| Author |
 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,095 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
I came across a seller on ebay whose coin pictures seemed to be taken at a slight angle rather than directly above the coin. I do not know a lot about coin photography, but it made me suspicious. Is this a technique to hide something like scratches from cleaning or other alterations or am I just overly suspicious? |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
I wouldn't worry about it. It's probably his attempt to avoid a shadow over the coin. I have to have my setup honed in pretty good to take direct images. If he was hiding something, I wouldn't expect him to use that angle all the time -- only when necessary.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
716 Posts |
The reason I bring this up is that I read an article online a while ago(which I cannot find) that mentioned taking coin pictures at an angle is a technique that can be used to conceal hairline scratches on a coin. This particular seller had all his pictures taken at an angle and he had a 7 day return policy. However, he also has a 15% restocking fee . Obviously this will discourage returns. So I just wonder wonder is he hiding something. The whole thing just made me suspicious, and I hesitate to buy from him.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5862 Posts |
In my experience, taking a picture at an angle is a good way to show off the reflectivity/luster of a coin (especially without getting a reflection of the camera). It also tends to minimize scratches, however, so it really depends on the seller and his or her motives.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1298 Posts |
If you are buying on ebay, look very carefully at feedback. Here you can generally tell if the seller is honest about his discription and images of coins. You can always ask the seller about a coin and to email you some other photos. Most will do this. If they won't, then they are probably trying to hide something by taking photos at an angle. |
|
Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
The reason I bring this up is that I read an article online a while ago(which I cannot find) that mentioned taking coin pictures at an angle is a technique that can be used to conceal hairline scratches on a coin. I think that's an incomplete truth, spread by someone who found *one* way that worked. Hiding or showing hairlines is purely a function of the type of lighting used. You can hide them just as easily in a flat-face image by diffusing the light correctly, or show them in a tilted image by directly lighting from the right angle. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
Thanks for all your input. Maybe I was a little too suspicious, but you can't be too careful when buying on ebay. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Quote:
Superdave:
I think that's an incomplete truth, spread by someone who found *one* way that worked. Hiding or showing hairlines is purely a function of the type of lighting used. You can hide them just as easily in a flat-face image by diffusing the light correctly, or show them in a tilted image by directly lighting from the right angle. Exactly correct lighting is everything surface details being prominent or hidden in a photo. This has little to do with the tilt or angle of the coin to the lens plane. The tilt would induce a more 3D look however, making a coin look quite nice beyond a flat look, the trouble is most tilted coins are not in sharp focus, heck most ebay photos are not very sharp! "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
WRONG.........NEVER SAY....I hate to say, Angled shots are all honest.......but it is a 2 way street..
Many do take over lighted angled shots, as well as many do take
"SEVERAL" shots at angles so you can get the overall consensus of the coins
TRUE appearance...
If one really wants to know how the seller fares/represents themselves over all just check out the feedback listings and photo's shown,,,this fact tells the tale of how truthfull the seller is
|
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:Exactly correct lighting is everything surface details being prominent or hidden in a photo. This has little to do with the tilt or angle of the coin to the lens plane. The tilt would induce a more 3D look however, making a coin look quite nice beyond a flat look, the trouble is most tilted coins are not in sharp focus, heck most ebay photos are not very sharp! The problem is the minute depth-of-field associated with macro photography. Some time down the road, I'm going to do some experimentation with tilted images and focus-stacking. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
I absolutely agree Dave, usually within the macro field when the lens is at an angle, the depth of field deteriorates farther from the center of the object, and the depth of field/quality of the lens it self often shows the outer limits
are not as defined as the center is...My point is, often the angle hides defects, but if the seller offers a few photo's, it clears all things up as one can see the reflectivity/luster as well as any minor defects, macro photo's over emphasize..
|
| |
Replies: 10 / Views: 2,095 |
|
Posted 12/20/2011 09:02 am
