Wedding Ring - My first shot

[scifi76]

Hi all.

I literally just picked up my first bridge camera and started experimenting with photography for the first time this weekend. Below is my first shot that I felt was ok as a beginner shot.

- What are your thoughts on the exposure?
- What about composition?
- How could I get more of a 'sparkle' from the rings?
- Any ideas on how I could improve this shot?
- Have I posted enough details for a critique?


Wedding Rings by scifi76, on Flickr

Thanks in advance for any advice / comments!

Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S2950
Lens: 5 mm
Exposure: Manual exposure, 2.5 sec, f/3.1, ISO 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focus: Auto
File: 3,216 × 4,288 JPEG (13.8 megapixels) (original file)

[scifi76]

Anyone got any comments?

[Sweetlifephoto]

scifi76 - I think it is a nice image, especially for a first shot. The light is pretty flat and even, which makes the image loo a little flat.

- What are your thoughts on the exposure? I think the exposure is just fine, but you might want to try doing an S-curve adjustment in post. I think most digital files that come SOOC, especially RAW files need a contrast boost and a little sharpening.

- What about composition? It is a nice composition, might try moving the subject slightly closer to the center, right now it seems a little heavy in the corner. I little lower camera angle might also be interesting.

- How could I get more of a 'sparkle' from the rings? I would suggest using a flash unit that swivels and bouncing your flash off of a white wall or reflector to the left to create a more dramatic image \. The shadows cast will give the image more dimension.

- Any ideas on how I could improve this shot? Noted above. Great start keep shooting.

[scifi76]

Thanks very much for the advice. Your comments are very useful.

I haven't got into the post processing side of things just yet but it's an element of photography that i'm looking forward to playing with. As for the composition,I did struggle with this a bit. I specifically wanted to get the quotation into shot with the rings so had to make use of the widest part of the framing.

For the flash... I don't have a detachable/rotatable flash yet. Could I maybe use some other technique or done kind of filter? I did try the normal flash but it caused the whole shot to be covered in shadow from the lens (with it being a close-up).

Thanks again for taking the time to comment

[Hill Country Hack]

Take a look in the forum for macro. There may be something in there. Keep shooting.

[HufflepuffBR]

I'm new, but as your gear is same mine...

Maybe I would try the Slow Flash, It could help feeling the dark regions and make it less heavy, and give the 'sparkle' on the ring.