The camera isn’t the real issue in taking jewelry pictures.

Your lighting has to be good.

Make sure that you have clean white light.

Using a lightbox can also help keep refelections to a minimum.

Here is a link you may find [URL removed]

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We made ours from white cardboard (light weight), heavy wire and of course, strong daylight light bulbs.

S0NY Digital Mavica Floppy or CD diskette is what I use.

Make sure you don’t use the flash, have your macro setting on and natural light is best. Good luck!

Thankyou for all of your reply’s I really have focused on getting enough light and turning off the flash, but as you see from my booth
[URL removed] my pictures still need a lot of something my camera is not giving them it is a Canon A430. Thanks

You could also use some photo editing program with the photos you already have.

I copied one of your items, put in Windows Photo gallery (program comes with computer).

I did an auto fix, and a little extra contrast then put it in Paint for a little clipping and a white border. Both programs come with computer and very simple to use. You could also download Picasa3 for free for more options or even IrFranView

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An inexpensive way for great natural lighting is setting up a TV tray table outside in full sun. I did these in a setting sun. I did get some shadowing, but all in all they came out well. If you are able to take pics in the noonday sun, it would probably be better.

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Other than the sun, a good camera, mine’s a Pentax, and very good lighting like mentioned here. A light box works well with jewelry, too, also mentioned here. I have never used one, but have had some issues with the rosaries in my other booth.

Good luck!
The Critter Gang
Pawsing for Critters with 4 paws

AFter trying so many ways to photograph jewelry I found it best to have a camera that has some controls. It may take a while to learn a few of the simple changes to make on shutter speed but it is well worth the extra cost. Also I won’t take a photo of jewelry with out a photo box. This will really help you. These is still lots to learn but with time and practice you will find the best way that works for you. Try all the ideas mentioned above. I did and you will find that they work well. Good luck with your photography.

Brad

Cannon point n shoot…. It’s 14.7 mgp and is mighty easy to use.

Thank you for the helpful information. It seems that with every camara I’ve used the pics have gotten better.

I have found that it is not just the light, but how close you can get the light to the piece of jewelry. Also 2 lights can help, one from each side. I just have a white tablecloth I hang up for a backdrop, and one on a table. 2 small adjustable desklights sitting on the table and position those down lights close on the piece. Also, get a tripod if you don’t already use one. You cannot believe what a difference that makes. I just have a 4MP Kodak, and use Windows Live for photo enhancement. You don’t have to get too fancy. Hope this all helps. Elizabeth

I also think a light colored background is best, such as light blue.

Believe it or not I’m using my 6 year old Kodak Easy Share and I love it. I can’t stress enough how much I LOVE my Light Box…it was worth every penny and still much less than a new camera Best of luck to you.

I didn’t read the responses –
but it really doesn’t matter what camera you have….

Go to this thread where you’ll find many photo tips that will help you.

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Your photos look fairly good and your camera isn’t your problem but your lighting needs some work. All the best and good luck…

Believe it or not – I scan my jewelry. If I want a colored background I use a plain piece of colored paper on top of the jewelry.

OH wow u made that pic look just gorgeous! I’m going to have to play with those programs and pics! Great question spiritdew and great responses!

The most simple advice I can give for clear pictures of jewelry, watches etc [URL removed]
1) Put your items on a windowsill during the day WITHOUT direct sunlight to take your pictures.
2) You don’t have to have a high megapixel camera for good pictures … you just need a macro setting on your camera. This helps to better focus on objects less than a couple of feet away.
Below is a picture of one of my items that was taken on a windowsill, withh a 2.4 megapixel camera with macro setting.

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I have been taking jewelry pics for 4 yrs now, and I find that a good camera makes ALL the difference in the world, I have used 4 different Cameras, 3 of them being Canons, and one being a 10.1 megapixel GE camera with macro, and there is no comparison…My newest canon is the best so far, but any Canon with a 4 or higher megapixel and macro will work great.
i like using my light tent with the lights(outside the tent) in indirect, outdoor light, under my covered patio the best, sometimes I just photograph pieces on a table on a piece of computer paper or a piece of leftover ceramic tile from our house under the covered patio using the indirect sunlight, and that works fine too, kind of like the windowsill idea…..Then…I go into Picasa to edit….and let the editing magic begin….If you need any help with how to use Picasa, I will be glad to help :-)

Not necessarily the camera, but the background used for taking the picture, the lighting, and many with jewelry have found that using a light box helps them greatly [URL removed] Everyone has given some really good answers here. Best of luck to [URL removed]

Dave’s Gems and Jewelry uses a Canon Powershot S5IS with macro and “super” macro. I think the super macro setting is the difference. It lets you actually get as close as you want or need. And of course a tripod. It lets me take brilliant pics of my jewelry. Lighting is important, but, being able to get CLOSE up shots of those stud earrings, showing all the detail, to me is most important.

I use stock photos. So, only some of my images are from the camera. But, here is an example of an Avon ring watch using the Canon with super macro setting, [URL removed]

Any camera Digital with 5 or more Megapixels, nice light and zoom them.

You pics aren’t so bad. But you have too much clutter in the background in many of your photos. A pic that only shows the item, with only a solid background is best. Anything else takes away from the piece that you want to show. I use a 5 mega pix. I don’t know much about taking pics, but I think I do OK. From what I have read natural daylight is best, and definitely don’t use the flash.

I have a Nikon D40X and find that it takes great pictures.

Lighting – Macro & Background are some of the key factors. Since I shoot in Automatic mode on my Nikon Coolpix 950, I like a soft more even natural light. I generally use a White or Black background (sometimes I get a bit fancy). A basic photo editing program is a great help to improve contrast, brighten or darken, crop and reduce, but always keep it “natural” looking – don’t get too carried away.

you can get a basic $100 camera. use good light and sunlight is great, too. Make sure your camera has a MACRO feature to catch fine details and you will be on your way. I use a Samsung purchased at Sear’s.

Thanks to memorabilia for suggesting taking pics of jewelry on a windowsill. It works great, and now I have listed some. I just didn’t quite know how to get good pictures, and didn’t want to invest in or build a light tent.

I got this tip from someone and I use it for taking shots of some my items. It works great. He suggested a one gal white milk jug but I used what I had on hand one of those half gallen ice cream container. It needs to be one that has no ads or labeling on it. The white transparantcy of the container evens the light coming through. I cut a hole in the bottom slightly larger than diameter of my camera lens. This bottom become the top and the container seats over your items.With the lens sitting in the hole you have a ready made holder for the camera to keep it still. On either side of the container you position a lamp. Mine are the desk type that I can adjust as I need. When you’re ready to shoot another piece you move the container and the camera as one unit. I would like to paste my photo here but I don’t know how to do that yet. Good luck.