First things first, when did you get an XF/AU 1912 Barber Half Dollar? Good coin for 12/12/12 btw. PS: Dontcha think you would get better responses if you entitled your thread "glare on Barber Half photos--need help" rather than just telling everyone that you are ticked off?
Well, you can hardly blame me for thinking it was low AU, your photo makes it look lusterless. My guess is that you are angling the coin too severely into the light. Place the coin on a flat surface with the camera pointed straight down. The take a poker chip or silver dollar and put in under the bottom edge of the slab to tilt the coin slightly. Then place your lights at the highest angle possible and position them at 10 & 2 o'clock but make sure the glare does not overlap the surface of the coin. If done correctly it should look something like this: Try it out and show us your results. If you only have one light, place it at 12 o'clock. So back to my original question, when did you get that? Barber Half sliders carry a pretty hefty price tag.
It does look lightly circulated or a slider from the pic. From the pic, it doesn't look like it has any luster. Are you looking for an MS60 grade?
@Detecto, please photograph both sides of the coin. The wear on the reverse of Barber coinage is easier to see than the obverse.
Nevermind, I found it! Detecto's Coin Photography Services @Detecto, my consulting fee is 10% of your first months revenue.
I'm trying to understand how he can claim to be a professional photographer when he can't even keep his hand from blocking the light. Suggestion: Buy a camera with a remote control! Chris