[Photography] Lighting suggestions

Jewelry Discussion
1

Charles, I was reading your info on photographing jewelry and wondered
if the lighting suggestions you offer would also apply to digital
photography along with the booth set up Also and this is
unrelated Would you know how to test a metal for palladium a customer
gave me a piece of metal they are convinced is palladium.
Thank you J Morley Coyote Ridge Studio

2

Hello, I can personally attest to the fact that the lighting set up
outlined in Charles’ book works wonderfully for digital, at least in
my experience (That’s the 3 photoflood bulbs and the drop shadow box
set up). This picture was taken with a 640x480 pixel digital (Mavica
FD-88). I added the clasp insert but the necklace and background are
untouched right off the cameras disk.

http://lapidaryart.com/jewelry_images/jwl20005.html

The main features you want to look for is a MANUAL focus and a

macro. The focus control is really helpful. I noticed when I put it on
auto it tend to focus on the background and not the piece. The manual
gives you that nice fuzzy gradient background. The macro is needed to
get up close.

 I was very pleased to discover how well Charles set up works with

digital, it’s too easy to get spoiled with this digital stuff though;
instant gratification! For anyone not familiar with the book in
question it’s “Small Scale Photography” by Charles Lewtin Brain.
available heRe: http://www.ganoksin.com/kosana/brain/brain.htm

Enjoy!

Amy O’Connell
Amy O’Connell Jewelry

3 
    Also and this is unrelated Would you know how to test a metal
for palladium a customer gave me a  piece of metal they are
convinced is palladium.

Hello J Morley, Iodine will stain palladium but not platinum.
Palladium will take a great deal more heat than white gold. Have fun.
Tom Arnold