• For Photographers

Creative wedding ring shots are almost expected on wedding day. Often times we are in such a hurry to get everything done on a wedding day that we rush through the details. But we must remember that the details were very carefully picked out by the bride. Everything from earrings, bracelets, shoes, and of course the wedding rings! We typically have the bride keep all of the wedding rings on the big day so we can photograph them together. In this case- this is MY wedding ring!

The challenge was for me to put together several different ring shots with common items I might see when I walk into the bridal suite. I typically give myself 10 minutes with the rings and jewelry. Often times photographers will grab the flowers and place the rings in or around them…while this is beautiful, we try to look for different outlets of creativity!

The Challenge on Wedding Day: Scan the room for interesting details that you can add to your ring shot to help magnify its beauty!

In my Home: I looked at what was in 5 feet of me. Grabbed some items that I thought would help create interesting ring shots.

(PS: I shot this in about 15 minutes!!) Grab, Go, Get CREATIVE!)

xx,

Leaha

 

TIPS 

1. Set up in a natural light window. Quality of light is important. You can also create artificial light through video lights.
2. Turn off all of the lights in the room so your white balance is easier controlled.
3. I use the Canon 5d mark iii camera, 100mm 2.8 macro lens
4. You want to magnify the ring  by getting as close to the ring as possible.
5. Don’t point the diamond directly towards the light source. It will tend to blow out all of the facets that make it so sparkly!
6. MANUAL Focus!!! Find somewhere to balance yourself so you don’t shake.
7. Create shallow depth of field while keeping the entire ring in focus. (Shoot f 6.5- f14)  This is opposite of what I would shoot for a couple. Remember we want everything in focus and you are going to be within inches of this tiny sparkly ring.
8. We look for Textures, Reflective Surfaces, Shiny stuff, Details from the Bride, Things to Layer, Veils, Lights to use as bokeh, and anything you can grab quick to make for cool shots!

 

TEXTURES

SETUP: A broken jewelry box that was pink glitter! I picked this because of its beautiful texture. 

 

EXAMPLE:

 Settings  1/40sec    f 7.1    ISO 3200  (Remember, I want ALL of the ring in focus and some of those gorgeous sparkles)

 

EXAMPLE:

 Settings  1/25 sec    f 2.8    ISO 1600  (Remember, at a wider aperture you will lose the overall  focus of the ring)

TEXTURES + BACKGROUND

SETUP: A leftover Christmas ornament and a pre-lit tree in the background

EXAMPLE:

 Settings  1/80sec    f 6.3    ISO 6400  (I wanted to show some of the sequins of the ornament for texture and bokeh of the lights as a background)

EXAMPLE:

 Settings  1/100sec    f 8    ISO 6400  (This little tree allowed for a more rustic look and a background that fades into the branches for a never ending look)

SETUP: White textured jar I took from a wedding 🙂  

Used the simple background that was available: Some white baskets

Settings   1/100    F6.5    ISO 5000 ( Next 3 ring shots)

Added the pink jewelry box as a pop of color (Look for colors in the house that match the wedding party colors!

Put a blue vase on top of the jewelry box to create some color explosion

CREATING FOREGROUND + BACKGROUND

SETUP: White textured jar  as a background & a doily to create foreground and background 

EXAMPLE:

Let’s pretend this doily was a family heirloom and we want to showcase it. Here are two ways I would shoot this.

Settings:   1/100  f6.3   ISO 5000

SAME settings, except this time I am shooting through the doily. The doily is acting as a foreground and background. This creates a softness the the entire photo.

GETTING SUPER WEIRD CREATIVE

SETUP: A blue vase as the background, a NYC Snow Globe as the theme and a potato holding the wedding ring. 

EXAMPLE:

It’s not a shot everyone will love. But it is fun to explore what you can do with your big ole brain!

Showcases the ring in a new way and shows off the city they love.

REFLECTIVE SURFACES

SETUP: A silver tissue box. Always buff the area for dust and finger prints! This was a brushed silver, so it didn’t reflect as much as I would have liked.

USE LIQUIDS + BACKGROUND + FOREGROUND

MY FAVORITE SET UP!!!

SETUP: Glass of Ginger ale (I prefer champagne), sparkly place for the ring, and lights to twinkle in the background

And I use whatever I can find to balance everything! HAHA (Even potatoes)

Settings:    1/40   f2.8   ISO 500

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