Silly question......is it okay to slightly tilt the coin to show pl fields?

coinsarefun

Maybe my image doesn't even show it but I struggle with showing any that are prooflike.

The first is the lighting changed from directly down to an angle but coin remains flat.
Second is coin tilted very slightly so the light bounces off the fields.
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To me the second image is more accurate when in hand and rotating it. The devices are a bit frosty, therefore darker.
OR.....don't tilt it as it looks fine regular??
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Opinions?

pursuitofliberty

hhmmpphh

I like the general look of the 1st image better, as the second image almost looks tweaked and oversaturated (especially the reverse), even though I am near certain it is not.

I do not think there is a problem with doing a slight shift to the plane of the coin to capture mirroring in the fields, but maybe, if selling, showing and explaining both is prudent.

Good looking piece, and wonderful images Stephanie

bigjpst

Both look good. If I were selling the item I would include both. If I were just using photo for my album I would choose the one that looks most like the item in hand.
Out of your two photos I think the second has more “pop” and would choose that one for display.

coinsarefun

@pursuitofliberty said:
hhmmpphh

I like the general look of the 1st image better, as the second image almost looks tweaked and oversaturated (especially the reverse), even though I am near certain it is not.

I do not think there is a problem with doing a slight shift to the plane of the coin to capture mirroring in the fields, but maybe, if selling, showing and explaining both is prudent.

Good looking piece, and wonderful images Stephanie

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To me I see it as opposite. The first image kinda washed out the reflectivity of the fields. The second image shows what it looks like in hand. I din't mess with the colors but perhaps I'm to hasty with placement of lighting and coin.......an extreme possibility. Thanks for your opinion

MsMorrisine

Is it? Absolutely

airplanenut

I routinely will show both types of photos when selling to give a more accurate depiction of the coin. Single photos are often a compromise because many coins look different in different angles/lighting. There's nothing wrong with showing more than one. That said, if a coin looks a certain way only in certain conditions (especially if it doesn't look that way with most lighting) then if using the photos to sell the coin, I'd be careful to specify what it takes for a given photo to be accurate, and how the coin might otherwise look.

yosclimber

The coin is not tilted so far to appear oval, so it seems like a good method.

Other options:

1. Put the camera further away (on a tall macro stand). Then with the light(s) next to the camera you can tilt the coin even less. Could require a longer lens and taller macro stand, though.

2. Use axial lighting by shooting through a piece of glass at a 45 degree angle, with the light low and off to the side. This is what my daughter in law does. https://www.instagram.com/coinpeeps/?hl=en

PerryHall

A coin can look differently in-hand depending on the type of lighting and the angle that the light hits the coin's surfaces. More than one set of pics may be necessary to give a complete idea of what a coin looks like. Both of your pics do this nicely. Great pics.

ricko

We have learned here on the forum how coin photography can show a coin in many different ways. If selling, I would include different pictures (in order to give a comprehensive idea of the product), explaining why they look different. If for personal use, I would select the one that gives the perspective that induced me to purchase it. Cheers, RickO

BillJones

Very much so.

Often one picture does not provide a completely accurate image of the item. Angle shots provide more information. Think of it this way. When you examine an item in person, you look at it from various angles. This is the same concept. Of course, showing only angle shots can be deceptive if that is all you provide.

MWallace

Dealers will photo coins tilted to show color, proof, or proof-like fields. Some will show the coin straight on and tilted. Those are the dealers I like and trust the most.

coinsarefun

Here's another perfect example. When in hand and rotating the obverse pops with color. But flat down on the counter......brown.
But, this medal is so high of a relief I want to pick up that tankard and see what's in it

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Zoins

It's a common practice to tilt the coin to get more color. You can see this in slab shots from toning photographers like Brandon Kelley and Dick Abrahams.

I've been wondering if the coin could be digitally straightened out after the fact.

lkenefic

As others have stated, its commonplace for a seller to have multiple images taken at various angles to highlight color or proof-like fields. In fact, I'm more inclined to bid when I can see several different images taken at various angles.

nwcoast

@Zoins said:
It's a common practice to tilt the coin to get more color. You can see this in slab shots from toning photographers like Brandon Kelley and Dick Abrahams.

