Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;sf340flier, post: 206297, member: 5806&quot;]I wanted to point out one technique for spotting &quot;doctored&quot; photos on Ebay and other online auctions.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you have ever attempted coin photography, then you know adjusting the white balance is important in accurately showing your coin (so is lighting and camera angle, but those are issues for another day).&nbsp; If an auction has more than one picture of a coin available, then study the backgrounds of each for comparison.&nbsp; While small differences are not uncommon, big color differences could indicate the seller is &quot;messing&quot; with the color balance to hide a problem or embellish an area that is not as strong with the coin in hand.</p><p><br /></p><p>I found an example this evening which may help illustrate this point.&nbsp; The particular auction I am using as an example actually isn&#039;t selling any coins, but the pictures used in the ad have been enhanced (in my opinion) to convince the buyer their product really works (which it very well may -- but that is not the point here).</p><p><br /></p><p>If you go to <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Cent-darkener-TANFASTIC-Add-Value-To-Your-Coins_W0QQitemZ190091197776QQcategoryZ39456QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Cent-darkener-TANFASTIC-Add-Value-To-Your-Coins_W0QQitemZ190091197776QQcategoryZ39456QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" rel="nofollow">this ebay auction</a>, you will see two pictures of the same coin purportedly being before and after photos.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Notice the background on each.&nbsp; This is most likely the same background for both pictures (note the texture, details, etc.), but the white balance has been severely increased on the top picture.&nbsp; You can easily see how bright it is when compared to the bottom one.</p><p><br /></p><p>I always study the picture backgrounds (even on slabbed coins) when considering an online purchase.&nbsp; If I see noticeable background color differences than I become very weary.&nbsp; If I am really interested in the coin, I will often ask for more photos.&nbsp; Of course, a seller&#039;s refund policy and reputation help alleviate some of the concern.</p><p><br /></p><p>I know there are better photography people on these boards, so others may have other ways to spot suspicious photos.</p><p><br /></p><p>Also, I am not implying in any way that the seller&#039;s product does not work (I have never used it, so I wouldn&#039;t know).&nbsp; I just wanted to discuss my opinions on online photographic techniques and white balance:smile[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in