In this introductory lesson, Alex discusses the effects of reflection on glossy jewelry. He presents choices of materials for the table used to shoot the images and the effects of using them. He also shares his thoughts on what camera, lens, tripod, diffusion material, stands, and strobe choices work best. The lesson covers methods of subject placement and how to use a cone diffuser. After completing this lesson, you will be able to shoot a simple precious metal ring on any color background and be ready to move forward to more complex jewelry shooting. 

In this video Alex provides the steps taken in live time to capture an amethyst stone with surrounding yellow diamonds set in a precious metal ring. Light placement, equipment, camera angles and diffusion placements are shown and investigated.

Alex shoots an emerald ring mounted with surrounding stones and set in precious metal. The stones’ properties of light reflection and refraction create a different set of challenges to capture and Alex employs different techniques to generate the desired end results.

In Part 2 of the green ring lesson, Alex wraps up shooting the emerald ring.

This lesson features Alex capturing a white pearl mounted in a ring. He uses the cone diffusion method to obtain he best results from the spherical shaped object that reflects everything surrounding it. Again, Alex demonstrates methods to overcome various unwanted effects in real time.

In this lesson, Alex shows how to mount post-backed earrings to obtain a desired placement of a pair of gem set earrings. He demonstrates ways to place the lights and how to overcome unwanted results. Alex also discusses the potential of compositing shots to achieve the desired results and demonstrates shooting a single earring and then compositing a copy as the second to create a pair.

Alex demonstrates the process of using constant lighting and a motorized turn table to create a video of a gem set bracelet. He explains the pros and cons of different types of constant light and shows how to place diffusion and reflection materials to achieve the best results. The lesson wraps up with a discussion on the uses of and needs for video in product photography.

Alex creates a turn table video of the amethyst ring shown earlier to explore ways to capture this type of jewlery. Alex shows how to place diffusion and reflection surfaces and what lights he uses to get the best results.