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 Replies: 10 / Views: 3,009 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6394 Posts |
Does anyone have a simple technique for controlling reflections when photographing proof coins? It's not an issue for unc or circulated coins, but if I try for a close-up of a deeply-mirrored proof I can see the camera reflected in the shot. If I change the angle to avoid the reflection I can't get the whole coin in focus. Any suggestions? Here's my SF Mint $5 gold proof. Hello, Sony!  |
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Pillar Of The Community
Turkey
1205 Posts |
My best advice would be to shoot from a slight angle, so you don't see the camera on the coin:) But that method needs a camera with high zoom so that the detail is sufficient and the angle is almost perpendicular. Otherwise you may end up with elliptical coin pics. Of course, this is just an amateur's Two Cents. I'm sure someone will give us better advices. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
954 Posts |
Try the lampshade method......cut the wires out of the lampshade, put it over the coin, point and shoot.  I've seen some beautiful Proof pics using this method, though I have never had occasion to try it myself. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
655 Posts |
Just tried my one and only proof, a 1999 silver kangaroo using my usual room fluro light and Fuji S5600. The highly reflective part goes jet black. Is this the effect you want or do you want to see the shiny silver also? I think the key must be in the lighting angle. Image:  1999proofj.jpg55.12 KB |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Learjet, that is the prototypical Proof picture. You nailed it.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6394 Posts |
Thank you Learjet, I do want to show the cameo effect and your photo captures that perfectly. I've been using a bright, point-source halogen lamp which may be part of the problem. The more indirect light from a fluorescent may be the way to go. I'll give it a try!
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New Member
United States
47 Posts |
Here is another of mine using Flourescent Office lighting at f8 1/30 Exp. ASA100? White balance was set using a blank sheet of white printer paper before the shots. I got a little too much reflection on this one, but the cameo shows up really nice. Image: 02614sm.jpg88.99 KB |
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Valued Member
United States
270 Posts |
One of the members of my local coin club just gave a talk on coin photography.
He said that to get the cameo effect, it is best to set a piece of clear glass between the lens and the coin face at 45 degrees to the coin and then shine a light perpendicular to the coin face towards the glass.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
9428 Posts |
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New Member
United States
47 Posts |
That is a great article. Thanks for posting a link to it. It has answered quite a few question I have had myself.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
quote:
Have a look at this site.. http://browncopper.com/photography.html it explains what Edix said and more.
Mark Goodman, the author of that article, is the master when it comes to coin photography. If I ever achieve results similar to his, I will know that I've gotten it right. So far, no dice.  |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 3,009 |
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Posted 02/02/2007 7:40 pm
1999proofj.jpg
02614sm.jpg
