The question was never asked the price was 7 small diamonds in a band of gold

[JBW]

We had known each other for a few years. Eventually we knew we had to find out if our friendship had evolved. (big caveat: M'Ladies memories don't always agree with mine) It was obvious that it had. No need for the question to be asked and no need for the ring to be offered. We simply knew that we would marry.

Skip ahead seven years. Seven being a magical mystical number I thought that it was a good time to buy M'Lady an engagement ring. She agreed. Or maybe she thought it was and I agreed.

However it came about on our seventh anniversary she received seven small diamonds in a band of gold. She has been hinting that if we make it to 28 years she wants an up-dated ring. Seems fair to me.

ISO 100 ~ Shutter Speed From 1/4s to 1/1.6s ~ F/4 to F/6.3 ~ 9 shot stack in Fiji ~ Tethered shooting which allowed for the stacking ~ Sony Alpha a58 ~ Tamrom 90mm 272e

A thin bone white porcelain cup was used as a light tent to hold the ring. Side lit with a flashlight.

[purplehaze]

Lovely story, nice sharp focus and DOF, Brian, but where's the glitter?

[JBW]

Lovely story, nice sharp focus and DOF, Brian, but where's the glitter?

that's a good question. I may have lost it going for the soft look?

[Mike Buckley]

Janis said it all. I would also like a little more space between the reflection and the bottom of the frame.

[Mike Buckley]

If you check your histogram you'll see where you lost your glitter; glitter is produced by the brightest of the bright tones and your histogram indicates that there are none of them.

[JBW]

If you check your histogram you'll see where you lost your glitter; glitter is produced by the brightest of the bright tones and your histogram indicates that there are none of them.

Janis & Mike is this better? Next time I may have to find a way to light the diamonds for glitter?

[george013]

I think you've to archive it with lighting. If you don't have shining in the picture, then you don't have it.

I like the idea of a porcelain cup.

George

[JBW]

I think you've to archive it with lighting. If you don't have shining in the picture, then you don't have it.

I like the idea of a porcelain cup.

George

you could be right.

[Shadowman]

Nice shared memory and capture.

[JBW]

Nice shared memory and capture.

thank-you.

[Mike Buckley]

Yes, it's much better now but I agree that beginning with lighting and exposure that emphasizes the highlights will be even more rewarding. The subject and the story behind it certainly make it worthwhile to keep trying.

[JBW]

Yes, it's much better now but I agree that beginning with lighting and exposure that emphasizes the highlights will be even more rewarding. The subject and the story behind it certainly make it worthwhile to keep trying.

And I shall.

[Mike Buckley]

I've never lit diamonds, but my hunch is that your best lighting setup will involve at least two light sources though you may be able to get away with one light source and a white reflector. My reasoning is that there are so many small surfaces on the diamonds and that you want a lot of those surfaces to produce direct reflections (reflections of the light source). It's surely important that you keep shadows soft, so the way to do that is to place the light sources very close to the subject.

[JBW]

I've never lit diamonds, but my hunch is that your best lighting setup will involve at least two light sources though you may be able to get away with one light source and a white reflector. My reasoning is that there are so many small surfaces on the diamonds and that you want a lot of those surfaces to produce direct reflections (reflections of the light source). It's surely important that you keep shadows soft, so the way to do that is to place the light sources very close to the subject.

I did use two light sources and the bright one was close.

[Mike Buckley]

The blue tones in the stones in your newest image are attractive.

[John 2]

Janis & Mike is this better? Next time I may have to find a way to light the diamonds for glitter?

I am clueless when it comes to studio lighting but it occurs to me that sparkle (glitter) probably more readily results from refracted light rather than light that is being reflected (as in an against the light shot across water). Maybe you need a point light source somewhere behind the ring? - or am I talking rubbish Mike.

[Wavelength]

Nice story and good image; i liked it more after brightening, but reversing did not work well; it looks as if sticked to ceiling

[bnnrcn]

The second image is certainly more attractive Brian I prefer the first composition though.

[JBW]

that does seem t be the consensus. My eyes see it as standing upright.

[JBW]

The second image is certainly more attractive Brian I prefer the first composition though.

And here you go: