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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Larry Moran, post: 820064, member: 4580&quot;]<b>Direct lighting and axial lighting</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks, for responding, folks. It&#039;s nice to see a few postings already.&nbsp; : )</p><p><br /></p><p>While it&#039;s true that photos should look exactly like coins look in hand, there is an additional fact involved.&nbsp; The photographer&#039;s lighting may not be the same as a buyer&#039;s, so when the buyer examines a coin, they may see something a bit different from listing photos.</p><p><br /></p><p>For example, if a buyer examines a coin while tipping it toward the light, they may see more toning or iridescence than appeared in listing photos.&nbsp; If I were to sell a coin with great toning, I have two ways of emphasizing its toning...</p><p><br /></p><p>• I could photograph the coin at an angle so it reflects the lighting.&nbsp; The problem with photographing coins at an angle is that it is difficult to get all of the coin in sharp focus, given the limitations of depth-of-field inherent with macro lenses, or the macro setting available on some point-and-shot cameras.</p><p><br /></p><p>• I can use axial lighting which allows me to photograph the coin straight-on. Axial lighting brings out toning better than direct room lighting.</p><p><br /></p><p>If I were to sell a coin and use axial lighting, I would <u>also</u> provide photos taken in direct lighting.&nbsp; That way, the buyer will likely see both views and their impressions from seeing the listing photos will be confirmed.&nbsp; Coins certainly do not appear the same in all lighting.&nbsp; : )</p><p><br /></p><p>Here&#039;s an example, and both methods of lighting reflect the &#039;truth,&#039; but they certainly have different appearances.&nbsp; These are unretouched images of my Conder Token.</p><p><br /></p><p><u>Normal lighting</u></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/Larrymo123/after%208-9-09/KellysDirectLighting2-up.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><u>Axial lighting</u></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/Larrymo123/after%208-9-09/KellysConderToken2-up1024.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Since <u>beautifully toned coins can sell at 2-30 times book value,</u> I think it&#039;s important to show the toning as well as possible in listing photos.&nbsp; In good photos, natural toning will generally be obvious and appear far different from artificially toned coins.&nbsp; Numismatography can help one learn a lot about toning.&nbsp; I believe that someday eye appeal will surpass rarity as the key to value.&nbsp; Digital cameras and the internet are making that begin to happen already.&nbsp; ; )[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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