Paul Keppel is a UK wedding photographer who recently shared how he takes beautiful jewelry photographs using just an inexpensive LED light. He calls it the Keppelling Wedding Ring Method. Getting good lighting is difficult especially as he has to shoot on location.
He demonstrates his technique in his video and explains how he came by his method. One day, while he was trying to take a photograph of wedding rings on a piano, awkwardly holding his camera with one hand and his LED light in the other when he came up with the idea of using the light as a miniature lighted tent!
The inexpensive light, the Yongnuo YN-160 LED Light (for cameras and camcorders) costs just $52 on Amazon. Instead of using it in its usual orientation, Paul places the light so it rests on two of the flaps.
He says you can just about use any surface including reflective ones. Some of the more unusual surfaces he has had to use includes the top of stoves and even stainless steel garbage cans!
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
He demonstrates his technique in his video and explains how he came by his method. One day, while he was trying to take a photograph of wedding rings on a piano, awkwardly holding his camera with one hand and his LED light in the other when he came up with the idea of using the light as a miniature lighted tent!
The inexpensive light, the Yongnuo YN-160 LED Light (for cameras and camcorders) costs just $52 on Amazon. Instead of using it in its usual orientation, Paul places the light so it rests on two of the flaps.
He says you can just about use any surface including reflective ones. Some of the more unusual surfaces he has had to use includes the top of stoves and even stainless steel garbage cans!
As you can see, the results he gets are simply fabulous. While the photographs feature wedding jewelry, Paul's method can be applied for other types of jewelry. It also helps to know how to use your camera properly in the first place!
Before You Go:
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Fantastic idea, Thanks for Sharing Pearl. Now I must figure out how to use this idea for necklaces
ReplyDeleteThank you, They have a yongnuo 300 which is larger if you wanted to photograph larger/longer items.
DeleteHe certainly makes it look easy doesn't he! And the reflective look suits it all.
ReplyDeleteHis accent truly got me. Love it! :0)
haha thank you, I should have scripted the shoot, as I repeated a few words and didn't realise till we were editing.
DeleteBut it really is that simple, the hardest part is making sure the jewellery is sharp in the image.
Great discoveries can happen by accident, indeed :) The ceramic stove top is brilliant, too. I'll have to try my tablet as a surface for taking pictures, taking care not to scratch it, of course.
ReplyDeleteToasters on it side always gets funny looks haha now I carry a small tile from the hardware store in my camera bag.
Deletewhat a great idea.. thanks
DeleteI use LEDs all of the time you can get very cheep LEDs at Harbor Freight that are adjustable for photography and great for lighting up your displays when you are selling. It is all about lighting. LEDs give you white light of day light If you want to soften it throw a tissue or two over the lights for a softer effect. Watch for shadows on your jewelry. He probably used fill flash from the camera to get rid of any shadows. Like jewelry it is practice, practice, practice. He made a small soft box with a dark background and black glass for nice reflection. He has a god DSLR camera and probably shooting manual to make minor adjustments. He is not a beginner at photography with this kind of gear. I've been shooting for 15+ years and that is what I see. Very good article on photography with some great tips.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kenneth. Your comments are so useful. And I agree with you - it is practice, practice, practice!!
DeleteHi all, thank you for the comments.
DeleteI've been photographing for about 4-5years but working full time for the last 2 years.
No fill flash involved in any of the shots, if you watch the video it shows you exactly how I photograph the rings. The Led light does come with a Frosted disfuser, which can help with the pectular highlights but you may see a drop in the power.
I used a nikon d750, but any DLSR will work, if you are worried about NOISE in the image, then just use a tripod so you can lower your shutter speed which in turn can lower your iso. :-)
His photos are perfection and I do know that LED lights are much like sunlight in the fact that it is a nice, clean white light so there are no yellow or blue overtones in the photos. I've always had a problem getting a decent photo on a black background and perhaps this would help me . . . this and taking a class to learn about all the different controls and settings on my camera.
ReplyDeleteLighting is invariably the most important element for good photography besides knowing one's camera. Hope you will take my webinar class at some point!
DeleteThe LED light is so much better than sunlight as its always consistantly the same. I've photographed on window sills and I'm allways having to change my settings due to the sun going in/out.
Delete