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 Replies: 41 / Views: 8,804 |
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Valued Member
United States
374 Posts |
Try diffusing further from the light source? Might make your lighting more even. I use just a thin tissue paper, but a 60 watt CFL.
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Valued Member
United States
374 Posts |
Also... f2.8 3000... What lens are you using? What is your distance to the coin?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1599 Posts |
I'm using a 100mm canon macro lens. Distance from the end of the lens to the Morgan is about 13 inches, closer on the Jefferson.
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Valued Member
United States
374 Posts |
I would try going down to ISO 100, using F/10, and choose whatever shutter speed gives you a good light reading. It will probably relatively slow, 1/8 or slower depending on the luster of the coin. The Jefferson photo seems to show that your lighting is not diffused enough, the whole coin should look relatively flat, it almost looks as though just the center is lit. I would recommend with starting with a nice shiny half dollar or something like that. Maybe even a proof. Your picture should come out something like this:   Now my setup is letting some direct light through, but then again, my setup is a piece of glass clamped to a exercise bike, a cheap side table, a 60W CFL in a Walmart lamp (modified with a reflector from a home depot clamp lamp), about 2 ft. back from a sizable sheet of tissue paper. Oh, and I block the light with a FAL magazine. I modeled my setup after the one found here: http://www.school-of-digital-photog...-setups.html |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1599 Posts |
Made a few adjustments. I think I got my light lined up better although I am still getting the top of the coin darker (very noticable on the Jefferson) which I think is due to positioning of the block I put in front of my light source, got to play with that more. Continued patience and help will be appreciated. The ASE look pretty good I think, but I may need to use a little more diffusion. I did some post processing on it. Looks fairly even in lighting to me except maybe still a little hot.  The luster around the eye/bridge of the nose and cheek toward the ear of the Morgan are pretty representative of the coin in hand.  The Jefferson is still hot to me, may need some additional diffusion (have to go buy more tomorrow and try again0.  |
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Valued Member
United States
374 Posts |
Looks like you made some good adjustments, and I think you're right on about just needing some more diffusion. When you are post processing, are you just doing brightness/saturation or adjusting all of the levels?
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Valued Member
440 Posts |
Modified axial lighting may help eliminate the shadows on Liberty's face,shoulders & arm. The coin looks great with the exception of those too dark areas. Possibly adding some indirect lighting could help eliminate those. Seems like these shots all have that "darker area" towards the tops of the coins. Playing with some indirect lighting to enhance the lighting in those areas may help. Some indirect lighting may also even out the lighting across the surfaces. Huge leap forward IMHO.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1599 Posts |
Cherreepicker, how do I add additional indirect light? My whole setup is covered with flat black material. I am using rip stop nylon for a diffuser and have bought some more today to try tonight. I have got to figure out how to move my light further from the material as suggested, it is currently attached to the light. Will work on that tonight also. Thanks for the reply.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1599 Posts |
I havent gone away yet. Still working occassionally on the axial. Here are a couple of my last attempts to capture some toning on an Ike dollar.   And back to the Morgan, still not where I want to be.  |
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Valued Member
440 Posts |
Sorry but I missed this before; "Cherreepicker, how do I add additional indirect light? "
I'm using a form of pseudo-axial lighting for toned & PL coins. I use the axial approach bouncing light off a tilted glass but also allow the light to "peek" over the glass to add additional lighting.
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Valued Member
440 Posts |
"I use the axial approach bouncing light off a tilted glass but also allow the light to "peek" over the glass to add additional lighting." Tired from work this statement is incorrect.
I use lighting off the glass but also allow light to "peek" over the barrier in front of the tilted glass (a barrier that with true axial would block any light from shining on the coin & would only allow light reflected off the tilted glass from illuminating the coin).
So essentially you are getting light on the coin from light reflected off the glass & also some indirect lighting.
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Replies: 41 / Views: 8,804 |
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Posted 07/15/2014 6:49 pm
