I have a Olympus 220L and have been very satisfied with it for most things but I have been trying to photograph some rhinestone jewelry and can't seem to get a decent image. Is there a trick to this? I have tried using the flash, no flash, extra light & no light. Thanks!

-- Debra Costas (elfinent@cheerful.com), January 15, 2000

Answers

Debra:
If you could either post or email a picture to me it would help to see the results you are getting before offering any advice...

Des

p.s. - if you email it I can post it for you in this forum

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@avstarnews.com), January 15, 2000.

Debra,

You need to construct a "light-tent" to get decent results from this sort of subject, and, preferably, you need a separate electronic flash gun; but you could get away with an anglepoise type lamp at a push.

A simple light tent can be made from a cone of tracing paper or film. Roll the sheet into a shape like a witches hat with the top cut off, or a dog's flea collar. Put the big open end over the jewelry or whatever, and poke the camera lens through the smaller opening. Obviously you'll need to juggle with the size of the cone to give you the right size image, and to keep the edge of the cone out of shot.

Now point your flashgun, table-lamp, or whatever light source, at the side of the cone. The light bounces around inside the cone and evenly illuminates your subject, giving a nice high-key result with very little shadow. Simple! Try experimenting with dark or light backgrounds to find the most pleasing result. (Warning! Auto exposure is a disaster with this sort of set up, you need to be able to control the exposure manually. If you go for a white background give about 2 stops MORE than what the camera recommends.)

Let us know how you get on,

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), January 17, 2000.