Photo guys/gals--what photo software do you use for your coin images?

fcloud

I hope I'm not too far off the subject. I would like to know what some of the image software used for coin images. What is good about the one you use; what is bad about the one you use; and how highly would you recommend it?

Thanks,

Tony

Russ

You mean editing software? The only editing I do is cropping or resizing, and for that I use a program called Thumbs Plus.

Russ, NCNE

mdwoods

I really like Adobe Photoshop Elements. Great features, much cheaper than the full featured version. I don't even come close to using all the features. mdwoods

fcloud

Yes, Russ, I mean editing software, thanks for the correction.

Tony

lordmarcovan

I use MGI Photosuite. It came with my old scanner, and rather than struggle up the learning curve to learn a new program, I installed it on my new laptop to use with my new scanner (when I did, a newer version showed up somehow). I really like the program, and find it quite versatile, except for one thing. I can only rotate images in increments of 90 degrees (the compass points, basically). I would like to be able to do custom rotation. Otherwise, it's a great program. There may be better stuff out there, but I am resistant to change and learn new technology very slowly. I find MGI Photosuite works great for just about all my needs.

coppercoins

Actually the photo editing software is a bit less important than the intrument used to take the photos in the first place - and secondarily, but just as important, the lighting used.

I use a Sony Mavica FD-88 (currently out of production, but any would do) digital camera, but the secret to my success with images is that I use a GE Reveal bulb in a swing arm lamp with a shield of bond paper over the lamp to diffuse the light. I have tried many lighting setups in the past, bu this works best for what I do, and that's numismatic photography in a professional capacity. I have taken photos of hundreds of coins from uncirculated half cents, twenty cent pieces, and barber halves to uncirculated, PL, and proof Morgans, gold, and foreign (mostly large copper).

I also take microscopic photographs using a 7.5-35X stereo zoom microscope, my Sony camera, and a dual fiber optic light guide 20-120W reostat controlled halogen lamp. I have a bit of it rigged for better performance, I have cut the butt out of a translucent coin tube and inserted the ends of the light guides facing one another into the ends of the tube. Works perfectly as a light diffuser.

Unfortunately at present I do not have any of my photography uploaded for internet viewing, but I will change that later tonight and post some links to this thread.

Stay tuned...

RotatedRainbows

I use Photoshop 6.0 and it does about everything you could ever need when it comes to editing pictures.

GaCoinGuy

CorelDraw 9.0 and Corel PhotoPaint

Russ

LM,

I have MGI Photosuite. Maybe I ought to give it a look.

Russ, NCNE

fcloud

Thanks, all, for the help. Now I am more confused than I was???


And, I am getting better with the photos, but I know I am not there yet. (I use reveal bulbs, too. I picked that up on the message boards.)

Tony

GaCoinGuy

I only have the Corel package because my job required it and the company paid for it.........most of the photoshop type software is about the same.........just shoot in the highest resolution you can, and use the softwares crop and resample to get the size you want. I personally crop to the edges of the coin, then resample to get the size down. Check somewhere that sells Digital cameras and other software........there are loads that are fairly cheap. I would highly recommend the Corel package, but it is pricey.

Loki

For the budget-minded person who would rather spend their money on coins, I would recommend Paint Shop Pro 7.0 as an excellent alternative to the pricier packages such as Photoshop ~$600+). For ~ $50, this program has excellent features, best of which you can load and save files in just about any picture format. It also directly accepts Twain imports, (ie: scanner, camera, etc) without resorting to third-party middle programs.

coppercoins

I second Loki on the inexpensive software route...PSP now does just about everything that Photoshop does...but not quite. For photo editing, however, it is quite adequate for the job. I have and have used Corel Photo Editor, Photoshop4.0, 5.0, 5.1, and 7.0, and PSP4.0 (along with a newer version), Fireworks by Macromedia, Microsoft Image Composer, and MGI Photo Suite...and the only ones I really hated were Corel and MGI. Photoshop is my favorite, and if asked to pick a second, it would be Paint Shop Pro.

HuliganRS

Try this: CompuPic

You can try it for free!

Lakesammman

Go to "Impressions and images from the showdown" at the registry forum and check out the photos.

I agree that the camera and lighting are the key. The software is good mainly to crop and store - if you have to retouch the photos, you've goofed up the basics on the camera/lighting.

Does anyone have a good technique for imaging proofs/mirrors??

shylock

I still use the imaging software that came with my computer for basic cropping/resizing, but Photoshop 7.0 is a virtual playground for those who want to get a little creative with their images. Just wish there was a faster learning curve -- I think I've tapped into about 5% of its capabilities and still find it very intimidating. This evening I was toying around with ways to present the many natural tones of MS Indian Heads:



By the way, Mr. Daughtry (coppercoins) has a very ambitious website whose progress I've been watching closely. Glad to see him stop by the forum.

Blade

Paul - Beautiful artwork with those IHCs.

I use PhotoShop 6.0 and love it. It's way more sophisticated than I need, but use some of the advanced features for digital albums of family pics.

ClarkOfKent

I use Adobe Photoshop 7.0, though it's way more than is needed for basic scanning/cropping/resizing. Corel PhotoDraw is excellent, too... though it's a bit overboard, too.

I have a habit of going overboard when it comes to software. I don't like to do anything "automatically"... like removing red-eye from photos. I'd rather spend an hour doing it myself. I guess I'm just a geek when it comes to computer stuff.

Clark

coppercoins

shylock

I really appreciate your comments....and like your images. Perhaps in good time you could help me out a bit with the indian head cent section of the site. I have many, many coins to photo in that section, but additional help, especilly good photos of MS IHCs would help out tremendously.