Ornament Magazine

VOL38.1 2015

Ornament is the leading magazine celebrating wearable art. Explore jewelry, fashion, beads; contemporary, ancient and ethnographic.

Issue link: http://ornamentmagazine.epubxp.com/i/476566

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 59 of 68

57 ORNAMENT 38.1.2015 IMAGES SHOT WITH CANON 7D, 60mm macro and 540EZ/LUMIQUEST PROMAX SOFTBOX at f11 (top left); CANON 580EX/SLIPON DIFFUSER at f16 (top right); 540EZ/LUMIQUEST POCKET BOUNCER WITH NO MODELING LIGHT at f11 (bottom left); and 540EZ/LUMIQUEST POCKET BOUNCER WITH MODELING LIGHT at f11 (bottom right). Even though there is a one f-stop difference between the top right image and the other three, the exposures are not that different, although the white Plex of the sweep table varies in darkness in these four images. These differences are probably due to the effect of the softbox, bounce flash or diffuser, although the color temperature of the 540EZ and 580EX might be different, as the latter is newer. The top left image was taken at a more acute angle, as the opening of the shell or chank bracelet is visible, and makes a better image, as this dark area defines the bracelet more. Newer lenses now have intermediate f-stops, going from f32, 29, 25, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 13, 11, 10, 9.0, 8.0, 7.1, 6.3, 5.6, 5.0, 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.2 and 2.8 versus older lenses having only f32, 22, 16, 11, 8.0, 5.6 and 2.8. This means it would be possible to really tailor the exposure to the available power in the external flash, for a better exposure than in these sample images. The main advantage of using any of the three devices shown in the top photograph is a lessening of the harshness that is often produced by a bare flash exposure, although I often consider such images acceptable. With more adjustments in Photoshop beyond those applied to these images, there could be further improvements. Thus, an external flash with some type of diffuser may be an alternative and relatively simple, inexpensive way of shooting jewelry, especially out of the studio. marginally better, because of its larger size and overhead position. The Lumiquest Softbox and the simple slipon diffuser were almost as good, with the Pocket Bouncer only slightly less so. All the images were photographed hand- held, freeing me from the constraints of using a tripod, since their flash durations are so short that camera movement or shake poses no problem. SUGGESTED READING Liu, R. K. 2014 The Photography of Personal Adornment. Photographic Techniques for Jewelry/Artwear Craftspeople, Researchers, Scholars and Museum/Gallery Staff. San Marcos, Ornament, Inc.: 160 p. CANON 540EZ, 580EX EXTERNAL FLASHES, LUMIQUEST SOFTBOX, POCKET BOUNCER AND SLIPON DIFFUSER, with DSLR used in lighting experiments. The Lumiquest attach to the 540 EZ flash by means of Velcro strips applied to both the flash unit and the folding lighting accessories.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Ornament Magazine - VOL38.1 2015