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Conder Tokens photographed using diffused axial lighting
Moonwinx
Posts: 66
Here are photos taken today. An object was placed to prevent direct diffused light from reaching the upper rim directly.
This is a very effective technique for auction listing photos, and lends itself to photographing a large number of tokens.
In my view, there is no way other than direct axial lighting to best emphasize natural toning on a coin,
but place a small object to prevent direct light from the light source from striking the upper rim, or perhaps any part of the coin. ; )
I have collected U.S coins for many years, and then Civil War Tokens, but am now actively building a collection of 18th Century Conder Tokens, the coins that made the Industrial Revolution a whopping success. : )
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Axial lighting does get it done when the getting ain't easy. It's also an excellent technique to use on fully brilliant coins that glare on the lens. I find that on occasion, however, a little spill-over light can make for a different, sometimes more interesting, photo. Definitely depends on the coins. I like your imaging. What's your light source?
Some of my own axial lighting efforts:
Placing the light a bit high to allow some direct light , can prove to be an interesting effect. Try a lower watt bulb or diffuse the light more with a white cloth in front of the bulb
FOR SALE Items
The top photo of mine had some light spilling over the object I placed to block light from striking the upper rim directly.
I used one Ott-Lite lying on its side. The base of the lamp was on the leaf of my desk, the head of the lamp was a bit higher, on my desk. : )
For diffusion, I used one Nikon SW-12 diffuser from my Creative Lighting System.
My CLS has four SB-200 flash units but I seldom use them for coins. I have four of the diffusers. but the kit only came with one.
I ordered the other three from Helix Camera here in Chicago. The Part number is NK-4907. : )
NOTE: It is important to reset and preset white balance preset if switching from one Ott-Lite bulb to another,
since every bulb (I own four now) seems to be of a different color.
I sometimes use two Ott-Lites. I consider perfect white balance a must when photographing coins. : )
Here's another example using axial lighting and a touch of spillover light at as slight angle, but I did not block the light to the upper rim.
Sometimes, white highlights are nice, and seem natural, but large areas of all-white are perceived as glare, and I ordinarily try to minimize glare.
This image is about a year old.
I have collected U.S coins for many years, and then Civil War Tokens, but am now actively building a collection of 18th Century Conder Tokens, the coins that made the Industrial Revolution a whopping success. : )
I got a new remote control trigger for my camera today and used it to take some multiple exposures.
I used axial lighting with one Ott-Lite, and no diffusion.
I have collected U.S coins for many years, and then Civil War Tokens, but am now actively building a collection of 18th Century Conder Tokens, the coins that made the Industrial Revolution a whopping success. : )
Well taken pictures...