This is my problem with my toned coins. i only bought slabbed. When I take photos they either look like the the first where the toning is almost silent, or I get great color in the second with reflected light covering half the coin. Pcgs has done it as in the third photo but the color visible in the second seems more vivid to me then the Pcgs photo. How do I get the color to show on slabbed toned coin photos without Editing out part of the coin with reflected light?
Honestly - practice, practice, practice. Best tip I can give ya, play around with the angles. Lights to coins, coin to camera. And tiny changes matter.
+1. OP, I would start with nailing the focus, white balance, and then get the toning. Like Doug is saying, you need to play around and see what works for your setup, camera, lights, stand, etc. There is general advice obviously, but you got to test it out for yourself to see what actually works. I would recommend at least two lights, not just one.
Ok allow me to clarify. Is there a way to backlight the coin or some other device that I can use to get enough light to hit the coin to show color without direct reflections of light showing?
I would recommend some sort of light diffuser. Hit the coin with the light (ideally two sources), but place the diffuser in between the coin and the light source. Budget option is a simple paper towel, which actually works pretty well. That way, you'll still bring out the color but won't get nearly as much glare.
Photographing proof or PL coins with color is very hard when the coin is in a slab. To really get the color to show you need something pretty close to axial lighting, but then you have reflections off the slab. Something I have used with proofs is to take a milky plastic orange juice jug, cut off the top and bottom, and use that as a diffuser. Good luck!
I will go with what Doug said. However, in order to "play with the angles", you have to have lights that can be adjusted and, I would add, a way to adjust the coin angle. Remember that if you cannot see it on the camera display, it will not be in the picture. Diffused lighting also works. See https://www.cointalk.com/threads/diffused-lighting-coin-photography-capture-the-color.56246/
Playing with the angles does that for you. There will be no reflection from the slab if you get the lights angled to the coin correctly. Goose necked lights are best, at least 2. Reflection after all is due to nothing more than a given angle. Change that angle - no reflection. I used to place mine about 10 and 2 and play from there. And do not use a flash. And I always recommended GE Reveal bulbs, 75 watts. But they do make other brands today that provide the correct light spectrum. One thing, you want no other light source but your 2 lights in the room where you are taking pics - none. As for diffusion, yeah it works, but with some coins better than others. And just a regular sheet of plain white paper scotch taped to the light shades always worked great for me. But your pics will be brighter, sharper and clearer without it in most cases.
I start with the lights at 10 and 2. High and close to the camera and play with the lights from there.
I'm pretty new to photography (I bought and watched a DVD sold by a great coin photographer, best $$ I spent as it has helped me a lot) and I will suggest a couple of things: Use CFL Bulbs that do not distort the color they emit Use two lights and play them off of each other to reduce glare and illuminate the coin And of course, shoot a few shots moving the light just a bit here and there. You're bound to find one you like best!
You can also use the white, thin plastic bags from WalMarts, etc. for diffusion. Just don't let the bag touch the light or keep the lamp on for very long (CLF bulbs more than 10 to 15 minutes). Naturally, use the side with no markings and you can use 2 bags or more, if necessary.
You need to make sure both lights are far enough apart. Otherwise, you will get glare. I've been playing around with my setup for weeks.
I certainly agree that one layout does not always work. For example: I like that the Pandas appear to be correctly marked black and white. With the same layout and camera settings for a Canadian coin: Not so good and quite dark. I'm still playing with different settings, lights and angles and find it all very hit and miss. I have started taking notes on the layout and what works with what sort of coin.
