BetterPhoto Member |
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Diamond Picture
How do I make a picture from gemstones like Diamonds? It has to be without a flash, if not you don’t see the stone because the reflection, and without a flash is missing life. Can you help me please? If you have good ideas for picturing gemstones please advice, Thank you.
July 11, 2007
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Bob Cammarata |
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In a makeshift studio setup: Set the reflective stone onto a piece of black felt (or anything else that will gobble up stray light).
Position two incandescent light sources at 45 degree angles. This will provide the primary illumination. Set your camera to a tungsten setting and select a small aperture setting (like f-22) Then, shine a small flashlight onto the gem from the same direction the lens is pointing. (This, along with the small aperture will create a vibrant natural starburst off the most reflective part.) Metering should be done off a gray card and the tungsten setting will balance all light sources. Bob
July 11, 2007
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Pete H |
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Jay, Good studio techniques for shooting multifaceted glass is almost always lit from beneath. When shot on a black velvet type surface, the pros use laser like strobes..Highly controlled and pin point accuracy. Top lighting with the average strobe rarely will give pleasing results.
Pete
July 11, 2007
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John H. Siskin |
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Hi Jay,
The way the facets in a diamond work is that if you put light into the flat top facet, called the table facet, I think, the stone will light up. You need small light sources or the stone will be flat, for instance ring lights and tents don’t work well with diamonds. Strobes will work well, but they have to be properly controlled. This is a specialty that requires considerable practice and patience. Thanks, John Siskin
July 12, 2007
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