Re^4: The best object to provide scale on a photo showing a small object is:

If I had to pick one coin without knowing what the small object is I would probably lean towards a US dime or more likely the nickel (or a similar coin from another currency). The silver-like color works with more things than copper (penny) or "gold" (US $1 coin). And the nickel is thicker, which would help it stand out more in lower angle camera shots than the dime. Quarters can be a bit too big (ditto for the US $1 coin). An ancient coin would likely draw too much attention to itself (focus is supposed to be on the small object) and people would be less familiar with it, so it would be less useful to indicate size.

Problems with the others:

Pen(cil) and Keyboard: Less flexibility than the coin. Implies certain settings (office, on a desk).
Ruler: Little artistic value. Will likely draw attention from the small object. Looks out of place outside.
Credit card: Everyone will be looking at the number.... ;-)
CD and Floppy: Less flexible and may date the photo -- e.g. maybe use a DVD or BD today instead?
Door key: One of the better choices, but still less flexible than the coin (key in grass or sand?)
Thimble: One of the better choices, but may draw attention away from the small object and looks a bit out of place outdoors.
Drinking glass: Too big.
Human hand or finger: varies in size too much.

Anyway, the short version is that coins offer the most flexibility for generating a photo that is both functional and artistic.

Elda Taluta; Sarks Sark; Ark Arks

Comment on Re^4: The best object to provide scale on a photo showing a small object is:

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Re^5: The best object to provide scale on a photo showing a small object is: by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Mar 02, 2011 at 01:17 UTC
The problem with coins is that they vary widely in size within any currency, and are very country/trading area specific/limited. The beauty of a CD--for which I would include DVDs & Blue-rays, is they are universal as much as anything is; have a very standardized size, and more than one point of accurate reference--the outer diameter, the inner diameter, the writing around the centre; the thickness. From an artistic point of view, the reflective rear surface opens up any number of possibilities. Hm. This is a silly poll, and yet, we're taking it seriously. It's that coders instinct to want to solve the problem I guess :) Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error. "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.	[reply]
Re^6: The best object to provide scale on a photo showing a small object is: by Argel (Prior) on Mar 02, 2011 at 02:08 UTC
It would be interesting to find out what the average diameter is for modern day coins. Anything too large is now handled via paper currency (or plastic), so I do not think the variance is anything to be too concerned about. Though if I knew the average diameter, I would probably pick a coin that was very close to that size. Good point on your part! The biggest factor for me, even to the point of overriding the variance size concerns you raised, is that the coin is the only item on that list that can be used virtually anywhere without looking too out of place. Regarding CDs/DVDs/BDs, I think there is still the issue of potentially being too big, and thus distracting from the small object that should be the main focus of the photograph. And of course the location issue. The size can be partially mitigated by using a Mini-CD, but not the location. Hm. This is a silly poll, and yet, we're taking it seriously. It's that coders instinct to want to solve the problem I guess :) Lol!! I've been doing a lot of 3D graphics work lately (as a hobby), so I think I'm in "how would I create a scene as described in the title?" mode. It's almost like a render challenge. (^_^) Update: As a side note, if more than one coin can be used then I think that also pretty much negates the size variance issue. Elda Taluta; Sarks Sark; Ark Arks	[reply]
Re^7: The best object to provide scale on a photo showing a small object is: by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Mar 02, 2011 at 02:26 UTC
Regarding CDs/DVDs/BDs, I think there is still the issue of potentially being too big, I'd just place the object near (or in) the central hole and macro focus in on the hole and object. Chose the right angle and you can have whatever seems relevant reflected in the CD as a background; or simply isolate the object using depth of field. Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error. "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.	[reply]
Re^8: The best object to provide scale on a photo showing a small object is: by Argel (Prior) on Mar 02, 2011 at 03:25 UTC
Re^9: The best object to provide scale on a photo showing a small object is: by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Mar 02, 2011 at 04:22 UTC