Opinions on Photo Background?

[beadedbyamy]

I take photos of my jewelry with a homemade light box.  Since I cater to a more upscale, art-appreciating customer, I work really hard to make my photos look professional and clean. 

Previously, I used a soft white paper with a subtle texture as my backdrop.  I like the clean feel of a white backdrop, but it was really hard to edit.  With so many obvious shadows, I had a hard time lightening the photo enough without making the whole thing look over-exposed. So now I'm experimenting with more forgiving backgrounds.  Here's the first experiment.  The paper is the same type as the white, with the same subtle texture, but in taupe instead of white. 

Keep in mind that the necklace is mostly the same, but I did switch out the orange beads in the necklace.  Still, hopefully these two photos will give you a good head-to-head comparison.

Which background do you like better, and why? Thanks in advance for your opinions!


 

[mckaboolaurox]

Oh that's a beautiful necklace Personally I really like the white background, I feel it really brightens the whole picture and seems much more modern and sleek and for me makes the jewelry really pop. 

[Alexus1325]

I really like the taupe! My first impression is that it's more romantic and "artsy." I think it might look even better if the paper were softly backlit.

[deepteroni]

I like the second one

[tickticktick]

Oh that's a beautiful necklace Personally I really like the white background, I feel it really brightens the whole picture and seems much more modern and sleek and for me makes the jewelry really pop. 

i second this (also on the prettiness of the necklace :--)). the white feels more professional and luminous. the taupe backdrop gives me a first impression of a shadily lit backside of a wardrobe, which obviously isn't the look you are after. though i guess that the fact that the orange is more orange on the pic on white impacts on this too..

though you only asked for opinions on the background, i'd say you might want to give the top edge just a bit more empty space above the dummy's neck. it'll make the pictures look more balanced. the same as on its left and right'll do. the need for space is more pronounced on the darker background, the white one isn't way too tight.

[Kaeleira]

I agree, I feel that this beautiful necklace looks best with the white background! The white reflects more light through the beads, and the eye is drawn to the necklace rather than the background. I feel your pain about editing shadows though. I think changing your lighting, rather than the paper, would have the best effect on shadows.  Diffusing it or adding a backlight might help to soften them.

[CraftyChef]

Yup, white's a pain, but it looks better. The brown just makes it look like an old thing sitting around in the basement. Whatever lighting or lack of on the piece itself making it more vibrant...combine that and the white and you'll have a winner.

[beadedbyamy]

I am definitely agreeing with everyone that has said to stay white.   While I do like the brown with this necklace, I have a lot of pieces that are more delicate looking and use much lighter colors, and I think the brown would overpower them.  I guess I just need to play with my lighting some more and make the white work!

[CraftyLadyLiz]

Wow, I gotta go against the grain.  I prefer the taupe. 

The colours are richer, the stones have more depth, and the focal beaded element glows.  I guess you have to decide which is better based on which one represents the true colours. 

[craftyorange]

Wow, I gotta go against the grain.  I prefer the taupe. 

The colours are richer, the stones have more depth, and the focal beaded element glows.  I guess you have to decide which is better based on which one represents the true colours. 

I totally agree with this. When I saw the white, I felt that it was too bright. I love the contrast with the taupe.

[yofi design]

From my opinion, I like the first one which show your nechlace more natural. the second one is a little bit untrue.