Please critique my pics.

First time I've tried this. I picked two ordinary coins to test my skills. How are the pics? Please be brutally honest if need be. Thanks.

 

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Too much light they're washout

 

not bad.

 

In photo 1 there are hot spots on the surface of the coin that wash out all details (especially on the sun, fields, ground beneath Liberty, flag, gown). Try diffusing your light so it isn't so harsh.

 

How about these? All the same coin.
I've learned how to use my macro setting, now I have to learn lighting.

 

That last picture is probably the best, but it has no luster... does the coin have luster?

 

1) Use a WHITE background and calibrate your white balance to the current light and camera position.
2) Set your exposure to 0 (neutral)
3) Adjust your lighting, it's a delicate balance between too much and too little.

I know a lot of people like the sexy black background but I absolutely hate it. When I look at a picture I like to see a white background so I can tell if the white balance is correct. It tells me a LOT about the picture.

 

Thanks to all. Especially BadThad. I'll try that.

 

Agreed.
I have been messing with lighting for over a month. I just can't seem to get it just right. Lighting it is the hardest thing to get right IMO. . I spoke to Siggi here on CoinTalk. He uses a window and natural light, He takes some Really nice photos That seems to work best for me. Give it a try, who knows it may work for you as well. Keep at it, and keep posting your photos. I'm still learning too, If I can do it anybody can. Not that my photos are the greatest but I'm still learning too.

Excellent Job by the way, you are on the right track for sure!
Thanks, Mark

 

All GREAT advise as usual

Thad, I have been looking for that light you were telling be about still on luck.

 

I don't have a lot of natural light available in my apartment. What type of my lightbulb would be a good one? I've heard florescent is not a good choice because it hides hairline marks. Is this correct? What about the classic yellow lights? Specific brands you like? What about lamps to put them in?

 

Not bad at all.

 

Experiment would be my suggestion. A lot of coin guys swear by GE reveal. I use a 3 light combo of a halogen and 2 GE Reveals for reasons I don't feel like repeating right now. If you can use 2 lights at the 10 & 2 O'clock position close to 90 degrees to the coin. try that

I think your pictures are above average. I love the larger pics or the availability to click on them to see them larger when wanted.

What is the make and basic stats on your camera?

You mention you are shooting in Macro Mode. do you have a super-macro mode? Are you using a tripod/copy stand and the timer? IF you are, you may consider backing off the coins a bit to bring them into focus better and then crop.

There is another method with point and shoots that I have seen fantastic results from and that is taping a loupe to the lens and shooting coins through it.

 

Using a Canon EOS40D, with 28-135mm lens. No super macro. Wired external shutter button. Tripod. Copy stand is the edge of a table. I'll try backing off some, and try the other suggestions, too. I'll try to post more tomorrow. Thanks, everyone!

 

I have tried most lighting and 95% of what I do now is with halogen. I am not a fan of Ott lights though I know some like them. Same for Reveal bulbs. Only downside with halogen is the heat.

Experimenting is the key. You will settle on a method and lighting you like.

Attached are some examples, all from halogen and macro lenses.
Lance.

 

Thanks. Nice shots. Nice coins, too!

 

i use one halogen lamp and my phone because but i can still get some nice pics

 

WHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTT you have a Canon 40D!!! Thats what I have... Duuude you are set! Here is what you need for your current lens.

An $10 extension ring for your lens - http://cgi.ebay.com/Macro-Extension-Tube-Ring-L9O-Canon-5D-450D-30D-40D-/320682163739?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aaa257e1b#ht_2907wt_934

Do you have the EOS utilities that came with the camera? If you don't, write canon and tell them you lost the CD. If you do, load it NOW!! Get the cables out to tether your camera to your Computer ( another $10 buck if you don't have the cable)..

Turn your camera on, choose a manual setting ADEP or TV - Open the Zoom browser,click on acquire camera settings...... play with the different extension rings until you can get your largest coin to fill the frame and still remain in focus..


With both those items (extension and software) you will be able to shoot at pro quality within an hour of getting used to the set up.

The beauty of tethering is that you can experiment with your lighting and such until you have a set up that works. I use cannabalized tripod(s) as a copy stand to adjust my camera up and down to bring the coin into focus..

Here is my old set up. I have a 100mm Macro lens now. that is a 35-70mm nikor lens adapted and extended. notice the coin on the monitor in the background? that is the same coin as under the lens. ONce you like the shot and such, you will be able to click the shutter with your mouse.

All the various stuff in this shot is open for discussion. The different bulbs I have used. Slab renew for shooting certified coins. I see the 40D manual.. OH! Mark Goodmans book on coin photography is where I started. I see the extension ring box at top.





Photobucket is having issues with my images. I'll try to post what you can expect to get with your lens extended, using the zoom browser. These were shot with the setup above. I mostly only shoot copper...

these have been reduced to 1000x1000 from 5mb 2500x2500 images - 2-1/2 times larger!













Well whattaya- nooooo... tinypic will host a hugepic. this is at neat full resolution - it appears that that it has been reduced about 25% Click on it a couple of times till it quits expanding.

 

I have always loved your shots. Your lighting gives a contrast that makes them very "artsy" pleasant, hard to find words to describe. Are you using a flood or a spot directly over head, you must be diffusing the bulb too??? you are getting really good color pick up with that light!

I think I can see the reflection of the lens in the reverse of the first coin, I am guessing... what are you about 12 inches above with a 150mm macro?

 

In a word, they are overexposed.