Photography Questions - Your Opinion(s) & a Few New Stones

RTFrog · May 9, 2014

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been working with “capturing rainbows” on gemstones recently, and have added some pictures below. This work occurred with just light and without software enhancement, capturing natural effects.

This and other threads have inspired a few questions regarding gemstone photography:

What’s your colored stone – or overall gemstone photography preference? I’m looking more from a non-Vendor point of view, those of consumers and users of this forum. Basically, what types of photos would you most enjoy viewing?

Image size? What’s easier to view on phones/tablets/computers etc?

Macro shots?

Mirrors/background color/floating?

Studio based or nature/sunlight based?

Flower shots?

Kenny’s awesome shots?

Artistically influenced shots?

Natural/artificial/all lighting conditions?

Natural shots that show graining/imperfections or edited ones that make the stone look more clean?

How sharp of picture do you actually prefer? Or can the image be soft – making the focus less on or about the facets and more about the overall impression?

Photo filtered/shopped versions – such as making them into oil paintings, etc?

Any other ideas?

From other threads, color subjectivity should truly portray the stone’s natural color – however do you prefer saturated or unsaturated portrayals of natural color?

As always, any and all comments/thoughts/ideas area appreciated!

chrono · May 9, 2014

Re: Photography Questions - Your Opinion(s) & a Few New Ston

I LOVE the last picture using Uli's liquid flower design.

Image size? What’s easier to view on phones/tablets/computers etc?
No idea but bigger is better because I enjoy seeing the facet pattern, especially on precision cut stones.

Macro shots?
Yes!

Mirrors/background color/floating?
Yes!

Studio based or nature/sunlight based?
Yes!

Flower shots?
Yes!

Kenny’s awesome shots?
YES!

Artistically influenced shots?
Most of the time.

Natural/artificial/all lighting conditions?
I think it's a cool feature, especially for colour shifters and changers but this type of photography is very challenging and time consuming.

Natural shots that show graining/imperfections or edited ones that make the stone look more clean?
Both. Some imperfections are very interesting to see.

How sharp of picture do you actually prefer? Or can the image be soft – making the focus less on or about the facets and more about the overall impression?
Depends on the background. For flowery pictures, I like a soft image but for a mirror or reflective surface, I tend to prefer a crisp look.

Photo filtered/shopped versions – such as making them into oil paintings, etc?
Would love to see an example.

Any other ideas?
You think up great ideas. I always enjoy whatever you come up with.

From other threads, color subjectivity should truly portray the stone’s natural color – however do you prefer saturated or unsaturated portrayals of natural color?
I don't fully understand your question. Perhaps artistically, the photographer can play up or down the saturation, I suppose.

minousbijoux · May 9, 2014

Re: Photography Questions - Your Opinion(s) & a Few New Ston

It depends upon the purpose of the photography. If it is for pure enjoyment, then yes to all ideas. If its to capture the stone in its most realistic state, then I like to see the stones on a neutral background in strong but indirect natural light.

RTFrog · May 9, 2014

Re: Photography Questions - Your Opinion(s) & a Few New Ston

Thanks Chrono and Minous for your replies! I appreciate it.

Here's a couple examples of changing the pictures into art - they look better full screen, but do not know where to post them:

kenny · May 9, 2014

Re: Photography Questions - Your Opinion(s) & a Few New Ston

That's beautiful … that is if you used paint and brushes, not some 'software enhancement' which you hold in contempt.

JewelFreak · May 9, 2014

Re: Photography Questions - Your Opinion(s) & a Few New Ston

The last ones are neat, but only after seeing earlier ones that show the stones as they are. Otherwise, yes to all your questions -- and you do a super job. How much time did you spend getting those shots, RTF?

--- Laurie

gemandjewelrylover · May 9, 2014

Re: Photography Questions - Your Opinion(s) & a Few New Ston

RT, I always love your photos that you post. You have real flair and an artistic touch, and great gem photography skills.
Both yours (and Kenny's!) photos are always a real treat.

+1 to Chrono's and mb's replies. Love them for art, but for evaluating for a purpose, a natural background is better.

I still can't get more than four pictures to one post, like you do… I tried what you said before in another thread but it still cuts me off at four. You have the magic touch!

Keep the eye candy coming! (You too, Kenny!)

RTFrog · May 12, 2014

Re: Photography Questions - Your Opinion(s) & a Few New Ston

Hi Kenny - Thanks for stopping by. Sorry you don't like them. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with much drawing talent or ability beyond drawing poor stick figures.

JF: Thank you for your comments - I appreciate it. I've been playing with the rainbowing effect /shimmer/refraction/reflection etc - from natural light for awhile, just had a chance to take advantage of it over the past week with timing and sunlight. Thought it was worth a shot at showing off facet reflection. I posted a couple more below of the effect.

Gemandjewelrylover: Thank you for the feedback! Been trying to take an artistic interpretation of them, along with studio versions. It makes sense having practical/neutral backgrounds to show the stone the way it is, especially for color interpretation.

Still don't know what to tell you about 4 pictures, strange limit! Did you try any other browser to see if it makes any difference?