Comparing Light Sources for Photographing Jewelry — Daylight vs Incandescent vs the Ott Lite

I have heard people raving about the Ott Lite, a special light developed to mimic natural daylight -- but I was reluctant to purchase a light online and have it shipped. Little did I realize that you can buy it as a lightbulb alone! Makes shipping much more reasonable!

Now that I have one of these, I thought I would show you the difference in lighting, and the effect that it has on photographing jewelry.

Please scroll down and   s i d e w a y s   to view the pictures, read the notes, and compare. ------>

 

      
   
  Two different brooches, photographed in the natural daylight, overcast day, coming through a window. Notice, that they are a little out of focus, as there wasn't quite enough light for the camera. Clicking on an image will show you a larger image if you want to examine in more detail. The same two photographed under an incandescent lightbulb -- just a regular 60 watt bulb in a desklamp. The same two photographs, color corrected in Photoshop. White balance adjusted, and contrast increased. They look good, but of course, the digital enhancements take time. Photographed under the Ott-lite bulb in the same fixture. Bulb is 20 watts. Results are indistinguishable from daylight color-wise -- but these are in better focus, as they was just enough light for the camera's auto-focus to do it's job correctly. The same two photos, using the same color correction as the incandescent light pictures. They are brighter and have more contrast. It's entirely possible that I may have to continue to correct to make up for the limitations of the camera.  
 

 
 

I conclude that the Ott light really does reproduce natural daylight. This frees me from waiting for overcast days for indirect light, waiting for daylight, or having to work outside in rain, cold wind, sleet, drizzle, or other unpleasant atmospheric conditions.

However, it does look like I will need to continue to adjust the photographs manually in Photoshop to get the quality of images that I am pleased with.

Article, photographs and Jewelry by Dwyn Tomlinson - www.dragonjools.com

        
Contact the Guild | Resources & Links | Linking to Us | Policies | Membership Info | Members |Articles | Books | Home

International Jewelry Designer's Guild
Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005.  All rights Reserved.

Hosting by www.gotimehosting.com