Finally!!! Decent Coin Images!!! Thank You Mark Goodman.
TomB
Posts: 22,120 ✭✭✭✭✭
Years and years ago I actually took very good images of coins using my old Canon AE1 with all manual settings and 35mm film. I had grown up using this camera and then read a wonderful article written by Tom Mulvaney that appeared in COINage in 1997. Using the camera, a small tripod, set of three screw in diopters, a desk lamp and screw in 80A blue filter allowed me to take relatively good images of coins. However, the explosion of digital photography changed the landscape forever. I was late to the digital photography party and did not purchase my first (and only) digital camera until 2005 when I brought home a Nikon D70 DSLR. I always used a 100mm lens on my Canon so a similar 60mm lens was purchased with the Nikon. The plan was to take wonderful digital images of coins. Well, after five years and over 10,000 images of my wife and little girls, I finally decided to get somewhat serious about images of coins.
I was familiar with the basics, but a quick read of Mark's book filled in quite a few gaps in knowledge. A little dedicated practice proved quite useful and after only two practice photo shoot sessions it was apparent that the quality of the coin images had improved dramatically. My set up is rather primitive in that I don't use a copy stand, don't use cable or shutter release, don't have the camera attached to a monitor to view the images in real time and don't have a dedicated room. I use the kitchen counter for practice and the small desk in the safe deposit room at my bank for real shots and place the slabbed coins on a few books with the camera on a small, portable tripod. In other words, my set up is likely quite similar to the set up available to most of us on the boards. It only takes perhaps 30 seconds per coin to get both obverse and reverse images so there is not an enormous expenditure of time involved, either. Lastly, I do no post-image acquisition manipulation to the images aside from cropping them or resizing for better viewing.
The impetus to move into better coin photography was from setting up my dedicated, full time coin business. In the past I have relied upon others to take images and the images were uniformly excellent, but I don't know that I have that luxury anymore when inventory comes in and out at a faster pace. Hence, I had to get my butt in gear and figure out something acceptable. At this point I have taken images of only a few brilliant proofs and much work needs to be done to get these images to a higher quality. Similarly, I have not attempted to take images of copper or gold and will need to iron out the associated problems there, too. Overall, though, I am pretty darn happy with the progress made and have included some coins from my collection that are not now and will not be in my inventory. Please note that these images are greatly reduced from their full size and that as full size images they allow for nice study. They are all circulated half dollars and I think their images were captured quite nicely and accurately. If you want to take better coin images you may do well to invest in a copy of Mark's book.
I was familiar with the basics, but a quick read of Mark's book filled in quite a few gaps in knowledge. A little dedicated practice proved quite useful and after only two practice photo shoot sessions it was apparent that the quality of the coin images had improved dramatically. My set up is rather primitive in that I don't use a copy stand, don't use cable or shutter release, don't have the camera attached to a monitor to view the images in real time and don't have a dedicated room. I use the kitchen counter for practice and the small desk in the safe deposit room at my bank for real shots and place the slabbed coins on a few books with the camera on a small, portable tripod. In other words, my set up is likely quite similar to the set up available to most of us on the boards. It only takes perhaps 30 seconds per coin to get both obverse and reverse images so there is not an enormous expenditure of time involved, either. Lastly, I do no post-image acquisition manipulation to the images aside from cropping them or resizing for better viewing.
The impetus to move into better coin photography was from setting up my dedicated, full time coin business. In the past I have relied upon others to take images and the images were uniformly excellent, but I don't know that I have that luxury anymore when inventory comes in and out at a faster pace. Hence, I had to get my butt in gear and figure out something acceptable. At this point I have taken images of only a few brilliant proofs and much work needs to be done to get these images to a higher quality. Similarly, I have not attempted to take images of copper or gold and will need to iron out the associated problems there, too. Overall, though, I am pretty darn happy with the progress made and have included some coins from my collection that are not now and will not be in my inventory. Please note that these images are greatly reduced from their full size and that as full size images they allow for nice study. They are all circulated half dollars and I think their images were captured quite nicely and accurately. If you want to take better coin images you may do well to invest in a copy of Mark's book.
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Comments
photography on our board, it's hard not to improve
given his pointers and education.
I also blame him for getting me into photography in general,
and my spending plenty on cameras and equiptment, books, videos,
software, and many hours (really weeks) of my time.
I started with much the same set-up, shooting photos from a desktop using a tiny tripod and coins sitting atop books, leaning against a desk clock with a sheet of paper between them for a white background. Desk lamps for lighting. Very decent results for almost no investment. (The tripod was a present and the camera was around.)
One thing led to another, however. And now I'm into it pretty deep. But it has enhanced my enjoyment of the hobby and helped train my eye. I also have good records for insurance and shots to share on the forum.
Here's are shots of the 1817/3 CBH you sent me. Your photos are just as good.
Lance.
U.S. Type Set
Glad that the book has worked out for you.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I have to say that I used Mark's book as well and it helped take my photography to a new level, the best investment for photographing coins you can make.
Seated Dollar Collection
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......
I am even more impressed with the coins.
Another thing you'll want to investigate is the things you can do with photoscape. Cropping round, black backgrounds...getting rid of the slab, all can really enhance the presentation. Its a free program and it works! www.photoscape.com
PS dont be afraid of gold. I find this easier than anything to photograph.
AB
Mark is also responsible for me being able to take MUCH better pics than I had ever thought I could.