Here is the image I received from the seller Here is my reshoot Which one do you prefer? Sorry, but I am still working on my photo skills
hmmm...i'm not sure orfew. i think i like the first better, i can pick out more details, like the spokes on the wheel and the legend above the quadriga.
Training is good for you, you're on the right path, but need more improvement, if I may Interesting type BTW, more than the usual so called tribute penny Q
I am definitely among the worst of this site's photographers (amongst?) ... but I definitely prefer the 1st photo (well, I guess I'd need to know which of the two photos actually looks like the actual coin, right?)
I like your pic better - it's less shadowy, and the white balance is correct. I'm assuming the coin isn't purple. It's just needs to be in better focus.
Hey, I'm a big fan of shadows/contrast ... I don't want a washed-out photo => good luck with your new camera (I find photography amazingly frustrating)
Orfew, I like your picture more as well. It does need to be in better focus. Do you have the camera on a tripod?
I think if you use a tripod, and try to position the camera directly over the coin, the results will improve dramatically. Beware, once you start, it's a slippery slope!
I'm going to split the difference here. I like the yours overall better, because my guess is that it's more representative of the in-hand look of the coin. But, I like the reverse detail that's visible on the seller's pic. Either way, it's a great coin.
My tripod doesn't appear to allow me to directly focus over the coin, I ended up having to get a copy stand, which is great.
Many tripods allow the center column to be removed and reinserted from the bottom to allow shooting straight down. I still prefer a small wood stand that can be put together by anyone with a saw and a drill or a friend who has them.
My contraption, made from painted scraps and a purchased clamp: I have some silicone putty which holds the coin on the skinny platform. Sometimes I angle both the camera and coin to facilitate lighting. With these little cameras, there often isn't enough distance between camera and coin so it's difficult to get the lighting close to overhead. Angling the coin and camera helps keep the coin in its relatively round shape. Otherwise, if the camera is angled relative to the coin, the image ends up badly out of round (as is the case with the OP reshoot).
Now I feel like a cheapskate using thinner wood stock. Q's lumber choice would not vibrate in a 7.0 earthquake. Oh, wait, that's the idea isn't it?