Facets Part 1

[Shadowman]

I wanted or thought I needed flash to photograph this piece, but utilized natural light filtered through a curtain blind.

[Brownbear]

Hi John,

I adore the composition and the colours of this one. I expect that this is incredibly challenging to photograph and think it could be a stunning image with greater DOF (so ever facet was in sharp focus) with softer lighting/highlights...

Alas I don't have the experience to advise so I'm only able to share my personal opinion.

[Shadowman]

Hi John,

I adore the composition and the colours of this one. I expect that this is incredibly challenging to photograph and think it could be a stunning image with greater DOF (so ever facet was in sharp focus) with softer lighting/highlights...

Alas I don't have the experience to advise so I'm only able to share my personal opinion.

Christina,

Thanks for the comments, it is very challenging. One of the problems with sharpness is that I have to place the camera so close to the image and it blocks my light source. And your personal opinion means a lot.

[Barbara Ponder]

An interesting shot John! Is it a ring? I would imagine it would be very hard indeed.

[Shadowman]

An interesting shot John! Is it a ring? I would imagine it would be very hard indeed.

Barbara,

Thanks for commenting. It's a pendant.

[IzzieK]

I am not the jewelry nor perfume kind of person so I cannot comment much on them...but I think this has good potentials if you do a re-shoot a little bit further then zoom in closer to crop. Just a thought...

[deetheturk]

Never tried this type of photography John, but looking forward to seeing your progress

[TheBigE]

John - Nice shot, very interesting to see the colors and the shapes. I can only imagine of the complexity of obtaining this shot, well done.

[Shadowman]

I am not the jewelry nor perfume kind of person so I cannot comment much on them...but I think this has good potentials if you do a re-shoot a little bit further then zoom in closer to crop. Just a thought...

Izzie,

Thanks for the comments. Your suggestion is definitely worth a try.

[Shadowman]

Never tried this type of photography John, but looking forward to seeing your progress

Thanks David, many misses so far, but after putting a hold on the use of flash I'm getting a few hits.

[Shadowman]

John - Nice shot, very interesting to see the colors and the shapes. I can only imagine of the complexity of obtaining this shot, well done.

Erik,

Thanks for the comments.

[Loose Canon]

Hi John,

Cool piece of bling!

Looks to me like the top 2-3 rows of gemstones are a little soft.

Also, if mine, I would consider the gemstones as being too dull. No sparkle and that’s what gemstones need in a photograph. That’s why they are cut they way they are. To get as many reflective surfaces as they can so they produce that sparkle when they reflect light from all angles. If you don’t get that (or at least close) in-camera it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to bring it out in post. I would say there are too many dark/black/darker gray tones in the stones to get that gemstone razzle-dazzle!

Gemstones ain't easy. They take the right combination of tones to give them a nice look.

I’d hit ‘em with some light.

[Marie Hass]

Dear John,

Maybe using a continuous light source would help you to control the light better - and provide the missing bling that Terry refers to? That way, you have immediate feedback before you take the picture.

I love pictures of jewelry! This has a lot of potential.

Marie

[Shadowman]

Hi John,

Cool piece of bling!

Looks to me like the top 2-3 rows of gemstones are a little soft.

Also, if mine, I would consider the gemstones as being too dull. No sparkle and that’s what gemstones need in a photograph. That’s why they are cut they way they are. To get as many reflective surfaces as they can so they produce that sparkle when they reflect light from all angles. If you don’t get that (or at least close) in-camera it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to bring it out in post. I would say there are too many dark/black/darker gray tones in the stones to get that gemstone razzle-dazzle!

Gemstones ain't easy. They take the right combination of tones to give them a nice look.

I’d hit ‘em with some light.

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the comments and critique. More light will be my next method to try.

[Shadowman]

Dear John,

Maybe using a continuous light source would help you to control the light better - and provide the missing bling that Terry refers to? That way, you have immediate feedback before you take the picture.

I love pictures of jewelry! This has a lot of potential.

Marie

Hi Marie,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. After many fails with flash, continuous light is my next step.

[Marie Hass]

a 100W LED light can be had for around $15. Make sure you get the one that says "daylight" and the temperature is around 5000 - 5200. Do not get the one that says "warm light".

Get a painter's clip on light at a hardware store. It comes with a reflector. You can tape a sheet or two or three of paper over the light source as a diffuser.

Cheap and easy - and it works.

Marie

[Shadowman]

a 100W LED light can be had for around $15. Make sure you get the one that says "daylight" and the temperature is around 5000 - 5200. Do not get the one that says "warm light".

Get a painter's clip on light at a hardware store. It comes with a reflector. You can tape a sheet or two or three of paper over the light source as a diffuser.

Cheap and easy - and it works.

Marie

Thanks for the tip.

[bnnrcn]

Hi John, I like the colors and patterns. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your trials

[Shadowman]

Hi John, I like the colors and patterns. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your trials

Hi Binnur, thanks for the comments.

[Whistletown Wilds]

Nice shot ,Good Idea!