how to take pictures?

You need to find the Macro setting on your camera, most of them have a button or setting that looks like a flower. Then you can take great close up shots. Some say that if you don't have a macro setting, you can take a picture through a jewelers loupe (fancy magnifying glass) and that works as well.
 

I find that scanning things is even better if you can get them to fit. Coins come out great when scanned.
 

In addition to what was stated above. If you take the picture in natural light (outside) I find that helps.

NJ
 

jman of ny said:
Hey all,
i was wondering if anyone had tips on taking good pictures of your finds? all mine seem to come out blurry!


Here is how I do it...

1) Change settings of camera to MACRO mode. This is usually shown by the tulip icon on the camera. It will allow you to get as close as 6 inches or less to the subject.

2) Change picture size to the smallest size (you can also reduce picture sizes in photo editing programs like Microsoft Picture Manager).

3) Turn Flash setting to OFF when photographing most coins. I usually try both OFF and AUTO and choose the better results.

4) Place the camera on a tripod, if available, or steady the camera by other means.

5) Set the camera timer to 5 or 10 seconds to reduce camera shake. This is especially important when using natural light.

6) Depress the shutter button.

7) Adjust the contrast and brightness and crop the photo using your favorite editing program

You should get sharper photos every time!!

Good luck!
Neil
 

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Hi! and welcome to TNet!

If your shooting indoors (low-light conditions), chances are you can't hold your camera steady enough during the exposure.
You might want to pick up an aluminum reflector with a 250 watt bulb at the hardware store and use it as an additional light source.
You also may want to find something solid that you can brace your camera against to keep it steady while taking your picture.

Another possible factor. . . you could be holding your camera TOO CLOSE to your subject and it's out of focusing range. . . with most camera's,
14" is about as close as you can get to your subject unless your camera has "close-up" or "macro" lens capabilities.

Hope this helps,
watercolor
 

If you don't have a macro option on your cam, no problem... shoot it in the highest quality; getting as close as you can to get a clear pic. Now open the pic in you editing software and crop out everything but the coin. For instance, here's an original pic with a Canon a540 with no macro:

BarbertestCanonA540.jpg



Because a high mega pixel pic is so large, when you first view it, your viewing software makes it fit your monitor. The pic above was taken on a 6MP cam and it's really close to 16" wide. When you crop out everything but your subject, the pic looks more magnified because now you're viewing it at maybe 66% or more (rather than 33%) This is what it looks like after you crop it. By the way, I use Photobucket to post all my pics. I think it's far superior to the other IMHO.

Barber540cropped.jpg


This cropped pic is now 8.5" wide and the image you see above is only being viewed at 50% I could actually make it more "magnified" but you lose a little quality.

I use a cheap clip on fixture with a full spectrum 60 watt equivalent fluorescent bulb. I then use some "press and seal" wrap over the fixture to diffuse the light. It's also important to use a tripod (since it's somewhat low light) and use the shutter timer. Your pics can come out blurry if the shutter speed is real low, just by pressing the button.


HH
 

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