Even as a professional photographer, jewelry photography can be seriously challenging. This is because jewels can be highly reflective, so you have to take care to use the correct amount of light required. Also, precious stones can be very small in pictures, so you have to ensure you are using the right kind of lens to get the right picture. Finally, colored stones look less vibrant in photos than they do in reality, and this is due to the reaction they have with the chromium present in the film.
Although jewelry photography can be very difficult, it can be made easier if you use the right photography equipment to do your jewelry photoshoot. In this article, we will share with you the different types of photography equipment you should have to do jewelry photography right, and what you should look out for when buying or hiring this equipment for your jewelry photoshoot.
1. Camera
It should go without saying that the most important equipment you would need for jewelry photography (or any other kind of photography for that matter) is a camera. But what kind?
There are different kinds of cameras around, and not all of them are good for this purpose. For starters, do not even consider taking photos with your phone or any other kind of low-budget camera, as it won’t serve the required purpose and reduce the quality of your shoot.
The best types of cameras you should use for jewelry photography are DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) cameras. One reason why this is true is because of the lenses they come with. They usually come with additional compatible lenses which is a very important feature. For example, you can use the macro lens to shoot jewelry from close range and get the tiniest details, and if it has a longer focal length, you can shoot it from a suitable distance and still get the best out of your picture.
Examples of good cameras you can use for jewelry photography include Nikon D3400, Canon EOS Rebel T5, and Sony SLT A58K.
2. Lens
The type of camera you use can determine how easy it is for you to carry out your jewelry photoshoot, and the camera lens is just as important. Macro lenses are usually the best options to consider for jewelry photography, as they can help you take close-up photographs of your jewels. Macro lenses are also the best for all kinds of product photography, so if you are into all kinds of product photography you can consider using your macro lenses for that too.
Some good macro lenses you can use when doing your jewelry photoshoot are:
- Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8L II: Because this is one of the best macro lenses in the market, it is also one of the most expensive. The Canon EF 24-70 mm offers you a zoom quality that is very rare, as well as good sharpness for your quality jewelry images
- Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8: Although Nikon, Canon, and Sony may rule the photography world and produce the best cameras and lenses, there are other less-known brands out there that are giving them a run for their money. Tamron is one of them. Tamron makes the list as one of the best macro lenses in the market because it is simply brilliant at taking sharp photographs. It has a magnification ratio of 1:2.5 and a dynamic close focusing capability.
- Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G
The Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G is a great option for people who are big fans of Nikon but don’t want to break the bank for other expensive Nikon lenses. It is lightweight, making it portable and easy to carry around. The only issue you might have is the slower autofocus this camera has, and it is probably worth it if you get to save a few hundred dollars.
3. Lighting
You can use artificial or natural lighting for the perfect jewelry photoshoot. The advantage of natural lighting is that it is readily available for use at no cost. On the flip side, you can’t control the intensity of natural light, so you have to wait for the perfect time to photograph with natural lighting. One mistake a lot of people make when trying to shoot jewelry with natural light is waiting till midday when the sun is at its peak, believing that that is the best time for taking pictures of your jewelry. This is not true. Too much natural light can be too bright for your jewelry, and that would make the picture distasteful.
If you wish to use artificial lighting for your jewelry photography, ensure that all light sources you wish to use are of the same temperature and warm for uniformity.
4. Stand
You need a table for your jewelry photography, but you also need a jewelry stand to take all your pictures. You can also use jewelry holders, foams, and other props to shoot your jewelry. Adding these props makes your jewelry photography look more professional and entices people to want to look at it.
Conclusion
Most of the equipment here is the equipment you would need for all kinds of product photography, not just jewelry photography. Jewelry photography should be done with the best of care to ensure that the right lighting, camera, and angles are used so as to attract more viewers to it. You can read about Jewelry photography – Tips and tricks that create stunning photos by visiting http://skinkandii.org/jewelry-photography-tips-and-tricks-that-create-stunning-photos/
If you are interested in selling your jewelry and you want to take solid photos of them, remember that with jewelry, what people see is very important. If you can provide the right image, you can make them imagine wearing your product and imagine how that product would look on them. For you to be able to attain that level of desire in the mind of your prospective customer, you must be willing to invest in good equipment that will help you with perfect photography and professionals to help with the process. If you don’t know where to start, you can start with the recommendations written above.
