So here's my photography lighting theory.
mgoodm3
Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
Here goes the theory as supported by the findings in the three scientific polls:
Coins have an inherent contrast to them, called subject contrast. This goes from low (1914D cent) to medium (1905 IHC) to high (1887 morgan). You could go one step farther and add ultrahigh (Cameo and deep cameo proofs). There's a certain amount of contrast the the eye likes to deal with probably somewhere in the medium range (subject to personal preference of course).
Lighting also has a contrast to it. The first image in each poll was one light (highest contrast) 2nd two lights and 3rd three lights (lowest contrast). The more lights from different angles will wash out shadows and soften things a bit.
The vote on the low-contrast licnoln tended toward the high-contrast lighting. The vote on the medium contrast IHC tended toward the mid-contrast lighting and the high-contrast Morgan tended toward the low-contrast lighting. So basically the lighting is helping equalize the contrast of the images toward a level somewhere in the middle.
This same theory applies directly to taking Xray's also. That's probably why it struck a cord with me.
There you go, that's my theory. It's only a general guideline and is subject to personal preference.
Coins have an inherent contrast to them, called subject contrast. This goes from low (1914D cent) to medium (1905 IHC) to high (1887 morgan). You could go one step farther and add ultrahigh (Cameo and deep cameo proofs). There's a certain amount of contrast the the eye likes to deal with probably somewhere in the medium range (subject to personal preference of course).
Lighting also has a contrast to it. The first image in each poll was one light (highest contrast) 2nd two lights and 3rd three lights (lowest contrast). The more lights from different angles will wash out shadows and soften things a bit.
The vote on the low-contrast licnoln tended toward the high-contrast lighting. The vote on the medium contrast IHC tended toward the mid-contrast lighting and the high-contrast Morgan tended toward the low-contrast lighting. So basically the lighting is helping equalize the contrast of the images toward a level somewhere in the middle.
This same theory applies directly to taking Xray's also. That's probably why it struck a cord with me.
There you go, that's my theory. It's only a general guideline and is subject to personal preference.
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Comments
Dental luster
09/07/2006
I require LOTs of light for my pictures, so when I have time I take them outside, on a sunny day, but in the shade.
In direct sunlight my camera tries to compensate and makes them too dark, but there is still plenty of light bouncing around in the shade.
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<< <i>In direct sunlight my camera tries to compensate and makes them too dark, but there is still plenty of light bouncing around in the shade. >>
Use the manual setting....
I really need to get more "theoretical" about my damn camera. Usually, I just take shots and experiment. Seems to work though.
jom