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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Lehigh96, post: 1424000, member: 15309&quot;]Whenever I photograph a coin, I always start with two gooeseneck lamps positioned at 10 &amp; 2 o&#039;clock with the lights pointed straight down at the coin.&nbsp; I will usually place another coin underneath the object coin at 6 o&#039;clock in order to slightly tilt the coin into the light source.&nbsp; Then I position the light so that the edge of the light comes as close to the edge of the coin without reflecting off the surface of the coin.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/040909001.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>I use a camera with macro mode and place the camera as far away from the coin as I can while still maintaining the ability to focus.&nbsp; I use the delay timer shudder release so that there is no vibration when I take the photo.&nbsp; After taking the photo, I look at the photo on the camera and decide if the photo is usable or not.&nbsp; It will be readily clear if this set up is not working.&nbsp; For toned proof coins and other highly reflective coins, I will often take both photos using direct lighting and photos using diffused lighting.&nbsp; Here is an example of a coin I imaged yesterday.</p><p><br /></p><p>Direct Lighting</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Lincoln%20Cents/LC1960GEMPF.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Diffused Lighting</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Lincoln%20Cents/LC1960GEMPF1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>The purpose of diffused lighting is to show the color while sacrificing luster in the process.&nbsp; If you look at the Lincoln above just with the direct lighting, you really wouldn&#039;t know that it had much color.&nbsp; But the diffused lighting proves without a doubt that there is color there.&nbsp; When it comes to diffused lighting, I usually use one light at 12 o&#039;clock and let the light cover the entire surface of the coin.&nbsp; Turn down the exposure on your camera and voila, the color shows up.&nbsp; And there is no need to get fancy, my method is two simple household items, a paper towel and a rubber band.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/2009%20Blizzard%20Photos/051709.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>The last factor in good coin photography is practice.&nbsp; Trial &amp; error followed by practice, practice, practice.&nbsp; Photograph thousands of coins and you will get good at it.&nbsp; And I can prove it.&nbsp; Here is my photo of that DMPL Morgan when I first purchased it in 2007.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/MorganDollar1881-SNGCMS65Star562337.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>If you look closely, the color is off due to a white balance problem.&nbsp; It is fuzzy because I was not using a copy stand and taking the photo while holding the camera.&nbsp; And lastly, the camera is far too close to the coin and you can see the reflection of both the camera and my finger.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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