The best way to photograph jewelry is with a mirrorless or DSLR camera and a macro lens. You’ll need a tripod to avoid camera shake and to free your hands up. Also, you’ll need some studio lighting to make sure your jewelry is lit evenly and consistently.
Set your camera to the correct aperture and make sure your product is in focus. Then take the photo. Sounds easy right? Sadly there is a little more to it than this.
Photographing jewelry, whether it’s a dazzling diamond ring or an elegant gemstone necklace, is known for its inherent challenges. However, there are several tricks and techniques that can streamline the process and add a sparkling touch to your images.
Photographers often encounter challenges when capturing images of watches, rings and necklaces. The smooth and shiny surfaces of these items create disruptive reflections. Additionally, their small size, coupled with the high magnification required, makes it challenging to attain an ample depth of field. So let’s break it down.
Backgrounds for jewelry photography
Before diving into considerations like lens selection or lighting, your initial focus should be on choosing the right background. The background plays a crucial role in your shot, and it’s essential to make a thoughtful selection. Opt for something that complements your product, avoiding overpowering elements. Consider factors such as color, texture and shape. Contemplate how these elements will harmonize with the overall styling of your image. This doesn’t mean it needs to be expensive either. Black fabric, paper or a light tent can work really well. Consider natural elements like stone, brick or even plants. Also, make sure your jewelry is clean of fingerprints. Gloves can be handy to have on hand.
Lighting setups for jewelry photography
Depending on your subject matter, a light tent could work really well with two or more strip boxes on either side. The light tent acts as a secondary diffuser and can minimize distracting highlights. Another option is a beauty dish. I used a 85cm Phottix G-Capsule beauty dish to front-light some necklaces on a (cheap) black velvet jewelry stand. It was placed up high and angled down above my subject. The beauty dish spreads the light evenly.
Jewelry photography lighting setups for rings and watches
Rings and watches, with their smooth and curved surfaces, act as mirrors, reflecting everything around them — the base surface, background, and even the photographer. Therefore, the critical aspect of successful ring (and watch) photography lies in minimizing these reflections. If the lighting setup for photographing rings appears more complicated compared to necklaces, it’s for this reason.
To deal with the challenge of excessive reflections, try a unique approach with a conical-shaped light tent that enveloped the rings while enabling me to direct light through it. You may need several different light sources, but using a conical-shaped light tent can remove many distractions. These can be made from opaque plastic or tracing paper, or you can buy commercial ones. Wrap around your lens and over the top of the rings or watch.
Depth of field
After achieving the desired lighting, the next challenge to tackle is the depth of field. Despite setting your aperture to f/11 or even f/16, the small size of the rings and the close proximity at which you will be working presents a difficulty in achieving overall sharpness. To solve this problem, try Focus Stacking.
This method involves capturing a series of images, each with a different focal point, then blending these images during postproduction. The outcome is a single image where the entire subject is in sharp focus. Many cameras like the Sony A7RV have in-camera focus bracketing (or focus stacking).
For effective focus stacking, it’s crucial to secure your camera in place on a tripod. Capture a sequence of images, gradually adjusting the focus from the front to the back of the object. These can be blended in Photoshop or Helicon Focus. On the image below, I stacked 15 images, but still only kept my focus on the middle three pendants of this necklace, letting the outside edges fall off in focus and blur. Stacked with a f/2.8 aperture, but I could have used f/9 or f/11 too.
Post-processing
Don’t forget some final touch-ups in post-processing, especially dust and scratch removal for a flawless image. This is where using gloves and wiping down jewelry before the shoot is an advantage with less cleanup in post. Also, a High Pass filter can add some extra detail.
Choosing your gear
When it comes to photographing jewelry, the right equipment and techniques can make all the difference in showcasing the beauty and intricacy of your pieces. Let’s explore some options for capturing stunning jewelry photos using a mirrorless or DSLR camera.
Choose the right camera
For optimal results, invest in a mirrorless or DSLR camera. These cameras offer superior image quality and flexibility, allowing you to capture the fine details and textures of your jewelry with precision. I am currently using a Sony A7RV and Sony 90mm macro lens for photographing jewelry.
Use a tripod for stability
To eliminate any unwanted camera shake and ensure sharp, clear images, a tripod is essential. This stable foundation allows you to focus on framing your shots without worrying about blurriness. I am currently using a Peak Design Travel Tripod.
Achieve consistent lighting
Even consistent lighting is crucial for highlighting the beauty of your jewelry. Avoid harsh shadows by setting up diffused lighting or using natural light sources. Take the time to position your jewelry in a way that maximizes the play of light on its surfaces. I am currently using Godox AD400Pro and AD200Pro with stripboxes and a Phottix 85cm G-Capsule Beauty Dish.
Adjust aperture settings
Set your camera to the correct aperture to control the depth of field and achieve the desired focus. A wider aperture (lower f-stop) can create a beautiful background blur, drawing attention to the jewelry, while a narrower aperture (higher f-stop) ensures more elements are in focus. Try shooting at f/16 or alternatively, f/2.8 and focus stack your images.
Ensure sharp focus
Before taking the shot, double-check that your jewelry is sharply in focus. Use your camera’s autofocus or manually adjust the focus to capture every detail. Taking the extra time to ensure focus will result in professional-looking images. Use your in-camera magnification to double-check focus, and use Peak Metering if your camera has it.
In summary
By following these steps and incorporating the right equipment, background and lighting, you can elevate your jewelry photography to new heights. Experiment with different settings, lighting conditions, and compositions to discover the unique ways in which your jewelry can be beautifully showcased in photographs. With practice and attention to detail, you’ll be capturing stunning images that truly do justice to your exquisite pieces.
Interested in learning more about photographing jewelry or product photography? I have a brand new self-paced online class, which has just launched: “Basic Product Photography.”
Focus stacking is a must for most macro work. I shot 40+ frames for the ring photo shown here. If my memory serves me well, I might have shot another 40+ frames with the lights in a different position to throw light into the Tanzanite at a different angle, then composited the good parts. I usually try to use the center ƒ-stop for the aperture. I rotate the focus manually. I use strobes to light my product photos, and sometimes they might not go off for an exposure. If I automate the focus bracketing, I have to shoot the whole… Read more »
Great pic too, yes focus stacking is indeed beneficial in this type of work for sure, but definitely comes under more advanced product photography. I guess I didn’t say exactly, but the post was aimed at more beginner basics. I often find for most people starting basic they can figure out the rest later. But thanks for your comments and great photo too