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 Replies: 22 / Views: 5,004 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
In my opinion, some of the Heritage photos are nothing short of amazing.
Anyone know how they do it? What setup do they have?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I have no idea how or who does their photos over there but I agree some of their photos look very good but others are lacking in areas. It has made me wonder if there are more than one photographer they use over there
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
I have no idea how they do it. Their light source must be very diffuse though. Check out these photos of a coin I won on Heritage (NGC MS66â˜.FB):  The Heritage photo does a really good job of showing every little detail, flaw and die characteristic. It also really shows off the coin's massive strike. But it doesn't show exactly why NGC gave it the star designation. One of the reasons I bid on it (besides the fact that it's obviously a superb coin) is because I was curious why NGC gave the star to a blast-white coin.  This is my photo which I've posted here before, and actually looks a lot closer to what it looks like in hand - the coin is proof-like, glassy and just plain gorgeous. On the other hand:  This image from Heritage does better represent what this coin looks like in-hand. It doesn't show the luster very well, but I haven't been able to produce a photo of the coin that (disregarding image quality) represents its appearance better. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1374 Posts |
I have all the answers. A few weeks ago, I was introduced to a Heritage employee. When I told them I was a coin collector and I loved their images, they said, "Thank god I don't do coins anymore." They use to shoot the coins. So I contacted them.
They were given permission to give me details on their setup, but I don't feel comfortable posting that information here. I'm willing to share what I've learned with Pillars of the Community who have been active in the photography forums. Contact me directly.
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Valued Member
United States
292 Posts |
Out of curiosity...why don't you feel comfortable sharing that information with everyone?
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Although Heritage images show tremendous detail - something any decent dSLR with a dedicated Macro prime lens can do - they've a bit to learn yet about lighting. The Merc above is a good example - it's overlit from one position at 12 Noon, washing out the nose, the top of the cap, some of the hair and the bottom at the rim.
In truth, there are half a dozen posters here I could name off the top of my head who can do better.
I'm guessing they use a fullframe dSLR with a 100mm-ish macro lens, probably axially-lit with a very powerful single bulb.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
CaptainFwiffo, that is why I think they may have more than one person doing the photography. One time they look washed out and others the images look very nice
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Pillar of the Community
United States
531 Posts |
I too am a bit puzzled by the secrecy. But, I guess, if anyone has information about anything they do not want to share with the members at large that is their option.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
I think getting lighting just right may be different for different coins - i.e. their one-size-fits-all approach can miss. The two coins I posted are almost polar opposites in terms of luster and color.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
531 Posts |
I agree Captain, it all about lighting, the color temp, angle, intensity, etc. One can manipulate these variables to improve the result.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
Well, if Heritage wants the entire world to know how they photograph their coins, then they can do that themselves. I won't be responsible for it. Obviously, Heritage is a business, and businesses have competitors. Would Intel provide details to AMD about how they wafer their processors?
To assume that there is one person with a single setup that takes photos would be a mistake, in my opinion. Obviously, Heritage and other auction houses have much more at stake when it comes to their photos than do the collectors on this forum. Their auctions are also online and they provide ample printed material to entice bidding.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
531 Posts |
So it's OK then if you only share it with a few special friends? Sounds sort of like that is what you were offering. How does that fit in with your concern about Heritage secrets getting out? Sounds like we might be talk more about ethics than photo tips. But I could be wrong....
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Pillar of the Community
United States
731 Posts |
All this secrecy business sounds like a bunch of silliness to me. Whatever.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
Quote:
Whatever  |
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Previously Ousted
Canada
398 Posts |
Sandman, I think you are possibly not understanding what your source told you, or your source does not know...
Heritage is using Pros they have on staff and their equipment is worth an awful lot of money. they have photo pros for jewelry, antiques, guns, wine, coins... and who knows what else.
the have the latest and best software to correct images....I know from my (reliable) source that a certain camera mfg is supporting them.
AND, despite all this... Super Dave is right...
heritage and others are very often using the axial set up...in a professional way, with the glass pan adjustable with a knob to set the pane angle to a certain degree so the light will break differently.and the light source is solid, but also adjustable in every direction to give the best effect.
why?
with a slight adjustment they can hide an imperfection if so desired...I believe it is also one of the very few methods to show proof coins and highly reflective coins.
Super Dave, please correct me if I am wrong.
look at ASPEN coins....
I suggested they use axial to do all their crowns.. their answer denied it...
said they use a simple point and shoot
yea..... looks axial to me...
Dave, please bail me out... YOU are the pro here.
CG
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
Okay, here is the deal:
1. I just explained why I wont be posting a company's method of business for the world to see.
2. I can't trust sending what I know to knuckleheads with 50 posts who have never even looked into the photography forum, much less own a camera.
3. Chances are, if you have 500 posts, many of which are in the photography forum, then you will actually be able to use what I have to provide.
4. I'm not stupid.
5. coingirl, have you seen with your own eyes Heritage's setup? I have.
So much for trying to help people out. Please delete this thread.
Edited by Drsandman2
03/17/2012 02:49 am
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Replies: 22 / Views: 5,004 |
Posted 03/13/2012 4:29 pm
