Capturing Subtle Toning with the Digital Camera

FC57Coins · January 25, 2003 7:14AM

I've found that I have a liking to some subtly toned coins, which unfortunately don't take a very good picture. The picture below is of an 1881S Dollar with the most wonderful pale blue and gold toning covering downright booming luster. I found that the first time I tried to take a picture of this coin, it came out kinda washed out. My solution to this was to combine "white light" from 3 GE Reveal bulbs with the "yellowish" light from a halogen lamp. I played with the coin, turning it until I captured the right angle without creating any undue shadows. I also made sure that the camera was not on top of the coin, but somewhat removed. This gave the picture better color perspective. The result was a pretty darn close approximation of what the coin actually looks like. Hope this gives everyone trying to take a slightly better picture some good pointers.

Frank

mbbiker · January 25, 2003 7:17AM

The pics look great, it's hard getting a good representation of the colors and still get the coin in focus isn't it

FC57Coins · January 25, 2003 7:20AM

Yes it is Brad - especially when you are playing with the coin with one hand and trying to take a pic with the other! - Keep at it, you'll get there!

Frank

Fairlaneman · January 25, 2003 7:24AM

Shucks just go to Photo Shop and make it look like this.

Ken

mbbiker · January 25, 2003 7:38AM

my monster toned morgan

FC57Coins · January 25, 2003 7:41AM

Looks like SOMEone missed their medication this afternoon! hmmmmmmmm?

cascade · January 25, 2003 9:38AM

Are the GE Reveal bulbs regular style lamp bulbs? I tried to image a susie b. I bought today that has slight blue & yellow toning, & the only way I could capture any of it was by snapping it at an angle.

mbbiker · January 25, 2003 9:40AM

cascade that is what i had to do to show the true colors to take a look at the 2nd and 3rd pic those were taken at an angle. The 1st pic is to show the DMPL that one was taken stright on. Your pic looks nice link

MrKelso · January 25, 2003 9:40AM

<< <i>

my monster toned morgan

>>

Cool!!!

FC57Coins · January 25, 2003 9:41AM

Reveal bulbs are supposed to give you something closer to natural light - not so much yellow - what you'll find is that sometimes with certain toning, the only way to catpure it is at an angle.

Frank

cascade · January 25, 2003 9:57AM

I see what you mean mbbiker, no blue in the 1st pic. I'm going to have to get me some reveal bulbs, & try some different lighting tommorrow. What kind of camera are you using mbbiker?

Crashtestfixer · January 25, 2003 11:10AM

ta die for toned (Good One) tho some might suspect A T

Crashtestfixer · January 25, 2003 11:16AM

du uoo[ps] reply was to the mbbiker one of a kind

gsaguy · January 25, 2003 11:33AM

Frank,

Don't give up....I find ALL toned coins about impossible to photograph with a digital camera.

Having said that, you're getting pretty good!

GSAGUY

FC57Coins · January 25, 2003 11:34AM

Sometimes it's best to just look at your coin and not worry about the light too much. If your eyes capture it - the camera might too

jom · January 26, 2003 2:58AM

<< <i>If your eyes capture it - the camera might too >>

That's probably true. I did all kinds of things to help. One was to tilt the coin in the slab. That helped but the stupid slab reflected the light into the camera! ARGH! Ultimately the best results (for toning) was to use sunlight (I suppose the reveal bulb would have been good too but I never got around to trying it). But the sunlight would "smooth over" hairlines and scratches whereas the incandecent would show them. Therefore, for selling a coin use sunlight! lol

jom

Lakesammman · January 26, 2003 3:02AM

A long time dealer once mentioned that if you have a nicely toned coin, it should be "stabilized" with a acetone bath. Otherwise the tendency is, over time, for silver to eventually turn black (like silverware so readily does). Anyone know if this is true or a good idea??

FC57Coins · January 26, 2003 3:09AM

<< <i>A long time dealer once mentioned that if you have a nicely toned coin, it should be "stabilized" with a acetone bath. Otherwise the tendency is, over time, for silver to eventually turn black (like silverware so readily does). Anyone know if this is true or a good idea?? >>

Don't know about this - would like to hear about it - but what about those that are already entombed in slabs???

Russ · January 26, 2003 3:17AM

Did somebody mention shooting toned coins?

Russ, NCNE

Lakesammman · January 26, 2003 3:25AM

Russ, how do you do that with a "total-cost-$120" studio??

Russ · January 26, 2003 3:29AM

Yeah, I know, everbody thinks it's AT, but I think it's pretty anyway.

Russ, NCNE

Russ · January 26, 2003 3:32AM

Okay, last one.

Russ, NCNE

solid · January 26, 2003 3:35AM

Nice photos, Frank! and Russ!

Here is a more subtle approach to mbbiker's virtual-toned silver dollar...

Ken

fivecents · January 26, 2003 3:48AM

Frank,
I have trouble bringing out the luster in my photographs. Both of these coins have great luster.

Paul

FC57Coins · January 26, 2003 3:57AM

Paul - capturing luster AND toning is almost impossible - try under flourescent lighting - sometimes that helps!

Frank

cosmicdebris · January 26, 2003 3:57AM

Did someone say toning?

Capturing Subtle Toning with the Digital Camera

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