Fisrt attempt at pics! Any tips? Also what do you think about my peace $ ?

Hey guys. THis is my first attempt at some pics. I've been trying out some different ways to photograph coins and so far this is the best I can come up with. I believe the blurrines is the slight movement of my hands when taking the pic, but maybe not. I know a tripod or stand would help, but are there any other tips you pros might have? This is with a basic Nikon $100 coolpix camera I've had for like 2 years...8mp.

Also, the peace dollar I picked up recently. I really like the gunmetal look on the front, but the back is really awesome. It is similar gunmetal with some purple, blue and yellow colors. The pics dont do it justice. What grade would you guys give it?

Thanks!

 

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I like the Ike pic, just a bit more work on it and I think you will realy have it :high5:

 

pics

I just bought the new nikon coolpics L100 10 megpix, your pictures look good, may want to try a tripod and REVEAL general electric 60 watt light bulbs. Just a tip.:headbang:

 

Also, crop out the areas that are not coin. Doing great so far!

 

THanks for the tips! I'm getting a new camera in a couple months so that will make a difference, and I'll probably grt a tripod too. Thanks again for the expertice!

 

Got Macro ?

 

Tripod. WalMart. Cheap.

 

Copy Stand, the best! Lighting, I use a regular lamp with a 30 watt CFL bulb/ The lamp 2ft above the coin the same as the camera. But for my camera to take pics from that far, I have a big macro lens. The lighting right above the coin as close as possible to the camera (if the coin has toning). If the coin is white and you want to capture the luster and cartwheel, try moving the lighting towards the back of the coin. If you have the coin in a flat surface, the camera should be right on top or else if you have the camera on an angle and the coin flat ( it will not focus) on the entire coin. Also like I said, a stand, tripod is good or better to minimise blur. But My nikkon came with a remote control so I dont even touch the camera when snapping the pic. Good luck and you'll get better with time. I am not a pro but have gotten better from when I first started. :hail:

 

Ruben would tell you to download freeware called GIMP, but since he's been off the planet lately I felt obligated to chime in here. GIMP is awesome freeware which allows you to manipulate your photos, be it cropping or adjusting color, check it out and after a while if you don't like it - dump it. I've been using it for two years now for my coin pics and for my profession......designing gui interfaces to control AV systems in many varied applications.

 

THanks for all the great tips guys! I'll be investing in a tripod when I get my new camera and I'm also gonna try out some different lighting as well as that software. Great tips!!

 

If the camera is a small point and shoot digital use the timer. That way you never touch the camera and camera movement is eliminated. if you get a tripod but don't intend to purchase a copy stand, use the natural sunlight. Put the coin on a low table or a cooler and again, use the timer. If you have a DSLR camera a tripod is a great idea, a cable release/remote would be a small investment, and the timer is still an option. A set of "close-up" lenses is a cheaper investment than a macro lens. Depending on how involved you intend to get with pictures of coins don't discount used equipment for a starter. Thanks for the inputs as there are some here I had not thought of and tweaked my lame brain!