Capturing the toning...

coinpictures

Still experimenting with lighting setups...

First the pictures I posted the other day of the Wurttemberg 3M piece. These were shot straight on. Kinda lifeless if you ask me.




Now, using the angled glass trick and my newly acquired Ott Light:




Now the Netherlands piece. Original pics:




And using the new setup:




Here some pics of an NGC slabbed New Zealand 3d. Was tough to light because the walls of the slab are so damned deep:




As you can see, this setup works quite nicely with toned coins. Also, the coins seem to have MUCH more depth. This is especially noticible on the Netherlands piece.

After experimenting with coppers though, I didn't like the results of the angled glass as much. The direct-on shots seemed to do better (in my opinion). Please let me know which you prefer.

Grotus medal using angled glass setup with Ott Lights:




Original direct shots with swing arm lamps:




While the angled glass and Ott Light does great for toned UNCs, I still have not found a setup that I like for brilliant white UNC pieces. Either the highlights get blown out or the overall shot is too dark. Bleagh.

spinaker2000

nice work!!

1960NYGiants

2x

I really like the 3 mark - huge change in color in the different techniques.

Gene

Preussen

Great pics . If it's not a secret, would you mind telling me/us about the "the angled glass trick"? Looks like it works - Preussen

USAROK

Great pics and a tremendous improvement over the original pics!

theboz11

Great improvements

Alternate option

Angled photos by Darkhorse


Angled Glass CU Forum

ccrdragon

one option I like for white pieces is to place a pure white lampshade over the piece with the light sources on the outside of the lampshade. place the camera so that it is pointing straight down thru the top opeing in the lampshade and take the picture that way. the lampshade will act as a diffuser and make the light effect that of a soft white bulb. this helps to eliminate almost all of the glare on the coin and to highlight the devices (can also create watery mirrors if the lighting is done correctly).

ccrdragon

btw - beautiful coins and great pictures!

coinpictures

Thanks for the comments thus far.

What do you think of the two sets of pictures of the Grotus medal? Which do you prefer and why?...

oldshep

Very beautiful pictures!!! I agree with you on the copper...the red/brown look is better without the "luster" picture using the angled glass.
Shep

AuldFartte

You're gettin' good at this, coinpictures

I have used angled glass, Darkhorse's angle shot, and head-on techniques with copper, and I have not really liked any of the results. With the Grotus medal, which set most closely matches the color of the medal in hand? That would be my main reason for using any of the methods.

How many Ott's are you using, and how are they arranged?

edit for spelling

SYRACUSIAN

What do you think of the two sets of pictures of the Grotus medal? Which do you prefer and why?...



I've heard that dark copper is one of the toughest types to shoot, even Phil had trouble with it. Which one of the two comes closer to the real thing?


Regarding the New Zealand 3d I think you've done a great job, considering its size. I've also heard cosmic saying that he usually taps the coins in slabs until they come as close to the surface as possible. Of course I've personally never tried to take a photo of a coin, not one, I prefer to leave it to the experts.

coinpictures

<< <i>With the Grotus medal, which set most closely matches the color of the medal in hand? That would be my main reason for using any of the methods. >>



The direct shots are probably closer, but not as red; more brown. I think the direct shots capture the surfaces better in this case. The medal is not really lustrous per se (which the angled shots imply), but more the "creamy" surfaces of the direct shot.



<< <i>How many Ott's are you using, and how are they arranged? >>



Single Ott light positioned similar to the picture below, but oriented vertically rather than horizontally (my coin photography setup is on a raised platform, so there isn't room on it to lie the lamp down... I think I'll revamp things a bit).