Opal Photography
Opal Photography
We provide an opal photography service. Since opal is a very difficult subject to photograph many people have great difficulty in taking good photos of opal. We at opalmine have been photographing opals since we started in 1972 and have learned all the tricks that photographing opals requires.
$15.00
$15 per piece
Our photography service only provides digital shots at a full 12 megapixels. We do not use film or provide negatives (For this price you get five shots of each stone from different angles for $15).
Please let us know if you would like us to include an American dime with one of the shots so that comparative sizes can be easily recognised. Actual sizes and weights of your stone will also be included, listed in USA system of measurement and metric (mm) measurements. Please refer to our section on valuations if you want a certificate with your stones for insurance purposes.
Opal Photography Not An Easy Task
Opal Photography is not easy. If you want a real challenge and you are interested in everything opal try photographing opal.
First of all you will need a digital camera which has macro facility. That means that the camera can be set to take close up images of things. There are a lot of different cameras that offer this option and if you own one already, by all means experiment with the one you already have before spending money. I personally use a Fuji S7000 which is a few years old now but to all accounts, the Fuji lenses are very good for close up work. I paid around $700 for it but I believe you could get the same camera now for half the price.
This is the camera I use for opal macro work
Opal photography challenges
Whether you are just taking a shot of the opal stone itself or photographing opal earrings, opal pendants, opal rings and the like, each item holds its own challenge in getting the lighting and the clarity just right. Then there are rough opals, specimen opal, and special collector opals. The thickness of the opal stone. The distance that the opal stone is from the background. The background that the opal is sitting on.
All these factors have to be taken into consideration if we are to complete an opal image that will stand up to the best in quality. Your choice of background color is important. Opal makes it’s own color statement and does not require more colors to make it stand out. My opinion is that adding more color to the background of a shot really takes away from the stone itself. So then, opal or opals if you are photographing a bunch at once need to be on either a white or black background. Here are some camera setting suggestions to help you with your efforts at opal photography .
camera settings for close-up Opal Photography
Do some in-depth research into the book you got with your camera if you still have it. If you don’t, just type the model number into Google and in most cases you will find the guide online. Pay particular attention to how the camera controls the amount of light on the subject. One big mistake a lot of opal photographers make is to give the job too much light and this has the effect of blasting away the color from the stone. So keep the light under control. Choice of tripod is also important. You need a small one but make sure it’s capable of handling the weight of your camera because some of the more professional cameras have a pretty heavy lens and this can make the camera tilt over. Some have made up their own holding devices but you have to be good at inventing things to achieve this. Camera shops have some nice little tripods nowadays that have flexible legs. Another thing that many people dont realise with opal photography, and especially in these days of digital imaging, is the settings of your computer monitor. Click here for the answer the often asked question “How do I set up my computer for viewing opals?”
One idea for a flexible tripod is available in Australia from Cameras Direct
Opal unset stones and opal ring Shutter speeds
Opal rings are another challenge. Keep in mind that there is a difference between photographing an opal stone, or piece of rough opal and a ring which stands up away from the base. An opal stone lying flat is pretty straight forward but a ring is a real challenge. How do you get the thing to stand up by itself anyway without putting it in some sort of holder which looks tacky? The idea is to buy some plasticine or some sort of tack that will hold the ring at its base. Or you can try taking the shot of the opal ring on someone’s finger as illustrated below. Then you have to pay attention to the ‘f’ stop settings on your camera so that you can get a good depth of field. Check your book again for advice on the control of shutter speeds and lenses and experiment with those.
Opal ring taken on the finger.
Same opal ring taken using an adhesive.
If you follow even this small article of suggestions, your results at opal photography will be well rewarded.
