Need advice on taking photos of jewelry...

I'm ready to open my etsy store, but allow me to cut right to it... my pictures are crap. I don't have a lot of props to take photos, so I have to use what is available around the house. I've tried taking them inside and outside and I'm not happy with either set. In just a few moments, I'll post some examples... any input is appreciated.

ooooh, maybe make a lightbox? they are awesome! Maybe that will help

*sigh* flickr is having issues, so I'll post the photos later.

Have no idea how to make a light box, guess I will research that, thanks.

Taking pictures of earings hung on wine glasses is always a great idea it shows them off in a pretty yet simple way

For necklaces/braceletes, putting them laid out in good light on a glass table is usually pretty and simple

A solid colored sheet is often a good background. Simple is better, in my opinion.

A nice simple white sheet of paper and a good quality camera usually do the trick!

something i appreciate when im buying jewlery online, is MORE THAN ONE PICTURE. one of the whole peice, one of the charm or w/e, one of the chain, stuff like that i like to feel confident in my purchase and will almost never buy jewlery with only one picture

also, if your etsy store has a name. photoshopping your name into the picture also gives it a pretty and personal touch

Some great ideas!

Do you have an external flash you can bounce?

Try various different things for backgrounds and props. Something as simple as holding a twig with ear-rings or rings on it would be a unique way of presenting them. If you have a white pillow-case, you could do a pretty clean background. Try different colours of fabric/paper for a back-ground and make sure you're using diffused light to avoid any excess glare. You can do this by bouncing the flash OR try putting some tissue over the built-in flash. Otherwise, over-cast days or using a window that faces north for natural light would probably be best.

I might have more specific ideas once I see some of the photos you've tried.

Thank you for the suggestions!

Here is one set of pictures:

not that I am a photographic prodigy or anything LOL....

But when you take pictures outside... don't put the item in direct sunlight. LIke I take my pictures on my covered porch... so there is natural light but the sun isn't beaming right on the item. I have heard people suggest putting up a white sheet so the sunlight is filtered and then you won't get a glare or harsh shadows.

You know....there could be something to photographing a selection in some harsher light. I'm really loving the colours that come through the bracelet and shine on the background. If I was to have some photographic fun with the items you have, I'd give a little bit more room around the jewelry, add a prop or two and try some direct side-lighting on a couple of them just so see how it shapes up.

I could definitely see the ear-rings hanging off a wine glass. I'd even go so far as to recommend trying some strong side-lighting to see if you can catch some of the colour coming through the ear-rings.

For the bracelet, I think you really need something to support it (like a wrist ) to show-case it better. Keep the white background and give the bracelet more room around the edges of the photograph. I think just laying it down doesn't really convey exactly what it is as it doesn't retain a perfect form when lying there (referring to the second-from last photo).

That last photo could also use some extra room. in the frame. Instead of shooting it as a pano, so a full frame and run it strait with the rule of thirds. I love the colour hitting the background on this one as well.

The first shot is over-exposed and the top-left corner sticks out. Give the background more space, avoid head-on lighting and make sure you don't over-expose it as that washes out the colour of the bracelet. In fact, you might want to under-expose it by 1/3 to 1/2 stop just to help the colour pop.

I think you've got a good start. You just need to have a bit more fun with the shots and play to the light and colour they have to offer. Don't overwhelm the frame with the jewelry...let it command a bit of presence within a space and play around with the rule of thirds and some props that help accent the shape/intended shape when its being worn. In other words, play a bit

LOL see... what do I know HAHAHA.

All I know is... it is SO frustrating to take jewelry pics ... remember my post after I first started my etsy shop? the pictures were killing me.

but I just kept working at it and trying new things. the MOST important for selling on etsy is DETAIL. it doesn't have to be fancy but you HAVE to get your pictures as clear as you can so they can see the details... fancy helps but not if your pictures don't show the little things. not saying that they don't... just saying that is what people on etsy are looking for.

Also... photoshop is your friend. sharpen them up in there and play around with them... not so much that you are changing the whole look of your piece but just so that you are enhancing it.

When it comes to shooting jewelry....much more than I do.

I can only toss out ideas as I see them and they may not work. Diffused light is a pretty safe way to do things - and in most cases, the best way for shooting reflective surfaces, but I just love the colour spilling through to the background. A harsher light might not work out, but it's worth some time investigating