Need your opinion regarding my jewelry pictures

[syfred]

Hello everyone,

I just got my SLR and set up a little home studio.
I am not a photographer an do not have any skills in jewelry retouch whatsoever. But, I am trying hard...:-)
Let me know what you think about the pictures.
Are they good enough to send them to a professional jewelry retoucher in order him to make them look fresh and appealing, ready to be sold on an online luxury catalog.
(clipping path, imperfections removal such as scratches, give the jewelry a high polished finish, etc.)
What do I need to improve the pictures to get the best final result.

These are my very first shots, I have never done this before.
Each piece of jewelery would be meant to be showcased on a black background.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43633786@N03/4085746687/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43633786@N03/4086488280/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43633786@N03/4085729219/


Thanks in advance

Pascal

[CFarr]

This was a real quick retouch but it looks to me like the images will work.

[bakerfoto]

I'd say great job considering. Just a couple things to make it easier for you. Use clean foamcore for your fill cards. Use the longest lens you can to reduce the size of the lens reflection in a couple of the small pendants. Try some black fill cards to add some intentional reflection. Might give some of the pieces a little more shape and look a little more natural on the black background. I know you said your not PS literate but if you dupe the piece and flip vertical (or just offset it a little), change opacity to 10 or 15%, maybe blur a little. Gives a faux reflection that helps on black.

[syfred]

Originally Posted by bakerfoto

I'd say great job considering. Just a couple things to make it easier for you. Use clean foamcore for your fill cards. Use the longest lens you can to reduce the size of the lens reflection in a couple of the small pendants. Try some black fill cards to add some intentional reflection. Might give some of the pieces a little more shape and look a little more natural on the black background. I know you said your not PS literate but if you dupe the piece and flip vertical (or just offset it a little), change opacity to 10 or 15%, maybe blur a little. Gives a faux reflection that helps on black.

In front of a JEDI... I must incline myself.
The pictures on your website I just saw... and I gotta say, they are Ve-ry impressive.
This is typically the kind of results I wish I could get!
Thank you for your advices I would try them ASAP.

[syfred]

Originally Posted by CFarr

This was a real quick retouch but it looks to me like the images will work.

Thank you very much CFarr, it looks very nice.
Here is the kind of final result I would like to get (see the picture included).
By the way, do you (or anyone) have an idea of how to get there with Mr Photoshop?
At the risk to sound a bit picky I would even prefer the finish of the texture to be more real.

[syfred]

DAY 2
This time, I added a left back light to cut the bracelet (gives it more contrast and matter), fixed the front light so the polished surface is not dark, did a custom white balance and used an ISO500. I also did clean the piece before taking the shoot (quite impressive finish).
I got to improve the focus and apply baker's advices.

[SteveB2005]

Originally Posted by syfred

Hello everyone,

I just got my SLR and set up a little home studio.
I am not a photographer an do not have any skills in jewelry retouch whatsoever. But, I am trying hard...:-)
Let me know what you think about the pictures.
Are they good enough to send them to a professional jewelry retoucher in order him to make them look fresh and appealing, ready to be sold on an online luxury catalog.
(clipping path, imperfections removal such as scratches, give the jewelry a high polished finish, etc.)
What do I need to improve the pictures to get the best final result.

These are my very first shots, I have never done this before.
Each piece of jewelery would be meant to be showcased on a black background.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43633786@N03/4085746687/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43633786@N03/4086488280/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43633786@N03/4085729219/


Thanks in advance

Pascal

Hi syfred. I think you did a fine job on your first attempts at photographing jewelry. You have the knack for it and it just takes a lot of experimenting with lighting and post work using Photoshop CS4 or any version actually. But patience is the main trait that a good jewelry photographer needs.

The main thing to consider, spend the necessary time to get the best possible clear and focused shot out of the camera and then you have an image worth finishing up in PS. I'd say if your image is 90%+ high quality, then it's an image worth putting in the time to perfecting it.

Also, work with different lighting setups and see if you can get a white background so it will be easier to isolate a clipping path. Many jewelry clients need an independent photo for a catalog or web site. Good luck and feel free to show us your progress as a jewelry photographer

Steve