Tips for shootings toned coins in slabs??

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icsoccer
icsoccer Posts: 1,339 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Glare reduction? Ability to bring out true colors and luster?
Thanks for any tips!image
image
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  • GoldenEyeNumismatics
    GoldenEyeNumismatics Posts: 13,187 ✭✭✭
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    It can be very difficult to show both a coins luster and full color in both one image. Naturally, if a photo shows the classic "hot and cold" bands of luster, it's going to showcase the toning in a weird way.

    BTW, nice color! You did a pretty good job bringing out the toning IMO.
  • BECOKA
    BECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭
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    It's much easier if you free the coin from the tomb. image

    If that's not an option a little glare is most likely necessary, you will also have to slightly angle the coin into the light which might force some of the coin to become out of focus.
  • MrSpud
    MrSpud Posts: 4,499 ✭✭✭
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    Take the picture at a slight angle and use the photo software to make the coin perfectly round again. Some software programs have a clarify feature that effectively removes the last bit of glare as well as that translucent haziness from shooting through the plastic off of the image of the coin.

    For example, this
    image

    Becomes this
    image
  • LindeDad
    LindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Get the light source as close to the lens as possible. Cuts the glare on the slab. Also make sure the slab is clean and scratch free.
    Knowing what to do and doing equals a lot of practice. And sometimes a lot of luck.
    imageimage
    This old lady is aging pretty well IMO.
    image
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • bushmaster8
    bushmaster8 Posts: 5,616 ✭
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    You might try put a thin film of vegetable oil or WD-40 on the slab.
    "Wars are really ugly! They're dirty
    and they're cold.
    I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
    Mary






    Best Franklin Website
  • soty27
    soty27 Posts: 1,956
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    1. Have the camera as far away from the coin as possible while still having the coin fill the entire view finder. The pictures below were taken with my camera 2 feet from the coin
    2. Use three lights positioned at 11- 12 - 1
    3. As previously stated you want the lights as close to the camera lens as possible while pointing straight down.
    4. Position the lights so that the glare is just at the edge of the coin.

    End result should look something like the photos below depending on a million vairiables

    MS 67
    image

    MS67
    image

    MS65
    image

    MS63
    image
  • Ronyahski
    Ronyahski Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    1. Have the camera as far away from the coin as possible while still having the coin fill the entire view finder. The pictures below were taken with my camera 2 feet from the coin
    2. Use three lights positioned at 11- 12 - 1
    3. As previously stated you want the lights as close to the camera lens as possible while pointing straight down.
    4. Position the lights so that the glare is just at the edge of the coin.

    End result should look something like the photos below depending on a million vairiables


    Echo what Soty said, except my lights are usually more like 10-12-2.

    Add 5. You may have to slightly tilt the slab. I use coins under the edges of the slab.




    Some refer to overgraded slabs as Coffins. I like to think of them as Happy Coins.
  • Justacommeman
    Justacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Most highly toned NGC coins that I have bought have the coin tilted in the holder north to south when I receive them. I'm guessing this was done for photo purposes??? I end up banging them on a flat surface to get them flat in the holder. I guess with the new prong holders this is no longer possible...............MJ
    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,814 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    True colors and luster will be in competition with each other most of the time. In general, to get more color, have the lights at a rather high angle, and to get more luster, have them at a lower angle.
    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
  • mrpaseo
    mrpaseo Posts: 4,753 ✭✭✭
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    I found that if you first tape the slab in 100MPH tape, it will hold the slab together so you can take more than one shot. Then, tape the slab to your target. If your target is plywood, the slab should stay on the target for a second shot. Be sure to color a black dot on the side of the coin that you are shooting (on the tape) so you can shoot center mass.

    Let us know how you do.
    Ray

    PS. I found 5.56 Ball to be the best caliber for shooting coins image
  • renomedphys
    renomedphys Posts: 4,013 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Aperture between 4 and 8 to allow adequate DOF to capture coin details, but not enough to focus in the slab's surface. Also, experiment with different lighting positions for best result. I usually take a lot of lot of lot of pictures just to get one or two good shots.Every coin has it's own optimal refraction angle, and if that competes with the optimal glare angle, you're pretty much done for.

    As a last resort, you can eliminate most glare in Photoshop by editing out the flat parts of the individual color histograms. It doesn't have too much effect on the coin image, but it can give your pictures the "juiced" look if you're not careful.

    Empty Nest Collection

  • crazyhounddog
    crazyhounddog Posts: 14,250 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    << <i>Take the picture at a slight angle and use the photo software to make the coin perfectly round again. Some software programs have a clarify feature that effectively removes the last bit of glare as well as that translucent haziness from shooting through the plastic off of the image of the coin.

    For example, this
    image

    Becomes this
    image >>


    That is one sweet two cent pieceimage
    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

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