I like the blend of jewels and utilitarian objects. Cobble stones, etc. Nice contrast, but yr bronze with the arm raised is super! I also very much enjoy these 'practical' posts!
Thank you, Søren. I am glad that you like the practical posts. One of my favorite props to use for jewelry (rings especially) is, an antique iron pick axe head. If you look through my posts on jewelry, you will see it used. I will certainly use it in the future, but I am always looking for some new prop.
.. first off - this series is a big progressive ‘step forward.. Most Excellent ! Will describe this as ‘motivated illumination..’ -> And I didn’t comment on a prior Post with a Bourbon Bottle .. (you Do Not Have ‘A Need to Know’ - my ‘perspective of bourbon..) Nevertheless I eagerly await your imminent discovery of ‘optimum background’ as well as ‘ForeGround - where ‘Motivated Imagery - [albeit ‘subdued appropriately or ‘exaggerated with motivated ‘a-vengeance] graze ‘free range..
A secondly - it’s useful to recognize how Commercial Photography - ‘defines, & may constrain or ‘set free.. per The Editorial Rules of Engagement .. and ‘specified BRANDING ‘rule of law’ blah blah .. When Photographing ‘PRODUCT’ - The ‘end use’ is Always in Play.. thus we deal with Catalogue - Magazine - Internet - Education - Glamour - Documentary - ‘Product Perfect’ for Advertising - Print Promotion - Point of Sale - & the best goes on & on.. & on !
Finally .. we get to - ‘what the CLIENT .. wants or insists on.. Which Will Define All Reflections In The SHINY OR REFLECTIVE - PRODUCT ‼️
.. ah yes.. ‘Illumination & Presentation.. How would you ‘define’ the Bourbon Bottle - Presentation & Illumination ?
What ‘rules’ - if ‘any’ ? - What ‘Category’ of Product Photography ? ? 🦎🏴☠️💋
I think that I have mentioned that brown liquor is not my cup of Bosco.
As for the rules of engagement...
I am not shooting "commercial" product photography, so many of the usual visual elements don't apply to what I do. Certainly, I don't have to try and make the object look perfect, because I need to show the imperfections in a way that allows the potential bidder to see the good, and the bad, together. As for my, "Client", they are the owners of the auction house, and they like the way I shoot.
I was brought in to the auction to raise the quality of the photography, overall, with a particular emphasis being placed on the jewelry. As it relates to auctions, bidders for jewelry fall into two groups, re-sellers and end users. I was told to make the jewelry more attractive to the end users.
A re-seller will look at a ring and think that they can sell it for $1,000. They will have an upper limit on what they'll spend, ,say $500. An end user, will understand that the ring would cost $1,000 and be willing to pay $600-700. My thought, when I shoot jewelry, is to appeal to the end user; I try to make the jewelry look as sexy as possible; or at least catch the eye.
Certainly, my set-ups are not "typical" of how jewelry is shot in the industry, or even among other online auctions, but sales of jewelry have gone up, and the average hammer price is much higher than it was. he owners of the auction are also happy with my work, so I continue along these lines.
.. yes.. your final sentence addresses my observation ..
‘Clients & ‘Shooters is akin to ‘Horsies & ‘Riders’ .. or is it the other way around ? An Accommodation regardless .. (Each Ride & Every Horse I met !)
But much of the Professional World of Photography & Imaging is much more ‘segmented by Category & Common Rules.. it’s why I mentioned them among your other commenters - who might not consider how your explorations are also ‘muscle building’ for a Client .. perhaps ‘somewhat staid or constrained within certain traditional ways ?
Your Client & You are enjoying (we hopes !) the Payoff for the ‘Growing Accommodation & ‘Certainty .. your efforts & craftsmanship Delivers ! Boffo ‼️
Thank you, Pamela. I am also thinking that in a similar situation, I might also consider shooting from a slightly higher angle, relative to the ring, to show the underlying stone a bit more.
Thank you, Paul. I try to stay a way from velvet for my own photography, mostly because it is such a chore to keep the dust from showing up in the shot. For some time, I tried to use a velvet "Finger" to pose the rings. It certainly hade the classic look, but DAMN! The dust shows up like potholes on the roads in Pueblo! At the close distances that I typically shoot, trying to keep the velvet free of dust is like trying to keep Pigpen clean, once he's gone outside.
Yes that’s very true, I used a lint brush or roller before and air but yes, I do recall it was time consuming. Had a velvet finger too lol. The volume you shoot would definitely demand time saving methods.
Hi, Darin. First off, I am not an expert and have absolutely no experience in the studio. But I thought about the shot with the glass brick. I guess it could use not only a cleaning, as you mentioned, but also some careful polishing. That bubble could become a point of interest, but I think the brick needs some lighting from below, perhaps, for a bit of...shaping. I really liked the statue with the necklace, better than the candle thingy.
I like the blend of jewels and utilitarian objects. Cobble stones, etc. Nice contrast, but yr bronze with the arm raised is super! I also very much enjoy these 'practical' posts!
