Lighting On A Budget?

What's your setup like? Do you use one? Two? Three? Do you put a cover on them for more indirect light?

Those are looking like a really good option.

Alright, thanks for the fast response. I'm going to do a search as you suggested and I think I'm definitely going to get these.

If anyone else has any input about these lights, feel free to chime in.

Ray, thanks for chiming in. When searching the forums for these lights, I came across numerous threads started by you, and the different techniques that you use to photograph coins while using these lights. I was trying to read up on the super diffuser technique that you use, but I couldn't find a how-to. I appreciate all your input on this topic.

Brian...my posts are a history of the various experiments and results I've achieved as I've figured out how to get decent illumination for coin photography. The basic principle that works best for me is to make the lights:

- as high an angle to horizontal as possible without getting direct reflections
- just the right distance away from the coin to get the best shadow detail on the devices
- at the optimum positions to get as much luster as possible, usually 10:30 and 1:30

My latest incarnation of "director" is also the simplest to build. I call it the "smile director" since it makes the Jansjo look like it's smiling. I combine the director with a reflection calibration technique to ensure I get the lights in the same optimum placement each time I return to the setup. You may have seen a description of the overall technique in one of my posts, though I don't think I've ever documented the creation of the director very well, just a description of how to make it. I suppose it's time to describe the technique with a few pics on how to make the smile director. Perhaps later tonight after the fireworks...

Ray