*Photograph by Nay of Moonangelnay on Etsy*

Importance of Light: I would like to have a recap waaaay back to when I started writing these Spark posts, to one of my first i had written that focused on lighting, and also give some great examples of sellers that use good photographic methods in our Handmade Spark community. For this I am focusing on ‘jewelry sellers’ as it is normally jewelry that seems to fare worst with lighting that’s not right for it. You can always revisit that post for detailed advice on why it’s important to consider a good light source when capturing images of your work, but just as a reminder here are the main points I feel are important to remember:

Without considering your environment, a camera flash is NOT your friend! … It can be your friend, like I say IF you consider your environment, but also if you can soften it’s harshness by diffusing it. That can be achieved by covering the flash with something as simple as tracing paper, or thin white fabric. But a lot of people photographing their products will simply point and shoot and leave it at that. Particularly if it’s night time! DON’T DO IT. For the sake of your work and it’s “sellability”! Make your flash work FOR you and NOT AGAINST you by using lots of white around your work (walls, large sheets of paper, sheets, lightbox etc), diffused light from lamps for surrounding light, a diffuser and a reflector of some sorts around your flash, then check out the difference in what you capture! Light in this sort of set up will be bounced around your point of focus, eliminating harsh shadows and giving life to your item. Try not to direct your flash right at your point of focus if it isn’t diffused. Bouncing it is great way of softening and spreading it.

Here are some fab examples of bounced light working for these excellent pieces of jewelry.

Gunmetal Steampunk Jewelry Ring by CatherinetteRings

Fused Earrings Around The Square by jechorydesigns

Aim to use natural light most of the time … Why? Well besides not having to mess around with a set up like the above scenario, natural lighting if you can grab enough of it is by far the most flattering source of light for your photos AND gives the closest natural impression of the work you have produced. You only need to find a window in your home, and maybe use a reflective surface to bounce the light back toward the product to achieve something decent. This is why so many Etsy sellers opt to use natural light in their product photos. Dramatic shadowing is softened and if implemented well can look pretty cool and almost glamorous in a way. Fabulous if your work requires some sort of romantic look to it, yet to be able to bring in more natural light say if you use lots of reflective surfaces, or have a conservatory in your home where there is lots of light coming in, you can give an almost feminine touch to your work that I think is beautiful if you want a softer, more delicate effect.

I think these sellers have it spot on when it comes to dramatising their jewelry with one source of natural light that creates soft shadowing…

Light Blue Apatite Indigo Copper Toe Ring by mossandmist

Sterling Silver Sky Blue Topaz Earrings by jessicac

…And these two take beautiful delicate shots of their jewelry by using a wider source of natural light in a lighter environment (which helps bounce the light!).

2 Pink Peas In A Pod by beazuness

Lavender Rose Earrings by IceBlues

There you have it! I hope these examples give you a better idea of what you can achieve with various types of lighting. Next time I want to take a look at blurred images!

~ Nay

For more Product Photography Tips and Photography Spark posts please click here.