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My photo setup, lots of pics (big ones!)... Now you guys yelling lay off the contrast will STFU!!

RR SAYS:

<< <i>Quit dinking with the contrast, Marty, and give us a real picture!!!!! >>


TONEDPEACENUT SAYS:

<< <i>Ummmmmm Photoshop!!! >>


DMWJR SAYS:

<< <i>Looks like some photochoppin going on . . . >>



Every time I post a picture of a proof coin I get these comments, no one out there thinks that I can find a coin that really looks like that. I must be dicking with the photo!! Well here it is from start to finish...

Here is the subject...

image

Here is sitting on the table under regular 75 light bulbs

image

Camera setup, right now (going to change to more lights) I have a Canon G5 camera w/macro lens, a copy stand, two desk lamps and a $6 white lampshade from Target (I cut the clip out that holds the lampshade on the lamp).

image
image

Picture is now taken and transfered to the computer. Yes I have to do some color adjustment, for some reason I get a rose colored tint to the coins. But here is the picture right out of the camera (cropped and reduced to save space).

image

The ONLY adjustments I do are reduce the red by -4, increase the green and blue by +7.

image

This is what I get! No trickery, no tweaking the contrast, just nice coins!!!

image
It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!

Comments

  • ajaanajaan Posts: 17,364 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have never questioned your photos Marty. Very nice.

    DPOTD-3
    'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'

    CU #3245 B.N.A. #428


    Don
  • for the record, I never thunk you doctored the coins Marty.

    Great setup.....I tried a box lined with aluminum foil placed over the coin, but that didnt work....I'm gonna hafta try your idea image
  • Actually, who cares what others say about your photos!

    The grades you recieve speak for themselves, and probably make some jealous!
  • I have some serious questions for Marty, but not about his coins or photos thereof image
  • darktonedarktone Posts: 8,437 ✭✭✭
    So you are saying that coin looks exactly like the picture? Maybe you should send it to me to study for a while so I can give the forum my opinion on how it really compares to the picture- it might take me a few years to really get the feel for it though image. mike
  • cosmicdebriscosmicdebris Posts: 12,332 ✭✭✭
    I thought you'd be wearing the lampshade on your head? image
    Bill

    image

    09/07/2006
  • Nice. I can see that red inside the lamp shade. No I ain't started nipping the sauce yet.
    Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.


  • << <i>I thought you'd be wearing the lampshade on your head? >>




    He does - I can vouch for THAT! image
  • TheRockTheRock Posts: 766 ✭✭
    Nice equipment my friend. Great Coin

    "GOT TO LOVE THEM SMALL SIZE DEUCES, SC's, LT's & FRN's"

    John DeRocker
    President/CEO
    The Rocks Collectables, LLC
    TRC, LLC
    jderocker003@gmail.com
    SPMC Member - LIFETIME
    EBAY - TRC, LLC

  • cosmicdebriscosmicdebris Posts: 12,332 ✭✭✭
    image
    Bill

    image

    09/07/2006
  • MadMartyMadMarty Posts: 16,697 ✭✭✭
    You forgot the tassle!! It's a fez you know!!!
    It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!



  • << <i>image >>



    image
    where's the magic wand??
  • Now for the question - are there more or less chins on Marty as there are FBL's on a Frankie??? image
  • AuldFartteAuldFartte Posts: 4,597 ✭✭✭✭
    Nice setup, Marty. The red you get just might be from whatever you sit the slab on to photograph it. The color will bounce around all over the place and end up on the coin. Maybe try something black?

    Very nice pics, Oh Mad One image
    image

    My OmniCoin Collection
    My BankNoteBank Collection
    Tom, formerly in Albuquerque, NM.
  • I never said you shopped you pix !

    I should take pix remotely close to those !

    I dont even adjust the color on mine.
    image
  • StuartStuart Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Marty: Thanks for sharing your photo setup with the rest of us! Your lampshade is a very cost-effective and innovative way of achieving similar results to a product names the "cloud dome" which is commercially sold as a macrophotography light enhancing device.

    I may have to try the lampshade for my PL/DMPL Morgans which should benefit from siliar lighting effects as do your Proof coins.

