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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,391 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I've been using a new technique to shoot ancients, and I finally got to my Athens owl tetradrachm. Because it's such a high relief coin, especially the obverse, the shots suffer contrast problems (what lighting works on the high points will get really dark on the edges of the design). I chose to shoot this in overcast daylight, which diffuses lighting considerably. Using my new lighting technique also helps equalize the lighting across the coin. Reduced size of my final output: Shot on the 36mp Nikon D810 with the Nikkor 105mm and focus-stacking to maximize sharpness. compare to my older shot--here I used artificial lighting:  Edited by DVCollector
09/09/2014 12:02 am
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
The second picture shows more detail. Excellent picture. I really need to get one of these coins.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10045 Posts |
Thanks! Hmm...that "detail" is probably due to more specular highlights, but on the latest @ full resolution ( 9096 x 4404 pixels) the detail on the first photo is in a totally different league.  Edited by DVCollector
09/09/2014 12:06 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
For Picture one, Flickr says: "The image or video is currently unavailable"
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Yes--I was updating the picture, fixed now.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
Ok, I see it now. The reverse does show better detail on the owl and this does show any field "issues" better but honestly, I like the original picture better.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
That's OK...I guess it's a matter of personal taste, but the obverse does have much better contrast control. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
oh I see, the details are a bit better on the new pic..like the feather around the head. which captures the "in hand" look more DVC?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Definitely the top picture for color, tonal range, and detail. This is definitely my hardest coin to photograph.  While I strive to get better with these shots, it's good to step back and review things--so thanks all!  Edited by DVCollector
09/09/2014 4:46 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
I think the first photo in the post (new photo) is really good and shows more clarity than the second. It also reveals the depth better. I like the way you got rid of the strong highlights. Silver coins a really tough to shoot.
I wonder though about the color. Maybe a tad bit more light might bring out a tad bit more color.
These comments are made relative to my monitor which may not be exactly the same as someone else.
All in all the new photo is really great. Well done DVC.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
I wonder though about the color. Maybe a tad bit more light might bring out a tad bit more color. It's quite possible the color is displaying differently, depending on your device. The color is a warmly toned silver with brighter highlights, but it looks washed out on one of my laptops too. |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,391 |
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Posted 09/08/2014 11:35 pm
