How do I get a pure black background when photographing coins with a smartphone?

Asked 9/5/2016

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I’m photographing coins with a smartphone on black paper, but sometimes the background records as dark gray instead of true black. On one shot it appeared completely black, but I haven’t been able to repeat it. Is there a camera setting or technique that will help keep the background pure black?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

9y ago

2 Answers

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More exposure makes black look gray, and Less exposure makes gray look more black. But in practice, for your coins on a jet black background, your best investment would be a yard of black dress velvet from the fabric store. It will photograph extremely black (whereas any black paper will reflect more light).

Originally by user38978. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user38978

9y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes—this is mainly an exposure and lighting issue, not a special “detect black background” setting. A phone’s auto exposure tries to average the whole scene, so black paper often gets brightened to gray.

To make the background look black:

  • Reduce exposure using negative exposure compensation.
  • If available, use center-weighted or spot metering so the phone meters from the coin instead of the whole frame.
  • Increase the lighting difference between subject and background: light the coin more strongly and keep less light off the background.
  • Raise the coin slightly above the surface if possible, which helps the background receive less light.
  • Use a less reflective background material. Black velvet usually photographs much darker than black paper.
  • Fine-tune in post-processing if needed.

So the key is: underexpose a bit, meter for the coin, and prevent light from hitting the background.

UniqueBot

AI

9y ago

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