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Resolved Question

Camera Suggestion for Jewelry Photography

Aug 25, 2012 6:35PM PDT

Hi,

I am selling jewelry products online - which includes gold/silver/diamonds etc. I require a camera to photograph my products.
I read online about the lightning and other tips on jewelry photography. I already own Canon PowerShot A1000IS but the problem i am facing is that the camera does not give me much options to configure. Could you someone suggest me an entry level camera that could be used for this purpose.

Discussion is locked

artjewellery has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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A1000 IS
Aug 26, 2012 1:18AM PDT

Your Canon camera has sufficient enough control to use for product photography. Using it in Program mode will allow you to adjust the exposure up or down. You will need to adjust the white balance depending on the lights you use.

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A1000IS
Aug 26, 2012 4:24AM PDT

The problem with my camera is that it is giving darker images compared to the other cameras in the same lights and conditions. To be specific, the background is coming in blue color - no matter how white the background is. If I increase the exposure the background color shifts to white but the actual colors of the product are lost.
I used my friend's camera who has a very old camera Nikon E4500 at the same time for the same product, which gives very good colors and details. Yes, I am using my camera in the program mode - adjusted the exposure and the ISO, but not able to achieve a good photograph.
Here are some photographs I took with my camera using different combinations:

<span id="INSERTION_MARKER">http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y346/indianartjewellery_photobucket/temp/IMG_1679.jpg
<span>http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y346/indianartjewellery_photobucket/temp/IMG_1681.jpg
<span>http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y346/indianartjewellery_photobucket/temp/IMG_1682.jpg
<span>http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y346/indianartjewellery_photobucket/temp/IMG_1683.jpg
<span>http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y346/indianartjewellery_photobucket/temp/IMG_1684.jpg
<span>http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y346/indianartjewellery_photobucket/temp/IMG_1685.jpg
<span>http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y346/indianartjewellery_photobucket/temp/IMG_1686.jpg
<span>

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White Balance
Aug 26, 2012 4:50AM PDT
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White Balance worked!
Aug 27, 2012 11:48AM PDT

Thanks PistonCupChampion. Using a custom white balance worked, and now the color of the photos is fine,
One thing more. Could you suggest me a setup for clicking photos?
Presently I am using a homemade light tent made from a cardboard box with its left/right/top side cut off and covered with a translucent white cloth for diffused light. From these opened sides, I am using a light source from the table lamp with a CFL bulb. But the light is not sufficient. Someone suggested me 2 constant light sources having provision for 3 bulbs each which also have a reflector.
Something like this:
http://www.quantuum.pl/detal.php?lang=gb&id=1032&curr=PLN

Do you have any other suggestion?

Thanks!

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Lights and Tents
Aug 28, 2012 4:27AM PDT

The homemade tent is fine if not durable. I've seen people use translucent storage bins as well, which are cheap, durable, and useful because you can store the lights, tripod, etc. in it. A light box kit is convenient, but often expensive/overpriced. You can use cheap desk lamps, with daylight corrected fluorescent bulbs if desired.

Here's a site with lots of tips for jewelry photography; they sell the equipment too: http://www.tabletopstudio.com/

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Not able to move back to AWB
Aug 29, 2012 3:22PM PDT

Hi

I had been using the custom balance for a few days (under constant light sources), and now I want to change back to AWB. But the problem I am facing is that although I am able to change back to AWB, but the effect is still of the custom white balance.
The result - all my pictures are coming white. To fix the issue, I tried switching to all the WB modes - Auto/Cloudy/flouroscent etc., but none of it helps.
I even tried to factory reset the camera, and also changed the camera mode to 'Auto' mode , Alas! I am still stuck with the white shots.
Symptoms:
- In dark rooms, the pictures are a little better than the ones taken in lit-room, or in daylight.

Please help!

Thanks.

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Re: Not able to move back to AWB
Aug 29, 2012 11:41PM PDT

Try removing the batteries. Wait a minute or two, reinstall the batteries, and see if the problem clears.

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Re: White Balance
Aug 30, 2012 3:39AM PDT

Thanks! Took the camera to the service center. There is a crack in the shutter. Sad

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Canon Loyalty Program
Aug 30, 2012 5:53AM PDT

Check out the Canon Loyalty Program. You can trade in your broken camera for a factory refurbished camera at a 20% discount over their normal refurbished camera cost. The phone number for the CLP is 1 (866) 443-8002. Select option "2".