You know how the Hamburger you get at the fast food restaurant never looks like the
Burger in the picture?
What about the girl on the cover of the magazine? She's picture perfect (and really skinny).
We all know these images have been photoshopped (altered in Adobe's Photoshop) and digitally enhanced or photo manipulated.
Everyone knows it. It's no big deal.
After all, no one wants to see a Sloppy Burger Ad with Brown Lettuce. What cover girl would look good with a Mustache or Love Handles?
Which brings me to Jewelry. Jewelry is no different. If you think that the images in the Ads, Catalogs and Fliers are perfect representations of the real item, then you've got another thing coming. Most of them have been photoshopped. See example below:
By Photoshopped, I mean they've been enhanced somehow in a photo editor (usually Photoshop). A little photo manipulation, sharpening, cropping, cutting out the background, adjusting hues, removing fingerprints, inclusions, tarnishing, and even Gemstone and Diamond Replacement (apparent in the picture above).
It's all done to make the Jewelry look like a million bucks. Because, let's face it, if the image doesn't look great, then the product doesn't sell.
Let's look at a few examples I've put together for you just to show you some of the enhancements that can be done.
Photoshopped Diamonds
The number one item that gets altered are Diamonds. Photographing Diamonds is not an easy task. Diamonds have a tendency to white out, look hazy and just lose all brilliance, life and color.
So what do Graphic Designers do? They replace the Diamonds with other Diamonds that look great. Diamonds that match in color and give the image a pleasing and symmetrical appearance. See the example below. Big difference!
The first image is taken with my Optical Zoom Camera inside a Photo Light Box (to remove shadows). But as you can see, it leaves the Diamonds looking dull and lifeless. Photographing Jewelry is a pain. Anybody who has taken photos of their Jewelry so they can Sell it on Ebay or Craigls List will know this for a fact. It's hard to make Jewelry look good.
This is where Photoshop comes into play. Even the best of Professionals with millions of dollars worth of equipment will still end up bringing the photos into photoshop for a little TLC and quick manipulation.
The point is, you just can't believe everything you see.
Photoshop has some neat tools for removing markings and stamps inside of rings, smoothing over tarnished areas, adding drop shadows behind the diamonds to make them stand out. It's little things like this that makes rings and jewelry look awesome.
Take a look at the Before and After shot of a Yellow and White Diamond Ring. The difference is stunning!
You wouldn't buy the first ring would you? But the second ring looks spectacular! That ring would sell!
It's amazing what a little tweak here and there can do.
Photoshopped Gemstones
Gemstones are Photo Enhanced as well.
As you can see the Colors of the stones are brightened. The hues adjusted. Dark shadows are removed from the chain. The Diamonds are made to pop in the mounting. It makes the Jewelry look wonderful.
Photoshopped Flaws
Even dust and dirt are cleaned up. Inclusions and Flaws inside the stones are removed. Take a look...
Is there anything that isn't Photoshopped?
Maybe, but I doubt it!
Photoshopped Metals
Take a look at the picture below. They are all the SAME ring. I started out with one Yellow Gold Ring (top left), switched out the Diamonds for better looking ones, then changed the Metal to make it look like White Gold and Rose Gold, then I added in an Emerald Gemstone, alternated that with the Diamonds, then adjusted the color to make it look like Sapphires and Rubies. Crazy eh?
This happens a lot with Jewelry. Why photograph multiple rings when Photoshop can do it all?
Clean ups. No problems!
Touch ups. It's a cinch!
It all happens with the click of a mouse. You would be amazed at how bad Jewelry looks close up (10x Optical). When you photograph Jewelry you see every little nook and cranny. Jagged Edges, Crooked Channels, Fingerprints, Reflections... Photoshop fixes them all like magic.
Look at this Class Ring. It's a Day and Night difference. Compare the photos. Which would you buy?
The side view is the same way...
If anyone says that pictures of jewelry aren't photoshopped, then I would ask:
"Where did all the Sparkles come from?"
So now that you know that Jewelry is enhanced, does it matter? Does it change things?
Probably not. Most people know that they have been doctored. Most people don't trust images and ads. We all know that ads have to look perfect. We're used to it. It's just a fact of life.
But the next time you see a ring in a catalog that catches your eye... look closer. Images are deceiving!
It's always wise to see the item in person before you commit to buy. Use your eyes. Look at the item. Inspect it. Microscope it. If it still looks like a million bucks, then all is good. Buy it. Enjoy it.
But I would bet, that the stones won't be as colorful or bright. The Diamonds won't look as clean. The mounting won't be so perfect or flawless. It's up to you to decide whether it's worth it or not.
Photoshop can't alter the real thing.
Best Advice!
Never buy Jewelry based upon a Photo, Image or Picture. Photo's lie! You have to see it to believe it.
Only then will you truly know if the ring is beautiful, or if it's just a mirage!
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Copyright © 04-08-2010 Jewelry-Secrets.com
