OK, I am proposing to my girlfriend on Thanksgiving (!!!). She was willed her grandmother's rings, which have been kept by her parents. After asking her father for his blessing, and after making her mother cry (and nearly collapsing in the floor), they brought up the ring. Her grandmother wanted her only granddaughter to use the ring as part of her engagement and wedding rings. I'm on my way to the jeweler in 30 minutes to discuss our options. I told the jeweler that we can only discuss today because I want the ring for the weekend for a project:

Since I will be using her grandmother's 1.5 carat diamond as the center piece of my g/f's ring, I want to provide a keepsake of the original ring to the family. The ring is 63 years old and actually consists of the grandmother's engagement ring, wedding ring (split) and two anniversary rings. In the last years of her life, the grandmother "combined" the rings into one ring. The ring itself is not a thing of beauty as I consider that the combining was poorly done. Thats not the point though, I want to preserve my girlfriend's family's heritage/memories just the way they are now.

In the meantime I am getting history and information on my girlfriend's grandmother (occupation, hobbies, etc). I plan on using the grandmother's lifestyle as the composition for wedding photography style ring photos. I want to present the family with the photos immediately after I present my girlfriend "my" ring.

I am very inexperienced with macro work, but I do have a little under my belt: http://www.josephbellamy.com/blog/

Can anyone give me ideas/tips/composition? I have very little time before her grandmother's ring is changed forever. I'm posting here because I envy a lot of photographers in here and lets face it, Wedding Forum is the friendliest.

My gear:
D300
50 1.8
24-70 2.8
70-200 2.8
300 f4
full Kenko tubes
Canon 500D closeup lens

...I know I have gear to get this done, but I've actually got so much, I don't know what to use.

while I can't answer your technical questions, I want to say you have a GREAT idea and I know they will love the sentiment and thought you are putting into this

Looking at the macro stuff on your blog, I'm not sure what has you so worried. It looks like you know how to use a macro well enough to me. So what's really the question?

Basically just find some cool places to set the ring. Look for interesting textures, think about what will be in and out of focus, etc...

I wish I could help more, but I don't think you really need help honestly. You're thinking too much about it, methinks.

I agree with Kurtis - I think because it's so close to you, you are overthinking what really needs to be done.


Just enjoy it and have fun with it, ESPECIALLY since it's so close to your heart.

Lots of good inpsiration here...

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/829023/0#7700591

On a personal note~ I think it is a lovely thing you are doing, good luck with it all

I'm not good at ring shots, but watch your lighting and reflections. I often get in quite close, but my favorites that are posted here include a bit more room/environment and not too shallow DOF -- yep, Hoffer does it very well!! And, of course, Ed too! http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/704772/

Also pm Evan Baines and see if he has time to chime in. Seriously great stuff.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/717168

It's a fantastic idea that you have. Good luck with it, and be sure to post a follow up. Do you have a photog for when you ask her the question? Just something you might look into. Either way, a very special story.

Thank you all for the encouragement. You are all right, Im just nervous.

I found out that her grandmother was a movie theatre manager and her grandfather was in the service in 1945 when he proposed to her. Her hobbies including quiltmaking and his included being a concert violinist. They both entered the restaurant business after getting married.

I think thats given me enough ideas to get a start.

OK, here's what I'm working with. I found it extremely difficult to focus. It was rediculous trying to focus on something mostly clear. The blue saphires are extremely dark and the only photos with them "popping" are from sunlight. I left EXIFS intact so you can see what I did. Variety of lenses and kenko tubes.

1)


2)


3)


4)


5)


6)


7)


8)

4 is the clear winner here.

When doing the Bible/heart shadow shot, remember to find wording that is about love

Yup. Suzi's got a point-the first word that my eye went to in both 7 and 8 was "evil." Probably not the message that you want to send
I like the idea of the Bible shot, but as it, I agree that 4 is the winner.

57suzi wrote:
4 is the clear winner here.

When doing the Bible/heart shadow shot, remember to find wording that is about love

thx, funny story about the Bible shots... I had picked several pages but there's always something bad on the opposing page. One I picked in Genesis I believe... about marraige talked about love & marraige but next page had "her supple breasts were rose petals to my lips" or something like that. I really just gave up trying to find words and just setup the shot. I was really concerned about the WB because the flash is strobed but ambient is very warm incandescent

PM'ed you in case you need some help.

4 is the sharpest and compositionally the best, but i can't help but think the first thought out of everyone's mind will be, "is that lettuce? why are great granny's rings sitting in a lettuce wrap?"

really awesome project though!

I liked 4 and 7 the best of the set. What happens when you crop 3 down a bit more? There's too much BG for me and the ring being centered a bit too... centered.

ksmahgrts wrote:
4 is the sharpest and compositionally the best, but i can't help but think the first thought out of everyone's mind will be, "is that lettuce? why are great granny's rings sitting in a lettuce wrap?"

really awesome project though!

yep!

#4

How come you didn't go with things out of her life? I'd love to see the ring in a movie theater or something like that.

Great story though, hope it all goes well!

Alex

ai3x wrote:
How come you didn't go with things out of her life? I'd love to see the ring in a movie theater or something like that.

Honestly, didn't have time. I had to work and also had to run a bday party that lasted way longer than expected. Also, I'm still not 100% comfortable with macro... what lens, camera settings, natural light or flash (and if so where to place flash), etc.