My new unicorn OEC camera shy and I’m worried

[Efleon]

Dear PS-ers
As some of you know, I wanted to upgrade my e-ring. When husband balked, I decided to buy a solitaire myself and found an absolutely amazing 2.03 carat OEC F color SI1. Set in original Edwardian filigree with .39 single cuts flowing down the shoulders.
She’s a rockstar in real life but I have tried and tried but cannot capture her checkerboard or even a glimmer of her true personality.
I read all the threads here on how to photograph diamonds.
Nothing.
So now I’m getting worried.
Is there something wrong with my stone?
Am I being a ninny?
I’m attaching a so-so pic and GIA.
TIA!

 

[maryjane04]

Do you have a macro lens on your phone? I find that sometimes you need to play around with the settings as being up close it's harder to focus.

Also I have found lighting to be key. Indoors is incredibly difficult. It needs a little sunlight. I have found in the car as a really good spot haha, bathrooms too.

 

[AJ37]

Side note the mounting and overall look is ! Congratulations.

 

[Missy]

This may sound too simple and you probably already do this. But I take all photos with my phone and just tap the center screen to focus on the facets. And
voilà. Nice photos. Lighting is critical but outdoors is always easier imo. Indirect sunshine/shade really highlights the pattern. Good luck.

 

[caolsen]

I’m seeing a lot of fuzziness, with no clear focal point. Your camera is fighting itself about where to focus, I suspect. Question - are you using your phone?

The points about indoor light are spot on but even in outdoor light you can’t fix any wobble in your hand if you are zoomed or using a macro.

Any macro photo work it’s salt is taken on a fixed tripod with the subject not moving. If you are holding your phone & taking a photo of your own hand, you have two moving objects and most phones or small digital cameras can’t fix a field of focus with that many variables. Even the most steady hand is moving more than macro lenses likes.

Seriously, the hardest macro work I’ve even done is taking a picture of pollen on the inside of a flower, outside. Even if you think the subject isn’t moving, it is. My mirrorless and DSLR cameras have issues with that unless I’m using a macro with motorized focus to keep up with even the smallest whips of wind.

I just took these two photos, no touch up, with an IPhone X. Both rings are on a stationary platform, under 3 separate indoor light sources (mix on incandescent and LED) on a 3x zoom and there’s already what photogs call ‘noise’. I’d need to put my phone on a timer and a pod to get any better.

 

[caolsen]

Do you have a macro lens on your phone? I find that sometimes you need to play around with the settings as being up close it's harder to focus.

Also I have found lighting to be key. Indoors is incredibly difficult. It needs a little sunlight. I have found in the car as a really good spot haha, bathrooms too.

Bathrooms generally have the best light in a normal house/flat. And the often bright surfaces of sinks, baths and showers bounce a lot of light which helps.

 

[Missy]

I rarely take on a still surface but @caolsen is right. A moving target is harder to focus super clear.

However even with my shaky hands I manage decent photos of my OEC. It’s not that hard once you focus on the facets. This is with my iPhone 11. Tapping the center of the screen and focusing on the facets. See how blurry the background is? But Bubbalah is the focus. Hahahaha pun intended.

 

[Missy]

I’m seeing a lot of fuzziness, with no clear focal point. Your camera is fighting itself about where to focus, I suspect. Question - are you using your phone?

The points about indoor light are spot on but even in outdoor light you can’t fix any wobble in your hand if you are zoomed or using a macro.

Any macro photo work it’s salt is taken on a fixed tripod with the subject not moving. If you are holding your phone & taking a photo of your own hand, you have two moving objects and most phones or small digital cameras can’t fix a field of focus with that many variables. Even the most steady hand is moving more than macro lenses likes.

Seriously, the hardest macro work I’ve even done is taking a picture of pollen on the inside of a flower, outside. Even if you think the subject isn’t moving, it is. My mirrorless and DSLR cameras have issues with that unless I’m using a macro with motorized focus to keep up with even the smallest whips of wind.

I just took these two photos, no touch up, with an IPhone X. Both rings are on a stationary platform, under 3 separate indoor light sources (mix on incandescent and LED) on a 3x zoom and there’s already what photogs call ‘noise’. I’d need to put my phone on a timer and a pod to get any better.

