Take great pictures on a low budget.

I was just given a used camera from a relative and of course I immediately had to try it out on coins. Because of course, I judge the quality of a camera on how good it takes coin images.
I snapped these photos under my dining room table light, in the dansco with the sleeve pulled out, while holding the camera. So no fancy lighting setup, shadow box or tripods.
The camera is a GE A1050 10 mp. It goes for $35-$60 used or $100 new on ebay.

Eveything is on auto. I used auto levels in image software. The images you see are a a near perfect representation of how they look in hand. I was pretty amazed they turned out so well.

If there is enough interest I could create a tutorial video on how to use imaging software to cut out, auto level and create the mirror effects(like the last picture).

What do you think? I left the second one in high resolution so you can see the high detail.







Here is full resolution of a date. If doubling was present, I think you would see it.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Outstanding photo's,, kudos.
How do you get them to be all the same size consistently? Also I would love to know how to get the black backgrounds and mirror bottoms?

 

Well, that is all done in imaging software like fireworks (which I use) or any other one. I will do a video tutorial if enough people would like to see how to do it. It can easily be done, it's novice level for sure.

 

Just as a reference, here is the 1941 without using any software.

 

Man, that is cool.

 

Copper

Here's how it stands up to copper and toning copper.

 

Interested

 

Yes, please post a tutorial; thanks!

-LTB

 

Nice pics. You used auto settings ? Macro focus ? How did you set the focal distance ?

 

Interested +1

 

Very nice

 

that 1940 is hot!

 

I am not sure what you mean by focal distance. When you half click the camera button, a box appears and if it is red, I am too close to the object, when its green, its focused properly. In this case I was about 12" from the object.

Ok I will create a video tutorial today on how to handle everything after taking the picture.

 

gbroke: With a image program you could make a real interesting adjust ment to your image:

 

Yep, absolutely coop. My school of thought is to manipulate the image to be as accurate of a representation, as the item in hand. Unfortunately a lot of ebay sellers use image software to make it look better or to hide negative aspects.

In fact, after looking at what you did, your stripe really is a better representation of my coin. It also shows more of the haziness or any flaws in the field.

 

Just a little help from Photo shop.

 

Was that a filter? Which one was it?

 

I made a duplicate image to keep both images in tact and transferred over the strip in the center.
I used hue/saturation and adjusted the saturation adjustment in the center of the pop up. A quick way to get to that on photoshop is to use ctrl+U. Then adjust the contrast/lighting.

 

Ok great. I will show the effects of birghtness/contrast, auto levels, and hue/saturation in my tutorial. I am going to try and keep it as easy as possible for the beginners. I may do the tutorial in gimp since that is free software for those who don't have photoshop or fireworks.

 

Probably work on different programs. One I've used for many years and familiar with it.