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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,433 |
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Pillar of the Community
 Sweden
1591 Posts |
first standard pcgs then the one I'm curious about   Edited by Moniker
09/23/2025 10:28 am
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
20696 Posts |
These two pictures are the same coin. The only difference is that on the first I had the camera slightly off of perpendicular and held a piece of white paper over the coin so that it reflected a light color, while for the second I had the camera perpendicular and held a piece of black paper over the coin.  Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1370 Posts |
awesome pics Hondo - could you explain that setup a bit more. Did you use a mirror?
I swing a metal detector and have a knack for finding dirty old coins. Dirt coin restoration projects - https://www.prodetecting.com/restorationsDirt coin restoration blog - https://www.prodetecting.com/blog/ccawDirt coin dig videos - https://www.youtube.com/@prodetecting |
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Moderator
United States
171034 Posts |
Hondo demonstrates it well. The fields are reflective, so seeing black or white depends on what is at the opposite angle with respect to the camera lens angle. I hold a black board over my coins and camera to get them to reflect the black.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5212 Posts |
Quote:
The fields are reflective, so seeing black or white depends on what is at the opposite angle with respect to the camera lens angle. Aren't you taking the pictures at a 90 degree angle? I thought there was also a lighting component to these images. A very shallow angle will make the fields look more black because only the frosted devices scatter the light. A higher angle will make the flat fields gleam. No?
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Moderator
United States
171034 Posts |
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Aren't you taking the pictures at a 90 degree angle? No. I am using my smartphone directly above the coin in natural lighting (sunlight). I am not a pro. Do not come at me.  Quote:
A very shallow angle will make the fields look more black because only the frosted devices scatter the light. A higher angle will make the flat fields gleam. No? Maybe. Again, not a pro, so I have never experimented with advanced coin photography. I do remember that angle of incidence equals angle of reflection, so I make sure the black and the lens account for that. 
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Pillar of the Community
 Sweden
1591 Posts |
Great info Hondo that looks to be it, must try it out
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5212 Posts |
jbuck, what I was trying to ask: if the camera is directly above the coin, where do you put the black sheet? Behind the camera? In front of the camera with a hole to take the photo? Or is there a slight angle to the coin or camera when you take the picture?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7266 Posts |
Right, like Hondo stated - camera angle/position. All depends how you prefer your proofs to look like in pictures. I like the dark fields.....They accent the frosted devices much better.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20696 Posts |
I use a iPhone 15pro + on a wood platform 7.5" above the coin. For highly reflective coins I prop up the camera end of the phone with a piece of wood about 3/8" thick. And as Brandmeister does I vary the angle of the light. It sometimes takes a bit of fiddling to get everything right.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3998 Posts |
The 1906 2Kr was taken with axial light.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
1591 Posts |
rmps do you still need a white paper overhead ? I have tried axial lightning with my phone but missed the part that one should take the photo "thru" the glass
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Moderator
United States
171034 Posts |
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jbuck, what I was trying to ask: if the camera is directly above the coin, where do you put the black sheet? Behind the camera? In front of the camera with a hole to take the photo? Or is there a slight angle to the coin or camera when you take the picture? Ah, gotcha. I hold the black sheet above the phone. Since the phone is black, it somewhat blends in, but not always the best since it can still reflect the sunlight. Once you see it, you cannot unsee it. 
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
1591 Posts |
Thats a Great picture JB Well a little bit a long the way, but the portrait on this coin is not so frosty  Edited by Moniker
09/24/2025 10:53 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3998 Posts |
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rmps do you still need a white paper overhead ? I have tried axial lightning with my phone but missed the part that one should take the photo "thru" the glass White paper overhead is almost never a good idea. Reason is light that reflects up to the paper is coming from many sources and can skew the white balance, effectively creating multiple light sources with different color temps.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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Moderator
United States
171034 Posts |
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Thats a Great picture JB Thank you. I know it could be better, but I use what I have. A long, long, long time ago, my plan was to get more familiar with the wife's Canon ( see here). But then her first iPhone came along ruined it. Oh well.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,433 |
Posted 09/23/2025 10:59 am
