Help with my photography.

[atlas]

Hi sorry if this is not the correct place to post this but i am looking for some tips and tricks to taking high quality pictures of my work. I really struggle with lighting and only managed to take some half decent pictures in my garden. I want to change my style of photography to using only a black or white background for website aesthetics. 

I guess my question is if i want to setup an indoor photography area that is easily repeatable and what equipment would i need (Camera, lenses, lighting, backdrop ect). 


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Thanks so much.

[caeterle]

There are different possibilities of setups for inside photography.
For example, you can use a photo box/light box that you can even build yourself if you want to try it out first. There are many tutorials on YouTube for that. Of course you can also buy one, they often come with different backdrops.
There are also a lot of tutorials for inside photography on YouTube.

Nowadays many people use just their smartphone for product photography and it works well. Of course there's no end to cameras you can use as well, expensive ones if you are into photographing, but it doesn't have to be expensive. I, for example, have been using my Canon Powershot for over ten years now.
Lighting also depends on what you use. Photo boxes often come with LED strips nowadays, it seems (I just got a new one myself not long ago). I had an open light box before that which I used with daylight lamps and that worked well for me. The new box with the LED strips is not my cup of tea at all (nicely put), but a lot of people don't seem to have the same problems as me, so I guess it's a matter of preference.


I really recommend you look through some tutorials to get a feeling for what you would prefer.
And by the way, the rings are beautiful!

[Irith-Rita]

I am not a very good photographer, so you better follow Cat's advice.

As for your rings - they are such beauties! Very professional!

[DawninCal]

Cat takes fantastic photos, she knows what she is talking about.

Me, I struggle. Sometimes, I'm really pleased and other times I just can't get it right no matter what.

Over and over again, selling platforms have told us to go with a white background, not to use props because they are distracting, to use natural light but not direct sunlight and the list goes on and on and on!

The problem with the white background is that so often it has a bluish cast. It's really difficult to get a pure white, at least for me it is. This is why, after much thought, I've decided to move away from white. Instead, I am going to experiment with wood, concrete, tile and brick backgrounds. IMO, they add visual interest, and more importantly, no more fighting with white!

I think props can be quite attractive if done right, but some people hate them. It's really a matter of personal preference. The trick is not to over do it. A simple rock, a piece of wood, a shell or even a sprig of rosemary can really enhance product photos. Your Christmas tree or the busy plaid table cloth, not so much.

I don't have a light tent, although I've recently been experimenting with an old lampshade, so I rely on natural light. That is difficult this time of the year (in the Western hemisphere) because the light is off to the side due to the earth's position to the sun. During the summer months, I find that between 11:00a.m. and 2:00p.m. are the best times because the light is overhead which eliminates most shadows. Since you don't want the glare of the sun on your beautiful jewelry, it's best to find a shady spot to take your photos. Cloudy days are even better as the clouds act like a natural filter.

And...never, ever photograph your jewelry with a flash bulb. I used to be guilty of that and I know of what I speak.

As Cat suggested, look at the many tutorials available online. Youtube is a wealth of information. Read articles about photography. Join online photography forums. And, most importantly, experiment with your camera, the light, backgrounds, props, etc., until you develop a style of your own that you are happy with. You don't need an expensive fancy camera. Many people use their phones. My camera is an aging Canon Powershot. I think Cat is also using a Canon Powershot.

These are a few recent photos I'm quite happy with. Click on the thumbnails to see the photos in full detail; these thumbnails often aren't very clear. None of them has the white background that everyone says we must use, but because of that, I'm not fighting the dreaded bluish hue and that right there makes me happy.







Good luck to you. I hope you'll update us on your progress.



Dawn

[Irith-Rita]

In the Summer I used to wait until it was getting darker, and noticed my photographs were better then. As for white backgrounds, I don't like them. They seem to have no soul in them. Nevertheless sometimes I try white brackgrounds when I am lucky enough to get the right clear white shade. I prefer taking them on a grey stone as Dawn has suggested.