What the heck am I doing wrong??

[seal006]

Setup for the obverse and reverse shots of this coin are exactly the same. All I did was flip the coin over. So why is the reverse so much darker? I am starting to get extremely frustrated with photographing coins.

[simonm]

No pics, Sean.

[seal006]

No pics, Sean.

See how frustrated I am?? UGH!!!

[ray_parkhurst]

Looks like you have things set on "auto". White balance is different (reverse is very blue) and probably everything else is on auto as well. Your camera is making decisions for you and they are probably not the ones you'd make...

[coop]

See how frustrated I am?? UGH!!!

Seal: I know you are using a ramp. If you don't have the ramp at the same exact location, the ramp can make the light darker if it doesn't hit the target. I have my light located at 12:00 and the ramp at the widest at 6:00. If it is slightly turned, then the coin can appear dark and not that golden glow you want. To try this, figure out where the ramp gives you the best shot with you setup. Make sure if you make any adjustment to get a shot, you rotate the coin only and keep that ramp in the best position before taking the shot. Even a 5 0r 7:00 position will darken your shot. Keep me posted on if this is your problem.

[seal006]

Couldn't sleep. Here is another attempt.

[Antiquity]

Looks like you are heading in the right direction.

[ray_parkhurst]

Seal: I know you are using a ramp. If you don't have the ramp at the same exact location, the ramp can make the light darker if it doesn't hit the target.

What's a ramp?

[seal006]

Seal: I know you are using a ramp. If you don't have the ramp at the same exact location, the ramp can make the light darker if it doesn't hit the target. I have my light located at 12:00 and the ramp at the widest at 6:00. If it is slightly turned, then the coin can appear dark and not that golden glow you want. To try this, figure out where the ramp gives you the best shot with you setup. Make sure if you make any adjustment to get a shot, you rotate the coin only and keep that ramp in the best position before taking the shot. Even a 5 0r 7:00 position will darken your shot. Keep me posted on if this is your problem.

Thanks Coop. In both shots it was in the exact same position. I know this because I had it backed against something.

[seal006]

What's a ramp?

The coin is on an angle, rather than flat. It cuts down on glare

[ray_parkhurst]

Ahh. It also makes your shots less sharp unless you are using a tilt/shift lens. Are you trying for the "axial" look? There are much better ways to cut down on glare using diffusion and proper light placement.

[seal006]

I am using one of the Janjo lights with three layers of coffee filters in front of it.

[seal006]

Here are a couple more.

[jallengomez]

Looking good Sean. Now if you can just find a way to cut down on the glare without having to tilt the camera.

[seal006]

I just wish there was an easier way to do all of this. I literally have thousands of coins that I need photographed for my website and auctions, but if it takes me an hour for every coin, it is just not worth it.