Photography update (I don't suck, I just stink)

RYK

I think I am getting better, but my wife says the photo is too dark (compared to the coin in hand). Any suggestions?

Newmismatist

Use a higher wattage bulb?

mgoodm3

Needs more light. Lots of light is good. how you lighting it?

Russ

<< <i>but my wife says the photo is too dark (compared to the coin in hand). >>







Russ, NCNE

ColonialCoinUnion

I think you do suck.

At least your photos look like mine, and mine suck. Its seems they are either too dark, or I bring in the mondo-lighting and then get a huge glare blast on the coin.

RYK

Needs more light. Lots of light is good. how you lighting it?

I am using two 13 Watt Ott lamps (Shylock's suggestion). Maybe I should reshoot the photos on a sunny day in the sunroom, with the Ott lamps.

Russ, I have played around with the Photoshop, and the coins always look like they have been NCS'd when I get done with them.

airplanenut

I've found the best lighting is just good ol' desk lamps. I've got two with 75-W floods. That and a sheet of paper and I'm ready for basically anything (plus, it's as dirt cheap as you can get )

RYK

Here's a representative silver example:

Newmismatist

Definately use a higher wattage bulb

ms70

Forget the pic, that's a nice coin!!!

RYK

Definately use a higher wattage bulb

One nice thing about my lower wattage technique is that all of my coins have a pleasant crusty look, even the ones that are not crusty.

Newmismatist

<< <i> Definately use a higher wattage bulb

One nice thing about my lower wattage technique is that all of my coins have a pleasant crusty look, even the ones that are not crusty. >>

saintguru

I posted these last night...I WISH I took it but I didn't...but it is my coin. The one below is the one I took...big difference! Takes a real pro!! Mike Printz to be exact!!

mgoodm3

Use only one bulb on circs. improves the contrast.

Murphy

I shoot my pics mostly at night by the light of a 60-W or preferrably a 75-W adjustable lamp.

PreTurb

RYK, I think the photos are good. Mine are worse.

Barry

The Seated Dollar looks a little out of focus. Set your aperature at F8 to increase depth of field. You may also need to move the camera a couple of inches further away from the coin. You are using a tripod or copy stand, aren't you?

Regarding exposure, it's the white background that is cuasing your camera to underexpose. A few of options:
1. Play with the EV setting. I usually use +0.7 whne photographing coins with white backgrounds (ANACS, NGC).
2. Switch to spot metering mode. That way the white will be ignored.
3. Get rid of the white background. Crack those suckers out For raw coins I like a black background. I use a piece of conductive foam used to hold semiconductors that I had laying around.

seanq

<< <i>
Russ, I have played around with the Photoshop, and the coins always look like they have been NCS'd when I get done with them. >>




I've had good results using the "Variations" menu in Photoshop to adjust for color. It's much easier to control than things like Curves or Brightness/Contrast, and it gives you a visual menu of what your image will look ilke insetad of guessing. Most of my pictures end up with a slight red/purple caste, and by using Variations to push a little blue into the image the color moves back toward reality.


Sean Reynolds