Comments on: Photographing jewelry: the lighting setup, tips and tricks plus bonus video http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/ Technical secrets of studio photography: we hold nothing behind Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:15:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Alex Koloskov http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-54764 Alex Koloskov Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:23:18 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-54764 Otto, I think very positive about such tandem:-) Otto,
I think very positive about such tandem:-)

]]> By: Otto Haring - Miami http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-54689 Otto Haring - Miami Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:33:43 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-54689 what do you think about using a Canon 5D Mark II with a Cambo X2? what do you think about using a Canon 5D Mark II with a Cambo X2?

]]> By: Anatoli http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-35657 Anatoli Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:02:15 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-35657 The most problem is that just long lenses can be used with this kind of bellows...from 135mm and up. Another reason - I'm really interested in tilting "sensor", but not the lenses. For that, film/sensor plan should be placed on the tilt axis. Hama bellows do not allow to mount camera that way - L brackets are too short. I think, your system (and Horseman LD as well) is one of the most advanced. Just one weak side - it is too bulky and heavy. Thanks The most problem is that just long lenses can be used with this kind of bellows…from 135mm and up. Another reason – I’m really interested in tilting “sensor”, but not the lenses. For that, film/sensor plan should be placed on the tilt axis. Hama bellows do not allow to mount camera that way – L brackets are too short. I think, your system (and Horseman LD as well) is one of the most advanced. Just one weak side – it is too bulky and heavy.

Thanks

]]> By: Alex Koloskov http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-34740 Alex Koloskov Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:01:15 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-34740 Anatoli, I did not know about these tilt-shift system, they are much smaller then what I did. Which is a big plus. Why it did not work for you? I do not use them as much as I want to, but still, for some shoots they are saving me time (meaning I can get shot without focus stacking). Thank you! Anatoli,
I did not know about these tilt-shift system, they are much smaller then what I did. Which is a big plus. Why it did not work for you? I do not use them as much as I want to, but still, for some shoots they are saving me time (meaning I can get shot without focus stacking).
Thank you!

]]> By: Anatoli http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-34509 Anatoli Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:11:07 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-34509 Thank you, Alex. Nice to hear it from you. If you allow this kind of links in your blog, one of my "tilting efforts" is here http://www.flickr.com/photos/uvidish/5409138879/#/photos/uvidish/5409138879/lightbox/ Lens was tilted about 20-25 degrees. I am trying to figure out, why "big guys" make lenses, mostly limited by 8 degrees. I think everybody, who is photographing jewelry (or other small detailed objects), thinks about that. I've already tried Nikon PB-4 bellows, Sinar Alpina, Hama/Spiratone bellows http://www.flickr.com/photos/uvidish/5409283585/in/set-72157625833434105/#/photos/uvidish/5409283585/in/set-72157625833434105/lightbox/ Nothing have worked good enough for me. All that stuff is fun to play, but not to work with. Thank you, Alex. Nice to hear it from you.

If you allow this kind of links in your blog, one of my “tilting efforts” is here http://www.flickr.com/photos/uvidish/5409138879/#/photos/uvidish/5409138879/lightbox/
Lens was tilted about 20-25 degrees. I am trying to figure out, why “big guys” make lenses, mostly limited by 8 degrees. I think everybody, who is photographing jewelry (or other small detailed objects), thinks about that.
I’ve already tried Nikon PB-4 bellows, Sinar Alpina, Hama/Spiratone bellows http://www.flickr.com/photos/uvidish/5409283585/in/set-72157625833434105/#/photos/uvidish/5409283585/in/set-72157625833434105/lightbox/
Nothing have worked good enough for me. All that stuff is fun to play, but not to work with.

]]> By: Alex Koloskov http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-34400 Alex Koloskov Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:21:11 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-34400 Anatoli, I did not notice degrees... I never look at the actual values of the angle, as for every shot it will be different. Every time I am trying to find the maximum possible tilt before image quality gets degraded. Thank you. P.S Nice portfolio! Anatoli,
I did not notice degrees… I never look at the actual values of the angle, as for every shot it will be different. Every time I am trying to find the maximum possible tilt before image quality gets degraded.

Thank you.
P.S Nice portfolio!

