I just got this book by Mark Goodman called Numismatic Photography (2nd Edition). Wow! I give it my highest rating of 5 stars. You can buy it on Amazon for around $30 new or $23 used. Mark himself says on his website (http://browncopper.com) that he will send you a copy for $25 and free shipping, however I emailed him a week ago and never heard back (maybe he's on vacation?), so I bit the bullet and bought it from Amazon at the slightly higher price. This is, without a doubt, the ultimate reference on coin photography. The book, which checks-in at a succint 159 pages, is dense with the most useful material you will ever see on this subject. Almost every page has beautiful colorful high-res images of coins, many shot with variations in lighting, angles, etc. -- and then the variations discussed. Even notes on which image was preferred by the customer. Every time I was reading this and was thinking ... "hmmm, I wish this book would tell me this" ... a few sentences later I was reading the answer. The quality of this book is amazing, although technically a paperback, it uses the highest quality (heavy, thick, glossy) paper. The images are gorgeous. The book discusses cameras and lenses, camera settings, lighting and angles, as well as post processing. It's interesting to me that people spend hundreds on cameras, lights, stands, etc. ... but what they really need is this $30 book!
I've seen several good reviews about Mark's book here on Coin Talk. It's one that I've been looking at picking up for myself.
Thanks for posting this, WL. I sent Mark an e-mail to order his book. I'll wait to hear from him because I would like him to autograph it for me. Chris
Let me know if he responds. If you've ever attempted to photograph coins, or want to in the future -- this is a definitely a must read.
Where have you been? Of course I've photographed coins, and my skills suck! I've always heard nothing but good things about Mark on all of the forums, and I figured that it is about time that I add a book on photography to my reference library. Chris
Well it's certainly something I need, I am a terrible coin photographer. I tell myself that, then I look at eBay and tell myself maybe I'm not so bad. Anyway I sure like Todd Pollock's work and I use him for my nicer stuff. But that is not cost-effective for the cheaper coins.
( I don't think I was very clear with my post Chris, sorry! The first paragraph was directed to you ... but I wasn't directing that last paragraph/comment to you -- it was a general comment to CT members. Just a general plug to whoever wandered into this thread.
You are correct WL. It is the best book and really about the only book specific to numismatic photography. I picked it up about a year ago, and it is worth every dime. Knowing how good of a book it is now, and how much it has improved my coin photography, I would easily pay $50 or even $75 for the book. If you don't own it, and you have any desire to improve your coin images purchase a copy. If you currently use a scanner to image your coins, buy this book and a small digital camera with macro function and you will notice night and day differences! -Brandon
found it for 19.95 + shipping http://www.camerabooks.com/Products...y-macro-photography)__Numismatic-Goodman.aspx
It's a great book. Mark has been on many of the boards for years teaching fellow members for free. The book helped me get up to speed really fast. Anyone wishing to learn coin imaging, should own it.
