How to Photograph Coins
There are many reasons coin owners want to photograph their collections. Photographs provide a record of ownership and condition. They are also important for insurance, and allow coin collectors to share images with other collectors and sell their coins over the Internet. Photographing coins presents many challenges, though. Coins reflect light and can be quite small. However, with a little tweaking, most cameras can capture images of your coins.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Camera with macro setting
- Tripod
- Lights
- Screens
- White or black background
Instructions
-
-
1
Find the macro setting on your camera. Look for the button with a little flower on it. Macro allows your camera to take photographs of small items close up. This is what you need to photograph your coins. Press the macro button until the little flower appears in the display.
-
2
Attach your camera to a tripod. Coins tend to be small. The slightest movement while you take a picture will blur the coin's details. Use a tripod to minimize movement and blurring.
-
-
3
Place your coin on a white or black background. A piece of fabric or a solid T-shirt will work. If the coin is very shiny then a black background provides a nice contrast. If the coin is dark, like an old copper coin, then a white background works better. Spread the background on a flat surface and place the coin on top.
-
4
Use proper lighting on the coin. This is the greatest challenge when photographing coins. You must add enough light to bring out the coin's details yet avoid reflecting light and casting shadows. The best light is natural light from the sun. Set up near a window during the day. The light should be bright but not direct. That means no sunbeams. Another option is diffused light from a light bulb. Either place the bulb behind a screen to soften the light or bounce it off a ceiling or wall. Adjust the lighting until you can see coin details clearly and there are no shadows. Do not use your camera flash. The flash is uneven and not made for macro pictures.
-
5
Focus on the coin. Adjust the tripod so that the camera is facing down at the coin. With the camera in the macro setting, zoom in as far as you can. Adjust the height of the camera on the tripod so that the coin is framed well in the viewfinder. Press the shutter button half way and see if the camera focuses. If it does not focus, you are too close. Adjust until you have a crisp, clear photograph. If you are having trouble seeing a coin's detail, try tilting the coin up slightly by bunching the material beneath one side of it. A slight angle will bring out a lot of detail.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Photographing coins requires quite a bit of trial and error. Experiment with different lighting and different focal lengths. If your camera has exposure adjustments, experiment with them as well. When you find something that works, make a note of it so you can repeat the setting later.
