How to take a good picture of toning?

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CoinAdvocate
CoinAdvocate Posts: 4 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

First off let me say hello to everyone and thank you for accepting me to the forums!
So I was trying to take a picture of a couple of toned coins I picked up recently and the scanner and phone camera just can't catch the color that the naked eye can. I mean the first one (a Northern California Numismatic Association medal) is just beautiful. It almost displays a full rainbow of colors. The second coin is not nearly as impressive but still a beautiful toned coin, but I still can't get the toning to show in images. So; any advice?


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  • MikeInFL
    MikeInFL Posts: 10,192 ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 22, 2018 3:07PM
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    First tip: Forget the scanner. They take terrible photos of toned coins if showing the color is your goal.

    What you need is a camera and a point light source (or three). Position the light near the camera so it "flashes" the light off the coin and into your camera (even a phone will work OK) -- and you will see the colors you're no doubt interested in showing.

    Same coin...

    Indirect light:

    Direct light:

    Your results should be even better as your coin is raw and the above coin is in a slab.

    Hope this helps...Mike

    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • Insider2
    Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 22, 2018 4:09PM
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    Tip the coin in very bright light. Florescent will show different colors also:

    Yeah, I know the white balance is "off" as this is a silver coin. :(

  • CoinCrazyPA
    CoinCrazyPA Posts: 2,899 ✭✭✭✭
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    Looks pretty good, welcome to the boards.

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  • YQQ
    YQQ Posts: 3,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    you might consider a photo SW with which you can correct "camera"-mistakes.
    I use ACDsee for years now and am very happy with it.

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • Timbuk3
    Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Welcome, good luck !!! :)

    Timbuk3
  • CoinAdvocate
    CoinAdvocate Posts: 4 ✭
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    So I tried with my phone and a few varying light sources and here is the results...This is just the most beautiful toned coin I've ever seen, let alone owned! The Canadian coin still didn't quite come out all that well, though.



  • crazyhounddog
    crazyhounddog Posts: 14,250 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Welcome to the forum.
    Yes an SLR camera would be in order here. Without going into great detail an SLR is the ticket to really appreciate the colors on coins.
    I do like the colors you’re showing here.

    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • lkeigwin
    lkeigwin Posts: 16,895 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    To capture color you will need tall, as-close-to-vertical lighting as possible. A steady structure to hold the camera helps with focus (i.e., a tripod or, even better, a copy stand).

    An inexpensive, secondhand D-SLR and macro lens will get you huge leaps in quality. A remote shutter trigger is cheap; it will eliminate camera shake. Photography editors are also cheap (sometimes free) and very useful.

    There's lots more to say. Many threads here. Look around.
    Lance.

    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • bolivarshagnasty
    bolivarshagnasty Posts: 7,359 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Does take time to improve your skills.
    With this setup......................

    I took these photos...............

  • Flatwoods
    Flatwoods Posts: 4,270 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I will have to say that those are excellent attempts for someone with 3 posts.
    Nice color.

  • CRH4LIFE
    CRH4LIFE Posts: 849 ✭✭✭✭
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    Welcome aboard! Beautiful coin btw! Lots of great advice here. Here is one of mine taken in about 6 seconds. Not a great example but nuntheless. Lighting is a key factor

  • DollarAfterDollar
    DollarAfterDollar Posts: 3,217 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    My desk isn't near as clean as shagnasty's.

    E-Bay quality pictures just tilting the coin a few degrees with a copy stand and using a camera timer to eliminate shake.

    If you do what you always did, you get what you always got.
  • davewesen
    davewesen Posts: 6,981 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    sunlight works well at a slight angle

  • blitzdude
    blitzdude Posts: 7,721 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Good and toning should never ever be used in the same sentence imo. Welcome to the forum.

    The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
    BOOMIN!™
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  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @CoinAdvocate... Welcome aboard.... I cannot offer any advice on coin photography... However, there are many informative threads on this forum and I believe there is also a book on the subject....Good luck, Cheers, RickO

  • Eagleguy
    Eagleguy Posts: 2,264 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The book @ricko is referring to:
    https://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/product/numismatic-photography.html

    JH

    Proof Buffalo Registry Set
    Capped Bust Quarters Registry Set
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