How much photo juicing is too much?

JungleFever · September 7, 2008 6:47AM

I don't often buy raw coins, but I bought this one off Ebay last week.......and wondering if you would send it back, or if I'm being too picky. I don't like it in hand, what would you do. This is my first time down this road.

Here's what it actually looks like in normal lighting that most folks would typically view and display their coins.........

I put this into PhotoShop+++It's the smaller one on the right++++ to make it closer to the actual overall color of the coin. I can't say that I don't like it, only that it was not what I was expecting. That being the case, is returning coins base on mis-colored photography considered ethical and normal in the industry? I'm still very much a newbie.

cheezhed · September 7, 2008 6:49AM

If you are unhappy now, you will always be unhappy with the coin.

Not representative of coin in hand, send it back.

Broadstruck · September 7, 2008 6:50AM

If it doesn't look anything like the pic on the bay in hand and you don't like it send it back.

If you don't care for a coin within the first few minutes it arrives, it's not gonna grow on you in the future.

Return shipping fees suck on false imaged coins, but it's still cheaper then the gas needed to drive to a show.

GoldenEyeNumismatics · September 7, 2008 7:02AM

It's evident in the photo that the coin has been blasted with light. You should learn to "read" the photos. That's exactly the look of the coin I'd expect with photos like that.

JungleFever · September 7, 2008 7:21AM

<< It's evident in the photo that the coin has been blasted with light. You should learn to "read" the photos. That's exactly the look of the coin I'd expect with photos like that. >>

Jeeze, what a difference. I don't think I'll be able to learn to read this much variance, but thanks for the tip. I would expect maybe somewhere in between, but not
a coin with a dipped in manure look.

I just didn't want any static from the seller, but wanted your opinions on your past experience.

Still paying for my education, but this one has got to go.

Thanks

ricko · September 7, 2008 8:07AM

Return to sender.... as Elvis said... Cheers, RickO

Wil2008 · September 7, 2008 10:21AM

hello

i agree with whats been said...you are the one who has to look at it everyday..

if you are not happy now...you will never be happy. im a fairly new collector,

and i can honestly say that the coins i purchased so far i can look at all day. i think

they are beautiful.... i would send it back in a minute..

good luck

wil

TomB · September 7, 2008 10:38AM

Send it back if you don't like it, but I have to admit that the coin appears to have a better patina on it in your images than the images of the seller.

stockwiz · September 7, 2008 11:59AM

I think your picture is better. But the important this is that you like it, not me.

garsmith · September 7, 2008 11:51PM

Send it back!!!

kryptonitecomics · September 8, 2008 12:06AM

I wouldn't buy it based on the ebay images...but based on yours....I like it

I do agree that if you are going to be buying based on images, you need to get better at reading those images. One way to do this is to image coins yourself.....it can make a world of difference because you can see the coin in hand and then what it looks like via your image. Judging color, lighting, angles and ultimately ways images can be manipulated will save you some cash in the long run.

jdillane · September 8, 2008 12:13AM

IMO, the first image is suggestive of a soap and water bathed coin. I also prefer the latter images.

But, if you do not like it, why keep it? Sure, your tastes may evolve to crusty originality but then again, they may not.

dizzyfoxx · September 8, 2008 12:18AM

When it comes to photo juicing, 1/10th of 1% is too much IMO.

mustanggt · September 8, 2008 12:36AM

Any juicing on a coin for sale is unacceptable.

pheh · September 8, 2008 2:21AM

Unless you consider high intensity lighting as "juicing" - I seriously doubt that picture was juiced much, if at all.

adamlaneus · September 8, 2008 2:25AM

Too much juice for icecream boy.

BXBOY143 · September 8, 2008 2:33AM

my honest opinion you should have asked for more or better pictures...prior to bidding....that is just my opinion...

kryptonitecomics · September 8, 2008 2:39AM

<< Unless you consider high intensity lighting as "juicing" - I seriously doubt that picture was juiced much, if at all. >>

Agree....doesn't look like the contrast was adjusted at all....simply direct lighting made it lokk lighter in the image.

BECOKA · September 8, 2008 2:58AM

I'm not so sure the e-bay pick was juiced. As said earlier it was just lit up to take the photo which is common. Also a reason it is suggested at least once a week here, you can't judge a coin by the photo.

