What is next in improving my photography?

p8nt

I seem to be having problems with overall lighting. I dont know what it is about it, but there is always a part of the coin that is too dark. No matter where I move the lights (or coin) I can never get the whole thing evenly lit. Is it the height of the lights? Angle? I just dont get it.


How can I get the whole coin evenly lit while still showing luster?

BlindedByEgo

I don't know, but if you figure out how to get luster AND color at the same time, please share. Seems like the holy grail.

I think that one of the other fellows mentioned multiple (3?) 500W cans That's a lotta light!


Help me out on the contest, willya?

MikeInFL

To get an evenly lit coin, either move the single light higher (larger angle between the incident light and the coin).

If you really want to light up a coin evenly, try two lights -- a light at 12 o'clock and another at either 4:30 or 7:30. Again, the "higher" you can move the light the better.

stman

<< <i>I think that one of the other fellows mentioned multiple (3?) 500W cans That's a lotta light! >>



If it's who I'm thinking of, he produced this image (and many more as well) for me. "500W cans" LMAO

Edit, I believe the guy that shot this for me uses 300W "CANS" LOL not 500.

p8nt

<< <i>To get an evenly lit coin, either move the single light higher (larger angle between the incident light and the coin).

If you really want to light up a coin evenly, try two lights -- a light at 12 o'clock and another at either 4:30 or 7:30. Again, the "higher" you can move the light the better. >>




That image is 3 lights already..

Hadleydog

P8nt, Try this link.
lighting

BlindedByEgo

<< <i>

<< <i>I think that one of the other fellows mentioned multiple (3?) 500W cans That's a lotta light! >>



If it's who I'm thinking of, he produced this image (and many more as well) for me. "500W cans" LMAO

Edit, I believe the guy that shot this for me uses 300W "CANS" LOL not 500.


>>






Glad it got a laugh... It's a trade term in pro lighting, one of my old vocations and loves. Does have a funny ring to it... Guess I never thought about it before.

stman

BlindedByEgo, heh, I didn't realize it was a trade term for lighting. I guess you can tell I don't use a camera. I do a heck of a "scan" though.
I guess when I seen the word "cans" I thought... well never mind. Haha

MikeInFL

What length (mm) lens are you using? The reason I ask is that moving the lights higher should help, but if the lens is too short, then the angle between the lights and the coin is to little as the camera is in the way.

Also check to be sure all the lights are the same distance away from the coin. A small difference in distance will make a large difference in light (the amonut of light is inversely proportional to the square of the distance).

Hope this helps..Mike

ldhair

<< <i>(the amonut of light is inversely proportional to the square of the distance). >>


Ok. Now I understand

jdsinva

<< <i>P8nt, Try this link.
lighting >>



Thanks for sharing the link!

mgoodm3

that's a nice image you took. A little dark at the bottom, but nice and sharp.

The best way that I've found to get even lighting over the coin is to get the lights at as high of an angle to the coin as you can get. that means pushing your lights as close to the camera as possible. It helps to have lights that are small as you can tuck them in closer. The second factor to acheive this goal is to pull the camera as far away from the coin as you can get it. That will generally mean using some zoom on the camera. Not all cameras handle zoom and macro focus well.

nwcs

The focal length of the lens is a very important issue. The smaller it is, the worse your lighting will be. Although having something like a 105mm or higher lens will mean you'll be situated pretty high above the coin. 200 and you'll be on a ladder. LOL.