help me improve (bokeh)

[blinnea]

aperture priority
F 6.3
ISO 200
55 MM

Should I have rigged up some lighting on the ring? Higher ISO? How could I have done better in manual setting? This was my first time with bokeh. I thought I did okay. What do you think? Interested in what you would have done for more emphasis on the ring, Thanks guys!

[loons49]

At first glance I actually missed that it is an engagement ring because the backlighting totally draws your eyes away from the ring. As to using a higher ISO setting ..... ISO is never a replacement for proper lighting and in this case the lighting in the background would have probably been blown out the ring still underexposed and the overall image grainy from noise. I like the background heart shapes but the trick would be to get more light on the ring ..... maybe meter the shot based on the ring, or use a reflector or a light panel as a strobe might be too much. It would be nice to catch some sparkle from the diamond! Not a great fan of bullseye composition but it might be interesting if you can get the lighting to work.

[CarissaLyn]

You didn't mention if you had a flash. I've been trying the same technique out recently. In my experience, the trick is getting the subject- your ring- close enough to you that you can light it with a flash or some bright lights, while getting the light that's creating the bokeh far enough away that the flash or lights doesn't affect it. Easier said than done, I know! But that's really what it comes down to if you want everything exposed properly.

If you look at my avatar, actually, you can see an example, though I wasn't used the shaped bokeh in that one. But I had a really powerful desk lamp aimed at my hands to light them.

[dakwegmo]

I would have definitely lit the ring. Because it's so dark, and the hearts are so bright my eyes skip right over it. If you had a light on the ring you might have captured some of the heart shapes when the light reflected off the ring.

[blinnea]

Thanks everyone I will try again with your tips and see if I can get closer to what I want. Thanks!!