Please help to recommend a good light tent for jewelry photography

raider · 04-05-2010, 11:38 PM

Hi,

A friend of mine is seeking advice which light tent is good for jewelry photography (such as ear rings, pendants, necklace, rings, etc).

I tried to DIY a lightbox for him but while the box is great for most objects, the setup is not good for jewelry as they are highly reflective.

Any ideas please?

Many thanks
raider

Wheatfield · 04-06-2010, 06:20 AM

The last one of those I needed, I just took an old camping tent that had broken zippers (I got it virtually free for that reason), cut down the poles to what I wanted for length and used the white nylon fabric to make the tent.

kenyee · 04-06-2010, 12:57 PM

For photographing jewelry, light tents don't work that well...you need to see dark areas or the gems look pretty lifeless.

Believe it or not, jewelry is one of the most difficult forms of product photography to do well. I found that out the hard way when my wife wanted me to take photos of her handmade jewelry. Each type of gem needs a different technique to look good. Then you have the postprocessing to remove dust, fix backgrounds, shadows, etc...ended up around 1hr/photo for me and I still think they can be done better :-P

raider · 04-06-2010, 04:14 PM

Thanks Wheatfield and Kenyee.

Kenyee, any tips to share? I tried to do the "black ice" kind of image with the jewelry but the end results is really awful.

Wheatfield · 04-06-2010, 05:52 PM

I think a light tent is useful, since it eliminates reflections of objects in the studio (the camera, the photographer, light stands, the cup of coffee on the table beside the object being photographed...), but, you want to add some points of interest.
Do this with construction paper placed inside the tent with the object.

kenyee · 04-07-2010, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by raider

Kenyee, any tips to share? I tried to do the "black ice" kind of image with the jewelry but the end results is really awful.

Lots of patience and lots of swearing...
Add black reflections...

systemA · 04-08-2010, 02:14 AM

I've found that dust is your worse enemy when it comes to photographing small flashy objects. Swiffer and latex gloves to prevent the oils from your fingers from touching helps.

kenyee · 04-08-2010, 12:17 PM

Swiffer leaves little fibers on jewelry...ask me how I know :-P <lots of swearing in background>

Ratmagiclady · 04-08-2010, 01:56 PM

It's really a great use for alll those cheap foldey camp-chairs that are out there. Just drape a sheet over em. Apply lighting. Baddabing.

raider · 04-09-2010, 12:20 AM

Thanks for all the help!!

My friend just told me that he bought the light tent from ebay. I will take a closer look at his light tent when it arrives and may just do a small review.

Thanks again
raider

04-05-2010, 11:38 PM	#1
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989	Please help to recommend a good light tent for jewelry photography Hi, A friend of mine is seeking advice which light tent is good for jewelry photography (such as ear rings, pendants, necklace, rings, etc). I tried to DIY a lightbox for him but while the box is great for most objects, the setup is not good for jewelry as they are highly reflective. Any ideas please? Many thanks raider

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04-06-2010, 06:20 AM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	The last one of those I needed, I just took an old camping tent that had broken zippers (I got it virtually free for that reason), cut down the poles to what I wanted for length and used the white nylon fabric to make the tent.

04-06-2010, 12:57 PM	#3
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	For photographing jewelry, light tents don't work that well...you need to see dark areas or the gems look pretty lifeless. Believe it or not, jewelry is one of the most difficult forms of product photography to do well. I found that out the hard way when my wife wanted me to take photos of her handmade jewelry. Each type of gem needs a different technique to look good. Then you have the postprocessing to remove dust, fix backgrounds, shadows, etc...ended up around 1hr/photo for me and I still think they can be done better :-P

04-06-2010, 04:14 PM	#4
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989 Original Poster	Thanks Wheatfield and Kenyee. Kenyee, any tips to share? I tried to do the "black ice" kind of image with the jewelry but the end results is really awful.

04-06-2010, 05:52 PM	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	I think a light tent is useful, since it eliminates reflections of objects in the studio (the camera, the photographer, light stands, the cup of coffee on the table beside the object being photographed...), but, you want to add some points of interest. Do this with construction paper placed inside the tent with the object.

04-07-2010, 06:51 PM	#6
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Originally posted by raider Kenyee, any tips to share? I tried to do the "black ice" kind of image with the jewelry but the end results is really awful. Lots of patience and lots of swearing... Add black reflections...

04-08-2010, 02:14 AM	#7
systemA Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 385	I've found that dust is your worse enemy when it comes to photographing small flashy objects. Swiffer and latex gloves to prevent the oils from your fingers from touching helps.

04-08-2010, 12:17 PM	#8
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Swiffer leaves little fibers on jewelry...ask me how I know :-P <lots of swearing in background>

04-08-2010, 01:56 PM	#9
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	It's really a great use for alll those cheap foldey camp-chairs that are out there. Just drape a sheet over em. Apply lighting. Baddabing.

04-09-2010, 12:20 AM	#10
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989 Original Poster	Thanks for all the help!! My friend just told me that he bought the light tent from ebay. I will take a closer look at his light tent when it arrives and may just do a small review. Thanks again raider