which image is better for a product shot

[little goth]

2076420763

above are two pictures of the same bracelet, i have been told that my image looks poor quality and detrimental to the product being sold in the online shop that it is in. please could you help me and tell me which you think looks better? any help on how to improve either images along the way is most appreciated.

thanks for any help


http://www.craftsforum.co.uk/images/misc/pencil.png

[Caroleecrafts]

I thought the first one, is it the same bracelet as the colours look different. Also try a darker background best to play around with photos as can be tricky.

[little goth]

it is the same bracelet, just that 2 different people have taken a photograph

[beadsbydesign]

The first one is taken the way I like. I'm just wondering though did you use the macro button as the image ia s little burry. (macro looks like a tulip and auto focus at close up range)

The colour is a big issue too as if I bought from the second photo I'd be selecting a peach toned bracelet and from the first picture I'd be getting a rose toned one. It's really important to capture the colour correctly.

[Curious Designs]

I prefer the first one too but I agree that the colours do look different so that is something to watch in future.

[Christa]

First one for me - the shadow in the second one detracts form the items itself. ...but as the others have already said if that is a pic of the same item I would be concerned about colour representation as they appear very different.

[tipsylipsy]

I also prefer the first image, as Christa says the shadow on the second image is distracting

[Loody]

I prefer the 1st one too....but am thinking that it's still not as clear as it could be....More subtle lighting and using the macro shot option might help.....am no expert but have found that fiddling about with settings and different lighting options and a editing site (I use picnik which is free) can often bring good results x

[StickyTiger]

I prefer the first one too but I think it looks a little too tampered with. If I was a buyer I'd prefer to see an additional picture before I decided to buy.

[Aviya Glass]

I like the second one, not because I want to be awkward - it looks like a more natural shot. The first one is too 'sanitised' so if I were buying, the 2nd shot would get my attention more than the first. As others have mentioned I would be unhappy if I thought it was peach but I got a pink one. The difference in pics is the style but as a priority I would aim for true colour representation and clear focus. HTH x

[Alli D]

I have to go with the majority and say I prefer the first image, like Christa I find the shadows under the second image detract from the actual item, Just as a thought have you tried shooting it on a black background to contrast more with the pale colour of the beads. I have to say I am no expert and often struggle to get really good images of my cards but I often find the a card that looks washed out against a pale backdrop comes to life against a dark blue or black ground. I always shoot without flash as well, using natural daylight I just find that this gives a much truer representation of the actual colours as again the flash tends to wash colours out of an image in my experience again I am no expert. Hope that helps.

[Alli D]

I prefer the first image, as like Christa I fins the shadows in the second distracting and my eye is drawn to the shadowing effect rather than the item. I often have trouble photographing my cards but a couple of things I have found helpful in the past for improving the image and ensuring a true colour representation is with cards with very pale colour schemes to shoot them against a dark blue or black background to prevent them looking washed out, and to always use natural light, as this gives a much truer representation, I have found that shooting under tungsten light always results in a yellow cast and fluorescent gives a blue cast, whilst I just find flash washes paler more delicate colours out completely and creates reflections if I have used any foiling on the card. I don't pretend to be an expert on photography but this is what I have found from my own experiences hope it helps.

[little goth]

thanks for all the advice, i never thought about the colour difference it slipped my mind. i am currently using the first pic on the site for now. I will retake a photo when i get some more crystal beads using your advice and post it here.

thanks again

[diane2]

i like the first shot, the angle makes it look more proffessional than the second shot .
diane

[jencel]

I like the first one better too, for the reasons everyone else has given. But they both look a bit over exposed to me. Maybe it was the flash, but have you tried palying around with exposure, maybe taking 3 shots the same but at different exposures? Also, there are loads of threads here on the forum about how to get good photographs of jewellery.

[little goth]

I have re done the bracelet, i have been using a Canon 400D with a canon macro lense 60mm , a tripod and cable trigger release , and 2 daylight bulb defusers and photoshop. i think i have the right equipement but it takes oh so much practice... i will get there eventually.

oh i forgot to say mine was the first image, thanks for all the input much apreciated x x
feel free to add more advice x x x

[beadsbydesign]

That's brilliant. I think it looks great.

[sharenslz]

HI
second for me as well - the first is quite plan - I like a little drama, especially with something that I expect to add "bling" to my outfit. Would try a different colour background - as long as the item colour is not affected. Is the bracelt rose pink or peach ?

[FabUnicorn]

Yes I agree with Caroline, a darker background would greatly highlight your jewellery:) Maybe You can take some magazines where they show some jewellery and then compare to your photos? This will give you some examples of which backgrounds will suit you:)
Good Luck!

[iBeads]

I agee with everyone who prefers the first photo. You may wish to have a look at my blog which has my 3 top tips for photographing jewellery, and a link to a very useful and detailed photography site that gives lots of information and advice.

http://www.ibeads.co.uk/blog/categories_5528/promoting-your-products.html

[Nancy45]

The second one looks more natural, but for on-line shop you should pick the first one.

[Miss Polly]

I prefer the 2nd one in that the beads are clearer and nicely presented. the shadows are a little distracting. Go you have any props you could drape the bracelt over and this mght 'absorb' any shadows?

[Abigail_]

I started by thinking I liked the first one more - but reading the last poster's comment made me realise that although I like the first one better as a photo, the second would be more useful to me in terms of deciding whether I wanted to buy the product.

[Italo]

Definitely prefer the first one for an online shop!

[cupcakes]

The first one I would say in my very humble opinion is better. This is purely because it's on a white background. In general most products look and sell better on a white background. It simply looks professional. You can pay for this to be done by a professional with a good camera and studio.

If you want to create a professional look. Type into google light tent. Or if you know some photoshop. In good natural light, take the object on a coloured background, preferably plain. Then in photoshop change the background to white.

I would say be careful to get the right colour of the bracelet. Those two photos are very different colours.

x

[beadypiejewellery]

id say the first, the beads look more natural colour as opposed to the other which has more lighting.

[Mojo_77]

I'd say the first one too, it seems to give more detail of the bracelet, the second has too many distractions in it. It might look better on a darker background too, it looks a bit bright with the white and a darker background may bring the colour out more.

[butterflydreams]

I agree that the 1st one makes the product look nicer but the second one gives the impression that the product is handmade rather than mass made. The plain-ness of the background of the first one makes it look like a very corporate 'stock' photo in my opinion although it makes the bracelet look a lot brighter and prettier.

[Karin]

I think the first one is better.
The clasp to the left looks better than bang in the middle.
I agree with a previous poster about experimenting.
Could use a fabric underneath or a nice slender wrist to show off the sparkle against a natural background.:)

[flb89]

personally i prefer the plain white background, but the second image seems to have more sparkle. Check this website out, hope you can find it as i cant post links yet so im figuring out another way of putting this loL! tabletopstudio.com/documents/jewelry_photography.htm