Jewelry Lighting Advice Please

Hi All,

My friend wants to go into the Jewelry photo business & is looking to get a cheap, yet effective lighting setup. He will be shooting with a DSLR.

1 - What is his best bet - continuous or flash?

2 - I notice that continuous kits (e.g. Interfit) do not come with softboxes, but umbrellas - I guess because of the heat generated. Is that a problem? Do you need softboxes for good jewelry results, or will umbrellas surfice?

3 - Many shops are selling light tents, but I've heard that light tent lighting is too flat & does not create the nessesary tonal gradients in jewelry. Is this true? What would you use as your jewelry photo table?

4 - Any other lighting advice you may have is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance & have a good day

Luben
--

'One photo out of focus is a mistake, ten photos out of focus are an experimentation, one hundred photos out of focus are a style.' - Anon

http://solev.net