Okay, So I am trying to take some pictures of my coins, and I just can't figure out how to get the lighting right! Do you have some high-end cameras or a special setup? Help.
There are some here who have expensive cameras and setups, but I use a sony cybershot. Couple of things...your camera must have a macro setting (icon is a little tulip looking thing) I use a couple of flex head desk lamps and move them around to find the best light direction for each coin. Also I use a small tripod that I bought at BestBuy for $10 and shoot straight down. It takes practice and some here are definitely better at it than I am, but I get better with just about every pic. Also photo editing software is very helpful,(for things like cropping and making nice display pics) I use Photoscape, it's free to download and does just about anything I need. Green18 did a great thread about how to use it to make things like this
What type of lighting set up are you using Cazkaboom? Upload a few pics and we'll try and help you out.
I agree with everything bigjpst said here. I use a $100 camera and it works out pretty well. Just takes practice. Different lighting and settings on the white balance on your camera will result in different 'looks'. Mostly how the luster is caputred. These two images are of the same coin:
I am using lighting from my room, CFL bulbs on ceiling and non-flourescent desk lamp. I have some pics on this thread http://www.cointalk.com/t193983/ . I am currently trying to see if propping the coin helps in any way. Here are some other pics I took on the coin connection (Which by the way is the best ever (thanks for creating it Gbroke)) on my profile. http://www.thecoinnection.com/public/members/member.php?gui=2c2af014-f86e-11e0-aed3-4040cbe5e1c5
Thanks Cazkaboom! Your pictures are decent when it comes to showing the details and condition of the coin. They do need to be more direct to the coin however. I do prop up my coins, completely dependant on the lighting setup and the luster, toning or even strike type. Start trying some more direct shots, continue trying different lighting situations and keep us posted!
I had lots of problems in the beginning using only one lamp and background lighting. Especially if the room light and the desk light are different types. That's when I bought the second desk lamp. I think you will find the color will be more accurate if you turn off the room lamp and focus the desk lamp directly over the coin.(this works best when coin is laying flat and you are shooting straight down.) Also the cheap tripod will lessen the camera shake and stop the blurriness. Your pics are pretty good already, and with some minor tweaks, you could really get some good shots.
LOL Guess I'm destine not to take those pics. I'm showing I'm in the link, but nothing there, completely white.
Okay. I went and borrowed my grandmother's ridiculously nice camera and took more pics. Here are some.
First thing I would do is turn off the flash. Make sure you have a steady light on the coin directly, in lieu of the flash.
There is one thing that helps me the most. My camera is hooked to the PC so I can see the image as soon as I take it. That lets me play with lighting and zip off several images in no time. I probably average 10 shots per coin and pick the best to save.