This time I was challenged with creating several unique still life photographs for a fashion brand’s homepage. The features comprised of jewelry and accessories. To achieve consistency, each shot had a similar setup to it, as well as the same depth of field and shadow intensity. Ultimately, I worked towards ensuring the overall collection remained interesting and minimalistic, yet showcased the delicate shadows and technical elements.
Each item was propped against a Similar to my past project, frame or wooden beam. These earthy natural tones complemented the orange, red and brown colors in the jewelry and accessories. Photographing this type of product can be challenging. Jewelry is often small, reflective and difficult to stage. Before shooting with each item, I carefully polished and cleaned the surfaces to avoid any smudges or fingerprints to be visible in the photograph.
For the image showcasing the designer handbags, a white block was placed perpendicular to the camera. This exposed two sides of the block. The lighting reflected off one side more prominantely, resulting in a dark side and a light side with the shadows. The handbags were suspended from a metal rod, which made them appear as if they were hovering above the white platform. Overall, the background remained neutral and white, to avoid the viewer being distracted from the product.
For another, the gold bracelet with large diamond-shaped emeralds was laid on a dark brown, hardwood flooring plank. Peeking out at the top of the frame was part of a handbag. This created a feeling of a woman sitting on a bedroom floor going through her prized jewelry and accessory collection ahead of a night out.
In each photo, the shadows direct the attention of the viewer towards the subject. They reveal the finer details of each item and add a hint of drama and emotion to the overall collection. The earrings, handbags and other items had intricate patterns and textures to each, and the shadows really emphasize these features. It can be difficult to shoot reflective objects as they often create distracting reflections. Remember to use an overhead light, preferably double, to minimize this.
FAQs
What was the main challenge in photographing the jewelry and accessories for the fashion brand's homepage?
The greatest challenge in photographing the jewelry and accessories for the fashion brand’s homepage was making sure each shot had a similar composition, including the same depth of field and shadow intensity.
How did the photographer create a consistent look for the collection of still life photographs?
To create a unified look for the collection of still life photographs, the photographer used a similar setup for each shot, with each item propped against a frame or wooden beam. The earthy natural tones of the props complemented the orange, red and brown colors of the jewelry and accessories.
How did the photographer use shadows in the still life photographs to emphasize the finer details of each item?
The artist used shadows in still lifes to draw the viewer’s attention to the subject as well as to individual objects. The earrings, handbags, and other objects had intricate patterns and other special features. The shadows helped to enhance these features in the corresponding photographs.
What lighting setup did the photographer use to minimize distracting reflections when photographing reflective objects?
To minimize distracting reflections when photographing specular objects, the photographer used a skylight, preferably double. This lighting setting helped minimize reflections and create a neutral background that allowed the viewer to focus on the product.
