Photographing the 2017 Panda

Discussion in 'Modern Chinese Coins & Medallions' started by Pandacollector, Dec 19, 2016.

  1. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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    I have been taking some coin photos the last few days. This 2017 silver Panda proved a real challenge to light decently. I think there is quite a bit of detail in it that is not readily apparent. In the end, it took about two hours of work to get this shot. There is almost no Photoshop retouching done to it. The original was a little dark so the brightness was adjusted, otherwise this is exactly as the image was captured. The black line along the lower edge of the bamboos is a reflection of a black card and wasn't added in post.

    [​IMG]

    Technical details: Canon EOS-M3 camera with Rodenstock Rodagon 105mm enlarging lens. I used three lights (including one small spot), three reflector cards and one gobo (go-before).

    I encourage everyone to photograph your favorite coins. It is not only an interesting activity in its own right, but you may make some discoveries. Most coins are not as difficult to shoot as this one.

    Best wishes,
    Peter Anthony
    China Pricepedia
    www.pandacollector.com
     
  2. barsenault

    barsenault Well-Known Member

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    Nice picture Peter. Thanks for sharing. Are you not getting tired of the same bamboo background? It seems to be the same for the last 4? I hope they change it up the next time, and maybe add a panda or two. Lol.
     
  3. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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    Regarding designs, I think the 2018 cake is already baked. 2019 may be another story.

    Best wishes,
    Peter Anthony
    China Pricepedia
    www.pandacollector.com
     
  4. mmissinglink

    mmissinglink Active Member

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    Peter, not only do I now take pictures of every collector coin/medal I purchase, but I've been making it a habit of late to take more macro video as well.

    I think well shot pics and videos that are made publicly available somewhere can be an excellent visual enticement for those looking to buy somethimg of value partly or mainly based on what the item looks like. I know that I am not alone to say that a significant criteria for me in choosing which collector coins / medals to purchase, is based on what the coin / medal looks like (aesthetically).




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  5. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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    This is my attitude, as well. The artistic quality of a coin or medal is a factor in what I buy and collect.

    Best wishes,
    Peter Anthony
    China Pricepedia
    www.pandacollector.com
     
  6. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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    Here is the basic coin photo setup. Because the original had a small forest of reflector cards that hid the lights I reduced the cards to just one for this photo. Another point is that the two main lamps were not set to equal outputs so the light had a more directional quality.
    There is nothing particularly high end about this setup. It can be duplicated for $200-$300. I hope that will encourage other collectors to explore their coins through a camera lens.

    [​IMG]
    Source: www.pandacollector.com

    P.S. That is a Navajo rug hanging on the wall in the background.

    Best wishes,
    Peter Anthony
    China Pricepedia
    www.pandacollector.com
     
  7. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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  8. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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    On another forum a collector replied that he uses a microscope stand for shooting photos of coins. Any support, like a microscope stand, that holds a camera steady is fine. The copy stand that I use allows as much as 27" of distance between the lens and the base board. This allows me to use a fairly long focal length lens (105mm) that is placed up away from the coin. Why? That space is useful for placing lights and reflectors without bumping into the camera, or casting unwanted shadows. It's also useful for photographing larger objects like this 90mm diameter medal.

    [​IMG]
    www.pandacollector.com:

    By bouncing light around in a controlled manner there is minimal loss of details in the shadows, yet the highlights also hold their detail and don't burn out.

    But most any setup can be made to work and give good results. The key is to try.

    Best wishes,
    Peter Anthony
    China Pricepedia
    www.pandacollector.com
     
  9. Stark

    Stark Active Member Silver Stacker

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    I now take pictures or videos of everything I buy. Making good photo of coin or medal is not so easy, especially of silver. I will probably buy a stand for the phone. Over years cameras on phones improved a lot.
    I also sometimes play with different lighting.

    Peter, what is the name of the medal in the last post?
     
  10. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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    Kunqu Opera. The obverse features the Peony Pavilion, a famous fiction work from the Ming Dynasty. It is not an expensive item, but I think the artistic quality is priceless.

    Best wishes,
    Peter Anthony
    China Pricepedia
    www.pandacollector.com
     
  11. andrewlee10

    andrewlee10 Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    It is a series.... the silver look great
     
  12. Stark

    Stark Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Thanks for the info.:) Yeah, it looks very nice.

    Is this from the same series? (or silver has different obverse):
    http://forums.silverstackers.com/to...n-chinese-mdn-ting-685g-999-silver-medal.html
     
  13. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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  14. mmissinglink

    mmissinglink Active Member

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    Hi Peter,

    Can you please provide a picture (or link to a picture) of the other side. The side shown is stunning....but what about the other side?

    Thanks.



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  15. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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    [​IMG]
    Source: www.pandacollector.com

    Best wishes,
    Peter Anthony
    China Pricepedia
    www.pandacollec1tor.com
     
  16. mmissinglink

    mmissinglink Active Member

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    Very nice. Who is the engraver?



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  17. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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    The artist is Chang Huan. I don't know who the engraver was.

    Best wishes,
    Peter Anthony
    China Pricepedia
    www.pandacollec1tor.com
     
  18. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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  19. andrewlee10

    andrewlee10 Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    The medals which Peter post is a opera series by Shenyang Mint. 4 medals of whole series if not wrong. It has brass and silver version.

    Brass is 1000 or 2000 mintage which I cannot remember.

    The silver is damn expensive. Both brass and silver version hard to come across good quality because Shenyang Mint has issue of the pouch at early year which damage the medals quality.

    Generally Big medal has no cap so inappropriate pouch will damage the item. what a pity
     
  20. Pandacollector

    Pandacollector Active Member

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    New photos: the 2017 50 Yuan Bamboo Screen Panda and the 2016 Shenyang Mint medal for China's gold medal-winning Olympic Games Women's Volleyball team. The artist for the coin is Cheng Chao. The artist for the medal is Chang Huan.

    [​IMG]

    Best wishes,
    Peter Anthony
    China Pricepedia
    The Gold and Silver Panda Coin Buyer's Guide 3
    www.pandacollector.com
     
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