Experiments in the Light Tent

[bibos]

Hi,

yesterday I set up my self-made light tent again and took some photos of the Swarovski jewelry that my girlfriend makes.
What do you think? C&C appreciated.











Kassian

[Blinky]

Very cool shots, particulary the goblet. Light tents produce nice effects when you don't want or need formal shadow.

I think the blown out edge of the cup in the top image is distracting and pulls my eye away from the earrings for some reason. Same with the second shot but I still really like it.

Your set design is very nicely suited to the pieces in terms of color

How did you build your tent? Got a shot of it?

Chip

[aam1234]

Beautiful, all of them.

[bibos]

Originally Posted by B

How did you build your tent? Got a shot of it?

I built it out of PVC pipes Here's a shot of the setup with my good old Nikon FM on the tripod.

[Blinky]

This is extraordinary because the setup is very simple yet you achieived some gorgeous reflections in the darker beads, specifically in the bottom two images. A plain flat reflection would look fine but it would also look plain. The three panel reflections give the bead images character they other wise wouldn't have... it's remeniscent of a Tiffany catalog shot where they use four softboxes arrayed together.

Good stuff. I'd be interested to see some of the metal you posted before done like this.

Chip

Ps. The FM was the best camera ever made.

[bibos]

Thanks alot chip!
got another shot that I forgot to post before, btw.

[silentPartner]

I find that one a bit dark. Because the jewelry is black and red, there are too many dark shadows to really pick out the detail.

[Blinky]

Originally Posted by silentPartner

I find that one a bit dark. Because the jewelry is black and red, there are too many dark shadows to really pick out the detail.

And there you've hit on the limitation of light tents, that is, contrast. Light tents are great for some jewelry and terrible for others. If you need plenty of contrast, it's better to use a direct light source in there somewhere.

I agree the detail is hard to make out in that shot but I think the overall design and composition are outstanding.

Chip

[silentPartner]

And there you've hit on the limitation of light tents, that is, contrast. Light tents are great for some jewelry and terrible for others. If you need plenty of contrast, it's better to use a direct light source in there somewhere.
I agree the detail is hard to make out in that shot but I think the overall design and composition are outstanding.

I think maybe white sea shells would have helped - the red and black would have shown up better, although as you say, the design and composition are great.

[xovoodoo]

Kassian,

I really like this a lot. I am not an idiot, I can see the setup but would you give me the specs on this home made light tent. I would like to try some myself.


Xovoodoo