1. Clean the piece
Polish the metal and clean the stones. Fingerprints, dust and tarnish are part of the piece as far as the camera is concerned, and we keep the piece as it is.
2. Use daylight
Shoot near a window, out of direct sun. Daylight shows true stone and metal colour. Warm indoor bulbs turn white gold yellow and shift sapphires before we ever see them.
3. Plain background
A sheet of white or light grey paper is ideal. Avoid coloured fabric: it reflects into the metal and the stones.
4. Two or three angles
- Rings: front view and a three quarter view that shows the gallery.
- Earrings: the pair flat, plus one from the side.
- Pendants: flat, plus a close up of the bail.
- Bracelets: a loose oval from above, plus a side view.
The studio accepts up to four photos of the same piece.
5. No filters, no zoom
Turn off beauty and portrait modes. Move the phone closer instead of using digital zoom, and tap on the piece to focus. Sharpness matters more than resolution.