tom h. Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 I'm shooting jewellery (necklaces, belts bracelets) on models in two weeks time. I plan on mainly medium format , but I'm waiting on a 90mm E/M to arrive, and I'm wondering if anyone has tried something similar. I've taken to shooting a "quick" roll of 35mm (m6ttl,TE/50) at the end of sessions "just in case". It's a lot looser and sometimes you'll catch something you didn't notice before. So I guess my question is: is it technically feasible (min. focus, etc)without having to be overly inventive? answers/ suggestions most welcome. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 Your min. focus will be about 3.5 feet (1 meter) which is tight enough for a tight head/necklace picture. Your model will probably be a lot more relaxed without the size and noise of a MF SLR in her face. This should hold true even if she's being lit by big softbox equipped studio flash units. If you can shoot available light, perhaps outdoors, the silent little unimposing M camera can help you almost become one with your model. Get a conversation going, not just you doing all the talking/directing. Really try for a relaxed setting. Actually, you might be better off doing that first, then going for the big gun! Another thought, if you have harsh lighting to give you strong specular highlights on the jewelry, is to use a weak Hasselblad softar on your Leica's 90, even if you have to use tape to hold it on the shade. It does wonderful things with sparkly jewelry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheridan Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 Tom. I've done quite a few jewelry shoots ... but on 5X4 with availability of shifts/tilts. In general, be extra careful of reflections ... jewelry shows everything! I'd be working on stronger diffused lighting source and as much reflector fill as possible.Avoid specular reflections. Look closely at the product before tripping the shutter. It's not unusual with early efforts to get dark looking silver, gold and dead looking stones if you're not careful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom h. Posted April 2, 2003 Author Share Posted April 2, 2003 Thanks lads for the replies, I think I'll try it with the 90. I can shoot in either open shade (preferable), or with studio, lights,etc. and the jewellery isn't particularly reflective, I don't think speculars will be a huge issue. It was more the distance thing. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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