Photography of Fine Minerals and Gem Crystals

[Rockin'Gail]

Hello, first of all I am new on here.

I was told that this is THE place to get help. I have a Nikon D40 and am considering a macro lens to shoot photos of our fine mineral collection. Does anyone have suggestions on how to consider lighting, etc? It is difficult, at best, with gem crystals in particular.

All help is appreciated!

[bondarnes]

First I would suggest you get one of the longer focal length macros if your budget allows. Something in the 100mm or longer area. This will give you a greater working distance so you are not right on top of the subject. Second you will probably want to get or make some sort of light tent to put your items into then shine the light through it from the outside. You can do a search on this site for previous posts concerning these subjects.

[josphy]

Google "light tent" and or "light cube".

If you have the 18-55mm lens that most people probably get with their camera, then you should be fine for a lens -- you can focus down to 1/3rd life size, so that should get you started.

[CaptainTom]

Don is correct, as usual.

It may seem like a lot of trouble to either buy or build a light box/tent, but if you have a lot of gems to shoot, and want to get consistent results, this is the ONLY way to go.
Google search "light boxes" and you will find a lot of them ready to go. You can also build a light box if you are just a little handy.
If you are shooting digitally, you can adjust the white balance pretty easily.
This means you can use a constant lighting source, which will let you see the results easier.
Consider a polarizing filter to help limit reflections. A tripod is a must.
What you first shoot is like a rough stone.
Expect to use a post processing program to "polish" your photos.

[Rockin'Gail]

Thanks, my budget is pretty much in the " I can splurge on anything" range. It is worth it, we have over 1600 minerals to shoot !
We are often asked for good photos, for magazines, etc.....so worth while getting a good set up. I can even upgrade my camera, keep my Nikon D40 for family shots.
I will explore the filter and lens suggestions, thank you very much!

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by Rockin'Gail

Thanks, my budget is pretty much in the " I can splurge on anything" range. It is worth it, we have over 1600 minerals to shoot !
We are often asked for good photos, for magazines, etc.....so worth while getting a good set up. I can even upgrade my camera, keep my Nikon D40 for family shots.
I will explore the filter and lens suggestions, thank you very much!

You'll quickly find out that most of us will advise that you spend money on the GLASS and not so much on the camera body. Especially for what you want to do. But, if your budget will allow, a camera with more pixel power wouldn't be a bad idea. D200 is a great system, and that is from a die hard Canon shooter...... A really good Macro lens like Don mentioned is essential.

.... rule number ONE.
The glass is the key to a good photo
.... rule number TWO
buy good GLASS

[Rockin'Gail]

I will take your advice and go for it! thanks, will keep you all up to date. In the meantime, will spend some time going through the various forum subjects and see what new things I can learn. Thanks.

[Kar]

Originally Posted by Rockin'Gail

Thanks, my budget is pretty much in the " I can splurge on anything" range. It is worth it, we have over 1600 minerals to shoot !
We are often asked for good photos, for magazines, etc.....so worth while getting a good set up. I can even upgrade my camera, keep my Nikon D40 for family shots.
I will explore the filter and lens suggestions, thank you very much!

If I can ask, what are you shooting all the rocks for? Yourself, business, etc..

I personally have about 150 rocks. I assisted a museum in Houston when they put out a book. Depending how much time you are wanting to spend depends on the setup.

[engstrom]

Even though you CAN spend money on a lightbox, you DON'T HAVE to.

Check out this article to see how easy it is to make your own:
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07...to-studio.html

Besides, that leaves more money for lenses.

[raevyncent]

WooHoo!!! Rock peoples!! I have a penchant for rocks and crystals, and I still need to mount an expedition back to the ranch I worked at for a summer 10 years ago to retrieve a 5-6 lb kyanite specimen I unknowingly tossed into the brambles to make way for a pasture.

BTW, are there any good places to go prospecting, even if just a touristy gem mine, around North Texas???

[Rockin'Gail]

Originally Posted by Kar

If I can ask, what are you shooting all the rocks for? Yourself, business, etc..

I personally have about 150 rocks. I assisted a museum in Houston when they put out a book. Depending how much time you are wanting to spend depends on the setup.

Ah, the Masterpieces book? Wonderful. So you know Joel and Mark M? Although Mark is gone now.
This is for our own collection, to photo for insurance reasons as well as a personal record.
We have over 1600 pieces to photo, although some were done by Jeff S. already.
It is something I thought would be fun to do as a couple and to enjoy our rocks and crystals even more.
What a small world it truly is eh?

[Rockin'Gail]

Originally Posted by raevyncent

WooHoo!!! Rock peoples!! I have a penchant for rocks and crystals, and I still need to mount an expedition back to the ranch I worked at for a summer 10 years ago to retrieve a 5-6 lb kyanite specimen I unknowingly tossed into the brambles to make way for a pasture.

BTW, are there any good places to go prospecting, even if just a touristy gem mine, around North Texas???

I love KYANITE! I have some great pieces but not self collected like yours, would love to see a photo!

North Texas has little by way of prospecting sites. We are off to the Blanchard mine next week to hunt for fluorites in New Mexico. I wish there were something other than an occasional calcite or two in Arlington and Midlothian.

[Kar]

My favorite is Azurite, I have a piece just like on page 41. Lots of gemmies on mine. I am on a fluorite kick right now. I just got a beautiful piece from the Rogerely Mine.

[raevyncent]

I don't aCTUALLY have the kyanite... I remember we were clearing out rocks from a steep hillside on the ranch in the Black Mountains of NC, and I hefted this large chunk, must have been 15-20 inches long by about 4-5 inches across in middle, tapering to nearly needle poins at each end. Now I think about it, it had to be 10-15 lbs, and it was definitely kyanite, though I was not aware other than it was pretty blue thread-like crystals at that time. I tossed it int a briar thicket along the small spring-fed stream at the base of the slope.

I had a much larger collection at one time, but had it all stolen out of my trunk while car was in a storage lot ( I was homeless at the time).

Sometime around September would be a great time to get a group together to go gemming in NC, just Google "Clear Creek Ranch" for info on the ranch.

[Rockin'Gail]

I was supposed to go to the Rogerly mine in July, but am going to visit a sick uncle in England instead and then off to a wedding in Sweden. I have quite a few Rogerly mine pieces, the color is fabulous isn't it?
I love Fluorites, have some from Pakistan and Mt. Blanc if France that knock my socks off. I can never photograph them well though, so advice is always appreciated with fluorites with phantoms?