This is the follow up to the Better Bead Shots Photography tutorial.

This trick works great with all kinds of lampworking photography. If you are photographing glass Beads, glass Pendants or glass Sculptures you will want to watch this.

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During the last contest we had, the “Anything Goes” contest, I realized that my current photography setup wasn’t going to cut it. I was using a large photo tent and 2 500w lights. I then grew to 4 500w lights. My theory was more light meant for better photos. Later I learned that is not the case. Some times more light makes it worse. I had way to much contrast, hot spots and it was  so cumbersome To place the camera is the right place.

I needed to develop something that would allow me to easily set up and break down for any type of bead, pendant, marble or sculpture and any type of glass as well. I would shoot something like Dark Ivory a lot different than  an opal or dichroic.

Here are some examples of what I’m talking about. These images are not enhanced in any way. All I did was crop them. I wanted to show you what the raw images looked like:

Here is an example of how I would not shoot dichroic on clear. I shot this bead with one 500w lamp using 2 diffusers. One to diffuce the light on the right and one to bounce it back on the left. You can see that the left side is washed out.

Notice how the left side is a rich magenta. This is because there is no light being redirected on to that side. It allows the dichroic to show the light passing through it by dropping the second light diffuser.

Another example why I love my light modifiers is because it works great with metallic luster glass like Triton and Echo. As you can see with the images below it tweek the postion of the light diffusers to make the metallic glass look great.

The light is spread evenly across the bead. But the Echo Stringers fall flat.

With the diffusers opened up a little more you can see the Echo stringers start to have more volume because they are reflecting the dark parts of the room.

With diffusers opened up even more the Echo stringers have a lot more going on. There is even a slight lens flare from the  light.

Here is a cheat sheet on how Aperture works with your bead and jewelry photography.

I just got a sample video done of the next tutorial I’m working on. It’s the next step in my series of lampwork bead photography tutorials. I want to show how to use photoshop and other programs to enhance your bead photos. It’s rough right now. I’ll redo the audio on the other sections and create graphics to enhance it.But take a look at it and tell me what you think.

I would recommend watching it in “HD”

I just wanted to share this with you. I’ll get back to how to use the 5 elements of design later.

Thanks and have a great day!

Thank you for your understanding.

Keith

I just got a sample video done of the next tutorial I’m working on. It’s the next step in my series of lampwork bead photography tutorials. I want to show how to use photoshop and other programs to enhance your bead photos.  It’s rough right now. I’ll redo the audio on the other sections and create graphics to enhance it.But take a look at it and tell me what you think.

I would recommend watching it in “HD”

I just wanted to share this with you. I’ll get back to how to use the 5 elements of design later.

Thanks and have a great day!

I’m planning on putting together an interactive video about using photoshop for lampwork bead photography. Right now I am planning on  how I’m going to layout the course. I have a pretty good idea what I think I should do.  But if there is something you have a problem with or would like me to touch on please let me know.

Thanks and have a great day!

Oh and I have some ideas for some upcoming blogs. So check back soon and often.

Thanks!

I can’t wait!