Toned Lincolns. What is the best way to photograph them?

[seal006]

As some of you know I am putting together a Lincoln Memorial Cent set of naturally toned coins. I am toying with an idea of putting together a digital file of the toned cents I come across. I would catalog them by date, and just keep adding to the file as I find them. My question is: How is the best way to photograph them to capture all of the brilliant colors? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Sean

[jcuve]

It is all up to the light you use, how bright it is, a method to diffuse the light, a tripod to stabilize the camera - and EXPERIMENTATION. Only through trial and error will you get it. Sometimes shooting at an angle makes it easier, but ultimately it will depend on your setup and which coins you end up shooting. Good luck!

[coop]

I found taking images through a camera is better than scanning:


I use a dark color background. Light over coins using a white flourscent bulb filtered through two sheets of white paper. (The bulb doesn't get hot so it can be very close.) The bulb is in a gooseneck desk lamp. The papper attached to the houseing of the desk lamp. The distance to the paper is about one inch. The desk lamp adjustable and the images are taken one at a time, or sometimes in groups. I use an older camera witha macro lens. I take the image about 1" to 3"s away. They do well for me.

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0721_1934_1.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0721_1934_4.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0721_1934_5.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0705_1930D_1.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0705_1930D_4.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0705_1930D_5.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0801_1916_1.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0801_1916_4.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0801_1916_5.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0720_1940_4.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0714_1925_1.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0714_1925_4.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0714_1925_5.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0705_1921_4.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/0705_1921_5.jpg

ADDED
Light setup images:

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/Light_System_01.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/Light_System_02.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/Light_System_03.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/Light_System_04.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/Light_System_05.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/Light_System_06.jpg

[hasfam]

Nice pics Coop. is that 1934 really 2 toned. Looks like a split toned coin. Pretty cool.

[rlm's cents]

No one else is going to say it, so I will. It sounds so stupid, but if you don't see the colors on the viewer, the colors will not be in the picture. Also, the lighting angle is probably the most important part of catching the color - and typically, the color pops just as the glare does.

[seal006]

I appreciate all of the input you guys have given. One question, flash or no flash?

[coop]

No flash. The flash should be shot with it turned off. Just adjust the light till you get it right.