What Not - a real to do

[trikikiwi]

To anyone posting in The What Is It Forum here, it would be a huge assistance to all of us T'Netter 'What Is It' voluntary, willing and helpful researchers if you photograph your finds against a darker background, preferably in natural light and especially in focus.
By simply using a darkish blue cloth as a background, natural light if possible,
(or a couple of light sources from different angles - for example - a table lamp and a hand held torch)
For focus, nothing beats a tripod (I paid NZ$15 for mine - so about $8 USD )
If you want any more assistance, just PM me.


We'll get it right eventually.

Yeah, Right! - is a famous NZ saying.

Cheers, Mike

Edit: I have edited this post to remove a contentious comment which has been misconstrued as indicating potential harassment - I apologise if I have hurt anyone's feelings

 

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[BigWaveDave]

I am guilty of posting horrible pictures... when I post a pic of a whatsit... my responses should be "dirty fingernails"

 

[trikikiwi]

I'll have to try the Dark background next time i snap a picture. Some good Advice there.

When I first started posting pics of my finds, I was making the same mistake.
I learned the lesson from another T'Netter.

It's too good a lesson not to pass on.

 

[trikikiwi]

I am guilty of posting horrible pictures... when I post a pic of a whatsit... my responses should be "dirty fingernails"

There are acceptable excuses for dirty fingernails - and there aren't

 

[tcornel]

Another tip for those of us who get blurred pictures. Get a high speed memory card for your camera. Memory is speed rated with 10 being the best. The image records quicker and focus is vastly improved.
They sell for about 10. Here is an auction for reference. 64GB Micro SD Card TF Flash Memory MicroSD microSDHC Class 10 Free Adapter | eBay

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I didnt know about the memory card. And please remove all the clutter from the table. And use the Macro lens setting. Its usually a flower or tulip icon.

 

[Crispin]

I respect you and I appreciate it when you add your opinion.

Be careful, how many times you re-post this. It can border on not so flattering. A lot of us (including me) are not looking for a 100% ID but having fun and posting weird things they find. Snapping a few shots on the cell phone is no big deal. Getting the wife to bust out the hi-res camera and take professional shots is not easy. Wives get irritated if they are asked too often to do this. If there are bad pictures and the person seems serious then go ahead and post this. If it is me posting a piece of copper....I don't need a lecture. The bottom line is this is fun. If it becomes work then one shouldn't be doing it.

Again, I have a ton of respect for your and your opinion. Just giving you the other side's point of view.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Well there is nothing worse than trying to make an ID from a blurry picture. I dont think its too much to ask and I am sure its not written just for you crispen and I think your pictures have been much better lately. Its for every member of TN. Its also not a lecture. Its actually very good advice and Im sure hes trying to help. It should be re-written and posted with the "What Is It" forum instructions. You may be surprised what you can learn from some of the people here.

I just learned that the memory cards are rated by speeds. Im very grateful for this information. I dont see it as a lecture at all. Thanks tcornel

I can say this, if anyone truly wants an ID, they should learn to take proper photographs. Its really not that hard to learn how to use a simple auto focus camera. Some members cant afford a camera and I understand this. But a so called hi resolution camera is not needed. You can take beautiful pictures with an old 2 megapixel or even 1.5. But a macro lens is a must for close up detail. Good lighting is a must. And an auto focus camera often has trouble adjusting to a white background. How hard is it to find a colored tablecloth? And please remove any clutter.

If you think thats a lecture than you should try selling on eBay. If you post a blurry photo, you wont ever sell anything. If your photo is not up to resolution, eBay may not allow you to sell. So please dont think of it as a lecture. Think of it as a good reason to learn the proper use of a camera.


Most of us are looking for a 100% ID and we strive to get it right here on the WIIF. If you just want to post what you find, I would suggest "Todays Finds." This should be fun, yes, but keep in mind that its not fun trying to ID something with a poor photograph. And its not fun having to keep repeating the same advice. It took me years to get people to start using the green check solved option. And, myself, I dont see a problem with trikikiwi or tcornels advice.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I'll have to try the Dark background next time i snap a picture. Some good Advice there.

I think the problem is auto focus cameras. It tries to adjust to the white background and the object loses clarity. But you also need to use the macro setting , hold the camera still, good lighting, etc or the dark background wont help. But when everything else is right, a colored background makes for greatly improved pictures with an auto focus camera..

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Another tip is I hold my camera with my elbows on the table. Holding the camera or celphone still is a must. A tripod of course is better.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

My photos are not the best but here is an example when using a colored tablecloth for the background. Notice I have removed all clutter. You dont see my laptop, saltshaker or what I ate for dinner in the photograph. I am using a cheap 2 MP camera with a macro lens. Its a pouch I found of Civil War buttons with a lock of hair. Click on photo to enlarge.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I dont want to confuse anybody but I have seen some good pictures lately with white backgrounds. I dont know how they do it. But a white background wont work out well with most auto focus cameras.

 

[Oregon Viking]

I use a light tent. Inexpensive, folds up, works great.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I intend sending this message to everyone who posts a What Is It pic with a white/light/kaleidoscope type background.

If you can't clearly see the object in question, don't give your opinion on it. No need to chastise someone because they're not as skilled at photography as you perceive yourself to be.

Maybe you should discuss the importance of being able to crop photos and to lighten them as well. Those two skills are much more important than the background color or any of the other things you mentioned.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Be careful, how many times you re-post this. It can border on not so flattering.

My sentiments exactly. No need to harass people because you don't like the photo they took.

 

[trikikiwi]

If you can't clearly see the object in question, don't give your opinion on it. No need to chastise someone because they're not as skilled at photography as you perceive yourself to be.

Maybe you should discuss the importance of being able to crop photos and to lighten them as well. Those two skills are much more important than the background color or any of the other things you mentioned.

Kia ora Tim, With Respect; I do have a metal detector and I have found Silver. But I just don't get to use it, as much as I would like nowadays.
So with my inborn interest in TREASURE, I try and help other people identify their finds.
I find it's much easier to help people identify their finds when they take certain measures (free of charge - without cost) to make their finds more easily identifiable.
Use a darker back- cloth - That'll be worth a million thanks.

I KNOW the idea of What Is It Forum on TreasureNet is to, if possible, identify a treasure find.
Why make excuses for crappy pictures and in some cases, misleading clues?

Time to get real.

Cheers, Mike

 

[sutphin]

DANG CYPRESS NICE PURSE AND BUTTONS FOR A PHOTO SHOOT PROP.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

My sentiments exactly. No need to harass people because you don't like the photo they took.

There is no need to harass anybody for any reason. But I disagree about the sharing of information. If somebody is haveng trouble posting a photo, there is no reason why we shouldnt try to help with some simple tips.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

DANG CYPRESS NICE PURSE AND BUTTONS FOR A PHOTO SHOOT PROP.

Thank you. My photo talents are very poor. Its just an example of a how colored background can help the camera adjust properly.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Maybe you should discuss the importance of being able to crop photos and to lighten them as well. Those two skills are much more important than the background color or any of the other things you mentioned.

Yes of course they are important too Tim but if he posts the instructions, will you accuse him a harrassment?

But if your original photo is out of focus, it wont help to crop or lighten. Just sayin. Think about it.