The natural sunlight is the BEST lighting for your coin pictures.

joeykoins

I always love taking pictures in my car for this main reason. The SUN! It makes any coin POP! It brings out the natural luster on a coin. It can even make a dingy, a not so good condition coin, look pretty good. Here are two examples of my coins. Just recently purchased. Show your pictures of using the sun as a main source of light. Thanks

rmpsrpms

Problem is that shooting in sunlight does not give the coin that "in-hand look". You only get that from artificial light. How many of us view our coins outdoors, or with light coming in from a window? Most all of us use a halogen, fluorescent, or LED lamp on our desks to view coins, and this is wht our photographs should represent. Imagine selling a coin on eBay, and having the seller complain that your image looks nothing like the coin. You reply that he just needs to take the coin outside into the natural light, and then it will look like the photo! Natural light is misrepresentation of the look of the coin as it would be viewed by a customer or fellow collector.

SonnyD

Guy literally says nothing about selling coins, only about posting them in natural light. Post a coin or move on.

jwitten

Honestly I think natural sunlight can be a bit harsh and it’s probably my least favorite lighting

airplanenut

Between how harsh it is, how uncontrollable it is, and how it's a single point source which, I'd argue that it's pretty bad light for taking a photo, especially if a coin is slabbed. I don't know if it is or isn't, but the glossy finish of that Carver looks more like it's polished than anything else; if it's a lustrous coin, the lustre isn't showing.

airplanenut

Oh, and it's really hard to use the sun when you need to take a photo at night and traveling halfway around the world isn't practical.

rmpsrpms

@SonnyD said:
Guy literally says nothing about selling coins, only about posting them in natural light. Post a coin or move on.

But he does say that it will make a "dingy, a not so good condition coin, look pretty good", so even he agrees that it is disingenous to use natural light.

Post a coin or move on yourself.

joeykoins

@rmpsrpms said:

@SonnyD said:
Guy literally says nothing about selling coins, only about posting them in natural light. Post a coin or move on.

But he does say that it will make a "dingy, a not so good condition coin, look pretty good", so even he agrees that it is disingenous to use natural light.

Post a coin or move on yourself.

Boys boys! Or girls girls! Play nice.

Steven59

Never really noticed. I mostly use LED lighting for coin pictures. Next time the sun comes out in NE Ohio I'll have to try!

nwcoast

I don’t have many coin photos taken in natural light, especially sunlight.
If I do utilize sunlight, I will usually supplement it with a fill light of some sort, or diffusion.
Here is one of the coin photos I recall, taken by natural sunlight alone, if my memory isn’t failing me that is.
Coin star finds here.

brocmitchell

A looonnngg time ago my preferred light source was indirect setting sunlight. I rather quickly grew out of this preference because I finally got my hands on some decent lamps and couldn't always work within the limited timeframe this preference imposed!

Jzyskowski1

The town folks, clearly looking for a hanging are not happy 😊. I really hope the Morgan’s and the Peace dollars drop soon. 😂

Smudge

Here’s a thought, try studio flashes with modeling lights instead of hot lights.

SonnyD

@rmpsrpms said:

@SonnyD said:
Guy literally says nothing about selling coins, only about posting them in natural light. Post a coin or move on.

But he does say that it will make a "dingy, a not so good condition coin, look pretty good", so even he agrees that it is disingenous to use natural light.

Post a coin or move on yourself.

Next time the sun is out sweetheart, just be patient.

joeykoins

Another Sun Shot

BryceM

Every once in a while you can get a decent photo in sunlight, but usually they just end up looking terrible. I don't have any to share because I deleted all the ones I've tried.

