A girls best friend, apparently? *updated*

[Witch]

Been having another play about with my rings, and the Macro lens. This time broke out the tripod, remote release, and decided to do it properly. Lighting is a mixture of natural via the window, a desk lamp positioned to one side, and hotshoe mounted 550EX. I've basically been taking a few shots, whipping the card out of the camera and downloading, and seeing what I have, before trying again to fine tune things.

Opinions and comment / critique very welcome please!

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g45/Photozone72/9860ringsmacro.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g45/Photozone72/9859Engagementringmacromono.jpg

[hillwalkinggirl]

I like them - very nice. They have a romantic feel to them. I've just been trying to take some pics of my rings so now I know how difficult it is to get them looking as good as these.

[steeljam]

Nice photographs. Focus is spot on.
I wonder how they would look on a dark (black - dark grey) base especially if you could get a light on the diamond to get a sparkle/highlight.

[jeangenie]

Hi Witch

Yep, definitely a girl's bf. :) But really hard to get good shots.

I missed your earlier bash at this challenge, so I can't say how this one compares. I like the second pic best because you've got rid of the 'gold' reflections and the rocks look cool. I also like the shallow dof.

Have you tried masking out the reflections with polyboards or something similar?

Look forward to next shots. :)

Jean

[Witch]

Thanks for the comments. Macro is a field that I only rarely have the patience to play with, and to be honest when I do I don't really have much of a idea what I should be aiming for. :shrug:

I like the idea of trying on a black or at least dark background. These were shot against white A4 paper, with a white sheet behind to help the flashgun out a little, I'm going to go and scour the flat now to find something dark!

I've not tried masking out the reflections up to now - it's a good idea but it seems to me that converting to mono works just as well as whilst the reflections are still there, the distracting colours within them have gone?

I have some more to work on yet, then I'm off for that dark background! ;)

[jeangenie]

I've not tried masking out the reflections up to now - it's a good idea but it seems to me that converting to mono works just as well as whilst the reflections are still there, the distracting colours within them have gone?




Yeeees, unless you want to retain coloured sparklies in the diamonds, but then I suppose you could use selective colour :shrug:

Look forward to seeing the dark background shots. :)

[dellipher]

I think the reflections in the colour ones, make the items look "yellow-gold" rather than the white gold that they are.
As a jeweller this makes me think "oh they need re-plating"

[Witch]

As a jeweller this makes me think "oh they need re-plating"

As indeed they do - am hoping that the other half might suggest he gets mine done as a present, at some stage! :lol:

[james_death]

Nice shots B&W best for me

[dellipher]

As indeed they do - am hoping that the other half might suggest he gets mine done as a present, at some stage! :lol:

:lol::lol::D

Shop around to get it done, cos some people try and charge ludicrious amounts to do it. I know one place local who wants to charge £35!!!!
I think the reflections in the photograph, highlight that they need replating. :)

[Witch]

Black background then? Now this is what I believe it commonly known as a bit of a lash up. The only suitably dark item I could find was a black polo-shirt. Unfortunately I've had real problems trying to get the lighting right - the black background kept confusing the metering and I had a devil of a job to work out how to make it look even half way right. This was taken having set the camera up, then turned off ALL the lights. The lighting was a torch held on the rings at "optimum sparkle point" but then immediately pulled away as soon as the shutter fired. I then burnt out the bright spots in the background in photoshop.

Let rip - how have I done?

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g45/Photozone72/9891Macroringsblackbackground.jpg

[Ajophotog]

Nicely done, I think I prefer the original ones best. :thumbs:

[Venomator]

:agree: ... the first images are real nice Witchy woman ... :thumbs: ... liking the set up, lighting and final result ... ;)





:p

[marky_h]

I like the first of the first pair best - although perhaps try it with the diamond ring on top, firstly as this would change the angle of the stones to get more light in, and perhaps give a better sparkle; and secondly, as the wedding ring (assuming it is that) is a more dominant design, and putting it lowermost may balance the pair better. Very romantic shots, though, good stuff :thumbs:

[Witch]

Cheers all - hadn't thought of putting the diamond ring on the top - that's a good idea. Hmmm...was just thinking I'd finished for the night but might have to have another go now! :thinking:

I prefer the white background shots too I think, although having said that, I've enjoyed the black background ones more as they have been more of a challenge.

This was the final picture I ended up with before...

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g45/Photozone72/9897macroringsfinal.jpg

[Witch]

Thanks to all for your help and input on this. It's helped now end having the feedback and suggestions while I've actually still been shooting.

:thumbs: