love seeing everyone's clean photos of stones, but I am having a hard time replicating. I have no fancy photo equipment, just a point and shoot. I have no light tent or special flashes or polarizing lenses. This is what I have tried (example cab, pardon the scratches, it will get re-polished)
outdoor light on a cloudy day:
Analysis: shot demonstrates that the cab has a polish, I can see my camera in the reflection, and the lines of reflection are distracting and detract from the pattern in the stone. Same problems happen if I shoot indoors next to a big bay window with white shades
Outdoor light sunny day, direct sun
better, but the specular reflection on the bottom of the cab can wash out the colors. Still has some reflection problems, but they are less. Distracting shadow. Maybe this is the best I can do with my current (lack of) gear
white paper wrapped around and taped to the camera so that the paper can support the weight of the camera and lift it above the cab (a primitive light box), flash off. The paper didn't set flush with the leather background, causing the halo.
reflections minimal but still present, you can see the camera in the cab, but I think this would go away if I did a better job reducing the cracks that light can sneak through around the body of the camera. Cab looks 'flat', and the colors are strange, but it is an interesting effect.
Not sure what to do next, anyone have suggestions?