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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,719 |
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Valued Member
United States
441 Posts |
Getting back into coin photography as I'm cataloging my collection after years of putting it off. Mainly using a Nikon Coolpix P510 on a tripod. Three lamp lighting, sometimes using axial lighting with regular glass, but mostly direct/indirect lighting with 5500k Daylight CFL's. I have issues with getting luster, particularly when using axial. Suggestions to improve on this? Any info is greatly appreciated.   |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
Nice pics. Good for you.
I am sure that there is always room to improve. I would think that it depends on what you are using the pics for.
If you are using it to sell, you may be at the point where any improvement will not create a perceptible increase in revenue. It will take time and investment.
Anyone hearing me here?
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Valued Member
 United States
441 Posts |
Agreed. Not selling, but inputting to a database for insurance purposes. Not looking for perfection, but close  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
 I like the photos you have provided. The depth of field is perfect to show every smallest detail of the coin itself. The only thing, as you mentioned, that might improve the look is if you can somehow show a bit more luster if there is more luster. But that's one of those things that is almost impossible to achieve with any reliability no matter what set up is used. |
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Valued Member
United States
441 Posts |
Forgot to mention, I attach a Raynox DCR250 to my lens to help magnify my shots. Limitations on my camera won't allow use of adapters. DCR250 clips on like the lens cap.
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Valued Member
United States
441 Posts |
Personally, I would be interested as well.. whether selling them or not, I believe that certain coins, especially silver, would do well to show the luster in the photos. Especially when selling, though, because under axial lighting a cleaned coin can easily have the same appearance as a fully lustrous mint state coin. I am thinking, in fact, of doing a re-shoot of some coins for this exact reason. I just cannot achieve the same level of detail using direct lighting.
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New Member
Greece
45 Posts |
There is no way to capture 100% the luster and the colors of a coin in the same photograph.
Axial photography is not to bring out the luster of a coin, but (under certain circumstances) the colors and patina of the coin.
So if you want to show (mostly) the luster, try lighting at high angle without using the glass of axis.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1913 Posts |
Not all CFL's or LED's are the same even tough they can have the same color temperature rating.
Your coin is reflecting blue but I bet the coin itself is not blue. If you adjust saturation down maybe 5 to 10 percent, that extra blue will go away (unless of course you like the added color).
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,719 |
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Posted 02/02/2016 2:07 pm
