I am still learning coin photography, and I still have so much to learn. One thing that bothers me is that my black background is not black enough in several of my coin photos. You will notice rather too easily, I'm afraid. Unfortunately, I do not have the skills or the software to fix that. Hopefully I can get it right in camera in the future. In addition, I don't think my images are sharp enough, despite using a tripod and self-timer. Anyway, here are (snipped) photos of three interesting coins (at least to me!) for your enjoyment! Despite their flaws, I do like them. Please feel free to post your own coin photos (of any skill level) of some of your coins that you find most interesting!
Nathan the background issue has everything to do with your ISO setting. I prefer an ISO of 100 when shooting coins. I then adjust the lights, aperture and shutter speed.
If you can access the internet, then you have access to all the software that you need. There are multiple websites that allow you to upload photos, crop out the background, and download. The one that I usually go with is Photoscissors, which requires purchase of tokens to download high res results while allowing download of low res results for free. Just start with a bigger picture than you intend to use, downsize the results, and you're back to high res The results will have a "clear" background, so just put it on a black background that you create in whatever software you used above.
There are two ways of getting a really black background without resorting to postprocessing. One (suggested here by TIF) is to buy some expensive super-ultra black paint that reflects no light. The other (my way) is to arrange a tunnel of darkness under the coin so there is very little light that reaches the sort-of black material I have at the bottom. Over the years I have tried a hundred variations on this idea but all rill require cropping to just the coin in the middle and pasting two sides of the coin onto one black background. You still need software. I don't have a photo of my current rig. I tweak it regularly sometimes improving and sometimes making it worse. The idea works. How you implement it might take some trials. Most recent change was about a week ago. It is time for me to go play some more.
I've always read that Isaac Newton invented reeded edges while working at the Royal Mint. I've never seen coins like yours before, but by the look of them, I'm guessing that the credit for the idea should go to someone a bit farther back!
I have given up on that and have gone to the method used by sensible people for ages: black velvet, with the coin elevated above it so lint on the fabric isn't a problem. I'm getting the best results of any method this way... although I haven't done your tube thing. @Nathan B.-- I love the understated framing, especially with the very thin line. Good choice of font too. I'd like to see the date of the coin along with the size. Full info, while useful, would detract from the artistic presentation but I think including the date would not make it too "busy".
Yes nice presentation!....I agree with Tif that the thin line framing makes the photo zing a little, I do like it!..... I've tried it on a particular photo of one of my Gadhaiya's. I've left the thin line and text in white at the moment but can see maybe muting it down as you've done is an improvement.......
I like the layouts and backgrounds. The contrast, I think is excellent as is the resolution. Do you use Photoshop? My main problem is getting the right focal distance for a given coin. Coins that are super high grade, without surface issues are easy to photograph, but coins with rough surfaces are more problematic. Focus too close, and the surface looks pitted and cratered, which distracts and is really not the way the coin looks in hand. This is especially true for dark AE coins, as well as dark, encrusted silver coins. I use, mostly, a black velvet-like material for background. If there is any lint in the image's background, I use the spot healing brush in Photoshop for cleanup. So, the process for me is a muddle. Sometimes the results are okay, other times (or most of the time) I could do better. Here's a photo of a dark, crude Byzantine AE trachy that I took yesterday. The photo taken in natural, diffuse skylight light (December is not a good month for this) was awful, so I resorted to flash. A beautiful, mostly problem-free coin is not as much of a challenge:
Your black template and design work is very classy and attractive - it highlights the coin while being understated and aesthetically clean.
