Coin Diptych - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/09/2005 09:51:21 PM · #1

I got a really good deal on a 52mm diam. 3 pc. close up set yesterday so I decided to try them out tonight on the 50mm 1.8. Just a concept at this point that I'd like to perfect for sale in the local market come tourist season. As the image tells, it's a 1945 5 cent Newfoundland coin (pre-confederation) laying on top of the Newfoundland tartan. I used paint with light because incadescent made it look too flat. I think a macro ring flash would work well in this type of application(unfortunately I don't have one). I also don't own a focusing rail and my tripod isn't real sturdy, so I think that may have contributed to the slight blur in the lower image. Comments welcome as always.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

03/09/2005 11:02:24 PM · #2

Seems like a decent idea but you might want to find a fresher coin :-) As for the lighting, you can do this sort of thing very well by a north window, or with a north skylight. Set WB for "cloudy".

Robt.

03/10/2005 06:47:55 AM · #3

Originally posted by bear_music:

Thanks for the comment Robert. I plan on trying natural light today. I purposely shot the coin as-is because I wanted to see how it looked - I thought maybe cleaning it might take away its' old look. When I get my setup perfected I will do a set of shots with it cleaned up as well. I may also try a polarizer to help bring out the detail.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/10/2005 07:52:01 AM · #4

Orussell - will you post the new shot? I'd like to see it.

The white lines on the tartan are the most striking - I'm wondering if you delibertately used them on that tilt to better frame the coin. Did you try placing the coin on an intersection point (so that they radiate like a starburst behind the coin) and not the like result?

In any event, have fun experimenting!

03/10/2005 08:30:23 AM · #5

Originally posted by A1275:

Thanks for asking. Yes the skew was deliberate. I thought of setting it on an intersecting point but I thought it might look "too" contrived. I just shot a couple more with the coin cleaned up somewhat. I'll post a little later.

Cheers,

Owen

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

03/10/2005 10:44:10 AM · #6

Originally posted by A1275:

Orussell - will you post the new shot? I'd like to see it.

atsxus

Canon EOS-10D

03/10/2005 10:51:06 AM · #7

Originally posted by orussell:

Originally posted by A1275:
Orussell - will you post the new shot? I'd like to see it.

I like the first one better - the old world feel to it. I'd also try aging the fabric just slightly to go with it. Try a composit shot, where you shoot the fabric and then the coin (plain background) and then edit them together.

atsxus

Canon EOS-10D

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

03/10/2005 11:00:53 AM · #8

Hope you don't mind - just an idea. Makes the coins "pop" more.

Did a quick edit:
new layer with only the fabric
Color Balance on another new layer
Duotone on orignal layer (antique), with color balance on the second
faded duotone over the color balance layer to 50% opacity
Flattened
Put coins on new layer on top of fabric
added in drop shadow
burned in shadows and highlights
flattened

Message edited by author 2005-03-10 11:04:00.

03/10/2005 11:01:39 AM · #9

I actually like the first one better too. The dirt on the old coin helps to bring out the texture of the coin's surface. The new coin looks flat and the stamped surface of the coin is much less pronounced. Also, I think the 'old-world feel', as atsxus said, goes great with the tartan.

Just my two cents on your five. :)

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

03/10/2005 11:04:02 AM · #10

Originally posted by atsxus:

Hope you don't mind - just an idea. Makes the coins "pop" more.

I kind of like it, but I still like the original best. I like the dodging/burning you did, but I don't like the overall color change... I like the original colors the best.

atsxus

Canon EOS-10D

03/10/2005 11:04:53 AM · #11

Originally posted by skylen:

I kind of like it, but I still like the original best. I like the dodging/burning you did, but I don't like the overall color change... I like the original colors the best.

Oh well, was just an idea. :)

03/10/2005 11:05:48 AM · #12

For easier comparison of the 3 images so far, here they are, versions 1, 2, and 3.

edit: the above looks like a sextych ... hextych? :)

Message edited by author 2005-03-10 11:08:17.

03/10/2005 11:06:59 AM · #13

Originally posted by atsxus:

Originally posted by skylen:
I kind of like it, but I still like the original best. I like the dodging/burning you did, but I don't like the overall color change... I like the original colors the best.

Oh well, was just an idea. :)

Hey, you've got to try or you'll never know! 8-)

03/10/2005 12:23:44 PM · #14

Thanks for the suggestions all. I like the dirty look of the coin myself. And I do like the look with the coin more "pronounced" but I need to maintain the colours of the Newfoundland Tartan. I may re-work my original shot by selecting the coin using the elliptical marquee tool set for 1 to 1 ratio and edit that separately.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/11/2005 08:29:07 AM · #15

Hi Orussell - thanks for posting the update! I like the intersection points on the fresh coin version much better, and agree that it's important to maintain the color integrity of the tartan. Good job! I think you have a winner here, but if you do re-shoot or post-process again drop me a line so I can come see....

03/11/2005 10:11:39 AM · #16

Originally posted by A1275:

Thanks for the interest. Tourist and ex-pats love these types of images from Newfoundland and Labrador.

Here's another take on the original. I selected the coin using the elliptical marquee at 1 to 1 aspect ratio and gave it a different level of colour correction and sharpening than the tartan. Not a whole lot different from the original.

I plan on trying another shoot with the cleaned up coin when I can get my hands on a step-up ring or a 52mm diam. polarizer.