Following an introductory overview of the scientific goals of optical/NIR imaging of extrasolar terrestrial planets, recent work on some related technical problems in coronagraphic optics will be described in more detail. These include concepts for optimized pupil anisotropic coronagraph designs, a theoretical investigation of terrestrial planet characterization using diurnal light curves, comparison of this model to recent Earthshine observations of terrestrial diffuse scattered light and speculative but potentially practical techniques for the direct detection of extrasolar plants and coastlines.