Gorgeous

 

[caolsen]

I rarely take on a still surface but @caolsen is right. A moving target is harder to focus super clear.

However even with my shaky hands I manage decent photos of my OEC. It’s not that hard once you focus on the facets. This is with my iPhone 11. Tapping the center of the screen and focusing on the facets. See how blurry the background is? But Bubbalah is the focus. Hahahaha pun intended.

Great photo. Another tip, a hand in a relaxed fist shakes less than one with fingers extended. Less tension in the hand.

 

[Roselina]

I have no advice on how to best photograph, but wanted to say that this ring is an absolute beauty. And you have my dream band I hope to have one like this one day. It is absolutely gorgeous! Together they rock the diamond world!

 

[Missy]

Great photo. Another tip, a hand in a relaxed fist shakes less than one with fingers extended. Less tension in the hand.

Interesting. Makes sense. Mainly I hate my fingers so I don’t like photographing them so I have more closed finger photos than open.

 

[elizat]

Diffused, natural filtered light is generally best. Or natural light inside, in shaded conditions, like near a window with no direct sun. That's what I find works best. They photograph differently than modern rounds. I only ever owned modern round earrings, but those did great in full direct sun. Think about what these stones were cut for originally- candlelight, gas lamps and natural light, with no electricity.

 

[lulu_ma]

@Efleon the setting is stunning! The center stone looks like a beauty.

Do you have an iphone? You can try taking some video and then try taking a screen shot of the best angle. Sometimes video capture more of the real image than a static photo.

Also, try holding the ring in your fingers with the sunlight behind you and snap a pic of face of the diamond that way (That's how I captured the facets in my profile pic).

 

[Bonfire]

I can’t help with photo skills, but your ring is lovely!
How does the stone perform IRL? Do you love it? An F OEC is a rare bird my friend! I love your band with it too, yummy!
keep practicing and posting pics!

 

[Efleon]

Oh wow thank you everybody!!
I am racing straight home after work and implementing everything you all mentioned.
I have no idea why I started panicking and thinking there was something wrong with the stone!!
It’s just a big purchase for me and I guess I expected the pics to automatically come out perfect.
I gotta say I just point my iPhone (yes, I’m just using my phone) at my MRB and boom great pic.
But this lady is a totally different ballgame.
I love her icy whiteness combined with those big juicy facets so that’s what I’m going to try to capture.
I was so wanting to Ta-Da everyone with this piece as soon as I picked her up after sizing but the camera wasn’t cooperating.
Please stay tuned.....

 

[MiniMinerva]

Mainly I hate my fingers so I don’t like photographing them so I have more closed finger photos than open

@missy Nooooo! Honestly, you have beautiful fingers and nails. Trust me, I would trade you in a heartbeat. I don’t have a lovely ring to show yet so I haven’t faced this problem IRL, but I will admit I had already planned to take photos only with fingers closed for this reason. And if you hate your fingers, I am never opening mine ever again!

Anyway, I love every single photo of you and Bubbalah! Whatever you are doing with your phone is good advice!

 

[twosanguinehearts]

My magic spot is under a tree in my back yard with indirect sunlight. Diamonds absolutely come to life there!

 

[Missy]

@missy Nooooo! Honestly, you have beautiful fingers and nails. Trust me, I would trade you in a heartbeat. I don’t have a lovely ring to show yet so I haven’t faced this problem IRL, but I will admit I had already planned to take photos only with fingers closed for this reason. And if you hate your fingers, I am never opening mine ever again!

Anyway, I love every single photo of you and Bubbalah! Whatever you are doing with your phone is good advice!

Aww thank you @MiniMinerva ! But I swear they are not good. Sometimes they look OK but most of the time my arthritis and finger swelling and knuckle swelling are pretty awful. So it isn't constant but I am not exaggerating. I would share ugly hand photos here if you want but don't want to threadjack and I don't want to scare anyone so will refrain.

 

[Efleon]

Aww thank you @MiniMinerva ! But I swear they are not good. Sometimes they look OK but most of the time my arthritis and finger swelling and knuckle swelling are pretty awful. So it isn't constant but I am not exaggerating. I would share ugly hand photos here if you want but don't want to threadjack and I don't want to scare anyone so will refrain.

