Professional jewelry photographers will typically use an object called a "soft box" to photograph their subjects. A soft box is a large, semi-transparent container designed to diffuse light. Because the subjects inside the soft box do not receive direct light, the photographer avoids highlights, reflections and shadows common when using a flash. A photographer can use either natural or artificial light to light his soft box. Amateur photographers who do not wish to invest in an expensive soft box can make their own that works just as well and produces beautifully lit jewelry photos.
Instructions
1. Select or purchase a large, semi-translucent Rubbermaid bin. The file boxes work well, but any container large enough to fit your jewelry will also suffice.
2. Place the container in an area that receives a lot of light. Outside is best, but bins can also be placed near a bright window. If natural light is not available, artificial lighting including flashes, work lamps or standard household lamps may be used as well, as long as the camera is properly white-balanced for the temperature of the light. Most cameras will do this automatically.
3. Disable your on-camera flash. All of the light will be coming from around the container to illuminate your jewelry. Using an on-camera flash will remove the soft box effect and create harsh highlights and shadows on your jewelry.
4. Lay the bin onto its side horizontally with the open end facing toward your camera. You will be shooting into the open end of the bin, and will want any light coming from above and any side to be diffused.
5. Mount your jewelry near the center of the bin. Earrings can be hung on decorative cards or stuck in foam, while necklaces and bracelets can be draped or laid out. Try to choose simple mounting that does not distract from the jewelry and features complementary colors to blend well.
6. Select a backdrop and affix it to the bottom of the bin behind your subject. A bit of tape with solid tissue paper works best, as it will allow the light to come through, but any backdrop can be appropriate.
7. Compose your shot, remembering to use a narrow Depth of Field so that the details of your backdrop and any plastic container that may be visible blurs into the bokeh (the soft, out-of-focus area of a photo).
Tags: your jewelry, coming from, on-camera flash