Best Practices For Digital Photography Of Stamps

Just wondering if anybody has a recommendation for photographing stamps for posting to internet. I use my iPhone, hold it by hand and hope for the best. Is there something better? Is there a mount or digital device that can be added or substituted? Any suggestions out there?

A scanner is preferred

Peter

Scanner.

While a scanner if you have one would be best if you have them set up correctly. If you do not have one then there is no reason that a phone will not work. Modern phones have very good cameras - especially Samsung.

You need to take pictures in good daylight preferably inside a north facing window in a bright day. Do not use artificial light. Then hold the camera as parallel to the stamp as possible and fill the frame id possible. Because of the depth of field these cameras have exactly parallel is not essential. If you camera can be voice activated use that if not try not to shake the camera when taking a shot. Take several and choose the best. Digital pictures are free. Experiment

AQ

I use a DSLR to take pictures especially when using UV images since in dark room. My 24MP DSLR with a macro lens resolves better than my Epson V600 scanner for really close work.

But with any camera (phone) it is best to support the camera so it is parallel to the subject and then provide supplemental illumination to get a more even exposure. The closer you can get it the less enlargement needed. The support also can reduce camera shake.

Common issues: out of focus, off angle, uneven illumination (like a shadow due to lighting), reflections, poor exposure (dark or washed out), poor color like if white balance is way, mixed light (incandescent with natural).

Android's have OK Google, and can take a photo by saying OK Google - Take a photo. I know Siri, can Take a picture, Take a panoramic picture and probably many other options.

Best to put the stamp on a black display board in a mount or similar, and have the phone lean against something.

With phones, movement is the enemy of both the subject and the actor.

A little time consuming, but I enjoy photographing many of my stamps. A older Nikon D7000 (DSLR) with a Nikon 105mm macro lens which will go 1:1 if needed. Of course a tripod and the camera parallel to the plane of the stamp(which is on a flat/satin black background) and a smaller aperture setting on the camera. As mentioned before the use of natural/diffused outdoor light from a north facing window is ideal. Oh yea I have my mirror lock on and use a cable release. I like my results....wish the majority of pics were better on Hip or ebay.

photo61guy summed it up well.

I do a lot of coin photography with a DSLR camera with a macro lens on a tripod with a remote shutter release in diffused daylight. I found that photographing stamps the same way results in better clarity than the best scanner results.

Here is a DSLR photo of a US #300 (click to enlarge):

Wow! That #300 shot is incredible. Nice work

Thanks, PT1977.