These are beads that Lin bought for herself whilst on holiday last year. The Hualapai guy that sold them to her said that they had healing properties and she originally hoped that they would cure a pain in her shoulder. They had some limited success at first, but as the novelty wore off so did the placebo effect. Recently Lin has taken to wearing them all the time, not because of any medical value but because she likes them. Today though, they have broken. So the question we now have is, what can you buy to heal healing stones?

Lessons:

1. It is amazing how something that looks bright and shiney to the naked eye can look so grubby and tarnished under the macro lens. Any serious jewellery photography is going to require a lot of buffing and polishing beforehand.
2. I could find no angle of taking the shot that didn't get the reflection of the camera. I guess it's like those signs on the back of lorries: If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you.
3. Surprisingly I thought the shots that looked the best were those taken using a flash I guess they have more sparkle.
4. It was deceptively difficult to compose the shot. Apart from being fiddly it seemed very hard to get the balance between natural and arranged. Any tips here would be welcomed.

i quite like the reflection :-) Nice shot. it just happened that i red something about this type of photography, and you would be surprised at how may lights they use, or where they put them. i'll try and scan the article and send it over if you want. Just give me a yell :-) eternity65 · 2009-05-30: 12:15

Malgré les difficultées cette composition est très réussie... In spite of difficultées this composition is very successful... kormoran · 2009-05-30: 13:48

Stunning picture ! somogyvari · 2009-05-30: 17:04

I agree with kormoran Ryana · 2009-05-30: 18:03

I think the colors and reflections are very cool! It really is an interesting shot. lookagain · 2009-05-30: 20:12

I think u did a great job with the shot! Very nice! susjustjake · 2009-05-30: 20:52

hehe nice reflection Great job :) onlyricky · 2009-05-31: 04:20

Interesting exercise :-) jet28 · 2009-05-31: 06:23

Pretty beads and nice shot with reflections Lynda · 2009-05-31: 06:39

very Interesting !!! nikito · 2009-05-31: 09:22

You have done a good job with the image, and I don't think it looks arranged. Interesting reading :) Melusine · 2009-05-31: 15:23

Mmmmm... It seems quite complicated, but you took a good picture. Don't be so hard with yourself... :) ????? · 2009-06-01: 04:59

Tagged: beads hualapai broken placebo