Coin Picture Background Color?

NGS428

What color do you prefer as the background of your images?

TV is white with a PCGS text. What color do you use for your own images?

EDIT2: Just created this image. Trying out the PSA label.... I think I still like black

Namvet69

Grey scale is the photo standard of pros everywhere. Peace Roy

RogerB

System is calibrated using a Kodak 18% gray card and Photoshop's monitor calibration routines. I drop out the original background and paste the coin image into neutral white RGB (255-255-255). This works best for me for publications.

Using a colored background during original photography can result in color contamination, especially of the rims. Photograph with a neutral background, then crop and paste into your desired color/texture.

DollarAfterDollar

I use a royal blue for most pictures (see my signature coin). Red works best for coppers.

Rules......................pfffft.

NGS428

@DollarAfterDollar said:
I use a royal blue for most pictures (see my signature coin). Red works best for coppers.

Rules......................pfffft.

Red would be interesting..

BillJones

I have used blue 99% of the time when the coin or token is raw. NGC coins force you into white, at least with old holders. Prong holders leave me with blue well in the background.

ricko

I really like the coin pictures with the black background....With good lighting on the coin, it makes the detail stand out and forces the eye to focus on the coin. Cheers, RickO

ctf_error_coins

White

NGS428

We have ourselves a tie folks...

chumley

I voted black...what ricko said

1630Boston

I have tried many background colors............and asked here..............I think the color depends on the coin itself.
Great question, Lets see what people here think

Jimnight

I personally use black.

Insider2

I'm the "Other." Your images are so good it didn't matter to me at all.

Stork

Other, depends on the coin. Personally I like black for silver and gold and a lighter background for copper/bronze. For a mixed set, or if I'm trying to keep the background bland, I go for a lighter grey.

Swampboy

Black for me.

divecchia

I like the look of the black background on your examples, but both look very realistic to me.

Donato

ldhair

I set the white balance on the camera using an 18% gray card. After that I shot the coin on dark blue.

NGS428

@ldhair said:
I set the white balance on the camera using an 18% gray card. After that I shot the coin on dark blue.

I am currently using a white index card for setting white balance. I am going to purchase a 18% grey card.

johnny9434

black, i think the coin stands out more. jmo

LindeDad

Mostly black for me but.

Gluggo

@chumley said:
I voted black...what ricko said

Ditto Black I also back Ricko!!!!!

BryceM

Black for most coins, especially gold. Pretty toners often look better on white. DCAM proofs often look better on white too. I'm not a huge fan of colors you'd find in a rainbow. You can cheat and use a gradient rim over a white background like our host does with TV's. You can see the way I do it below.

Here's a couple I have images for each way. I think the Lincoln is better on white and the gold on black. YMMV.

NGS428

@BryceM I think I will go with black unless the coin blends in (as your Lincoln does) in the image above. Then white.

Good pics!

Catbert

I generally favor white background since I think it highlights the coin more - ala naked. However, Black is a nice contrast with gold coins.

lkeigwin

White. Just the way my eyes work.
Lance.

MikeInFL

All black or all white is fine by me. However, I tend to use black myself at this point more for consistency sake than anything else.

NGS428

@MikeInFL said:
All black or all white is fine by me. However, I tend to use black myself at this point more for consistency sake than anything else.

I hear you on this. I will have to be consistent too! Otherwise my coin induced OCD will give me issues.

asheland

To me, it depends on the coin.

koynekwest

Black, except for brown copper.

NGS428

@asheland said:
To me, it depends on the coin.

If the coin is too close to black on the edges (toning..), I think that would be the only time I would stray from black.

Onastone

Some slabs are offered in black or white, both are pretty nice. I've seen a reflective foil background.....that makes me say YECHHHHHHHH. White is elegant and black is bold. Both are good depending on the coin. I'm not sure if I would like gray.

NGS428

@Onastone said:
Some slabs are offered in black or white, both are pretty nice. I've seen a reflective foil background.....that makes me say YECHHHHHHHH. White is elegant and black is bold. Both are good depending on the coin. I'm not sure if I would like gray.

Reflective foil background... Yeah, not a good idea.

rmpsrpms

Seems odd no one has mentioned a textured background. I take many pics on texture in order to avoid having to crop. Raw coins of course. I created a textured background at one time to paste cropped coins onto as well.

NGS428

Black takes the win. Thanks for voting everyone. Also, happy 4th of July!