One thought - what about a light table, would that work for you? They are usually at 5000K. Here is a link to one (I shop here, but don’t have this exact product) https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1325593-REG/kaiser_202454_slimlite_panel_5000k_battery.html Table is a misnomer, they are small. Here is an old photo I took on mine. The newer ones, however, are LED.
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Hello Cynthia,
I got a OttLite. However, this choice was not based on any exacting light temperature features / specifications. It does have a useful 3X and 5X [ I think} lens. I plan on going to this June’s JCK show and imagine here will be some light manufactures their. If so I may as well take a look at their products.
It does occur to me that given one can set an appropriate light environment for a particular gemstone, diamond , jewelry that a photographer has a unique tool. Namely, to shoot in RAW / investigate HRi environment.
Thank you,
Andrew
Thank you Andrew. I shoot everything in RAW + med resolution jpeg. The jpeg’s are just convenient. Sometimes the camera will make corrections to the jpegs that I would not have considered in my own edits, as well. For those wondering why use RAW, it’s likely situational. In a traditional DSLR (can’t speak to the phones, sorry, I just don’t know) the RAW has 4 times the amount of data as the highest resolution jpeg. Detail can be everything for some photos. Most, I’d say…And for me, if I am going to bother to take the photo, I am going to take it right. However, I have little experience shooting gemstones, and am quite interested the topic.
Hello Cynthia,
Welcome.
Sorry if you already know but jewelry / gemstones / diamond photography, I would say is considered a photography specialty. Looking online you will find many offings, books, equipment / photography systems and so forth. Systems for taking videos as well. I would say that still images and video merge. Lots of transferable skills between the two and if I am the customer i am after imaging both ways. Creating a 3D interactive composite image is very desirable as well.
If this is a direction that you are seriously considering then I would say your timing is good. While perhaps this type of photography has been around for some time, the results are “young”. I imagine that one can find out what the prospects are but i would be surprised if the demand for excellent imaging does not far exceeds the supply.
Thank you,
Andrew
Interesting Andrew! Thanks for your message. I don’t shoot weddings or food because I’m just not that interested in either. The video and 3D imaging (plus focus stacking, in there somehow) for gens is quite interesting and much more up my alley. I have the gear and the skills, but I’ve never really thought about this. So many of the gemstone photos I see I just don’t like. So I know there’s a good bit of art there as well. As you know I am new and don’t know gemstones too well, but to see an absolutely flat, dull table in a beautiful stone just can’t represent the reality. Or they are over Photoshopped to the point that I would not trust the representation. Much food for thought and I’m happy to continue the conversation if you are interested.
Hello Cynthia,
Glad to. And I do not know much of the technical language of photography. So with the 3D imaging, the language / method to use ? but the goal -is to have a 3D interactive VR experience that is as close as possible to if one were examining the tangible good.
Join the club and speaking for myself, I do not like much, not even remotely satisfied with of the imaging of my own jewelry.[ I do not have to do / get imaging of loose stones]. If one were to state - the jewelry looks so much better that the pictures - ug. , 2x ug.
I think good places to look at imaging of stones are places like where you are at now [ the forms and the educational material] and places that do the grading of stones. [ The use of the word “stones” can be interpreted with a wider scope in that I do feel there is or can be a utility in distinguishing between diamonds and other gemstones. Or likewise, a Lapidary vs a diamond cutter.
Thank you,
Andrew
p.s. others might join in and search this other similar places as stated above for specific sections and threads on this central and extensive topic.