Jewelry Photography Styles

The question, is the current trend of jewelry photography on white really the way to go?
I will admit done right the white background does like very clean. As long as there is a shadow and it doesn't look like the piece of jewelry is just floating in space. But you lose the impact and contrast that shooting with a darker background brings to jewelry. Especially if it is silver. Below is a ring shot on white.

 

Now the exact same piece of jewelry with a black background. Notice the contrast! The darker background gives the jewelry photograph a chiaroscuro quality. Chiaroscuro is an art term, which is a visual pattern of light on dark. Creating contrast and visual interest.

In my opinion the dark background makes the over all shot. It has contrast and makes the color and silver really pop. The biggest problem with shooting on white is you lose all contrast. Plus there is a lot more post production involved. You think that the pure white background was achieved in camera? Nope! Silver is reflective so you have to keep the exposure so the silver doesn't blow out, therefore leaving a greyish background that has to get retouched in Photoshop.

View my other jewelry photography.