Does background really make that much of a difference?

Just FYI - you don't need to spend a lot of money on equipment. A simple camera with macro capabilities, a small copy stand, and a couple of lights should suffice. And there are several free editing apps that have all the bells and whistles you could ever need for coin pics.

 

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+1

 

or epson scanner (the V600 series for example, 200 bucks new)
Only epson, for they have long focal range
took mine to work so I can't scan a coin to show, but here's something stacked far taller...

 

I also like the second photograph. Your camera was more parallel to the coin and therefore got a better shot. Try to get your camera exactly parallel with how the coin is sitting, this will ensure the lighting and fields are equal around the coin.

 

The way the bust sits when the reverse is right side up makes the reverse slightly tilted. It is a nice high and detailed bust of Hadrian. If I wanted to get the reverse to sit more parallel at this point, I'd have too put something underneath to prop the coin up to compensate for the tilt induced by the bust's relatively high relief.

 

I see what you mean. I should revise my comment to say this: try to get your camera as parallel to the surface of the coin as possible. A great coin photographer, John Baumgart goes as far as recommending a bubble level to check both the coin and camera.

 

It is indeed necessary to support high relief coins, and most coins to some degree, such that you evaluate the best angle to the light falling on the surface of the coin. Shooting a coin straight on, parallel to the camera, in many cases will not produce the most flattering image of the coin, whereas capturing the right reflection off the surface of the coin, can make it's character really sing. By all means, explore the best 'look' for your coin shots and adjust the angle accordingly to the lights and lens. Too much of an angle and you will find areas of the surface out of focus, so only minor adjustments are necessary. This can be achieved by tilting just an edge of the coin very slightly, a millimeter or two, to see a dramatic effect. A lot of coin pics even use this to hide defects and make surfaces appear nicer than they are, so knowing how a coin looks in an image can help inform you when you're looking at others' photos of what may be hidden from view or deceptive in nature.

 

That Caracalla used to be mine. Do you own it now Steve?

 

really? ... that was your sweet example, before it arrived at my house?

Wow, it is a fantastic coin!! (one of my favourites) ...

Gawd Carthago, I can't believe that you let it go (what is wrong with you?)



... but thanks

 

Steve, if you have the misfortune to die before me, please tell your lovely wife I want to buy that Caracalla . And the Kisthene Pigasus. And a bunch more .

 

... always standing in line behind the Coin-Princess.

 

It's a super neat coin, it just no longer fit into my collecting focus which is Roman Republican silver. I sold almost all of my non RR over the past few years and that was one of them.

I'm glad to see that it's found a great home as it continues it's travels!

 

Now you get to update your provenance @stevex6

@Sallent I've been seriously collecting ancients since this summer and only got into photography in Septemberish. Once I started coaxing pictures from my camera that made me happy it sort of fueled my interest in exploring photography as another hobby. It has so far been fun and a little frustrating but I'm having fun. So far my only costs have been two clip-on lamps. My wife did buy me a fancy new camera though...anyway...my point is you may find coin photography a rewarding hobby and it gives you more chances to play with your coins!

 

It's been very rewarding and I've improved tremendously. Just look at the differences between my first picture of the Trajan Mars denarius and the second. I still have a bit of room for improvement, but I'm almost where I want to be. I don't necessarily need professional quality images, but I do want good images that show most of the best atributes of my coins. In just two months, as you can see from the first and second images of Trajan, I've come a long way. I couldn't have done it without the advise and tips of all the people on Cointalk who have generously given of their time and knowledge.

Photography is becoming more fun for me, and I'm thinking about it more seriously than before...but when it comed to hobbies nothing can ever replace the feel of the actual coin in hand for me

 

Wow Steve! The buzzards are circling and your corpse isn't even cold. I'll get in line but warn I won't pay as much and probably can't even remember all your coins that I would like. It would be best just to send them all. Maybe your coins would like to spend the winter with me. It is supposed to get to 70 today and we wouldn't want them to suffer in the arctic north.

 

Doug just make sure you give them the photos they deserve.

 

Steve, I'd be happy to photograph your coins for free but under my terms. You send them and I'll take photos and instruct my heirs to be sure you get them back when I am finished --- not just finished with the photos but really finished. You might get them in 2016 but I'm rooting for 2066. I am so looking forward to the thousandth anniversary of William the Conqueror, aren't you?

 

sounds good ... thanks for your help, Mentor

 

Not looking forward to being 81, so no, William the Conqueror won't be sharing any birthday cake with me.

 

=> my Dad is 92, so I'd better get psyched for partying at 81, eh?



stevex81