@missy i suffer from the same thing but honestly @MiniMinerva is right.....beautiful hands.

 

[MiniMinerva]

@missy i suffer from the same thing but honestly @MiniMinerva is right.....beautiful hands.

I too will refrain from scaring the forum with ugly hand photos but you girls have nothing to worry about with your hands! @Efleon you too! I can’t wait to see new modeling photos of this unicorn!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Dear PS-ers
As some of you know, I wanted to upgrade my e-ring. When husband balked, I decided to buy a solitaire myself and found an absolutely amazing 2.03 carat OEC F color SI1. Set in original Edwardian filigree with .39 single cuts flowing down the shoulders.
She’s a rockstar in real life but I have tried and tried but cannot capture her checkerboard or even a glimmer of her true personality.
I read all the threads here on how to photograph diamonds.
Nothing.
So now I’m getting worried.
Is there something wrong with my stone?
Am I being a ninny?
I’m attaching a so-so pic and GIA.
TIA!

Your new stone is beautiful
Please don't worry something is wrong with it

as an example (of a much lesser stone) i have a small bezel solitare i got for a song i use to keep my great grandma's wedding ring safe on my pinky

i know she sparkles like crazy
Just yesterday she gave me a ton of lovelly rainbows without me even trying

But i once spent an entire afternoon trying to photograph her for a 'show me your rainbow thread' and i felt so dejected that i couldn't capture a single flash of colour and my love begain to fade and that was dumb of me

Don't let photography skills get in the way of you enjoying your new ring

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Do you have a macro lens on your phone? I find that sometimes you need to play around with the settings as being up close it's harder to focus.

Also I have found lighting to be key. Indoors is incredibly difficult. It needs a little sunlight. I have found in the car as a really good spot haha, bathrooms too.

What is it with cars ?
Diamonds seem to love cars
I did find yesterday at the supermarket checkout the lighting was very diamond freindly

 

[foxinsox]

@Efleon oh my goodnesss this is a beautiful ring! and such a high colour too which is super rare in OECs. Can't wait to see more pictures when you can wrangle your camera into behaving.

 

[maryjane04]

What is it with cars ?
Diamonds seem to love cars
I did find yesterday at the supermarket checkout the lighting was very diamond freindly

I think it's got some sunlight but not direct and the old cuts just love it lol.

Example of my best work lol ignore my chubby fingers haha.

 

[caolsen]

I think it's got some sunlight but not direct and the old cuts just love it lol.

Example of my best work lol ignore my chubby fingers haha.

Stunning!

 

[Efleon]

Your new stone is beautiful
Please don't worry something is wrong with it

as an example (of a much lesser stone) i have a small bezel solitare i got for a song i use to keep my great grandma's wedding ring safe on my pinky

i know she sparkles like crazy
Just yesterday she gave me a ton of lovelly rainbows without me even trying

But i once spent an entire afternoon trying to photograph her for a 'show me your rainbow thread' and i felt so dejected that i couldn't capture a single flash of colour and my love begain to fade and that was dumb of me

Don't let photography skills get in the way of you enjoying your new ring

@Daisys and Diamonds i very much appreciate your comment because I WAS worrying something was wrong with Winnie (oh that’s her nickname because she is Edwardian so Edwina is appropriate!)
I know when I look at her irl she’s amazing but then the camera told me differently and it started to get in my head.
So thank you again.
.

 

[Efleon]

My first shot in light filtered through window blinds....

 

[lulu_ma]

beautiful

 

[Luvallgems]

My new ring in my Avatar knocks my socks off, a disco ball IRL. I can’t photograph her to show her true beauty. I enjoy knowing she’s special in my eyes. OEC diamonds are TDF.

 

[Rfisher]

I know when I look at her irl she’s amazing but then the camera told me differently and it started to get in my head.

That’s better than the other way around!

If you love it in your hand, that’s what really matters.
If you are unsure about it, you are in Rocky Talky, just ask for the stone to be evaluated with a critical eye.
That can be helpful if that indeed is what you are looking for.

I think it’s dang pretty!
If you feel froggy, construct yourself a makeshift lightbox to filter bright & direct light. Facets will pop.
I’ve used both white cotton fabric and white copy paper. Not fancy but serviceable.