How do you guys photograph highly reflective copper/bronze?

I'm having a devil of a time photographing this mint medal. It seems that no matter which way I place the lights I still get annoying glare off the coin. I've tried softening the lighting with a piece of cotton fabric (white) and still I'm glaring. I've even tried underexposing the shot a few clicks but that doesn't help much either. Lance? Greg? Paul?

 

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Your photos look fine. A little reflection makes a mint state coin look "alive" Try aiming your light at the ceiling if you want to eliminate the hot spots.

 

I'll try that. Thanks Frank......

 

Ken,

I am trying to gather my thoughts and express them coherently.
I have some ideas that I believe will solve your dilemma.
I do know the answer is not diffusing the light, or anything like that. It is light position and how direct/indirect they are on the surface.
The biggest thing I have learned is that even the slightest adjustments (mm's) make large differences.

It's hard to explain, so I will make some visual aids. Bear with me, I'm at work.

In the meantime, answer me this:
Are you using two lights?
Are your coins on a flat surface, or standing on its edge when you image them?

-greg

Ps. That is awfully nice of you to group me in with Paul and Lance's skills.... I am still a newbie and learning something everyday. I am sure they will cringe when they read that.

 

1) I'm using two Verilux goose neck lamps.

2) Flat surface with camera on tri-pod shooting straight down.

Here's two shots using Franks suggestion of bouncing the light off the ceiling......

 

That looks pretty good. Just try indirect light

 

Thanks for the comments and suggestions guys.....

Maybe I should just put it in the windowsill and let it tone.

 

With coppers the easier thing to do is to boil it in a tea kettle. often with Early Grey Tea.

Ruben

 

Not sure why you would bounce of the ceiling. Just play with your light angles and your pics will improve.

 

Todd, I move the lighting around and I continue to get the glare off of this medal, the fields and devices are that reflective. Even natural light produces glare. I'll continue to fiddle with it tomorrow.......

 

What type of bulbs you using?

 

Block out the actual bulb.

 

I use an old plastic carton as a light tent, cut a hole in the bottom and place the camera lens through the hole.
I lay the coin on non reflective black velvet.
The plastic lets enough light through and illiminates the glare.

 

They're those 'true light' (look almost like energy saving) bulbs. The ones that are supposed to simulate actual daylight.

And thanks for the plastic box suggestion Davey. I've heard of (forgotten about) that one. I'll give that one a try as well.