Testing New Camera - Few Pics
Lori
Posts: 860
I just bought a new Olympus C-4000 Zoom. It has a macro capability from .7" and up. Pretty impressed with it. I just have to figure out the lighting issue. When the camera is so close I cant seem to get enough light to make the photo turn out. Any suggestions? Here are the photos.
Lori
Lori
0
Comments
Here's the setup I use for lighting.
Russ, NCNE
Lori
"The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD GOD Almighty."
<< <i>It looks from you photo that your camera is quite high and therefore your lighting would work great. >>
In that pic it's in capture full slab position. I raise and lower it depending on what I'm shooting. Here's one lowered until it fills the viewfinder:
Russ, NCNE
First...GREAT pics! Really nice work (from a photographer).
Second...it is difficult to get the lighting just right, although your pics do look wonderful! Much of it has to do with what you're EXPECTING the picture to look like, and with that in mind, you can usually get the result you're looking for by simply changing the angle from which the picture is taken. Beyond that, lighting is everything. It might be worth the investment to visit your local photo shop and aquire a "lighting screen" which will diffuse the light from all angles in order to paint the subject (in this case, your coins) with a consistant bath of light, You might also consider building a "mount" to place your coins in which holds every coin at the same angle with respect to light and the camera. Try foam rubber, or strofoam, (both coated with felt) to get the best results (at least that's what works for me).
Great pics, and Best of luck!
"France said this week they need more evidence to convince them Saddam is a threat. Yeah, last time France asked for more evidence it came rollin thru Paris with a German Flag on it." -Dave Letterman
. . .what to do, what to do. . .
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
<< <i>Just bought the camera? You already look like you've been at it a while. Hell of a start!
Here's the setup I use for lighting.
Russ, NCNE >>
Congrats on such a clean desk :.)
One of my favorite images I took with it:
09/07/2006
Lori
I have a Mavica and it takes pretty good pictures as well - but you have to fool around a lot with the lighting depending on what it is that you're taking a picture of - I've found that white coins are easiest but toned coins are a killer - especially if they're encapsulated! Keep us posted on your progress!
Frank
Lori, Russ and Cosmicdebris,
What kind of bulbs in your lighting set-up do you use. I tried the GE Reveals, but, I still get the reddish hue that incadescent bulbs yield. How do you manage your color temperature? Do you adjust the white balance on your camera manually or do you adjust things in a graphics program afterwards?
Dan
<< <i>Lori:
I have a Mavica and it takes pretty good pictures as well - but you have to fool around a lot with the lighting depending on what it is that you're taking a picture of - I've found that white coins are easiest but toned coins are a killer - especially if they're encapsulated! Keep us posted on your progress!
Frank
What Model Mav do you have?
Gee i am a poet
"The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD GOD Almighty."
I have a Canon G-1 that takes awful Macro pics (GREAT standard pics though). Canon cameras have trouble focusing close-up.
So then I bought a Nikon 990 because of it's reputation for macro capability. I use it on the Manual setting so I can use it in Macro mode and then use the automatic white balance. I found taking my pictures outside in natural sunlight yields the best results, however, I get troublesome shadows (esp this time of year with the low angle sun) on small coins by the plastic insert rim. The flash gives uneven lighting from the left (where it's located) to right.
Dan
09/07/2006