Images are perception and should not be deception

dizzyfoxx

Just some thoughts I have on coin photography:

The importance of properly imaging a coin whether it be to promote for sale or simply to share with other enthusiasts, is incredibly great. This is expresed regarding many facets of the hobby. If a seller wishes to sell a coin on the web, and the image is not portrayed to its' complete potential, it may not create viable interest and probably will not realize its' true value. If it is exaggerated in such a way as to give a false impression of luster, toning, or technical condition, then the potential buyer will only cringe when the coin arrives for it will not be what was in the mind of the collector. It is amazing to me how this venue is almost exclusively related to coins. The other hobby interests I've had experience in which includes sportscards, comic books, and others, the imaging of these products is quite easy, in my opinion, to mimic their "look" with a simple scanner or mediocre digital camera. The art of imaging a coin is just that, an "art". The skill of having the correct type of lighting, the correct amount of light, the angle of the light, the type of camera, the camera settings, the camera distance away from the coin, the angle of the coin, the background behind the coin, etc. etc. All of these details must fall into place with synchronicity and if "one" is off, the coin will not be portrayed at its' finest and how it truly looks in reality.

magikbilly

<< <i>All of these details must fall into place with synchronicity and if "one" is off, the coin will not be portrayed at its' finest and how it truly looks in reality. >>



IIMHO, even if done "correctly", it is still a very good image of someone elses perception of the coin. It is really just another "lens" through which to view the coin. An an "art" coin photograpghy will remain subjective - like grading. No offense to the photographers out there.

billy

pharmer

Here's a hint: you can remove doubts about your images, especially on remarkable coins, by including various well known points of reference for the observer, such as the color of leaves, the sky, and even skin color, which is pretty hard to tweak




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pharmer

Another case in point, some might question this coin's imaged appearance without peripheral context. Not sure what prompted the thread, although I have noticed some measure of disbelief when various TCCS member's coins are shown here. I've seen many of those in person, and although maybe hard to believe for some people, they are just remarkable coins, no tweaking of the sort you warn of or urge others to eschew.

Longacre

Well said