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 Replies: 20 / Views: 4,047 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5862 Posts |
OK, so here is the photo that the seller provided for the coin I just bought:  Try as I might, I have not been able to replicate the look of this coin myself now that I have the coin in hand. The closest I have come is with a strong overhead light photographed at a slight angle:  Any idea how the seller got that nice chocolate color and managed to make the fields look so much smoother? Am I just using too much light? Would a diffuser help at all? Edited by barryg
09/07/2016 12:45 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5862 Posts |
Let me just add that I was able to come up with something a bit closer to the seller's original picture by fiddling with the image in Photoshop (Curves, Exposure and Color Balance):  I'm hoping there's a way to do it simply by changing my method of photography, however. |
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CCF Advertiser
United States
1533 Posts |
You are dealing with too much reflected light. You can try a diffuser and/or take the pic at a slight angle.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5862 Posts |
I did try photographing at a slight angle, which helped a lot, but the diffuser I used made the image too dark. I suppose I need a better diffuser than a milk jug with a hole in it.
Thanks!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
I did read your question, but I am curious to hear from you which picture is a better depiction of the coin in hand?
Basically, I am curious to hear if this looks like a dishonest seller, or you trying to figure out how he got such good pics.....
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5862 Posts |
Quote:
Basically, I am curious to hear if this looks like a dishonest seller, or you trying to figure out how he got such good pics..... A bit of both, actually, and I was wondering when (or if) somebody was going to pick up on that. I've fiddled some more with diffusion and have come up with what I think is the "best" (in terms of actually looking like the coin) photo:  The only thing a bit deceptive about the seller's pictures would perhaps be the uniform deep chocolate color, but I actually prefer the color variation in the actual coin. I was just getting frustrated that every picture I tried to take myself looked way too harsh and emphasized all the minuscule flaws that can't be seen with the naked eye. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
 Interesting. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
A simple reduction in contrast might give similar results to what the seller provided.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2784 Posts |
barryg could you tell me what is the make of your camera. the lens you are using what is it. also lighting what do you have for lighting. so you want to get an image. to match the first photo you put up on this thread. is this what you are trying to do.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5862 Posts |
Nothing too fancy, Rocky. Currently I'm using a Samsung WB38OF "point and shoot" digital camera with a 21x zoom and a macro feature. For lighting, I just use a 100-watt "natural light" bulb with a milk carton as a diffuser. Basically, this:  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2784 Posts |
ok barry I did no editing straight from the camera. all I did was crop and down size to fit here. lighting I would buy 1 . 60 watt frosted bulb. barry is there a glass store some where handy. to where you live. now they wont want to sell you this piece of glass. you want the thinest piece of glass you can buy the one I use is 2mm thick. I had to argue with them to get it. mind is 12x12 inches. if there is and office supply store handy to you. tell them you want a sheet of plastic. that is used for engineering drawing. construction sites have these sheets for working out in the rain. here on the forum they call them carson opalux sheets. those are hard to find. but ofice supply store know them as plastic copy sheets for engineering drawing, these ones are cheaper but they are the same. this will be your diffuser. also if there is a property surveyor around you. they have these plastic sheets as well. you are going to need a tripod of some sort. you get these items. the group here plus myself will show you how to picture that coin. you take good pictures. you are like a lot of us. we want to image the coin as it exactly appears in hand. I know we can help you get better ones. its up to you  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2784 Posts |
i took that picture with one 60 watt frosted bulb. that piece of glass. the same lamp you have. with one piece of engineering draw plastic sheet as a diffuser. this is exactly as that coin looks. you have a very good camera. you know how to use it. we can show you a tips. you will get excellent photos of coins. have a great one
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5862 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5862 Posts |
Well, I don't have time to find a construction site or an office supply store right now, but I went online and ordered some elastic diffuser cloths that are supposed to fit right over the light I have. Unfortunately, the incandescent bulbs I use would probably melt the cloth, so I decided to invest in some cooler 100W equivalent LED bulbs while I was at it. I always have trouble burning myself if the lights shine on my arm for more than a minute or so, so that was probably a "bright" idea regardless.
Once everything arrives I'll take a few pics and post them.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4038 Posts |
Does the coin look like the seller's pics?
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5862 Posts |
Quote:
Does the coin look like the seller's pics? In terms of details, yes. In terms of actual color, no. |
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Replies: 20 / Views: 4,047 |
Posted 09/07/2016 1:13 pm