]]> By: Anatoli http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-34317 Anatoli Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:47:34 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-34317 Alex, how many degrees did you apply for bracelet shot? Thank you for sharing info. Alex, how many degrees did you apply for bracelet shot?
Thank you for sharing info.

]]> By: Saul http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-32715 Saul Tue, 25 Jan 2011 05:33:33 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-32715 Great site Alex! A huge discovery for me. I've been fighting my photographic problems alone. Until now, that is. Thanks a lot. Great site Alex! A huge discovery for me. I’ve been fighting my photographic problems alone. Until now, that is. Thanks a lot.

]]> By: Alex Koloskov http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-22482 Alex Koloskov Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:30:45 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-22482 Cali, Yes, we had to blur the reflection in post-production. I've tried to shot on the mate glass instead (to avoid PP), but it did not work: matte glass get highlighted too much, creating undesired diffused light spread all around. As for the crystals, they are completely different animals comparing to those bracelets I did. There is no "universal" setup for them, everything depends from size/shape. You may even need to use narrow beam LED lighting instead of strobes... I start working on jewelry more and more now, hopefully there will be more posts about this here. Stay tuned:-) Thank you! Cali,
Yes, we had to blur the reflection in post-production.
I’ve tried to shot on the mate glass instead (to avoid PP), but it did not work: matte glass get highlighted too much, creating undesired diffused light spread all around.

As for the crystals, they are completely different animals comparing to those bracelets I did. There is no “universal” setup for them, everything depends from size/shape. You may even need to use narrow beam LED lighting instead of strobes… I start working on jewelry more and more now, hopefully there will be more posts about this here.
Stay tuned:-)

Thank you!

]]> By: Cali http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-22446 Cali Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:55:24 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-22446 Did you have to post process the pearls to remove any reflections in them or is the shot as was taken. The images are fantastic very sharp and crisp. Do you have any suggested setups for photographing crystals. Did you have to post process the pearls to remove any reflections in them or is the shot as was taken. The images are fantastic very sharp and crisp. Do you have any suggested setups for photographing crystals.

]]> By: Alex Koloskov http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-19781 Alex Koloskov Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:03:56 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-19781 Sumit, Yes, any camera will work, even point and shoot (see <a href="http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/do-you-really-need-an-expensive-dslr-camera-point-and-shoot-vs-professional-dslr" title="Point and shoot camera vs professional DSLR: studio test">here</a>). So, you'll be completely fine with your Canon EOS. Wish you good luck. Sumit,

Yes, any camera will work, even point and shoot (see here).
So, you’ll be completely fine with your Canon EOS.

Wish you good luck.

]]> By: Sumit http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-19588 Sumit Sun, 21 Nov 2010 09:50:25 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-19588 Reaaly ur Guidance help me alot. will try. I have Canon EOS Kiss X3 Do you think it will work? Can u send me email if u dont mind Alex. Please. Reaaly ur Guidance help me alot. will try. I have Canon EOS Kiss X3 Do you think it will work? Can u send me email if u dont mind Alex. Please.

]]> By: Alex Koloskov http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-9733 Alex Koloskov Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:35:54 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-9733 Terry, Wow, just read my writing and I understand you:-) No way a normal human being can understand what I meant. So, here it is: the regular mirror consist from 2 parts: the glass and a foil-like finish on one side, which is actually reflects the light, right? What I meant is that the surface of mirror's glass should be clean from a dust... this is it. I am going to rewrite this sentence to make it a little bit more understandable.. Thank you for finding the glitch:-) ~Alex Terry,
Wow, just read my writing and I understand you:-) No way a normal human being can understand what I meant. So, here it is:
the regular mirror consist from 2 parts: the glass and a foil-like finish on one side, which is actually reflects the light, right? What I meant is that the surface of mirror’s glass should be clean from a dust… this is it. I am going to rewrite this sentence to make it a little bit more understandable..
Thank you for finding the glitch:-)

~Alex

]]> By: Terrychan http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-9640 Terrychan Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:29:44 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-9640 hi alex, I really appreciate your works. But sorry I can't understand this, 'the glass is transparent, and mirror reflects only a backdrop which is far from a shooting table.' you said it's a mirror, so how is it transparent? can you clarify that for me, alex? thanks in advance. hi alex, I really appreciate your works. But sorry I can’t understand this, ‘the glass is transparent, and mirror reflects only a backdrop which is far from a shooting table.’
you said it’s a mirror, so how is it transparent?
can you clarify that for me, alex? thanks in advance.