    Are you an authorized value-added-reseller (VAR) of the Target lampshades with the clips removed?? image

    Stuart

    Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal

    "Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
  • JoshLJoshL Posts: 656 ✭✭
    I love coins...image
  • JoshLJoshL Posts: 656 ✭✭
    What a WONDERFUL way to wake up this morning image

    Photos of DCAM Kennedy Half Dollars! LOL imageimage

    Very nice and they make me want to go play with the ones I have!!!! You have got to love those mirrors and frosty surfaces. Almost beats my favorite weather...snow image

    I love coins...image
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    You take nice pictures, don't let those ruffians tell you any differently.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • Wolf359Wolf359 Posts: 7,656 ✭✭✭
    The grades you recieve speak for themselves, and probably make some jealous!

    I'm jealous! Marty is the best.
  • RRRR Posts: 627 ✭✭✭
    Oh, Marty, we know better.
    I'be bought too many coins from you!
    We love ya, man. (g)

    RR
    <html />
  • Can anyone fill me in why the Lamp shade? Is there holes in the sides of it to let the light in or what? How does this work?
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295


    << <i>Can anyone fill me in why the Lamp shade? Is there holes in the sides of it to let the light in or what? How does this work? >>



    It diffuses the light. I don't like this approach on business strikes, but it is necessary on cameo proofs.
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295
    Marty, does that camera have a setting for preset white balance? If it does, follow the instructions in the manual on how to do it. It will eliminate having to correct colors in your image editor.


  • << <i>

    << <i>Can anyone fill me in why the Lamp shade? Is there holes in the sides of it to let the light in or what? How does this work? >>



    It diffuses the light. I don't like this approach on business strikes, but it is necessary on cameo proofs. >>




    Thanks Eric!
  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,115 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Marty,

    Maybe you get too much red because of the purple bubble wrap. Try taking a few with a black towel or other piece of cloth under the coins/slabs.
    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear



  • << <i>image >>



    image Nice photo's MadMarty!! I never thought you tinkered with your photos either. I just wish I collected what you get!! image
  • MadMartyMadMarty Posts: 16,697 ✭✭✭
    TTT for K6AZ
    It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!

  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295
    Hey Marty, I saw this thread earlier and responded to it.
  • MadMartyMadMarty Posts: 16,697 ✭✭✭
    Sorry TTT for MS70
    It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!

  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295
    Marty, did you see my suggestion for getting the white balance correct? It will save you have to correct the colors after the fact.
  • EXTRA EXTRA "READ ALL ABOUT IT...." ....Sunday, February 27 - Target, Wal-mart and Sear all report a stampede of what seem to be coin geeks (mumbling something about - Marty is the Man), ALL rushing the lighting department as soon as the stores opened. EVERY single white lampshade was bought.

    image
  • relayerrelayer Posts: 10,570

    A guy was selling a plastic dome light difusser at the Long Beach show for $69. Looks like the lampshade works just as well.
    image
    My posts viewed image times
    since 8/1/6
  • Thanks Marty.

    I'm researching a digital camera setup so the camera info and setup pics are a big help!

    Steceimage
    Collecting XF+ toned Barber dimes
  • Nice set up.......anybody want to post there set up for MS coins...or coins with color????? image


  • << <i>You take nice pictures, don't let those ruffians tell you any differently. >>



    image
  • The lampshade is a cool idea to create difuse lighting. I think I'll try it. But I would imagine a lot more light than I have is necessary. Thanks for the ideas Marty.
    "Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." - William Faulkner
    NoEbayAuctionsForNow
  • DROOOOOOOOL!!!! Now maybe my husband will understand why I'm spending so much $$ to take quality pictures. UR my current image
    Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible!


  • << <i>Yes I have to do some color adjustment, for some reason I get a rose colored tint to the coins >>



    It is the purple bubblewrap! I am serious.

    Cameron Kiefer
  • MadMartyMadMarty Posts: 16,697 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Yes I have to do some color adjustment, for some reason I get a rose colored tint to the coins >>



    It is the purple bubblewrap! I am serious.

    Cameron Kiefer >>



    I tried a white and a black background, same result. Maybe a clear backround...
    It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!

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