Diffused Lighting Coin Photography (Capture the Color)

INTRODUCTION
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Have you ever owned a gorgeously toned proof coin that you wanted to show off to all of your friends in the virtual world? Have you ever tried to photograph a toned proof only to find out that no matter what you do the colors that explode off the coin in hand seem destined to hide in your photos? Photographing coins can be very frustrating. Photographing toned coins can drive you insane. Photographing toned proof coins can be enough for a collector to throw the camera in the ocean and look for a new hobby. But don't despair, diffused lighting is here to save the day.

I will not begin to give a lesson in the principles of photography, but I would like to show everyone the benefits of diffused lighting in coin photography. Diffused lighting is especially useful in photographing proof coins which don't have cartwheel luster. This lighting technique will make the appearance of traditional luster disappear from your photos of your mint state coins. However, the ability to show color is greatly increased. Diffused lighting is very useful in three different scenarios.

TONED PROOF COINS
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Let us look at a typical photo of a toned proof coin. The photo below is of a wildly toned 1964 Jefferson Nickel NGC PF67.

Standard Lighting



Unfortunately, the colors on the coin are obscured by the mirrored surfaces of the coin and can only be partially seen on the high points. Most collectors would look at this photo and have no idea of how impressive the coin looks in hand. Now let's look at the same coin photographed with diffused lighting and admire the end result in all it's glory.

Diffused Lighting

PROOF CAMEO & ULTRA CAMEOS
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Not only can diffused lighting be used on toned proofs to show color, it can also be used on proof cameos and deep cameos to show a reverse cameo effect. When diffused lighting is used on cameo coins, the fields will become white and the devices dark, creating the reverse cameo effect. While this appearance does not suit every collectors' tastes, it does provide an impressive alternative to the standard black and white cameo presentation of a proof coin. Here is a 1992-S Kennedy Half Dollar Silver NGC PF69 ULTRA CAMEO

Diffused Lighting

ELUSIVE COLOR MINT STATE COINS
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The last application for diffused lighting is with those extraordinarily hard to capture color mint state coins. There are toned coins that no matter how you angle the light, the only way to capture the color creates a glare on the slab right over the coin. For these coins, you can use diffused lighting to reduce the glare and show the full range of colors. However, any cartwheel luster on the coin will disappear in the process. I recommend that two sets of photos be taken for these coins. One will show the luster and the other the color. By viewing both, the observer can generate an idea in his/her head of what the actual coin would look like in hand. Here is a 1958 Washington Quarter NGC MS66* that is a perfect example.

Standard Lighting



Diffused Lighting



Notice the complete lack of apparent luster in the second photograph but the color range is phenomenal. Personally, I like the appearance of the first photograph better, but if I were ever inclined to sell the coin, the second photograph would bring the money.

DIFFUSED LIGHTING SET UP
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Now I know what you guys are thinking: I don't have the tools to diffuse the lighting. Please know that every photograph I have shown in this thread with diffused lighting used only two additional household items: a rubber band and a paper towel. If you don't believe me, see for yourself. Here is the set up.






Okay guys, go experiment with diffused lighting and see what you can show me. Have fun!

 

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http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t56117/

I was experimenting with an LED flashlight

 

I do hope with Lehigh96’s help you hopeless cases can now take good pictures so I wont have to look at your junky cell phone cam pictures anymore !

Have a Great Day EVRYONE !!!

 

DOUBLE POST sorry

 

Very nice technique. Simple, too. What kind of camera stand is that?

 

Paul, I've alerted the fire marshall in your neck of the woods......:whistle:

All kidding aside, great info. :thumb:

 

I don't know, it was a gift, but it seems cheap enough. My camera is a Canon Powershot SD880 IS (10 megapixel).

 

Argh! I was hoping for a model number :crying: I've been searching high and low for something simple like that. It is a production item from somewhere, though, right? Or does it look homemade?

This is really one of the best posts I've seen in the short time I've been here since the only thing I lack by way of equipment right now is a decent photo setup. Thanks for answering!

 

Wow, excellent post Lehigh. Thanks!!!

