Photographing cameo coins

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andyrose
andyrose Posts: 6
in U.S. Coin Forum
Does anyone know the best way to take pictures of cameo coins? What's the best type of lighting, camera angle, etc. Thanks.

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  • ss350camaro
    ss350camaro Posts: 4,529 ✭
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    image
  • poorguy
    poorguy Posts: 4,317 ✭
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    Depends on what look you like:

    Straight down will produce a black and white contrast.

    This is a PCGS PR63CAM. Notice the obvious hairlines that are typically present on PR63 examples.

    image



    You can also have the half and half where half the field is dark and the rest is white. It doesn't do the best job of showing cameo contrast but does show very well how it looks in between the straight down look and the tilted in the light look. This is an NGC PF69UCAM

    image



    You can also go for full color-shot displaying the colors on the mirrored surfaces fairly easily by angling the coin toward a diffused light source. Kind of obliterates the cameoed look the coin has in-hand but is useful for showing the color. This is a PCGS PR67CAM.

    image
    Brandon Kelley - ANA - 972.746.9193 - http://www.bestofyesterdaycollectibles.com
  • commoncents05
    commoncents05 Posts: 10,102 ✭✭✭
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    wow brandon! that 1897 is a killer!!!

    -Paul
    Many Quality coins for sale at http://www.CommonCentsRareCoins.com
  • IrishMike
    IrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
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    For less than $80 you can pick up Adobe photoshop elements 4.0, it has a shadow feature to it that will help to lessen shadows and glare.
  • dizzyfoxx
    dizzyfoxx Posts: 9,823 ✭✭✭
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    << <i>Depends on what look you like:

    Straight down will produce a black and white contrast.

    This is a PCGS PR63CAM. Notice the obvious hairlines that are typically present on PR63 examples.

    image



    You can also have the half and half where half the field is dark and the rest is white. It doesn't do the best job of showing cameo contrast but does show very well how it looks in between the straight down look and the tilted in the light look. This is an NGC PF69UCAM

    image



    You can also go for full color-shot displaying the colors on the mirrored surfaces fairly easily by angling the coin toward a diffused light source. Kind of obliterates the cameoed look the coin has in-hand but is useful for showing the color. This is a PCGS PR67CAM.

    image >>



    Brandon, you're imaging skills and explanations are nothing short of commendable. Very image
    image...There's always time for coin collecting. image
  • shylock
    shylock Posts: 4,288 ✭✭✭
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    wow...it really doesn't get any better than this.
    image
    Paul <> altered surfaces <> CoinGallery.org
  • GoldenEyeNumismatics
    GoldenEyeNumismatics Posts: 13,187 ✭✭✭
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    lampshade works real well
  • jayboxx
    jayboxx Posts: 1,613 ✭✭
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    Wow, a 1897 PF69UCAM? That is amazing.
  • stev32k
    stev32k Posts: 2,098 ✭✭✭
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    Brandon you are an excellent photographer. Those are very good shots. I would be interested in seeing the 1910 with straight on lighting to compare with the tilted shot - if you have any.
    Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my hard drive?
  • andyrose
    andyrose Posts: 6
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    Thanks for the replies. If shooting straight down for the best black and white effect, is it better to use a diffuser, such as a cloud dome, or am I better off using direct lighting. Thanks.
  • ss350camaro
    ss350camaro Posts: 4,529 ✭
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    shot straight down with a lampshade as a difuser.

    image

    Nikon Coolpics 5400

  • andyrose
    andyrose Posts: 6
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    Amazing! Thanks.
  • NumisOxide
    NumisOxide Posts: 11,048 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Brandon,

    Really killer pics man.

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