Self-Portrait... Levitation

[aprhockey]

So, I spent way too long trying to get this shot right... I'm talking about 1000 pictures. I think this is the one that turned out best. Editing was basically just to increase the exposure and up the contrast a little. I did a tiny bit of sharpening too.

f/5
1/250 sec.
ISO 400
26 mm

I cheated on this one a little. It was so close to being perfect, but.... the ring was flipped so that the initials were upside down. So, I had to flip it. Other than that, same editing as the first one.

So, any advice on what I could do better. Mostly in terms of lighting (I don't have any flash) and if there is something I did poorly/could do better in post. Also, any ideas on how to make a shot like this easier to execute?

 

[cnutco]

I am liking them as is!

Maybe we will see what the others have to add...

 

[aprhockey]

Thanks.
Forgot to say the settings are the same for the second pic.

Any other comments?

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

With the black background it might work with bothe the eyes and the ring in focus... Just thought...