 

Great info Lehigh! Thanks for posting it, I usually have trouble with the lighting, I'll have to try it out.

 

Hi Paul,

Thanks for sharing! I've wondered how you captured such great pics of your toners. Great examples of what different types of lighting will do. Okay, now for the questions...sorry I 've got so many but I'm going to try and replicate your set-up to photograph some of our toned coins. Have you photoshopped these at all in regards to color, contrast etc. Which of your photo's most closely represent the coin in hand; the regular or diffused lighting? What kind of bulbs are in your lights? Do you leave the white balance on auto or do you use one of the pre-set programs in the camera to compensate for your type of lighting? Thanks again for sharing and I can't wait to try myself.

 

Razor, here is a decent priced copy stand from B&H. Check eBay, I found this same one, got it for $12. Good luck.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/385012-REG/Digital_Pursuits_DPCS129_Close_Up_Copy_Stand.html

 

Missie,

All good questions. Most of your questions can be answered by reading my thread about the use of photoshop.

http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t41839/

Since I wrote that thread, I changed from using an 8 megapixel camera to a 10 megapixel camera. I have also switched from OTT lights to two fluorescent bulbs in goose neck desk lamps. With the fluorescent bulbs, I have found that the camera pre-set white balance works the best, although it does tend to result in a light golden hue even on mostly white coins.

Please remember that diffused lighting eliminates the luster on a mint state coin and I only recommend using it for circulated coins, deeply toned coins with muted luster, or obtaining a photo that concentrates on color on those hard to capture toners. I always use diffused lighting when taking photos of toned proof coins. There really is no other way to get the color to show. Some collectors don't like the way diffused lighting makes proofs appear because it destroys the contrast, but I think it shows the surfaces and details better.




I think that it is important to remember that every coin is different and will require different lighting, angles, and distance in order to achieve the best results. I would highly recommend Mark Goodman's book "NUMISMATIC PHOTOGRAPHY" to anyone who is serious about taking quality coin photographs. My images have improved about 200% since purchasing that book.

 

Very nice post, Lehigh.

One question: Were your light positions the same other than first one being not diffused and the second being diffused?

The reason I ask is that the appearance of the photographs suggest, to me, that not only did you add diffusion, but you also moved the lights significantly "higher", and I wonder if the comparison wouldn't be more even if the lights were higher in the first set of un-diffused photographs.

Anyway, great post and photos....Mike

 

The height of the lights remained the same but you are correct about the positions of the lights. When using the fluorescent lights, I usually use two lights set at 10 & 2 o'clock. When taking a diffused light photo, I use only one lamp at 12 o'clock. I have found that two diffused lights right on the coin will completely wash out the photo.

 

Hmmm... You kind of confused me with your response.

Are you sure what you're describing as a diffusion difference isn't really just a light position/light angle difference. Said another way, your second set of photos are what I call a mirror-shot, and in my experience it is much more a function of light angle than direct -vs- diffused lighting?

That's not to say that diffused light isn't a valuable tool for the coin photographer to experiment with and master, but rather it isn't necessarily the panacea for photographing proof coins -- light angle is.

Respectfully...Mike

 

Mike,

I am positive the difference is not just light position. Without the diffusion in the second shot, all you would see is glare from the light source on the slab. Of course I can take direct light photos with one lamp at 12 o'clock, but we both know that all that would do is reduce the amount of color shown in the photo.

Axial lighting can also be used to photograph toned proofs, but you can't pull of axial lighting with a rubber band and a paper towel.

 

Fair enough Lehigh, and LOL at the rubber band and paper towel comment.

 

Thanks pennywise. I found this one by Lumiere at Amazon and I just need to decide which one to get.

I found another picture of it and the bracket with the slots look a lot like Lehigh96's. It's unbelievable how expensive most of those B&H copystands are. I'm well aware that you get what you pay for, and I'm ordering one anyway!

 

Great post!

If you don't want to risk burning down your studio, here are a couple other easy ways to diffuse light:

Save a translucent milk jug and cut off the bottom half (helps if you wash it first) and make a hole for the lens to view through it.

Roll up a piece of drafting paper into a tube and shoot from the top.