this, that surprises me CT, jewelry shops have been doing the same thing forever in their window displays, although i can see why folk would be peed off about it

If the customer asks for it then do it. I've photographed a few complete jewellery collections just for insurance purposes and if the customer asks for it, then they're final arbiter as far as I'm concerned.

Yoiu should be able to get a very similar effect actually just by stopping down to a small aperture as long as you light the items suitably.

 

[HoppyUK]

Star filters look horrible, flarey, and artificial. Please don't

You need spot lights for sparkle (as per my answer on your other thread) just like they use in those shop windows.

 

[TG.]

Some photos of the type of jewelry i'm looking to take photos of in this thread HERE anymore advice is much appreciated.

 

[ecniv]

Soft boxes...

Or make shift soft boxes

Built a smallish macro box...
Tracing paper, big box, and velcro.
Cut holes to around an inch on the sides and top. Sellotape in the tracing paper.
For ease of storage, take the box apart and use the velcro to rebuild it.

Two lamps (or more) positioned near the sides and one over head.... dont use flash (harsh shadows).

Essentially you want a soft bright light over it all...

For sparkle, you need a light bright enough to be reflected, but preferably not cast a harsh shadow... You'll have to experiment there