I've been wondering if the coin could be digitally straightened out after the fact.

Yes indeed. It is not difficult to digitally correct for spherical distortion which may have resulted from tilting the coin. Architure photographers have been doing this for a very long time. Digital technology has made it much easier.

As for the question Stef…. It’s a very good question!
Not silly at all.

vulcanize

Perhaps a small video or gif file of the coin when slightly tilted and rotated that shows the fields better than just the photographs like in the following thread?

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1034527/animated-coin-gif

Also something similar to the following

https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/533324780869959568/

Edited to add link

MarkInDavis

Indirect light such as bright light through white paper will show off mirrors nicely. I like to see both types of photos.

coinsarefun

@vulcanize said:
Perhaps a small video or gif file of the coin when slightly tilted and rotated that shows the fields better than just the photographs like in the following thread?

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1034527/animated-coin-gif

Also something similar to the following

https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/533324780869959568/

Edited to add link

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I thought about doing this because I’ve seen many do it on Instagram and it really does help understand the coin
better. I guess I would probably do that if/when I decide to sell but for now it’s to much effort on my part

The_Dinosaur_Man

Coins have detail, luster, color, and relief, and it is simply impossible to capture the in-hand look in a single image. Multiple images are necessary and should be the norm. I personally take an initial photo straight on and a secondary photo with axial lighting. I don't tilt the coin as I don't want to distort any of the details.

coinsarefun

Nice images! Of a beautiful coin. I haven’t gotten into axial lighting but will read up on it and try soon.
Thanks for the pic comparison’s

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q @The_Dinosaur_Man said:
Coins have detail, luster, color, and relief, and it is simply impossible to capture the in-hand look in a single image. Multiple images are necessary and should be the norm. I personally take an initial photo straight on and a secondary photo with axial lighting. I don't tilt the coin as I don't want to distort any of the details.

ctf_error_coins

If you tilt your coins too much they may start looking elliptical ...

Type2

Very cool.

Goldminers

TrueView vs slab photo (with dust). Absolutely more than one photo is needed to get to know the coin or medal. To me the TrueView almost looks fake.

ctf_error_coins

@Goldminers said:
To me the TrueView almost looks fake.

But it is not fake, it's is called professional photography.

coinsarefun

@Goldminers said:
TrueView vs slab photo (with dust). Absolutely more than one photo is needed to get to know the coin or medal. To me the TrueView almost looks fake.

I honestly don’t see trueviews as fake. You can ask to show the fields as such in your picture or
not. But this pic is knockout gorgeous! You can see any imperfections in the fields which is important
on judging the grade. I’ve tried my best to achieve this. Sometimes I get lucky and it shows.
But, if afforded I think this along with a slightly rotated video as Stacks is doing now real asset.

ctf_error_coins

Altho I do sometimes tilt coins for proof or proof like surfaces, I seem to always have to tilt for color as in toning.

And because I only have slabbed coins, I have to shoot through plastic which makes photography 10 times harder.

I just set up my camera to shoot some color through a scratched PCGS Slab, this should be fun

Goldminers

@coinsarefun said:

@Goldminers said:
TrueView vs slab photo (with dust). Absolutely more than one photo is needed to get to know the coin or medal. To me the TrueView almost looks fake.

I honestly don’t see trueviews as fake. You can ask to show the fields as such in your picture or
not. But this pic is knockout gorgeous! You can see any imperfections in the fields which is important
on judging the grade. I’ve tried my best to achieve this. Sometimes I get lucky and it shows.
But, if afforded I think this along with a slightly rotated video as Stacks is doing now real asset.

I guess I am just not used to the way it looks in the TrueView because in hand it is proof-like compared to that photo, unless held exactly flat. The upper details of the United States and rear compartment details get lost in the dark contrast. I would have loved to get both versions in TrueView photos, but I asked too late, and it was already encapsulated.

All of your photos of the Astor County tankard look very realistic to me, but the tilted upper ones are my favorites and show more of the medal's complex character.