CoinJunkie

I think indirect sunlight can sometimes yield decent results, but it's always possible to get better (and more reliable) photos with a good lighting setup.

ricko

I use a combination of natural light and a fluorescent lamp.... I get what I get and post it. Just showing a coin... Not a modeling agency. Cheers, RickO

jesbroken

Here is my setup for Buffs. 3 ott lights and a stand with a white backboard. These photos are quite similar to an inhand view. I'm just learning and have room for improvement. I do not like natural lighting for most coins. I think different coin surfaces require different lighting to try to get an inhand result. JMO You wanted pics and here are some.
Jim

moursund

Isn't all sunlight natural? 🤔

joeykoins

@jesbroken said:

Nice photos. I'm confused, though. Lol.
All the pics you took, are they taken with the sun or not?

jesbroken

@joeykoins
Nice photos. I'm confused, though. Lol.
All the pics you took, are they taken with the sun or not?

Please read the following as stated in your post reply:
Here is my setup for Buffs. 3 ott lights and a stand with a white backboard. These photos are quite similar to an inhand view. I'm just learning and have room for improvement. ** I do not like natural lighting for most coins. ** I think different coin surfaces require different lighting to try to get an inhand result. JMO You wanted pics and here are some.
Jim

ctf_error_coins

Coin photography is commercial photography.

Sunlight is about the worst choice you can make for photographing coins.

Controllable moveable lights in a studio setting is the Best way to photograph coins.

crazyhounddog

I’ve got to disagree Joey. As stated sunlight is uncontrollable and it’s also harsh. I think daylight bulbs work great for imaging coins. That’s what I use and I’m very satisfied with the results. Either way just have fun and I’m pretty sure you’re doing that.

Cucumbor

In my experience, the best light for shooting pics is natural light, YES, but not a direct one. What I like the most on that purpose, is a grey day (cloudy, yet bright. Even better, a snowing day)

I'll post US coins as we are on the US coins forum, but my US coins aren't the best one can dream of, I usually have better results with ancients or medieval

joeykoins

I get it guys

This shows how much I know about photography. Lol. Sure, I do realize their are far more better ways to really get that beauty shot of a certain coin/s. I understand that the sun is NOT the BEST results in photo taking of coins. All that I was trying to say was that the "sun" does bring out some main features in a coin. If you shoot the coin at the right proper angle. I already posted one of my examples. In the Silver Eagle. You can't tell me that the sun had no part in this picture for the GOOD of the eye appealing appearance.


PCGS True View pics

Same coin under indoor lighting

No real pop of luster!

Here is another example of that same Morgan Dollar. The luster pops because of the sun shining at that certain angle. I took some photos of the Morgan so you can see that "cartwheel" effect. Once again it shows clearly because of the sun shining at that certain angle.
1921 Morgan Dollar

The Cartwheel effect

Now, mind you. My 1921 Morgan, is not one of the best conditioned ones, either. But because of the sun, the coin looks pretty darn good. Esp. showing that luster.
Sure guys, I admit. By all the tools in modern day photography, that you guys mentioned above. Are the true way to photograph these coins. You're right!

Thank you all for your opinions and suggestions on photography of coins. Thanks for participating in my study. Lol

joeykoins

@Cucumbor said:
In my experience, the best light for shooting pics is natural light, YES, but not a direct one. What I like the most on that purpose, is a grey day (cloudy, yet bright. Even better, a snowing day)

I'll post US coins as we are on the US coins forum, but my US coins aren't the best one can dream of, I usually have better results with ancients or medieval

Nice shots, dude. Thanks

joeykoins

@Jzyskowski1 said:
The town folks, clearly looking for a hanging are not happy 😊. I really hope the Morgan’s and the Peace dollars drop soon. 😂

There you go, mman!
My 1921p Morgan Dollar

Jzyskowski1

This is an example of sun light enhancement of a coin. I love it!

Bob13

I think some richly toned coins really pop under direct sunlight. I just use my iphone and walk outside. Obviously not perfect pics but give a good idea.

joeykoins

@Bob13 said:
I think some richly toned coins really pop under direct sunlight. I just use my iphone and walk outside. Obviously not perfect pics but give a good idea.

The stronger visual effect would be much better without the plastic holder. My point would work better on raw coins. Thanks

Nice coins, dude!

