Another photography poll about lighting.

mgoodm3

I am always trying to find the best way to light coins. Choose for yourself which one you like. They were shot at the same time with two lights from various angles. The angles were chosen to produce similar cartwheels, but light the relief differently.

#1: lights at 10 and 1 o'clock




#2: at 1 and 4 o'clock




#3: at 4 and 7 o'clock




#4: at 7 and 10 o'clock

GregTheGreat

Its leaning a lot towards #1 at this time.....

-Greg

Barry

I like #4 best. I don't like 1 or 2 as much because of the streak of light across Liberty's face (but they're all excellent).

JxnBoy

I voted for number 4, but I think I like the looks of Liberty's profile in #1 better, but I think the luster looks nicer in #4.

Actually, those are all fantastic pictures. I've not experimented nearly as much as this with lighting. I will say though, that it seems likely it's going to be different for every coin series, and then add in whether and how much toning is involved. A lot to consider.

mtnman

I like #4 the best, but all 4 are super pictures. What kind of lights are you using. I still can't get a decent picture.

cosmicdebris

#1 for me

mgoodm3

I personally like the lighting if #1 the most with #4 second. The only part of #4 i don't like is the bad shadow off of the back of the head.

nwcs

#1 is the best picture. Very crisp and color corrected.

Numismanic

I like #3 best, less shadow on the coin. Thats the problem I'm having now trying to avoid shadows.

mgoodm3

Here's a combo of my two favs 1 and 4. Three lights 7, 10 and 1. Gets rid if the shadows. Looks really nice when it's huge and not crunched to 500 X 500.

fountainheadgold

I voted #1, #4 was my second choice

cosmicdebris

#5 is definitely much better.