Unterriblafying Coin Photography in 1,000 Easy Steps

[Madness]

Every coin photo I have ever taken looks like crap.  The images I take resemble the coins in the same way that this painting resembles the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra:

 

I've taken an initial step to improve things by building an ugly-looking rig in an attempt to remove shake-induced blur.  I lay my phone (Sony Xperia XZ Premium) flat on the platform with the lens resting over the chiseled-out hole

It seems to have achieved its purpose, but I'm finding it hard to get the lighting and settings right so that all the details are captured and the colour looks natural.  Could you please pass on your tips and tricks to de-stupidfy me? 

 

[1949threepence]

Love that word "unterriblafying". 

Coins are an absolute sod to get a decent photograph of, and when I first joined this forum, I just couldn't get anything decent. Especially with regard to focus, close ups and getting the correct lighting. 

These days, I use my tablet, which has auto focus. I take the pics in slightly subdued artificial light, taking pains to avoid glare as far as is possible. That gives me quite a decent photo. Not professional, but sharp enough to be a good representation, show all but the most tiny details, and correctly reflect the colouring in most cases. It took me a long time to get it right. 

Lighting is definitely a trial and error process. I take all my photos in my spare bedroom, in which I still use old incandescent 100w light bulbs, and a dimmer switch. Sounds a bit Heath-Robinson, I know. But you have to poddle about, until you find the arrangement which gives you the best pics. 

I can't get on at all using natural light on either a cloudy or Sunny day. 

I've no doubt others will have far better ideas and more professional experience than me, but I hope the above ditty will help at least in some small way. Shows it can be done quite well, even without much expense or specialist equipment.      

[1949threepence]

I should also have added, there's a really good pinned thread in "Free for All", called "Photographing Coins" - link to it

[ozjohn]

Hi Madness,

l notice from your post you have managed to find a copy stand for coin photography. I have looked high and low in Oz for one without success although I've seen them on overseas Ebay with very high shipping charges. At present I use a tripod which is less than ideal.

If you could let me know where you got your one from I would appreciate it.

Thanks

[Madness]

18 minutes ago, ozjohn said:

Hi Madness,

l notice from your post you have managed to find a copy stand for coin photography. I have looked high and low in Oz for one without success although I've seen them on overseas Ebay with very high shipping charges. At present I use a tripod which is less than ideal.

If you could let me know where you got your one from I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Thanks for your compliment!  I built it myself for about $30 AUD using bits and pieces from Bunnings and a piece of wood I had lying around at home.  Would you like me to list the parts and how I made it?

I don't know much about photography, but I don't think it's really a copy stand.  More of a platform that can be raised and lowered on which I lay my phone.  

Edit: The only tools you need are a drill, saw, chisel and mallet.  If you don't have access to these I'd be happy to make one for you for the cost of parts and shipping.  I could probably adapt the design to make something more in line with a proper copy stand.  If you wanted to get fancy, I could also mount stands for lighting.

Edit 2: Just found this on eBay

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rocwing-Ball-Head-Compact-Photo-Studio-Copy-Stand-for-Macro-Photography/183429636554?hash=item2ab54221ca:g:d2kAAOSwPrlbmQEu

Is it suitable for your purposes? 

Edited October 3, 2018 by Madness

[ozjohn]

Hi madness,

Thanks for that . I'm feeling inspired and will take a look in our local Bunnings.

Regards,

Ozjohn