Can You Please Critique These Photos

Not sure why I missed this thread when it was first posted back in January.

I can't help with any issues related to the camera. I don't use a cellphone camera to shoot coins for various reasons.

What I do see is that there are some issues with lighting:

- The use of a single light coming in at 12:00 does not give the uniform illumination folks look for today. The classic recommendation of two lights, one at 10:00 and one at 2:00, is more uniform. If you don't want to use two lights you can simulate a 2-light solution by using something to block the light coming directly from 12:00. This will reduce the hotspotting seen on the top of Lincoln's hair and the top of the mottoes, etc.

- The light that is being used is at much too low an angle. You'll notice that the fields are fairly dark, as are the top surfaces of the devices, while the edges of devices (around 12:00) are brighter. This gives a Dark/Bright/Dark appearance. If you bring the light(s) up to a higher angle, more light will reflect from the fields and the top surfaces of the devices, and less from the edges of the devices. At some angle they will be about equal, and a little higher they will flip to Bright/Dark/Bright. This is what you're looking for with lighting, ie an emphasis on the surfaces of the fields and devices, de-emphasis on the edges of the devices, and some contrast between them.

Looks like you moved the light to ~1:30, and maybe a little higher? It is a bit more evenly lit but you need to go even higher...

Oh my, that is a big step backward from the last photo. Weird colors, blown highlights. Still only one light. Why do you resist going to two lights? It would greatly improve your photos.