Photographing Small Coins in Certain Holders is Difficult

Barndog

half dimes seemingly disappear in the cavernous surrounds of an older NGC holder (non-prong type). Makes it difficult to cast a light across all surfaces of the coin.
I think the same is true to some degree for the older ANACS holder.

Just making an observation after imaging this one today

ctf_error_coins

At least you don't have "prongs" in your coin image

dsessom

Well Barndog, you have a good point. Cross it over to PCGS and it will be much easier to photograph. Better yet, get TrueViews while you are having it crossed.

Ok, that sounds like an advertisement, but that's what I'd do in that case. LOL

mgoodm3

True dat.

Gotta sometimes bring a light in from below to help get rid of the nasty shadow.

Barndog

<< <i>True dat.

Gotta sometimes bring a light in from below to help get rid of the nasty shadow. >>



the master has spoken. I will have to give that a try!

USMoneylover

When you do try that could you show us the new pictures Barndog?
Thanks!

MikeInFL

<< <i>

<< <i>True dat.

Gotta sometimes bring a light in from below to help get rid of the nasty shadow. >>



the master has spoken. I will have to give that a try! >>



Indeed.

You might try keeping the "bottom" light farther away than your primary light as to not give the odd "lit from below" look to the photo. All you're trying to do is get rid of that nasty shadow at the top.

Barndog

I didn't have another halogen, so did what I could with an incandescent as the added light.
First set is the before, second set is the after.
Seems some of the shadow has gone away.
I guess I need even more lights!

pendragon1998

I usually use a two light setup. Usually, one lamp provides the main lighting, and the second lamp can be used to manage shadows (not just from the holder) without washing out the whole image too much. I agree that certain holders make the job harder.

silverpop

not bad pics

richardshipp

Lighting and holders aside... that's a dang nice looking coin. Congrats.

messydesk

You might also have luck using a white card at 5:00 as a reflector to help fill the shadow a little. At least the holder looks to be in fairly good shape.

Hotfootspin

They're not just hard to photograph, they're hard to SEE! I was recently looking
at a 3 cent silver in an ATS holder, and it looked nice, but I passed because I
could not see the whole coin at once.

Mark

PonyExpress8

Any coin is hard to photograph with my skills. But I know what your saying with the shadows. It's a challenge.

Barndog

<< <i>You might also have luck using a white card at 5:00 as a reflector to help fill the shadow a little. At least the holder looks to be in fairly good shape. >>



thanks for that tip too, I had not even considered it (despite knowledge that photographers use reflectors all the time for human subjects!)

ambro51

does this look closer to the actual look of the coin?

Barndog

ambro, no. My colors are pretty much spot-on compared to the look in hand. Cool PS effect though!