Bulb For Coin Photography

Just thought it updating. I tried couple of different types. These two were taken under 19W Day light bulb and I'm quite happy with it. I only have the lighting on one side of the copy stand for these two pics.





What's everyone's opinion?

Very nice pics. I would make a couple of suggestions...but they are minor, and are personal preferences, so take them for what they are worth. Changing the angle of the light in the first photo might let you keep enough shadow for depth and detail while decreasing the extent to which Liberty's face is in shadow.

On the second coin, the highlights (brightest areas) are overexposed IMHO. Maybe adjusting the camera to shoot a half-stop higher might yield more detail, or, if you process your photos, you should be able to adjust exposure compensation there, too.

As I said...not being at all critical, but just some thoughts. Your pics are better than 99% of what we see on the web, I swear!

Nice coins, too, BTW!

They are both really nice work, especially considering the '91 is in a slab. Frankly, you probably won't do *better* with the Trade dollar, just *different.* It's easily gradable by the image, and that's the goal.

When/if you go to two bulbs, allow me to suggest a couple of 40-60w GE Reveal ("Daylight" equivalents) ceiling fan bulbs. They're available in Medium Base designs, yet are smaller than standard bulbs. Philips Naturals are the same idea. If the light shades are removable (and I think they are), you can then get the lighting even closer to vertical above the coin, which will allow you to get a better feel for the actual luster of the coin. Two 19w CF's is roughly 150w of light, and you might find it difficult to avoid hot spots with that much light.