What does "REAL" mean in Bridal Jewelry?

[Verywierd]

As someone who does lot of CGI work, the concept of making things look "real" comes up a lot. I don't know if it helps, but a quick look at the images, (yours and theirs)brings two things to mind.

1. They have the rings casting a shadow. This tends to make things look more "solid" as it is affecting its envirionment.

2. They have visible point/directional light sources, which creates better highlights in the gems and on the reflective surfaces. Totally flat light like that in a light tent never looks "real".

3. The only way to make an metal or relective item look totally realistic is to have a small (almost unnoticable) amount of reflection of the envirionment showing in the reflective surfaces.

[SnakeSuspenders]

Thanks Wierd. That's a thought that I had too: there has to be something else in the environment.

[DiamondsDr47]

Hi, i don't know how the original files look like, to me it's flat, there is no realy good separation between diamonds and gold, also don't color the diamonds that much, as of banner small images don't really matter looks ok. In my opinion overall problem is that many companies trying to do photography for cheap(or not the right guy for the job) and as mentioned that before the equipment matters( and it's not cheap, eve to scan negatives), think about it people pointing to those huge companies like blue...who takes by price, do they have to use real pictures? nope they have a name and this is trust. Ok there is fashion companies they invest a lot in to it. So the small companies should make quality product photos in order to compete, they have to show the product that stands out, look at Tiff... they do it right...Sorry for generalization. I'll see if a can post some B&A tonight.
Best regards,
Edgar

[SnakeSuspenders]

Thanks Dr. I don't know what the original looked like either. Diamond Graphics shot and retouched this last pair of rings and I somehow thought that they were above and beyond work like this. You did hit the problem... there really is no difference in brilliance between the diamond and the gold. That's something to remember.

And yes - small images don't matter. I'll post the hires versions next week for critique. I really anticipate seeing some original DiamondDr47 'original shot vs final product' samples including info on equipment. I might pitch the equipment. I have some bug in my system that makes me want to perfect bridal jewelry. I had photo restoration in my system when I was younger and have that down to a science - now it's jewelry.

I understand all you're saying about high and low budget systems and companies that know how to do it right... Tiffany and many others do it right. They also aren't cheap, nor are they dealing with the manufacturing and distributing on-site either. That's where I am. My crew have a mind of their own... they spend so much time, money and energy on producing and distributing these pieces that they have little time left to simply see what is better for them.

I really look forward to seeing some B&As. It will help me get my point across regarding my work, I think.

Bestest,
olga

[DiamondsDr47]

Hi, Olga here is one sample, can be found in INSTORE magazine.
http://www.pbase.com/emaivel/retouching
Best regards,