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Can You Please Critique These Photos

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 Posted 12/06/2023  10:56 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add rmpsrpms to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Not sure why I missed this thread when it was first posted back in January.

I can't help with any issues related to the camera. I don't use a cellphone camera to shoot coins for various reasons.

What I do see is that there are some issues with lighting:

- The use of a single light coming in at 12:00 does not give the uniform illumination folks look for today. The classic recommendation of two lights, one at 10:00 and one at 2:00, is more uniform. If you don't want to use two lights you can simulate a 2-light solution by using something to block the light coming directly from 12:00. This will reduce the hotspotting seen on the top of Lincoln's hair and the top of the mottoes, etc.

- The light that is being used is at much too low an angle. You'll notice that the fields are fairly dark, as are the top surfaces of the devices, while the edges of devices (around 12:00) are brighter. This gives a Dark/Bright/Dark appearance. If you bring the light(s) up to a higher angle, more light will reflect from the fields and the top surfaces of the devices, and less from the edges of the devices. At some angle they will be about equal, and a little higher they will flip to Bright/Dark/Bright. This is what you're looking for with lighting, ie an emphasis on the surfaces of the fields and devices, de-emphasis on the edges of the devices, and some contrast between them.
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Edited by rmpsrpms
12/06/2023 10:57 am
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 Posted 12/06/2023  12:10 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Dowhat to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
All good advice. More tweeking to for now. Looks I should be looking for a better camera.
And yes,I do use the timer.
Thanks all.
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 Posted 12/06/2023  4:04 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Dowhat to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Here's another attempt applying advice given. Am I moving forward or backing up. Thanks all for hanging in there with me
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 Posted 12/06/2023  7:23 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add rmpsrpms to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Looks like you moved the light to ~1:30, and maybe a little higher? It is a bit more evenly lit but you need to go even higher...
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 Posted 12/16/2023  06:04 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Dowhat to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I took a break for a bit and decided to improve my set up. Stacking books and coin boxes to achieve the correct distance from coin to lens was always hit and miss not to mention frustrating and time consuming. This new setup is much, much better. I also added some additional light sources in an attempt to find the right combination.
As stated previously by many of you, lighting determines everything. It takes a bit of time to find the right combination.
Until I am able to upgrade my camera, this one will have to suffice.
After trying many light combinations and adjustments, here is the first photo I decided to submit for critique. Compressed to 72, reduced to 800x800, a single light source p0sitioned about 3k to the coin at an angle about 2k approximately 20" from coin.
Let me know what you think.
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 Posted 12/19/2023  9:16 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add rmpsrpms to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Oh my, that is a big step backward from the last photo. Weird colors, blown highlights. Still only one light. Why do you resist going to two lights? It would greatly improve your photos.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at:
http://macrocoins.com
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 Posted 04/24/2024  01:07 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add rosgwem to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
The lighting is pretty even and diffused, avoiding harsh shadows or bright spots on the penny's surface.
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