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Thoughts On Photographing Coins.

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United Kingdom
347 Posts
 Posted 10/23/2023  07:32 am Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Spyro to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
I put these pics up earlier, then thought they might be useful for other people so I've put them here too with this note about how I did them. They're both taken on a Lenovo tablet with a 3mp camera so I didn't have to worry about condensing the pics. I used Pixlr, as recommended by your good selves, but the lighting!!! The dark one is with an ordinary desk lamp about 18" from the coin and about 60degs elevation. Crummy or what? The brighter one is taken with the help of another desk lamp fitted with a "daylight bulb" ie, slightly blue, about a foot from the coin and at about 40 degrees elevation. I hope this is useful.

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Sharks's Avatar
Canada
1587 Posts
 Posted 10/24/2023  1:32 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Sharks to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thank you for this lighting information. I have not had the nerve to upload a picture yet, but will remember to use a "daylight bulb" when the time comes.
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Canada
276 Posts
 Posted 11/27/2023  7:23 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add peanut26 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Gotta get me a daylight bulb for sure, ty
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ijn1944's Avatar
United States
17498 Posts
 Posted 11/27/2023  7:42 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add ijn1944 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I've had decent results shooting photos exposed by natural outdoor light--not direct sunlight--but positioning the coin very near a large window. At other times, I'll use an axial lighting system using a light source that has variable 'temperature' settings. Of course, I can manipulate white balance settings while processing the digital image to account for variations. Axial lighting can be a bugger, but when it works, it's great. Google 'axial lighting coins' for various approaches.
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Brandmeister's Avatar
United States
4682 Posts
 Posted 11/27/2023  10:57 pm  Show Profile   Check Brandmeister's eBay Listings Bookmark this reply Add Brandmeister to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
It's amazing how the second light scatters to produce luster.

ijn, does the controllable temperature give some luster in an axial setup? The main virtue is the very linear light, which really cuts down on the scatter for luster.
Valued Member
United Kingdom
347 Posts
 Posted 11/28/2023  04:06 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Spyro to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
@ijn1944. That sounds good, especially if your window faces north (in the northern hemisphere), cos indirect daylight is slightly blue, and bright sunlight is a bit yellow.
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United Kingdom
347 Posts
 Posted 02/12/2024  5:15 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Spyro to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
After tearing my hair out with online picture editors I've discovered an easy option.
1. Take a suitably zoomed-in pic to minimise the file size and crop it square.
2. WhatsApp it to another device.
3. WhatsApp it back again and upload to forum. With a bit of luck it should be small enough.
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Brandmeister's Avatar
United States
4682 Posts
 Posted 02/12/2024  5:55 pm  Show Profile   Check Brandmeister's eBay Listings Bookmark this reply Add Brandmeister to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I use the free Image Size app. Usually I take photos in square format, although the Photos app offers a square crop option as well.
Valued Member
United Kingdom
347 Posts
 Posted 02/16/2024  03:36 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Spyro to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply



Bought this little gizmo that clips your smartphone to the quarter inch screw at the top of your camera tripod. Also works on full size tripods but this is so handy for shake-proof pics! Was first time I'd fitted it so should be the other side of the phone! Got it from my local camera shop (Jessops). It's a Joby GripTight ONE mount. Ace little piece of kit.
Valued Member
United Kingdom
347 Posts
 Posted 02/16/2024  03:42 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Spyro to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply


Duh! Should've put this one up rather than the other one twice! Brain hurts!
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