Photographing Jewellery

What is the model? I can help you out more if I know the exact camera model (so I can go look up the camera manual). I can't really do anything unless I can see what your options are.

Honestly learning a digital is pretty trial and error. What works for one camera may not work for another. Mine, I put on manual, macro, then put it on a certain light setting and do not use the flash to take pictures. But, others may use flash on auto and everything comes out perfectly.

It is a Canon Powershot A560 (with face recognition or some such). I really appreciate this. The dead Pentax was my Xmas present 4 years ago, but the DH never let me use it, so this one is M-I-N-E!!!! (VBG)

I have done all the basic settings, of course, but Elayne (daughter) knows way more about macros and ISO and all that stuff than I do. So as you say, it is trial and error. I didn't get a chance to do any today, but will try later.

I was going to reread the complicated parts (who the hell writes these durned things anyway.......MEN??) But was going to try sort of an offset bright light and read up on the manual and macro things.

Thanks again.....I do appreciate the help. Ron is helpless and hopeless when it comes to things electronic (i.e. VCR's, TV Remotes, DVD players, etc.) I even have to set the stove clock twice a year, LOL!!

Cheers...Heather

You're not likely to get true color using flash. Try using a light cube to filter light from floodlights, and set your camera on its "incandescent light" setting.

Good luck!

Georgia

Try taking your jewelry outside in the early part of the day to take the photos. You want to be sure you have the sun behind you. You might be amazed of how nicely the jewelry will look in the photo.

Barbara

I reading this one with interest cause i to have problems taking Jewelry Photos though i feel like ive inproved smile its nice to know any tips one can get V

Enjoy getting used to your new camera. Don't jinx my camera... I don't want to get used to another camera. It will come someday in which I will have to do so. Anyway... you will have to experiement. Find what works in different situations. Who needs a manual anyway!? I have a free tutorial on how I create my own light box and get above average results. The things you have to get right is the white balance (WB), direction on light, and photo editing software. Yep... software is a must too. Don't worry... I don't sell software. I personally use Adobe Photoshop 7 but most photo editing software will work as long as you know some basics. What kind of background are you going for? I like the varigated backgrounds. There are some under the tutorial section.

Free photobox setup and useage.

Thank you very much, Matthew!!

I was going to try taking some outside today. But that sure won't work well in below-zero December in Ontario, grin.

I do understand some of the terminology, however I shall pick the brain of my daughter who is a *resident graphic artist* at a college in Vancouver. She too uses Photoshop and assorted software. I never realized just how complicated taking a picture was, LOL!!

As for trying to use a scanner for lumpy rather than flat objects, it is not working for me.

Many thanks again!!

Heather PS.....Manuals are not on my list of *enjoyable reading*!! (VBG)

Heather,

Sorry it took ME forever to respond back, I recently moved. I now remember that I offered to try to help you use your camera. I ended up looking up your manual and I can see why you don't want to use it. Yours is really complicated looking!! Gah! But I'll tell you what I use. I set mine to the incandescent setting (I have to turn my camera to the "manual" setting for this) and adjust the brightness because mine tends to take dark pics no matter what lighting. I use two clip on gooseneck lamps with Reveal bulbs in them (I'm a Reveal snob, I think they are great for everything) pointing towards my beads. It took me months to find what worked though. I agree with Matthew that you should just play with it. If it's too cold outside sometimes you can get away with using a window for a light source. Good luck!! Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Thanks, Valerie......I am late getting back to you as well. I worked as a Poll Clerk in our Provincial Election on Wednesday and while the money may be *good*.....it ain't worth sitting in a freezing cold high school gymnasium for 15 hours with no breaks and you are not allowed to leave other than to use the facilities. Yech!! Then I broke a cap chewing on a mint, which will cost me WAY MORE to get fixed than I made......dammit!!

I was just reading the manual and there is nothing in the index re incandescant, but I will play around with manual setting, etc. Daughter Elayne knows exactly what Matthew is talking about re white balance, so if I was smart, I would wait till she comes home at Xmas, grin. But I am not about to wait that long.

Thanks for the information.....and are you unpacked yet?? (G)

Heather

Yep, mostly unpacked. Other than books and art supplies we don't have much stuff (didn't seem that way when we moved it all though!).

The incadescant setting on mine is a little lightbulb icon with a couple little lines coming out from the bulb to indicate light shining. HTH!

Bummer on the tooth! Maybe I shouldn't chomp on my Altoids...lol!