How to create a solid white background on jewelry

[ElegantEarCuffs]

Greetings,
I make and photograph ear cuffs. I need to create a solid white background. I've read different methods to do this, but my challenge is I don't have solid items such as a brooch. My designs are made from wire and tracing around the wire would make me more batty than I already am.

I use a light box, but the best I can get is a light grey background somehow. You can view my varying levels of success in my shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/ElegantEarCuffs.

Does anyone have a simple solution?

Thanks,
Fiona
ElegantEarCuffs

[AdamClarkPhotography]

Hey Fiona,

A light grey background is by no means a bad thing. Sometimes a flat white background will make a product look like it's floating in air, which can look odd.

There is, however, a cool little tutorial on building a really effective lightbox. I know you said you already shoot with one but it's quick to but together and you might find that light levels differ from lightbox to lightbox, depending on your materials, lights used, etc.

https://blog.etsy.com/uk/2014/06/19/how-to-lightbox/

You also might want to try fine-tuning the settings on your camera. If the background is coming out too dark then, if you're able to take manual control of your shutter speed, I'd recommend adjusting it.

Unfortunately there is no simple, catch-all solution. There could be a range of factors that aren't giving you satisfactory result. Keep plugging away and keep notes so that its replicate-able when you fine the right settings.

Have fun.

Adam.

[ElegantEarCuffs]

Great looking light box and easy to make. Thanks for the tips.

[Former_Member]

Fiona, I checked out your shop and there are several types of product pictures that I really like that you are already taking!

Here they are:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/195980821/turquoise-and-copper-earcuffs-pair?ref=shop_home_active_5

https://www.etsy.com/listing/170912047/sterling-silver-and-pearls-single-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_1...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/193791557/kashmiri-beads-silver-black-and-orange?ref=shop_home_active_1

The prosthetic ear pictures are a little creepy to me, not sure how they come across for others, but, personally, I would take those out. If you want to show your product on a model, a real person is best, and that last listing I posted with the mannequin is also really cool!

I know this doesn't help with creating a background...but, I think many of your photos are already really good. :-)