Jzyskowski1

Every photo I post is taken with my funky old iPhone 7. Sometimes it’s not so good but other times 😉

Kliao

Been trying to get better photos of my coins too. Also trying out an old Nikon camera my parents have. The lighting is a mix of whatever I can get to make the photos look decent . Slab shot is by NGC. Also got a new iPhone so will be trying out the camera on that. Nikon is too much of a hassle in my opinion since I don't need professional photos.

joeykoins

@Jzyskowski1 said:
Every photo I post is taken with my funky old iPhone 7. Sometimes it’s not so good but other times 😉

Oh! Thanks for bringing this up. About the phone, being the source of all the picture taking!
All my photos taken with the sun glaring on the coins, are only by using my Android
Phone. No digital camera used what's so ever. This point should also make my thread even more credible by not using an expensive high quality camera, to achieve great photos? Thanks for bringing this to mind, my friend.

joeykoins

@Kliao said:
Been trying to get better photos of my coins too. Also trying out an old Nikon camera my parents have. The lighting is a mix of whatever I can get to make the photos look decent . Slab shot is by NGC. Also got a new iPhone so will be trying out the camera on that. Nikon is too much of a hassle in my opinion since I don't need professional photos.

Nice error. Esp. Being a W!
Good Luck in trying better photos.
I have a PCGS graded 2021s Tuskegee Airmen "strike through" error.

SIowhand

Gerry Fortin agrees with you.

Catbert

@SIowhand said:
Gerry Fortin agrees with you.

Yes, his pics are not very good.

nwcoast

I received one of the latest additions to my circulated Walking Libery Half collection recently and the sun made a brief appearance this afternoon too.
Given that confluence of forces, I took that opportunity to shoot a photo of the slab in the sunlight.
Just a phone pic, but one might note the harsh shadows.
Not ideal, but will do in a pinch.
For Joey. A sun shot today!

joeykoins

@nwcoast said:
I received one of the latest additions to my circulated Walking Libery Half collection recently and the sun made a brief appearance this afternoon too.
Given that confluence of forces, I took that opportunity to shoot a photo of the slab in the sunlight.
Just a phone pic, but one might note the harsh shadows.
Not ideal, but will do in a pinch.
For Joey. A sun shot today!

Thanks. But the pictures will look much clearer and better with raw coins. Thanks again. By the way, nice coin!

robec

@joeykoins said:

I get it guys

This shows how much I know about photography. Lol. Sure, I do realize their are far more better ways to really get that beauty shot of a certain coin/s. I understand that the sun is NOT the BEST results in photo taking of coins. All that I was trying to say was that the "sun" does bring out some main features in a coin. If you shoot the coin at the right proper angle. I already posted one of my examples. In the Silver Eagle. You can't tell me that the sun had no part in this picture for the GOOD of the eye appealing appearance.

Same coin under indoor lighting

No real pop of luster!

Here is another example of that same Morgan Dollar. The luster pops because of the sun shining at that certain angle. I took some photos of the Morgan so you can see that "cartwheel" effect. Once again it shows clearly because of the sun shining at that certain angle.
1921 Morgan Dollar

The Cartwheel effect

Now, mind you. My 1921 Morgan, is not one of the best conditioned ones, either. But because of the sun, the coin looks pretty darn good. Esp. showing that luster.
Sure guys, I admit. By all the tools in modern day photography, that you guys mentioned above. Are the true way to photograph these coins. You're right!

Thank you all for your opinions and suggestions on photography of coins. Thanks for participating in my study. Lol

In your photo with indoor lighting the coin is with the coin flat to the lens.

In your examples of the coin using sunlight you have the coin tilted in all sorts of angles.

Try using different angles of lighting for indoor lights and see if there is a difference or lay the coin flat using sunlight to see if you can get all the effects you are posting.

coinbuf

@robec said:

In your photo with indoor lighting the coin is with the coin flat to the lens.

In your examples of the coin using sunlight you have the coin tilted in all sorts of angles.

Try using different angles of lighting for indoor lights and see if there is a difference or lay the coin flat using sunlight to see if you can get all the effects you are posting.

