Question about Photographs

SFBayArea

Sorry if this seems trivial for many here but how does everyone here take such good photographs? I have a rainbow toned ASE but can't get the pics results that everyone has here. Any suggestions.. the coin looks really great in hand but can't get the right photo of it. I want to submit it but worry about passing since some here have had NT toned ones come back labeled as AT. I wanted opinions on it but can't get the photos like everyone here. I also wonder if I should let it tone further for another couple of years or just have it submitted soon. It looks great in hand and has been toning for a few years. Any advice would be appreciated. How does everyone post them too?

cheezhed

Practice, practice, practice.

Search the forum, there is a ton of info on taking pics.

Also get a copy of Mark Goodman's book, he's a member here.

NeoStar

Mark Goodman's book is a most read for coin photography! There's also a lot of free information on his website:

Mark Goodman's Website Linky

MrSpud

You just need a camera with a good macro lens to take an acceptable picture. If you want the really high quality pictures then one of those really expensive SLR's with a high tech lens is needed. But just a cheaper point and shoot with a good macro lens capability is good enough. You are limited to little bitty pictures if you use the websites picture loading capabilities. To get a bigger picture you have to have the picture hosted somewhere like photobucket or flicker or one of the other online picture hosting services.

lkeigwin

SFBayArea, turn on your PM function.
Lance.

SFBayArea

Are pics possible with plain digital cameras? Just don't have the funds for a thousand dollar camera. I have a Sony DSC-W9.0

NeoStar

The Sony DSC-W9.0 is a good camera. I currently use a Nikon D60 with a Sigma 180 Macro lens but I started with something similar to what you have. The big DSLRs are nice to have but any camera works if you get it steady enough. Make sure to get good lighting on the coin as well...

SFBayArea

Thanks for the input everyone.. this is the best I can I do with what I have. I may need to get a light for it. Thanks

lcoopie

hi

2 words

Mark Goodman

it's not easy,
but it is enjoyable

and it started my interest in photography in general

Bochiman

When you figure it out, can you let me know?

SFBayArea

I got it now thanks.. glad everyone's been helpful

Bochiman you have some nice toners there..

SFBayArea

Should I let this piece tone some more or is it worth submitting? Bochiman.. album toned?

NeoStar

Bochiman and SFBayArea,

Those ASE's are beautiful!

seemyauction

A desk top tripod would help you a lot one can be had for about 15-20 bucks

Also figure out how use the cameras timer, there will be an online manual if you dont have the one that came with the camera.

Bochiman

<< <i>Should I let this piece tone some more or is it worth submitting? Bochiman.. album toned? >>



My opinion on yours? I think it should slab. I also wouldn't let it continue to tone unless you like them really dark.
I have 15 slabbed PCGS ones from '87-'06 (some years, none, and some years, multiple) and have watched the toning progression over the months/years.

Take the 2004 and 2005 in my pictures. Even the 1995. That is most likely how yours would continue....to where the rim gets much darker as the inside continues to tone more.
If you like the look, then, ok.
For many of mine, I just have them laying out in my home office's closet and I, at times, forget about them and remember many months later. I don't like them way dark. They reside in the plastic aftermarket holders with the cardboard inserts. I like opening the closet to get cables (for the PCs) or something, and see them looking at me from my shelf. Anyway, I had some in there that I noticed were toning a "sunset" type of tone. I was able to remove those and send them in for grading before they got too dark. They are a nice orange with some red. I really like the look. Once they get too dark, not so much for me (I am partially colorblind, so when they get too dark, I don't get enjoyment from viewing them).

Anyway, I've decided to sell them. I am packaging them up to a potential buyer who will make me an offer on them (so, this is not a "I have these for sale" type of post as I have already committed to giving him first option to make offers when he receives them). The 1990, also in that group, was graded only a MS67 (12 of them are MS68, 1 is MS66, and 2 are MS67 if I recall), is my favorite, just in front of the 2006 I mentioned. I've also got some raw ones, like that 1986 pictured, that I am preparing for a submission. All funds from selling the above go to my son's college fund (the GET program in our state) since they are jacking it up another 14% this year


SFBayarea, from the look of yours, I am thinkng the obverse is exposed? The spottiness is similar to mine and that is on the ones that had the plastic cover lifted up (they are pretty scratched up and don't show the coin clearly) so I could see the raw coin when I opened the door. That spottiness seems to be from dust in the air. The coins don't get "dusty" that I have noticed, but I am thinking that is what it is.

SFBayArea

Thanks for your input Bochiman, yeah my coin was obverse up and not much on the reverse. It was in an insert too for a long time. I'll take it out and put it in plastic to prevent further toning before submitting. I wondered if I let it tone more whether it would turn green.. oh well. Just curious, how much are you looking for on those ASE's?

Bochiman

SF, turn on your PM

SFBayArea

Sorry Bochiman about that.. as you can tell, I'm a rookie here . I turned it on.. so you can PM me. Thanks

SFBayArea

Here's my other ASE with the second layer of toning. It's starting to go purple again and blue on the bottom. Hopefully everyone votes NT.

boucharda

Your Sony has a macro mode that gets to just under 2 inches....I have a Canon of the same generation and, with a steady hand, it can get acceptable pics. Here's one I took hand held on the kitchen table (best place in my house for natural light).