We all know creating content has become a part of every Jewellery designer or jewellers world. Creating content is crucial for running a successful business for several reasons. Consistent, high-quality content helps to establish your brand's presence and identity. It allows potential customers to recognise and remember your business. Content has provided me with a way to connect with my audience and find clients . So, I’ve found myself taking more and more pictures and in turn get more questions from the jewellery industry around my set up and asking for me to share my tips.
Capturing Your Artwork: A Step-by-Step Guide Creating an ideal setting for photographing your drawings can significantly enhance the quality of your images. Follow this guide to achieve the best results:
Select a Well-Lit Location/ Leverage the Sun:
Find a spot with ample natural light, ideally near a large window. I love starting with natural light. I typically let the light come in from the left side to maximize brightness in my workspace. This provides a soft, even illumination that complements most colors in my artwork. While I prefer natural light for its aesthetic appeal, you can choose a lighting source that suits your style. Position your drawing to catch the natural light from the left, minimising harsh shadows and bringing out the details in your work.
A Neat, Clean Workspace:
I set up my illustrations on a clean white surface, as it allows my illustrations to stand out without distractions. I ensure to clean the area if necessary and arrange my illustrations with enough white space and in a position to create visual movement. I aim to create balance and movement in my images using my illustration tools (like pencils), which I'll elaborate on later but I like to start with a base of white, black details and highlights of colour. This foundation connects to by brand aesthetics and provides some consistency in my images.
Incorporate Diffused Cool Light:
Reinforcing my brand aesthetic with cool light to create an even area for my photography. If my natural light source is on the left then I place a diffused cool light on the right. A softbox or a lamp with a cool white bulb works well. Add a diffuser, such as a white sheet or a professional diffuser, in front of the light to soften it, balancing the natural light and minimizing shadows. This creates a soft white glow that works well when photographing details in illustrations.
Utilise Foamboard Reflectors:
Surround your drawing with white foamboard reflectors to bounce light back onto the drawing. I have found that utilising reflective foamboard makes such a difference to creating even light in photos. Position one reflector below to reflect light upwards, and another on top or opposite the natural light source to fill in shadows. Smaller pieces of foamboard can target specific areas needing more light. I often repurpose recycled foamboard and bulldog clips to hold them up or where I need them. You can use any white material at hand to reflect light onto your drawings but I recommend surrounding your drawing to make photography easier (and reduce editing)
Camera and Tripod Setup:
I use two cameras along with a tripod to ensure stability. My phone camera and a budget-friendly SLR are my go-to options. Starting with just a phone camera is perfectly fine; I recommend doing that. Camera settings are something I’m still getting my head around, so I don’t have any recommendations in regard to camera settings.
Include Illustration Tools:
Add some contrasting details to your images goes a long way, I use my illustration tools to support the illustration and add a touch of interest. Incorporating realistic illustration tools (the ones you actually used to do the illustration) in your photos helps to create an immersive experience. I highlight “realistic” because Images showcasing the wrong tools can indicate a lack of understanding of the drawing process or an overemphasis on aesthetics. I use my tools to enhance the details of the illustration and guide the viewer's eye either toward or away from specific areas.
Take Test Shots and Make Adjustments:
Capture a few test shots and review them. Adjust the positioning of your lights and reflectors as necessary to achieve even lighting and minimize shadows. I occasionally edit in Instagram or Snapseed to brighten the images or remove any dust I might have overlooked during setup.
Please note: I sometimes intentionally adjust my setup by including shadows or additional lighting to convey various styles or feelings, based on my client's vision or the design I aim to communicate.