I have a MS-65 Wheat cent I'm trying to photograph. Inside...every light glares. Even diffused lights glare. Outside...even the sun glares. In the shade...does not look as nice. What's a good way to photograph cents in slabs without glare?
This is a very common subject and one that has been discussed literally hundreds of times on this forum as well as every other. You will get some info by creating a new thread and asking a question. You will get more info than you ever need if you simply type "photography" in the search box and start reading historical threads. Here is a good one on the subject. Numistmatography Perhaps you should change your username to "Ask others to Detecto"
Hello Detecto, In addition to the techniques described in previous photography threads, check out this one: http://www.cointalk.com/t56856/ It describes a method of accurately adjusting the angle of the coin to the camera & lighting. Here is a photo depicting a coin inside a slab. As I recall, I used a couple incandescent lamps, a long working distance, and the accurate adjustment described in the link. This is in addition to setting the camera for incandescent lighting, no flash, & 2-second timer to reduce camera shake. Good luck & please post some photos of the slabbed cent.
The problem is this. The coin has to reflect a bunch of light for it to look good. I'm sure you all know this. The light has to hit it in the right spot...and it will "pop". The coin itself does not glare. But the plastic on the slab does. Like I said, even diffused light glares. Going outside in the sun "washes" out the coin, makes it look pitted, and hides any toning.
Photographing slabs is a unique challenge due of course to the reflective plastic. Lighting is the key. Positioning the lights at a high angle helps to get the light reflected to the camera lens.
