Pics with and w/o a Lightbox

[cellentani]

After getting a lightbox a few weeks ago, some PSers have expressed interest in seeing pics. Today was rather grey and cloudy, so not the best conditions. In some pics, the difference is surprisingly subtle, and there are certain ones that actually look better without the lightbox. Keep in mind that when using a lightbox, all light is diffused, so stones will not be sparkly. If you are trying to capture minute detail, however, it''s hard to beat.

Okay, on to the pics. There are quite a few, but I''m just gonna throw them all on.

 

[cellentani]

This first one was done in an east-facing window on a cloudy afternoon. Both photos are unedited (no color adjustments or sharpening). The pic using the lightbox is on the left (I think all the lightbox pics are on the left). Very subtle difference, partly because there was no sun.

 

[cellentani]

Taken at night with halogen and fluorescent lighting. Edits include very light sharpening, but were done after the collage was made, so the effects are equal on both pics (does that make any sense?).

 

[cellentani]

Late afternoon, we got about a 1/2 hour of sun. In the previous pics, the lightbox was open on one side, but in these, I just set the camera timer and popped the lightbox over so everything was completely enclosed.

In most of these, I tried to leave the camera and subject positions exactly the same.

Edits include very slight sharpening, and some light adjustments.

 

[platinumrock]

WOW, that ring is stunning! The pics taken at night give it a coppery hue. Is that a rose gold gallery?

 

[cellentani]

Actually, it''s yellow gold, not rose gold. This ring has always been very difficult to photograph accurately. I''ll keep posting more pics...

 

[MissGotRocks]

Very interesting - thanks!

 

[cellentani]

These 18K earrings were taken in the east-facing window (remember, cloudy day), and unedited.

 

[glitterata]

Thank you, Cellentani! That was very illuminating! I definitely want a lightbox now.

Pretty ring, btw.

 

[cellentani]

Same earrings, in the sun. Again, the lightbox is on the left.

Edits are light sharpening and adjustments to light (highlights & shadows).

 

[cellentani]

Date: 1/19/2009 5:50:13 PM
Author: glitterata
Thank you, Cellentani! That was very illuminating! I definitely want a lightbox now.

Pretty ring, btw.

Wait glitterataaaa - I''m not done yet.

 

[cellentani]

East window, unedited.

 

[cellentani]

The top row was taken under halogen and fluorescent lighting (hence the yellow-hue of the non-lightbox), and the bottom row was taken window-side. All are unedited.

 

[cellentani]

Taken in afternoon sun. I think I very lightly sharpened this one.

 

[cellentani]

Cloudy day, unedited.

 

[cellentani]

Taken in completely artificial light. Very light sharpening.

 

[Tuckins1]

Wow, what beautiful pieces you have!!

 

[cellentani]

Very light sharpening done, but since it's equally applied to both pics, you can really see how the detail (including the fuzzy

) pops in the lightbox photo.

Okay, I know this might be overkill, but there's just one more.

 

[cellentani]

This one is unedited.

Sorry if those were more pics than you bargained for. I had fun doing this, so I hope you don''t mind.

My photo edits were all done with Picassa, and I just used a tiny (and inexpensive) point-and-shoot digital (Canon Powershot SD1000). Now I''m wondering how they''d look with a SLR...

 

[BlueSki231]

WOW very cool! It really does make a difference! Great pics! And beautiful jewelry!!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

That''s so cool! Thanks for taking the time to post all of these pictures - I definitely want a lightbox now!

Did you make one, or buy one, Cellentani? If the latter, where from? Thanks!

 

[cellentani]

Brown_eyed_girl - Hi! I posted info about my lightbox (and included pics - I''m gonna be known as Ms. Overkill soon) in another post. Keep scrolling down the page, it''s down there: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/suggestion-on-nice-set-of-tools.104387/

Good to see you, hope you''re doing well.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

wow what a difference....

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Thanks Cellentani!! I''m going to go check it out now

 

[kcoursolle]

What a great difference the box makes! But...I want to hear more about all of your beautiful bling! I love the milgrain and pattern work on the last one!

 

[joflier]

Wow! Big difference! I am just lusting after the setting with your pink sapphire!

 

[cellentani]

Namaste - thanks, glad you liked it.

Asscherhalo_lover - lol, my thoughts exactly.

brown.eyed.girl - let me know if you have any questions on the lightbox. I''ve liked using it so far, but I have to say I haven''t used the lights very much. I''ve found that sunlight through the lightbox is my favorite.

kcoursolle - glad you liked the photos (and my jewelry). That last ring is a mosaic (.70 tcw) that my husband gave me last summer as a belated anniversary gift. It''s one of my favorites! I''ve posted it before, so if you''re interested in seeing a couple more pics, here''s the link: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-rest-of-my-good-rings-dont-worry-its-only-3-more.103320/

Thanks joflier, I love that setting too. In fact, it used to be a wedding/engagement ring until too many melee fell out

. If you care to see that setting with an oval diamond (and you don''t even have to read the saga) check out this link: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3rd-ring-in-two-years.103301/

 

[glitterata]

Thanks for doing all that work, Cellentani! It really was illuminating--the lightbox makes quite a difference.

And what lovely jewelry, too! I love the color of your sapphire!

 

[Kelli]

Love all those pieces!

 

[marcy]

Great photos and information. Thanks. I love your jewelry too.