Help Me Please, I'm Being Reflected

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Author	Replies: 3 / Views: 1,736
Oldephriam Valued Member United States 424 Posts	Posted 12/31/2015 11:56 pm I have a few PCGS graded coins, they are mostly proofs. While taking photos of them this evening I noticed the "lines" above the arms and in other areas, these same type of lines are on my other pictures of similar coins. After studying them closely I came to the comclusion that they are some sort of reflection and not scratches on the plastic holder or the coin. How do I prevent this? I am using a Plugable digital microscope with a four LED light ring. I also use supplemental lighting (a LED flashlight at different angles and distances with the same results). I am also using an external paper (black craft paper) shroud to shadow other light from the room. Thank you for any help. Report this Post to the Staff

jtlee321 New Member United States 43 Posts	Posted 01/01/2016 04:12 am The problem your having is using direct source light without diffusion. Your getting hot spots known as specular highlights. These hot spots are reflecting off the inner surface of the plastic holder and then again off of the mirrored surface of the proof coin and then in some instances it again reflects off of the inner surface of the plastic and again off of the surface of the coin. The only way to get rid of it is to use diffused light at a high angle to the coin. You could also back the LED flashlight off quite a bit to bring down the intensity of the hot spots. Report this Post to the Staff
Oldephriam Valued Member United States 424 Posts	Posted 01/01/2016 10:13 pm jtlee321 - thanks for the tip. I changed the angle and distance of my light source and used a sheet of black paper to cast a shadow at just the right angle. I now have a clean photo of this same coin. Report this Post to the Staff
Oldephriam Valued Member United States 424 Posts	Posted 01/02/2016 10:49 pm I tried your advise and was able to eliminate the specular highlights. I have some weird reflection in the upper right quadrant of the coin, this could be from the sheet of paper I'm holding or some other strange reflection from something in the room. I am planning to build a shadow box so I can free up a hand. It is a neat rick to hold a sheet of paper in one hand, a flashlight in another hand and still be able to click a mouse for my shot. Don't ask how I do it, trade secret. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 3 / Views: 1,736

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