Three Lamp, Two Lamp

Cripes, one never employs 'flash'. Constant and dedicated lighting.

 

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@green18 I clearly need to catch up. Great pictures and lighting, but what camera are you using?

 

I do. It's more like, if you kow how to use flash, you use it. If you don't, you use constant. When was the last time you saw a professional photograper using constant lighting?

 

Nikon D 810

 

EVERY professional numismatic photographer uses constant lighting...so, the last time was always.

 

Umm, we are talking about lights still, right???
Anyway, the 3 lights shots look better IMO. At least for this example, but I'm sure you'll have mixed results on other, non-slabbed pieces. I don't think there is one light set-up that works best for all shots though. Of course I'm amateur at best.

 

Thanks @green18. Not that I'm attempting to copy your results cool, but can you also post a picture of your Jansco light?

I did a quick online search but I'm not coming up with many results.

 

Try Jansjo, not Jansco.

 

I agree with @robec :

1. You must diffuse the Jansjo lights a bit, otherwise you will get far too many hot spots.
2. The 10-12-2 formula isn't universal. It depends on the coin design and the way that the devices are laid out. In general, faces should be lit as they would be in portraits (side or top, not from bottom). Other designs are subjective as to how the photographer decides to light the "subject".
3. Make sure your lights are at a high angle to the coin (i.e., high, above, and close to the camera lens). It looks as though you are doing this already for the most part. The 3-light 1950 BW photo looks great! Try to replicate that look on the others.
4. Practice, practice, and practice some more. It took me a long time to get to a point where I was happy with my photography.

Very nice progress @green18 !!

 

Dang it, @green18 had me on a wild goose chase!

 

They are these JANSJÖ lamps, sold by IKEA. If you have a local IKEA near you, they are $9.99 each.

You will pay quite a bit more if you buy them from other sellers online. The bases of the lamps are filled with a very heavy "cement" type substance. Thus, they are quite heavy to ship.

 

Ansel Adams.........

Sorry Dunk..........and I'm a 'square head'.

 

Shoot Brandon, I was gonna 'tag' you for this post but 'foggy nature' limited my ability to recall your 'handle' last evening. After all, it was you who championed this sort of concept a few years ago, and I'm just getting around to using it.

Thanks for weighing in Brother.

 

Extremely correct........I've the luxury have having 'live view' on the camera, so I can move lights around in real time to get the (potential) best shot.

 

OK........taped some vellum over the lights. Still three's.

 

Awesome pics @green18, despite the fact that you sent me on a wild goose chase! What is vellum?

 

It's a type of translucent paper similar to tracing paper.

 

I say this was your best shots in my opinion

The first set of two lights is my second favorite