Which pic do you prefer?
Flatwoods
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Sometimes I feel that I get set in my ways and need other's opinions.
I know how this would have normally ended up. I happened to look at it another way and liked it too.
From a purely aesthetic point of view, which image do you prefer?
Any and all input is welcome and appreciated. 
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Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
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Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
From a purely aesthetic point of view, the darker, more shadow view of Picture 1 is appealing, but the coin you imaged is gorgeous in both pics. Truly nice 11-S!
Thanks guys. I think I see where this is headed.
I normally would have used the second pic.
Actually, it's the same pic, just a bump in exposure. I took the original and thought it looked nice.
Hence my reason for asking. I just get used to doing things and tend to repeat them, even if it isn't always right.
The top one.
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I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
Both are great pictures. I’d say what ever one the coin actually looks like in hand. People can do all kinds of things with software adjustments. But each of those pictures are sharp and clear
Martin
Edited to say I missed the part of witch picture that you like the best. I like the first one the best. But both pictures are excellent
Excellent point. It looks like both depending on whether the light is shining directly on the face or if you look at it somewhat shaded.
Also, no software adjustments in either just a bump in camera exposure.
The top one (#1)
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Here's another vote for #1, but it's close. Both look great to me.
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I actually like the second one best. Which one, in your opinion, best represents the coin in hand?
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I like the one that best represents the coin in hand.
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Both are great! I think #1 looks a little better.
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Top one shows more depth of detail. Second one washes out slightly some of the detail.
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Dave
1 because the contrast adds to the eye appeal
Mr_Spud
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I like picture number two..... Now, if I were selling, I would use the picture that best represents the coin in hand, in reasonable light. Cheers, RickO
For starters, I don't know how dark the coin is, so I don't know which one is "correct."
I think I like #2 better, though. There's more detail visible in the dark areas than on the first coin. Maybe something in between is best. Increase the exposure a little bit and then adjust the curves in post processing to bump up the shadow detail a little. I did this and reduced a slight yellowish cast. This is what I imagine the coin looking like. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong.
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Top picture for me, too.
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the 1st one
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K
I like #2, but it really comes down to which one represents the coin in hand.
I would prefer whichever image looks most like the coin in-hand. Aside from that, I think they are both terrific and that the subject coin is gorgeous.
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I like #1, looks more natural. When I look at 2, I think maybe it was lightly dipped. I try not to use any of my PC's photo enhancement features other than clarity. If I don't think the photo matches the look, will try again with different lighting, but keep Light and Color at 0.
This is not always the best approach. Small adjustments in post-processing can be much faster than trying additional photos. If your histogram doesn't show any clipping, and the picture looks reasonable, adjust exposure-related things later in camera raw mode. If you shoot a gray card at the same time, you can fix your white balance in post-processing, too.
Things like the effects of the direction of light and focus you need to fix when shooting.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
You're probably right, but I use a cheap 10 year old P&S camera in macro mode, unlike my wife's expensive NIkons that she adjusts her photos in the camera. She also uses PhotoShop software and can make a sunset look spectacular.
I only have the Microsoft Pictures features on my PC that has Light, Color and Clarity with Crop, lol. But you're right, sometimes I take half a dozens photos to capture what I feel is the true look of the coin, au natural.
Thanks for all the comments. As already mentioned, these images are straight out of the camera. No adjustments.
The second had a tad higher exposure.
As far as how the coin looks in hand, it looks like number 1 and with a little more light it looks like number two. ??
It's a beautiful coin. I prefer #1, but which image more closely resembles the coin "in-hand"?
Edited to add: ie, more closely in hand using regular ambient light and under a loupe...
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#1 for the in-hand look. In all cases, getting the in-hand look is the most honest measure both for the buyer and the seller. A higher exposure can wash out some of the details, though in the event that it picks up color or luster that a lower exposure does not bring out, having both photographic styles can represent the idea of tilting a coin to a lamp thereby mimicking an in-person examination.Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
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Tom
I like 2, but could be my monitor ... they are essentially the same to me
aes·thet·ic
[esˈTHedik]
ADJECTIVE
concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty:
"the pictures give great aesthetic pleasure"
NOUN
a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement:
"the Cubist aesthetic"
When I was given a job to run on press, the first inspection always centered on the halftones (pics) supporting the quality
or importance of the final signed off sample. (or Press Check).
Within our circle of operators we always had our opinions which mostly fell on deaf ears in the chain.
Although dated material or other factors were not supplied, thus deaf ears.
I always hated when the halftones were neglected
Halftones or process pics MUST jump out at you. I say must, because, its not a new way just created. (DPI)
The first Photo is almost there.
Just a thought... If placed on a pedistole or stage, that may pop it, a bit.
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