]]> By: diyphotography http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-3075 diyphotography Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:09:20 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-3075 WOW Just visited your site for the first time, great tips and tutorials!!! Thanks! WOW
Just visited your site for the first time, great tips and tutorials!!!
Thanks!

]]> By: Alex Koloskov http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-1659 Alex Koloskov Thu, 13 May 2010 03:44:26 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-1659 Carol, I do not use a pre-colored mirrors, instead what I do it this: get a acrylic sheets from a store like <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg1/R-202038049/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">HomeDepot</a>, aerosol paint form a same store nad paint piece of palxiglass any color i need. the other side (unpainted) will be nice glossy mirror with color you need. To make it matte, just spray a dulling spray on the glossy side, and you'll have it mate... I had one black acrylic piece, forgot where I got it from. If I'll find, I'll let you know. Alex Carol,
I do not use a pre-colored mirrors, instead what I do it this: get a acrylic sheets from a store like HomeDepot, aerosol paint form a same store nad paint piece of palxiglass any color i need. the other side (unpainted) will be nice glossy mirror with color you need. To make it matte, just spray a dulling spray on the glossy side, and you’ll have it mate…
I had one black acrylic piece, forgot where I got it from. If I’ll find, I’ll let you know.
Alex

]]> By: Carol Knoblow http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-1648 Carol Knoblow Wed, 12 May 2010 20:17:56 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-1648 Hi, I'm still a novice, where can you purchase the black and/or smoked mirrors? Hi, I’m still a novice, where can you purchase the black and/or smoked mirrors?

]]> By: Alex Koloskov http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-1478 Alex Koloskov Fri, 07 May 2010 18:12:09 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-1478 Sounds interesting, I am curious to see it! BTW, reflection looks great, I need to get the same poly... Thanks! Sounds interesting, I am curious to see it!
BTW, reflection looks great, I need to get the same poly…
Thanks!

]]> By: Noregt http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-1466 Noregt Fri, 07 May 2010 15:06:20 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-1466 @admin, It doesn't work that well with photoshop. The point is that if you change the focus to the back, the image will change a bit in size, making it very difficult to stitch properly. I've done that and decided to go for tilt shift which is much beter. I've done about the same as you, but for Nikon there is the old PB-4 bellows which can tilt and is affordable at e-bay. All together it cost me about 250 dollar. About the reflection: I use black Poly(methyl methacrylate) which works best, but I'm not sure if you'll think the reflection is bright enough. I'm planing on making a video about this setup as well, so I'll let you know. [img]http://www.noregt.com/ee/images/uploads_noregt/bl_stepbystep2009_DSC_1131.jpg[/img] @admin,

It doesn’t work that well with photoshop. The point is that if you change the focus to the back, the image will change a bit in size, making it very difficult to stitch properly. I’ve done that and decided to go for tilt shift which is much beter.

I’ve done about the same as you, but for Nikon there is the old PB-4 bellows which can tilt and is affordable at e-bay. All together it cost me about 250 dollar.

About the reflection: I use black Poly(methyl methacrylate) which works best, but I’m not sure if you’ll think the reflection is bright enough. I’m planing on making a video about this setup as well, so I’ll let you know.

bl_stepbystep2009_DSC_1131.jpg

]]> By: admin http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/photographing-jewelry-the-lighting-setup-tips-and-tricks-plus-bonus-video/comment-page-1/#comment-152 admin Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:30:44 +0000 http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/?p=394#comment-152 Jair, Yes, this will work well. However, if you shoot a hundreds of pieces, like for a catalog, it would involve enormous post production time, I guess. Guess because never did focus stitching in PS, may be it is really fast and easy? :-) Jair,
Yes, this will work well. However, if you shoot a hundreds of pieces, like for a catalog, it would involve enormous post production time, I guess. Guess because never did focus stitching in PS, may be it is really fast and easy? :-)

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