Vess1

Here's the same set up as I listed above but shooting a loose coin.






One easy thing you can do that will help is always have one lighting source. You don't want day light and artificial light. Only one or the other. Then you don't want two different artificial lights. The camera can't adjust and it will screw up the color.

Once you're under one light source, if your camera has it, always be sure to fill the view finder with something pure white under that light (in manual mode) get in custom white balance and hit ok or set. That tells the camera what pure white looks like under the particular lighting you're using. AWB works ok, but setting it manually is much better. That's one easy battle to get out of the way before you start.

A cheap macro lens can really help with close ups too. As high tech as that camera looks, I would not be able to take good close ups without the macro lens attachment. My marco lens came on a wide angle I bought. It serves a double purpose now.

Here's one more. A MS66FB Mercury dime in a PCGS holder. Having only one light source probably isn't the best as some coins like this and the buffalo nickel have somewhat concave fields from the metal getting hammered and it leaves shadows that you can't get rid of.

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desertgem

Hi NumisPam and welcome to the forum!

I use a Canon 590IS. The necessary things are a Macro function ( usually a flower), a tripod screw receptacle ( to use a tripod, or you can get similar threaded bolts and nuts from a hardware store to jury rig all sorts of camera holders), color balance function, and a nice focusing function.

and Although other books are important, non are as important as your camera manual. Read it and keep it around.

Looking forward to seeing some photos.

Jim

GrimReaper

Cannon Powershot A560 ..., And hours of playing with camera , lighting , and angle of coin etc. !!

MorganMan

Illini420, could I also get a link to that template. Thanks, I would love to use that on some of my Morgans. Awesome photos!!!!

illini420

Thanks

http://forums.collectors.com/message...hreadid=705846

The link to the tutorial and downloads in the the 5th or 6th post in that thread. BECOKA over there is the same as CrustyCoins here and he's the one that wrote up the tutorial, so be sure to thank him if you find the tutorial helpful. Hope that helps, let me know if you have trouble finding the download.

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My 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set
http://tinyurl.com/bbzy8y
My 1909 Mint Registry Set
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The Penny Lady

I cheat - I use Todd Pollock at www.bluccphotos.com! He is very reasonable, extremely nice and honest. And his photos are absolutely amazing, crisp, colorful, and very detailed. I've been posting several coins photographed by Todd in the past few days, but here are a couple to give you an example of his most excellent work:

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Member of ANA, PCGS, NGC, CAC, Fly-In Club,
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Leadfoot

" Great Coin Photos! How do you take them?"

I can't say it any better than these two guys:

DoK U Mint

WoW\ I was trying to think of how to say that.

We used to call it RTFM. (The 1st "R" means READ & the last "M" stood for Manual).

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crusherjc

Wow, illini just amazing phots, mine are ok, but your fantastic. I would love it you shared your template any any info on what you did in photoshop.
Thank,
Jim

illini420

See post #20 for the link to the info you are seeking

Thanks for the comments on the pics too

__________________
My 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set
http://tinyurl.com/bbzy8y
My 1909 Mint Registry Set
http://tinyurl.com/dj7nbg

NumisPam

Thanks so much for all the wonderful replies!! Unfortunatly I forgot my password to this site and just remembered it, so I was delighted to see so many of you had replied to my question. I will try my best to remember my pw and come back here more often! lol now I am going to have to practice my picture taking! I only have a Kodak Easy Share at this time, but, could always upgrade if I get good enough at it. Thanks again everyone! NumisPam

jwwahly1

thanks for all the info, since i am now in the search for a camera and good photo editing software thats easy to manage and beautiful coins and pics

Phil Ham

Wow, you guys take some awesome photos of coins. Cudos to you all!!!