Dang there you go adding logic to what was a perfectly illogical thread.

airplanenut

@joeykoins said:

I get it guys

This shows how much I know about photography. Lol. Sure, I do realize their are far more better ways to really get that beauty shot of a certain coin/s. I understand that the sun is NOT the BEST results in photo taking of coins. All that I was trying to say was that the "sun" does bring out some main features in a coin. If you shoot the coin at the right proper angle. I already posted one of my examples. In the Silver Eagle. You can't tell me that the sun had no part in this picture for the GOOD of the eye appealing appearance.


PCGS True View pics

Same coin under indoor lighting

No real pop of luster!

The problem here is that it's ignoring a fundamental aspect of photography--when you control the light, you control the look of the image. There are many coins where a photograph can't have everything. A toned coin may be photographed to show all the color, but that will flatten the lustre. Or you can light up a few lustre bands, but that means the areas of the coin that are in shadow will not show off their color. This is a general concept, but also requires specific knowledge of the coin at hand. Silver Eagles have matte lustre which makes them illuminate differently than, say, a Morgan. Your photo does show distinct lustre better, but the TrueView shows much richer color. Change the light in the TV and it could show the lustre, too, but the sun doesn't necessarily offer you a way to show the color like the TV does.

There are many coins where I'll take two photos to show both looks. It's not that a different light source would negate the need for a second photo, but a controllable light source gives me the opportunity to get both appearances recorded. Or I could take one shot that's a happy medium of the two looks--not as much color, not as much lustre--but overall it looks good. The real key is having options and understanding what has to be done to best present the coin overall. Here's an example that isn't great because the color shows well in both, but it's at my fingertips. One shot shows some lustre and sharper details, while the other shows the color and mirrored fields. The coin can look like either photo, but it depends on how you hold it. Both photos together should give you a good idea of how the coin actually looks.

HoldTheMayo

Sunlight is probably the WORST way to photograph/view a coin. For one, it's disingenuous, too much light drowns out all the surface features and flaws and makes determining the grade a moot point. It can make even a below average coin look great. It's the epitome of putting lipstick on a pig.

IMO half the reason why the rare coin market has suffered so much over the years is from misleading photos of coins and selling them on eBay to new inexperienced collectors. They get hosed buying an advertised MS63 coin when it turns out to be AU58.

If a coin doesn't have luster indoors under proper lightning conditions, it's probably because it's not a lustrous coin. You shouldn't take the coin outside to make it appear to have luster. It's a bad habit. You'll never be honest with yourself about the true grade of your coins. You'll buy an AU-58, think its so-so, and want to take it outside in the sunlight and reason with yourself that it's probably an MS-62 or 63. You WANT it to be a nice coin so you try to alter your surroundings to make it appear that way. BAD HABIT.

Literally the best way to photograph coins is a repeatable environment: single light source in a dark room. The same way the PCGS/NGC do it. Ever watch a video of a coin grading room? Pitch black except for a few desk lamps.

Here's an example of a nice MS65 S-mint mark Peace Dollar of mine photographed in a dark room with a single desk lamp, great coin but you can accurately see bag marks and a die crack still. In sunlight the die crack/bag marks would be hidden:

joeykoins

@airplanenut said:

... but the sun doesn't necessarily offer you a way to show the color like the TV does.


Where's the color here?

I already said, "I get it, guys." You're right. The BEST photos do come from modern photography. It's just that, when using the sun for light, can show how some coins can really look. Thanks

airplanenut

@joeykoins said:

@airplanenut said:

... but the sun doesn't necessarily offer you a way to show the color like the TV does.


Where's the color here?

I already said, "I get it, guys." You're right. The BEST photos do come from modern photography. It's just that, when using the sun for light, can show how some coins can really look. Thanks

Are you suggesting the coin doesn’t have any blue and the TV is showing a color that doesn’t exist? Saying that sunlight can show a coin accurately is like saying a broken clock is right twice a day. If you use a working clock—or controlled lighting—you can get much more reliably accurate shots rather than just sometimes accurate.

asheland

I like indirect sunlight:


But halogen or other lightbulbs do the best for luster: