Photographing diamond jewelry

[americanpharoah]

What part do colored filters play in the photography of diamond jewelry today?

 

[Ideal_Polish]

Hi there. I didn't know race horses could type

Do you mean filters placed on the camera's lens? If the issue is white balancing then all the same rules still apply. It's all a mixture of problem solving. There are differences enough even between lights and cameras that are locked in at certain color temperatures, so filters on the lights themselves, on the camera, and even within the camera are still used everywhere - portraits, macro, architecture, etc...

 

[kenny]

What part do colored filters play in the photography of diamond jewelry today?

IMO, none since we should adjust the camera's white balance setting to the light used.

No camera can be adjusted if two or more types of light can reach the diamond.
All lights should be identical type of light bulbs (block any daylight by covering windows).

Even if you set the camera to match the light used often camera white balance settings are not accurate enough.
For instance 'incandescent and fluorescent light come in many color temps, though cameras usually have only one setting for all.
Even the color of 'daylight' varies from noon to sunset.

Best way to white is to do a manual white balance instead of using your cameras presets, flash, daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, etc.
Here's how:
Place white paper where diamond will be.
Move camera in so only the white paper is seen.
Rack lens out of focus.
Press the button on camera that captures this white balance reference. (consult your owners manual)

Another thing that often throws off the color of diamonds in pics is colors the diamond picks up from the environment and reflects back to the camera or colors in the environment that tint the light that reaches the diamond like a yellow wall.
Solve this problem by using a light tent with a small hole in the side for the camera lens to peek through.

 

[americanpharoah]

Thanks very much!