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Digital Jewelry Photography
by Van Rossen
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Digital photography is certainly becoming
the norm. I use to take a photograph, get the film processed,
select the final photo on a light table and send the client an
original color transparency. |
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Now I am doing image acquisition, evaluating
raw image files on calibrated and profile monitors, develop,
enhance, color correct, retouch and convert picture files in
Photoshop, prep and load web galleries for clients to approve
and burn and deliver a CD to a client (or email or ftp). |
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I use to worry about creating a nice photograph
now I am managing work flow, worrying about color management,
building ICC profiles, addressing compatibility work flow issues,
and trying to meet expectations of delivering a better quality
and more useful product faster and cheaper then ever before.
The demand has been for creating what I consider clip art images.
These basic images of a piece of jewelry or gemstone can be used
as a stand alone image or combined with other images in Photoshop
to create a new enhanced (an image that tells a story or creates
a mode) image. |
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I have been working with clients on the
idea of photograph once and use many times and ways. These individual
digital images can be used to build catalogs, web sites, image
data bases for inventory and order forms, post cards, brochures,
counter displays, magazine display ads and other advertising
material. |
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Pricing on this type of work is difficult
to figure. Traditional photography you set the lights, position
the piece and take the picture and you are done. With digital
photography that is just the start. A good digital photo depends
a lot on how the image is processed and enhance in Photoshop.
The Photoshop time can vary wildly depending on the piece of
jewelry and the final image desired. This makes it impossible
to state a standard per photo price without knowing what the
jewelry items are, the quantity, and the desired final result.
But for some examples - on one project of 150 plus ring where
the ring and a color gemstone needed to be worked it came out
to be $25 per photo. On another project where I had 50 multi-strands
of white pearls on a white background to photograph individually
the price was $150 per photo. Another project of a large quantity
of tennis bracelets that need full treatment the price was $75
per photo. So the prices can vary greatly depending upon the
come complexity of the jewelry item and time it takes in Photoshop.
I am happy to quote a price after discussing the project variables
with a client. |
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The following are examples of this type of digital photography.
Click on a photo to
see larger |