Common Jewelry Photography Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

An attractive and appealing product photograph is the first step to draw the attention of your customer. When you are clicking the photograph of a product, there are many factors to consider, so as to present it authentically as well as beautifully.  Look at Jewelry products for example.

Most Jewelry items are small in size and hence their photography is more complicated than any other product photography. On one hand, accurate presentation is essential and on the other, appearance and clarity of the photograph is equally necessary. Even a single error can ruin the photograph and make the product look less appealing and of low quality. The key is to avoid mistakes and focus on the right process.

Here are some common mistakes you could be making while photographing Jewelry products and tips to avoid them:

Overlooking Reflections

Working with reflections is a given in Jewelry product photography. You will have to be careful with two types of reflections, one that comes from the photographer’s process and the reflection from the jewelry piece. Though you might think sparkle is great, it doesn’t help create magic all the time. Hence, you will have to be careful or else, you will find white highlight spots in your image which can ruin the photograph. If you think you can remove it while editing, think again, as it could be a technical challenge and waste of precious time.

You can try some tricks to minimize reflections. An easy method is to change the position of the camera or the jewelry in relation to the light source. Get the perfect angle so there are minimum reflections and a spectacular shot! Try zooming in to ensure the camera hasn’t captured any reflections. Using double overhead light can help. Adjusting the angle of ring light also can prevent reflections.

Busy Background

An attractive background helps in the appeal of any photograph but not for jewelry photographs. A complex or flashy background will shift the focus of the customer. Then, your purpose, which is to make the jewelry piece the hero, is lost.

The simple solution is to opt for a neutral background so the jewelry gets all the attention. That is the reason in Amazon product photography; you will find a white or neutral background. Light background colours also lend a timeless feel to the product. Another advantage is that it is easier and cheaper to create a white background.

Unsuitable White Balance

A flawed white balance setting can result in the incorrect rendering of the image colour. Depiction of the accurate colour is crucial while photographing a jewelry piece.

All you have to do is to set the white balance setting on your camera to ‘automatic’ mode. Your camera will recognize the light source, whether it is natural light or artificial, and then capture the most true-to-life colours.

Purposeless Props

The key to professional product photography is adapting as per the objectives of the photograph. In jewelry photography, your product has to get maximum attention and hence, avoiding distracting props can help in creating a ‘clean and clutter-free’ image.

The best way to photograph a jewelry product is to lay it flat on a white background. You don’t even need to hang it or position it on a stand. In addition, you can have an image of the body part on which the jewelry will go. For example, you can show an additional image of the hand wearing a bangle. Keep it simple and clean when it comes to jewelry photography.

Too Many or Too Few Angles

When it comes to photographing jewelry, there can be confusion on how many angles to depict. Too many and there is a risk of losing interest and only a few and you may not succeed in depicting what the customer is looking for. If you provide multiple angles, your customer will be able to ascertain the complete look of the product. It will convince them to buy the product.

The right number of angles is crucial to commercial product photography. Here, aim for at least three angles. While you need a straight-on, front image of the product, take an angled image from the front as well. The third image can be a close-up shot. You can also include a top view if necessary.

The primary aim of your jewelry photograph is to gain attention and make the object look tempting. Avoiding a few mistakes and focus on keeping the image simple. Try towards projecting the jewelry piece as the hero and you can create best jewelry photographs.