Three Lamp, Two Lamp

@robec

I've been wanting a 'third light' for my photog setup for some time now, and just received a third Jansco in the mail yesterday. Was hoping that the third addition would better light the situation. I dunno........what you guys thinK? The first shots are with the three lights set at 10, 12, and 2 o'clock.

 

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Two light setup, if anyone cares to look........

 

Very nice!

 

Thank you sir. Which do think more amiable? Three lamps or two? I've still gots to do a bit of playing around as I'm not totally satisfied with the three lamp setup. I know I can make these better.

 

I can't decide. They all look great.

 

Ken on using the 3 lamps are you filtering or using them with the light defused?

I have issues using to much direct lighting , probably be better off defusing the light especially when the surfaces are mirror like.

The 2 light set up looks good not to bright ,the image looks warmer, as the 3 light set up looks to off balance. It's hard at times to get an image that loo,so like the subject does in hand.

 

No filtering at all Paddy. I took the velum off of the lights a few days ago. One thing about the two light setup. Notice the right eye? There's a 'tick' with the three light setup, but it's virtually gone with the two light setup. Gonna have to do some more explorin'........

 

I think I like 3 lamps better

 

O-what I would love to write about the reverse of this coin .
But I won't ...

Nice images anyways ..................................

 

I like the 3 light shot. Don't feel married to keeping the lights at 10, 12 and 2 on all shots. If you have Live View to preview your shot move one light to a position where the coin look best, then move the second one, then the third one. I'll bet when you find the optimal position for each light they won't be in the 10, 12 and 2 position.

I think your photos will benefit if you were to go back to diffusing the lights.

Your 3 light photos sure do a great job showing luster. Big thumbs up.

 

I prefer the results from your three light setup.

 

go for 3 lights

 

You're not going to come up with a "3 is always better than 2" answer. Depending on how you want to light each particular coin, I would assume you might prefer 3 over 2 in a situation, just as you might prefer the lights at a different position than 10 and 2, or high or low.

 

3. Better detail

 

2pm or am best

 

2 PM for sure Cheech. I ain't up at 2 AM. 5 years ago, yeah. I'd be all over this forum at that hour. Not anymore though. It seems that I can just about make it to 11 PM. Oh well. Like Bob (robec) suggested, I shouldn't be married to the light positions. I do have 'live view' on my camera, and I'm up for changing position as needed. The next thing I will do is what Paddy and Bob suggested, and that is to diffuse the light. I'll tape some vellum back onto the lights.

 

Good point Dave. Three ain't always better than two. I'm still at the developmental stage.

 

The trouble I run into when using 3 or more lights is the definition,
for, me 3 indirected Jansco's works best for slabs. but "raw" I prefer 2.

 

Slabs can be a female dog at times.........

[and these shots were all of slabbed examples]

 

Is this constant lighting, or flash?

I would probably use a 12 o'clock as a key light, then the other 2 lower for fill. If they are adjustable, try the key at full power, and the fills at 1/2 power, and see how it does. I would also try them at 9, 12, and 3 o'clock.