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 Replies: 9 / Views: 4,101 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1256 Posts |
I love a good jig! I've been using a tripod and wasn't happy with having to setup each time I needed a coin shot (too many other things to take pictures of). Plus the lighting was always different depending on where I was. So I built a desk top 3 sided box and wired it with 3 small incandescent lamps. The camera lays in a cut out (I'm going to make it a bit deeper). The inside is reflective Mylar. I plug up and shoot for the same results every time (well that's the plan). This prototype is a bit rough but if I really dig it I'll fix it up nice.   I'm showing four shots of 2 coins one clad and one old bronze. The larger and brighter are using a 2-3x magnifier. The smaller darker ones are without magnification. The bronze seemed to handle the magnification ok though perhaps brighter than the coin but the silver seemed to over brighten and wash out. The coin edge shadow was just what I wanted, broad, vague and all the way around. All four shots were cropped and reduced to 50%. Saved as a 90% jpg. No sharpening or color adjustment. I have other light settings on the camera and will play with those but I thought the white background was pretty close.     Comments? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3592 Posts |
Looks like something I would come up with...I like the idea but will wait for SuperDave's professional opinion on the pics.I know they can be better but cannot tell you why or how.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1256 Posts |
Thanks Maineman. I agree they can be better and like you can't really tell why or how. These where my very first shots, unlikely I got it right the first time.
Stand by... shooting more subjects.
ps born in Bangor raised on grits.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
689 Posts |
maybe try a darker backround for the coins. I'm no pro but just a suggestion.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
the bottom shots look like there is a little to much light on the coin and makes it look washed out a little. Is there a reason you didn't put any lights in the side instead of them all being at the top of the coin? I think that may spread out the light instead of the light being all in one area
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Valued Member
United States
268 Posts |
You might also get something to defuse the light. That should help with the picture of the quarter.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1256 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
9414 Posts |
When you adjust the colour, they come real good...    A dark background would get rid of the shadows. Steve  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1256 Posts |
Those look good Steve, thanks. I was hoping to avoid it but may not be able to. I did some pictures using sunlight this weekend for some ebay sales. Much better color but wicked shadow unless it's noon. I usually crop round which gets rid of shadow but the lighter it is the better up next to the edge. Wife showed me a photo tent that looks like a good idea but I won't pay the $100 :) I need more light but very diffused. Working ... |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
9414 Posts |
Try cutting the top and bottom off of a milk or juice bottle, the transparant plastic type and put that under the light box, around the coin. I would be interested to see how the photo comes out. Steve |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 4,101 |
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Posted 01/20/2011 1:49 pm
