First Ring Photo (C&C if you like)

[mjhoward]

Well I proposed this afternoon (she said yes) and she wanted a few pics of the ring. This, I think was one of the better pics that I was able to take of it. It was harder to get right than I thought it would be but I think it turned out alright. Feel free to C&C... won't hurt my feelings

 

[Karri]

Beautiful ring!

 

[mjhoward]

Beautiful ring!

Thank you very much Karri!

 

[Karri]

Congratulations also! I realized I meant to type that in the first message. I like the picture too. It looks a little dark (the silver portion) but I like it in this picture.

 

[deebert]

Congratulations! The ring is gorgeous.

For C&C I'm bugged by the little reflection or hair or something hanging off of the right side of the actual ring...?

 

[misstwinklytoes]

Love it. Been trying to get my hubby to get me a past, present, future ring.

 

[mjhoward]

Thanks everyone! I took some of the comments and made a couple adjustments. I raised the exposure about another half stop; any further and some areas were blown out. I also eliminated the funky reflection to the right (not a hair ) and added a bit of gradient. Here's the result:

 

[mpasq66]

Congrats!!!!

 

[deebert]

I figured it was a reflection; looks much better now

 

[reznap]

Much better than what I expected to see when opening the thread. It's focused well.. good depth of field and a nice composition with the reflection. It could have used some fill light from the left but it's very good as is.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Nice job!

Rez, it may not be fill light that's needed, but something white to reflect.
Derail gave me a great idea that's worked well. Get some index cards and bend them into. Triangular tubes, like small tents and place them as close as possible to light or reflect where you need around the ring.

I'll also suggest using some Gaussian blur to the reflection so it competes less with the actual ring.

 

[Juice]

Beautiful ring. If I were to get nit-picky, I'd want all of the diamond portion to be in focus, so making your DOF just a little less shallow. Diamonds look so much better in sharp focus. Just my .02

I also love the reflection! Very nice touch.

 

[mjhoward]

Thanks everybody! Details about the shot:

D7000 hand held. SB-600 in hot shoe pointed up. I used a folded piece of paper in my free hand to bounce the flash. Manual focus with 12mm extension tube. Basically just set the focus and moved my body slightly back and forth to get it right. Ring was placed on top of a speaker with a black lacquer top, similar to a grand piano.

EXIF:
Exposure Mode: Manual exposure
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Time: 1 / 60
Flash: Flash fired, compulsory flash mode, return light detected
FNumber: 8
Focal Length: 50
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 75
ISO Speed Ratings: 100
White Balance: Auto white balance
Lens Model: 50.0 mm f/1.8

 

[3bayjunkie]

my wife has the same style ring. that is uncanny!

 

[bluetibby1]

Congrats on the engagement. Nice ring and picture...I does seem a little underexposed.
blue


Edit: didn't see the second edit, much better. Sorry for not being observant.