I am going insane. I have a few toned coins that I would like to photograph to list on ebay, but I can not get the toning to show up. I do not know what else to do. I have tried using my iphone, a regular point and shoot, my Nikon d40, different lights both direct and indirect, LED, regular bulbs, aarrghhh! Can someone please give me some tips?!
Ugh. This drove me crazy as well. For many many months. I got very frustrated. I was finally able to capture the toning. I accomplished this by trying different lighting positions (I also used 'reveal' light bulbs), using a white background, and most importantly, messing with the white balance on the camera. I finally am able to capture most (but not all) toning. Have you tried experimenting with those settings? example: (a few months ago I couldn't get the colors to show at all)
I do not have an Axial lighting setup. I use diffused daylight bulbs with two lamps. One lamp directed at the coin. The other coming from the side. An Axial setup would be better, especially on proof coins like this one, however my setup still gives me a pretty good idea of the toning.
I've been able to photograph some toned coins with my iphone in bright indirect sunlight; but I think it might depend on the type of toning as to how successful that technique will be. by the way ... can someone post a drawing of the best lighting setup (not 100% sure I know what axial means)? i just bought a "copy stand" with 2 light fixtures and some "reveal" light bulbs -- but it hasnt come yet.
Like what was pretty much said already, lighting is key. If you have the proper lighting, a $5 disposable camera will work almost as good as a $3000 camera. Toning is tough to capture, no matter how good you get. I've yet to see a coin photograph in true to life color the toning on any coin. As far as I'm convinced, it can't be done. Guy
Lighting, extremely important, not only in type, but distance and angle. I use a nice desk lamp with a flexible arm and rotating head. Distance from camera to coin and camera angle change how toning looks. I take all of my pics free hand so I can adjust easily.
Try shooting the coins slightly angled such that the light reflects directly off the coin into the lens -- like a mirror. If done correctly, the toning will "light up", as in BadThad's photo above.
Here is a very good (and detailed) article about coin photography by Mark Goodman: http://www.coinimaging.com/photography.html
so it seems like a camera pointing straight down might have a harder time capturing toning ... good pictures seem to be reliant on oblique angles excellent web reference!
