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 Post subject: Photographing checker tops
PostPosted: Thu May 21, 2015 10:18 am 
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Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:51 am
Posts: 31
Need help with photographing checker tops, how does one eliminate the crown reflections?

The stone on the left is a small 0.6ct 5.5mm sq brilliant cushion with a modified french checker crown.
The objective was to show the X shaped blue and greenish blue pleochroism inside the stone but I can't get a decent face up shot without the star facet reflections.

I tried oblique angles but that obscures the internal view. The rectangle on the right was much easier to do with its flat table. I'm using a Nikon Coolpix 7600 on macro mode sans flash, diffused overhead lighting from above in a makeshift translucent plastic chamber.

Greatly appreciate all helpful suggestions.


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Blue Tour.jpg
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 Post subject: Re: Photographing checker tops
PostPosted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:34 am 
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Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2014 12:20 pm
Posts: 174
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Looks like you're using a single light source? Try using less collimated light, like multiple sources or better yet ambient outdoor light? Maybe simply swapping your plastic diffuser with a piece of thin white linen (old bedsheet). If I *must* shoot indoors, I use a North facing window around noontime, and sometimes need to supplement the light with two or more Solux 3500k bulbs. I never can get a good dead-on shot of an apex-crowned or checkerboard cut, though - seems like they always have to be off to the side at least a little. Nice looking indicolite, GemartsPK! What's the checkerboard one, topaz?

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 Post subject: Re: Photographing checker tops
PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:06 am 
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Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:51 am
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Thanks Ephsea,

Will definitely try out the lighting techniques as suggested.

The check top is also indicolite. My goal was to get a picture showing the two hourglass patterns of the blue and greenish/blue. Somewhat like the cloned image below. I am against using manipulated photos - this is just for a target reference.


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Blue Tour Pshopped.jpg
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 Post subject: Re: Photographing checker tops
PostPosted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:03 am 
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Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:55 am
Posts: 543
Probably a bit late with this but if reflections are still a problem, try a polarising filter.
Remember there are two types, circular and straight, straight might be the better choice but camera autofocus systems only work with circular. Get them both and try, they are cheap enough.


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