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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,415 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Here is a coin I've photographed several times before.  Not satisfied with that picture, I used different lighting this time--here are the results. Shot with an LED lamp:  Shot in overcast daylight--a much better approach for silver, I think.   Edited by DVCollector
02/10/2012 8:56 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I've always thought daylight was the better way to photograph. I've done both, of course, but the indirect daylight (overcast) seems to be the best.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I haven't done much daylight shots. I usually use direct artifical lighting from lamps with the light behind the camera. Just don't seem to get the results I want.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
I like the sunlit coin.
I use diffused sunlight through a white paper blind for all my coins. I like the natural look it gives coins.
It is limiting though, I can only shoot for about one hour in the winter from about 10AM to 11am, longer in the summer because of the direction of my window.
My set up is pretty basic.
I found that elevating the coin off the background a little helps a lot. Mine is 3/4 in.
Light coming in from the top of the coin is also good.
Lately I started using a trick I read about on Doug Smith's site to put and outer ring around the coin to kill light on the background. I just use a toilet paper tube that I cut down to 3/4 in., just below the edge of the coin, then crop it out of the picture later.
I also experimented with the white balance presets on my camera. That can make a lot of difference.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10045 Posts |
Thanks Doucet! I think that shot is the closest I've gotten so far.
Luckily for me, the sky here is usually cloudy. Bad for most shots, but not for coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
I also like the sunlit picture better it makes the coin look so much better even though its a nice coin in either shot.When I take pictures of coins I prefer the sun over a light because the lights always change the color of a coin a little.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
870 Posts |
The sunlit picture is better to my eye. More even and natural looking.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Here is another example; the first shot under an LED lamp, and the second is diffuse sunlight. I'm now sold on sunlight--the color is right, and the details are better defined.   Edited by DVCollector
02/12/2012 6:50 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
I certainly agree your daylight shot is better but suggest perhaps you could work a bit harder to give the LED a fair chance. Your photo is harshly lit from a low angle and uneven across the coin. I use a larger array of LEDs with the hope of getting a more diffuse result. You might try bouncing the LED (or many of them) around the room to simulate the diffuse light of an overcast day. To match your LED image with natural light, you would have to shoot with the direct sun low in the sky. The only real advantage to artificial light is that you can shoot at any time in any weather. If you can live with the schedule dictated by the sun and clouds, sticking with natural light seems a good answer.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
I agree, daylight shooting has it's limitations. There are two main reasons I like it though. First, a rather romantic reason, is that the sunlight on the coin is the same light that would have been on it at the time it was being used by people in ancient times before LED. I suppose candlelight or firelight could be brought up here as well but I haven't tried that. Maybe I'll give it a try. The other is that I think daylight tells the truth about what a coin really looks like, for better or worse. Some times a seller can make a coin look much better through sophisticated photography and lighting. A case in point: This is one of the first Constantinopolis coins I bought. When it came I was a little disappointed that it didn't look quite like the dealers pictures. I'm not at all unhappy with the purchase I just think it is worth noting the differences in the images. The first pictures are mine taken sometime ago with daylight. The second are the listing pictures.(ROMA) As you can see the professional photo is a much better photograph than mine, but it is not exactly what the coin really looks like.   Edited by Doucet
02/13/2012 09:43 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
I certainly agree your daylight shot is better but suggest perhaps you could work a bit harder to give the LED a fair chance. I use a larger array of LEDs with the hope of getting a more diffuse result.
Doug, you're absolutely right--good diffusion is the key to artificial lighting. Here, I'm using just a single LED (an IKEA Jansjo lamp)--which explains the results! I should get a few more, and give it another shot, so to speak. Still, the LEDs create a lot of color noise, which is hard to process out. Quote:
I think daylight tells the truth about what a coin really looks like, for better or worse.  Exactly--what is more honest than natural light? Our eyes recognize sunlight--it makes photos more believable. And, I don't know how the dealer photographed that coin to accentuate just the highest relief. Your photo is much better in all respects--and more believable!  Edited by DVCollector
02/13/2012 1:43 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
Great thread! I am also a big fan of sunlight and have good luck combining sunlight with ott lights on cloudy days.
I just moved and have been having trouble getting good sunlight so I have been looking for better artificial lighting.
Do any of you use incandescent lighting? If so what wattage and brand? I just tried GE Reveal 40 and 60 watt without success.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,415 |
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Posted 02/10/2012 4:50 pm
