Jewelry photography: sparkle, sharpness and clean reflections
Jewelry is small, reflective and detailed. Learn macro technique, lighting and focus stacking for rings, necklaces and filigree.
Jewelry is one of the hardest products to photograph. It is tiny, highly reflective and judged on detail.
Lens
A true macro lens like the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro focuses close enough to fill the frame with a ring.
Lighting
- Large diffused light sources create smooth, even reflections on metal.
- A light tent surrounds the piece with white for clean reflections.
- Small hard lights or a flash create sparkle in gemstones.
- Black or white cards control which reflections appear on the metal.
Depth of field and focus stacking
At macro distances, depth of field is razor thin even at f/11. Take several shots focusing from front to back and combine them in Photoshop or Helicon Focus.
Stability
Use a tripod, a two-second timer and silent shutter. Even small vibrations show at macro magnification.
Clean obsessively
Dust and fingerprints show dramatically. Wear gloves, use a blower and clean with a microfiber cloth before each shot.
Yucatecan filigree
Gold and silver filigree from Mérida needs soft light to reveal its intricate patterns and a dark or neutral background to make them stand out.
