Photo tips appreciated for my new 1877-cc Half Dollar

icsoccer

I really like the in hand look. I have a new camera and have trouble getting the glare not to show. These pics are hand held (shaky) to avoid the glare. This causes the light to be off (too dark I think) and there is still some glare.

How do you shoot coins thru the slab?

LindeDad

There is a book about it. I am sorry to say one post will not make anyone a expert.

Edit to add that is one coin that I would invest in getting Tod or Tom to image it deserves it.

lkeigwin

That's really not a bad job.

You have to get the light off the coin (12k on reverse). Move it a little away.

As for the over all lighting (too dark?), make adjustments to exposure with your editor.

The focus could be a little sharper.
Lance.

morgandollar1878

A tripod is needed at minimum, a copy stand is better. Just make sure that if you want to photograph any item that is flat to remember to get the camera and the subject as close to parallel with each other as possible. It will make a difference in clarity and can be a detail that is easily overlooked. I got mine at a used photography store for a great price, and it was in really good condition. Next you might want to consider using another light to make the fields stand out a little more. The light that you are using is leaving a distracting reddish glare on the edges of the devices and my though is change to a different type of light bulb. The clarity is pretty good for hand held shooting, props to you for that one. Overall I would say that you are doing quite well with what little you have. I hope this helps.

blu62vette

For handheld that is good, what type of lights are you using?

icsoccer

LCD photoring

DoubleEagle59

I haven't any photo tips but I do want to compliment you on a great looking seated 'CC' half (looks MS62/63 to me).

morgandollar1878

<< <i>LCD photoring >>




A photo ring light has its' uses, however lights that you can move around and adjust are way better and would greatly help the glare problem.

rmpsrpms

Ring lights are really tough to get to work well unless they are just the right diameter and in just the right position between camera and lens. Ring lights also greatly reduce contrast and thus presentation of luster, which is 100% reliant on maintaining high local contrast. They are great for evenness of illumination, but you can get good evenness while maintaining luster using 2 lights at 90-deg to each other (eg at 10:30 and 1:30) and at as high an angle to the horizontal as possible before getting direct glare off the slab surface.

mkman123

no photo tips, I like the coin!

roadrunner

I think you're doing great. There's nothing I can't tell about that coin from the photos you provided. You captured the 77-cc half perfectly. I've had a couple of them in nice unc
grade and they had that same type of look. Fwiw I'd grade the coin solid 63 or even 63+ would also be comfortable buying it in a 64 holder. There's no rub and it has full luster.
For some reason the 77-cc's come a bit chattered or scuffy looking....unlike those from the Philly mint. Even the MS65's and 66's tend to have a bit too much chatter. Nice coin,
very nicely photographed. I wish everyone's photo's were this revealing.

lasvegasteddy

sweet sharness for handheld
more light or adjust it in an editor

btw
sweet example there

johnny9434

that sure does look like a real nice neat coin. nice pick up for a cc as well

guitarwes

I like that coin alot. The pics aren't horrible, just need light adjustment. Pretty good for freehanded.