Thank you, Søren. I am glad that you like the practical posts. One of my favorite props to use for jewelry (rings especially) is, an antique iron pick axe head. If you look through my posts on jewelry, you will see it used. I will certainly use it in the future, but I am always looking for some new prop.
I really like that patina and its contrast with the jewelry's color. Other's mileage may vary. Of course, this being a test.
Cheers!
Thank you, Kenneth. Along with the colors, I really like the form of the figure, with the necklace draped over the shoulders.
.. first off - this series is a big progressive ‘step forward.. Most Excellent ! Will describe this as ‘motivated illumination..’ -> And I didn’t comment on a prior Post with a Bourbon Bottle .. (you Do Not Have ‘A Need to Know’ - my ‘perspective of bourbon..) Nevertheless I eagerly await your imminent discovery of ‘optimum background’ as well as ‘ForeGround - where ‘Motivated Imagery - [albeit ‘subdued appropriately or ‘exaggerated with motivated ‘a-vengeance] graze ‘free range..
A secondly - it’s useful to recognize how Commercial Photography - ‘defines, & may constrain or ‘set free.. per The Editorial Rules of Engagement .. and ‘specified BRANDING ‘rule of law’ blah blah .. When Photographing ‘PRODUCT’ - The ‘end use’ is Always in Play.. thus we deal with Catalogue - Magazine - Internet - Education - Glamour - Documentary - ‘Product Perfect’ for Advertising - Print Promotion - Point of Sale - & the best goes on & on.. & on !
Finally .. we get to - ‘what the CLIENT .. wants or insists on.. Which Will Define All Reflections In The SHINY OR REFLECTIVE - PRODUCT ‼️
.. ah yes.. ‘Illumination & Presentation.. How would you ‘define’ the Bourbon Bottle - Presentation & Illumination ?
What ‘rules’ - if ‘any’ ? - What ‘Category’ of Product Photography ? ? 🦎🏴☠️💋
I think that I have mentioned that brown liquor is not my cup of Bosco.
As for the rules of engagement...
I am not shooting "commercial" product photography, so many of the usual visual elements don't apply to what I do. Certainly, I don't have to try and make the object look perfect, because I need to show the imperfections in a way that allows the potential bidder to see the good, and the bad, together. As for my, "Client", they are the owners of the auction house, and they like the way I shoot.
I was brought in to the auction to raise the quality of the photography, overall, with a particular emphasis being placed on the jewelry. As it relates to auctions, bidders for jewelry fall into two groups, re-sellers and end users. I was told to make the jewelry more attractive to the end users.
A re-seller will look at a ring and think that they can sell it for $1,000. They will have an upper limit on what they'll spend, ,say $500. An end user, will understand that the ring would cost $1,000 and be willing to pay $600-700. My thought, when I shoot jewelry, is to appeal to the end user; I try to make the jewelry look as sexy as possible; or at least catch the eye.
Certainly, my set-ups are not "typical" of how jewelry is shot in the industry, or even among other online auctions, but sales of jewelry have gone up, and the average hammer price is much higher than it was. he owners of the auction are also happy with my work, so I continue along these lines.
.. yes.. your final sentence addresses my observation ..
‘Clients & ‘Shooters is akin to ‘Horsies & ‘Riders’ .. or is it the other way around ? An Accommodation regardless .. (Each Ride & Every Horse I met !)
But much of the Professional World of Photography & Imaging is much more ‘segmented by Category & Common Rules.. it’s why I mentioned them among your other commenters - who might not consider how your explorations are also ‘muscle building’ for a Client .. perhaps ‘somewhat staid or constrained within certain traditional ways ?
Your Client & You are enjoying (we hopes !) the Payoff for the ‘Growing Accommodation & ‘Certainty .. your efforts & craftsmanship Delivers ! Boffo ‼️
Merci, Mon Ami.
I really like the ring shot even with the flash of brown!
Thank you, Pamela. I am also thinking that in a similar situation, I might also consider shooting from a slightly higher angle, relative to the ring, to show the underlying stone a bit more.
I agree with your conclusions, for rings even velvety fabrics work great, and don't distract. I enjoy your product photography posts!
Thank you, Paul. I try to stay a way from velvet for my own photography, mostly because it is such a chore to keep the dust from showing up in the shot. For some time, I tried to use a velvet "Finger" to pose the rings. It certainly hade the classic look, but DAMN! The dust shows up like potholes on the roads in Pueblo! At the close distances that I typically shoot, trying to keep the velvet free of dust is like trying to keep Pigpen clean, once he's gone outside.
Yes that’s very true, I used a lint brush or roller before and air but yes, I do recall it was time consuming. Had a velvet finger too lol. The volume you shoot would definitely demand time saving methods.
Hi, Darin. First off, I am not an expert and have absolutely no experience in the studio. But I thought about the shot with the glass brick. I guess it could use not only a cleaning, as you mentioned, but also some careful polishing. That bubble could become a point of interest, but I think the brick needs some lighting from below, perhaps, for a bit of...shaping. I really liked the statue with the necklace, better than the candle thingy.
Love the props, the jewelry, and the photos. Not necessarily in that order.