HDRI (high dynamic range image)
A high dynamic range panoramic image used to light a 3D scene and provide its reflections.
Why high dynamic range matters
A normal image clips bright areas to white. An HDRI keeps the real difference between a dim wall and a bright light panel, often many thousands of times. That range lets a polished ring reflect a light as a true, bright highlight instead of a flat grey shape.
HDRIs and jewelry
Metal and gems are mostly reflections. Beyond the tint of the metal, what you see on a ring is the environment reflected in its surfaces. Studio HDRIs with large softboxes and dark surroundings give clean bands of light on metal and strong contrast in stones. Outdoor and interior HDRIs give warmer, busier reflections that suit lifestyle images.
Separate lighting for metal and stones
Metal and diamonds often want different environments. Metal looks best with broad, soft light panels, stones with several smaller, brighter sources. The RenderMyJewels studio lets you choose a metal environment and a gem environment independently, from 64 metal and 18 gem environment presets.
Choosing an HDRI
Look at the reflections, not the background. Rotate the environment until highlights fall along the edges you want to show, and check a side view as well as the top view. Keep the same environment across a collection so every product page looks consistent. See tone mapping for how bright HDRI light is fitted to the screen.