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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;gbroke, post: 1723233, member: 22585&quot;]Thanks for all the responses and compliments. Everyone made some great points. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Doug, if it&#039;s a coin type I have imaged many times in the past, like Jefferson&#039;s, it&#039;s one and done. </p><p>One thing experience has taught me is the proper lighting positions for the various coin types. I know exactly where to move the lights for each series. </p><p><br /></p><p>In cases of major toners, proofs, or unfamiliar coins, I usually take 3 or 4 images per side.&nbsp; However, I always felt that with certain coins, especially toned proofs, more than one image is necessary to properly portray the coin. One with more direct light to show color, and one with less direct light to show cameos and luster. I take note of the lighting positions for each shot so the next time, multiple images will not be necessary. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I don&#039;t feel PCGS needs to take multiple images of each coin and choose one. However, I would certainly think they would do a one second adjustment on lights to properly highlight the coin type.</p><p>The 1916 cent is the perfect example... The hair detail is hardly shown in their image, compared to mine. All they need to do is move the lights. </p><p>I don&#039;t think that&#039;s expecting too much from a professional paid imaging service.&nbsp; If it&#039;s a matter of too much volume, then maybe they should hire more photographers...&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Contrast and luster:</b></p><p>To me, the eye appeal is what makes a coin a desirable one. We all know that luster plays a very important role in high grades / eye appeal.</p><p>Although I may slightly over-contrast some of my images, it certainly brings out the luster. The images of my coins posted in this thread are a much better representation of the coins in hand. You&#039;ll have to take my word on that obviously.&nbsp; That&#039;s really my goal in imaging and should be the goal of all coin photographers. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>The grades of the coins.</b></p><p>I will post a contest soon for grade guesses. I am trying to decide on the prizes.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Imaging resources:</b></p><p>I have been working on the tutorial on and off for some time. I am trying to make it as easy to understand as possible and to share the lessons and tricks I have learned over the last few years. I will post it when it&#039;s ready.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the meantime, I implore any budding coin photographers to buy and actually read Mark Goodman&#039;s book.</p><p>If you aren&#039;t interested in the book at this time, or are low on cash, then read his very in depth article on his website.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Numismatic-Photography-2nd-Mark-Goodman/dp/193399004X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1370734924&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=numismatic+photography" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.amazon.com/Numismatic-Photography-2nd-Mark-Goodman/dp/193399004X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1370734924&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=numismatic+photography" rel="nofollow">The book is available on Amazon</a>. </p><p><a href="http://www.coinimaging.com/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinimaging.com/" rel="nofollow">The article is on Mark&#039;s website.</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Photo editing:</b></p><p>I use <a href="http://picasa.google.com/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://picasa.google.com/" rel="nofollow">Google Picassa</a> to do my adjustments. It&#039;s free, does a great job and very easy to use. </p><p>This does everything you will need except for circle cropping and doing side by sides.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Cropping and presentation:</b></p><p><a href="http://www.cointalk.com/t175157/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.cointalk.com/t175157/">Ken&#039;s thread on using Photoscape</a> to circle crop and what not.</p><p>I use <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/fireworks.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.adobe.com/products/fireworks.html" rel="nofollow">adobe fireworks</a> for my cropping, shadows and other presentation stuff.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Final thoughts:</b></p><p>I really should have started this thread a different way. Instead of being negative in regards to the tru-views, I should have put the emphasis on how easy it is to achieve quality pictures on your own with inexpensive equipment and simple setups.&nbsp; I am not trying to persuade people not to use their service. </p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks again for all the participation in the thread.</p><p><br /></p><p>Happy imaging!</p><p><br /></p><p>-greg[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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