What else?

I've been working on coin photos for the past 2 days and I'm wondering if there's something I should be doing different. I've got the white balance right, I have 2 lights positioned at 10 and 2 o'clock, the resolution is fine. All I can think of is having the second light fluorescent like the first and using a copy stand, but is there anything else you would recommend doing differently? The pictures are coming out with uneven lighting of the surfaces like this:

 

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piece of paper in front of the light to diffuse it? I think the pics show the luster nicely.

 

Yep! diffuse light is what you need, consider wrapping the light with gift wrap type white tissue paper or tracing paper. As it is the lamps are too bright and reflections / hotspots have totally blown out details. Also use only one type of light, you see the two colors of light, they mix and throw off metering and interfere with the true color of the coin, as well as look unpleasant. Just use the same type of light in both lamps and kill all the other light in the room. I'd like to see what you get the time around if you will re-post them then.

 

I don't think you need to diffuse the light for a basic shot, but you need to make sure the light is not directly on the surface of the coin. It is hard to explain what I mean in words but easily demonstrated with a photograph. Notice where the light hits the slab and it is not directly on the coin.



As krispy just mentioned, you can't mix light sources. You must have the exact same type of bulbs in both lamps and do not use a flash. Once you get a copy stand, you should get the camera as far away as possible while still capturing a photo large enough to suit your tastes. I position my camera 8-10 inches away from the surface of the coin and have the lights at a very high angle. Then I zoom in, focus, and snap the shot. For toned coins, I often tilt the coin in the light source to get a better shot of the color.

 

You need to replace the incandescent light with another white light source.
Otherwise you appear to be close to having it right.

Don't get fixated on one lighting setup.
Different coin surfaces often require different lighting setups.
Once you find the setup that works for a particular class of coins (brown copper, proof silver, etc.) DOCUMENT the setup that you used.
I can't count the number of times I've had to "reinvent the wheel" because I didn't make notes.

 

I'm not worrying about copper for now, just uncirculated silver and nickel and once I've got that down, I'll try to figure out copper.

 

So I couldn't find a copy stand but I got a bendable tripod so it does the same thing. The lights in this picture aren't fluorescent, but they are at least the same type of bulb. My color blind eyes can't tell if the white balance is right on these so just let me know.

 

The lights are at the highest angle possible without getting my shadow on the coin.

 

You are getting better with every photo my friend. Here is what I could do with you latest pic in photoshop.

 

Thanks. I assume you changed the white balance. I wasn't having any problem with it until I switched to both lights incandescent...

 

The thing I liked about these last pictures is that the luster wasn't overpowering. It was just enough to show the light orange crescent toning on both sides.

 

yes, getting better and better. Good job!

 

here are some new ones

 

Now those are good enough that you don't even need to photoshop them. If you ever buy Mark Goodman's book, you are going to have the best photos on the entire forum. Incredible improvement in just days. WOW!

 

Great Job!!

 

Thanks guys!

 

TheMan, those pics are perfect.
That is just right! Do that with every coin you have! (Hope you remember what you did!)
Great pics!

 

Thanks I'll try!

 

Here is a good example of not getting the light directly on the coin.

 

nice tips guys