Like my coins, I often have problems with lighting to get the coins bright enough but not to change the way it looks. I also think the black background makes coins look darker, which is why I don't use black but that is my opinion and experience of course.
i wonder if anyone will have a camera in 10 years that you can't also play games on and surf the internet? here's what i use to take my coin pictures.... man, is it hard to text on that thing. those pictures look nice guys! this coin was the most difficult for me to photograph...i actually just threw in the towel and used the sellers pic. when i finally get a phone with a good camera on it, i'll reshoot it.