Photographing Morgans

Not sure why the right side looks darker than the left....the lights are in the exact same position on either side of the lens?

 

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It could be your lens isn't level with the coin. Put a level on the table and see how it compares with the reading you get when you put a level at the end of your lens.

 

I think you were spot on...slight tilt of the lens to the left.

 

Anyone offer a guess on the grade of this 1888s?
Thanks

 

I agree about the “shades.” It’s been a while since I’ve set up to take high quality images. But when I did, I always used some sort of diffuser to soften the light. The results are MUCH better with any level of diffusion compared to 100% unfiltered light.

 

In some cases I preferred direct light while in others axial and others diffused. I also mostly used goosenecks with CFLs and found coffee filters convenient as diffusers, but this was some years ago.

 

For the 1888 S, I would say that it is around a MS63. I like the light contour toning on the reverse. Now all you need to do is put one light to look like the diagram in the post below. That way, it makes like a cross of luster instead of a band going straight through the coin. The cross of luster really helps to show all the details around the whole coin. For the reverse, you might want to spread the lights out a bit more because it looked a bit too crowded with light. Very nice improvements so far!