Help! What am I doing wrong?

Bruceswar · June 26, 2008 7:48AM

Well I was just sent a batch of coins to photo, mostly nice white coins. Anyhow I find I am struggling with the lighting. Not sure why I seem to struggle so much with lighting, but I do. I seem to be getting "dark images" even though I have 4 OTT lights. Any Help?? Sample Image...

Here is another example...

A few more attempts...

I think this is best of the bunch....

This one looks overexposed....

This one looks out of focus and unvenly lit to me....

Thoughts?

mgoodm3 · June 26, 2008 7:55AM

The morgan isn't particularly dark. A little in the fields but looks a little PL.

Late date franklin tend to be very shiny. That will cause you to overexpose the highlights and underexpose things like the field. Need very diffuse light.

seemyauction · June 26, 2008 8:03AM

They look like coins that are tricky to get accurate photos of.........

The only thing I can offer is try different lighting....???

Bruceswar · June 26, 2008 8:33AM

What should be the easiest coins to photo are giving me hell as of late and I cannot figure out why....

tahoe98 · June 27, 2008 4:40AM

only problem that i see is they is too BIG!!

SirAnthonyAC · June 27, 2008 4:44AM

Did you set a custom white balance?

You could also try moving the lights around a bit.

The photos look great unless in hand the coins are truly gleeming white

Bruceswar · June 27, 2008 7:58PM

<< <i>Did you set a custom white balance?

You could also try moving the lights around a bit.

The photos look great unless in hand the coins are truly gleeming white >>

Color is pretty spot on.

seatedcoins · June 27, 2008 8:05PM

What camera are you using?

lcoopie · June 27, 2008 9:32PM

Your pics are very detailed, and I like them
but I was thinking the contrast is set too high
so I lowered the contrast and increased the brightness
your pic is on the right

mrpaseo · June 27, 2008 10:05PM

Hmmmm, are you using direct light or filtered light? Back in the days I used to use a one gallon milk container (With the top cut off), place the coin in the bottom on something (Something that will not damage your coin), then place the lights up against (Or close to) the outside of the milk carton, it will defuse the light and spread it out evenly over the coin.

One thing you will have to keep in mind, if you do not take the photo at a slight angle you will get a reflection of your camera. (Bottom two photos)

Let us know how you turn out,
Ray

kryptonitecomics · June 27, 2008 10:57PM

Are these all NGC graded coins.....we all know how difficult it is to get light on the surface of NGC holdered coins?

RWB · June 27, 2008 11:50PM

You might want to pick up a copy of Mark Goodman’s book on coin photography. It should be available in a couple of weeks.

Casman · June 28, 2008 12:03AM

Available where? I want one...

RWB · June 28, 2008 12:08AM

It's called Numismatic Photography by Mark Goodman, and should be available from coin book sellers and hobby supply companies such as Wizard Coin Supply, etc. I think the release date is in about 2 weeks.

Bruceswar · June 30, 2008 6:52PM

<< <i>What camera are you using? >>

Canon 30D is being used for these photos.

As for the contrast, I have not done any post image editing in that regaurd.

Bruceswar · June 30, 2008 6:54PM

<< <i>Are these all NGC graded coins.....we all know how difficult it is to get light on the surface of NGC holdered coins? >>

These 2 are PCGS holdered coins. One is a rattler.

Help! What am I doing wrong?

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