It has to be seen in hand. You have now seen it in hand and did not like it. If there is a return policy I would return it if I did not like it.

JungleFever · September 8, 2008 3:03AM

Thanks for all the feedback. I believe it's incumbent upon all of us who buy/sell coins online.....(and use pictures to aid in the description).... to do our best to show what the coin looks like. Whether it's called 'juiced' or too much lighting either way it does not represent the coin in this case. Not even close.

The one on the left is from the seller. The one on the right is what I got.

The seller is taking it back. Waste of time for both of us.

BECOKA · September 8, 2008 3:17AM

<< Thanks for all the feedback. I believe it's incumbent upon all of us who buy/sell coins online.....(and use pictures to aid in the description).... to do our best to show what the coin looks like. Whether it's called 'juiced' or too much lighting either way it does not represent the coin in this case. Not even close.

The one on the left is from the seller. The one on the right is what I got.

The seller is taking it back. Waste of time for both of us. >>

I agree, the seller pic is more of a registry pic while yours does indeed make it look less desirable.

JungleFever · September 8, 2008 4:20AM

<< 

<< Thanks for all the feedback. I believe it's incumbent upon all of us who buy/sell coins online.....(and use pictures to aid in the description).... to do our best to show what the coin looks like. Whether it's called 'juiced' or too much lighting either way it does not represent the coin in this case. Not even close. The one on the left is from the seller. The one on the right is what I got.

The seller is taking it back. Waste of time for both of us. >>

I agree, the seller pic is more of a registry pic while yours does indeed make it look less desirable. >>

Do you mean to say that the sellers pic....the one you call a registry pic.....is representative of the actual coin? In other words, are registry photos as close as possible to the coin in hand, or are they overlit with bright halogen with some color added here and there........I have very little understanding of coin words that many take for granted, I'm not trying to be nit-picky.

Thanks

zeebob · September 8, 2008 4:26AM

My advice is send it back. Get your money back.

The photo the seller used is not representative of the coin.

You're not happy with the coin.

Send it back.

Bob

PS: Please PM me the seller's Ebay ID so I can be sure to NOT buy from him/her. Thanks.

dizzyfoxx · September 8, 2008 4:31AM

Here is an example of a coin that I would call the "opposite" of juiced for this coin is 1000x prettier in-hand. I took these pics with a typical standard digital camera and although you get an idea of what the coin looks like, the pics DO NOT do the coin justice.

JungleFever · September 8, 2008 4:39AM

I see your point. Why not send that coin to me for observation and educational purposes, it is a stunner.......oh, and you look swell in the Batman Mask, too.

crazyhounddog · September 8, 2008 6:16AM

I would send it back!! False photos !! the seller is trying to rip people off! How much did you pay for this beauty?

seemyauction · September 8, 2008 9:12AM

Lighting can be a funny thing, here are some photos of the same coin, the only thing that changes is the type of lighting. No photo editing is performed at all & all the camera setting remain the same.

Which one do you like the best?

lordmarcovan · September 8, 2008 9:17AM

Wow, I remember seeing the original pix posted on the forum. That is quite a difference.

I think that is a top-quality photo he took. Don't know if it was "juiced" with any dishonest intentions or not.

It does appear to have been overbrightened, for sure.

If you are dissatisfied and there is a return privilege, by all means, send it back.

Even with the less jazzy looking pictures you posted, I still do not dislike the coin, however.

fc · September 8, 2008 9:20AM

<< Send it back if you don't like it, but I have to admit that the coin appears to have a better patina on it in your images than the images of the seller. >>

and another original coin will be sent back to the seller for a quick
scrub and dip to make it more sellable.

fc · September 8, 2008 9:22AM

<< Here is an example of a coin that I would call the "opposite" of juiced for this coin is 1000x prettier in-hand. I took these pics with a typical standard digital camera and although you get an idea of what the coin looks like, the pics DO NOT do the coin justice. >>

lol dizzy, you sly dog you! ;-)

JungleFever · September 8, 2008 9:23AM

As for me, it's not which one I like best....... but which one is closest to the actual look of the coin. That's why there is such a need for
people to either practice or have someone else shoot their coins.

I like the 4th one because it looks like most Linc's I have seen........

Boom · September 8, 2008 9:44AM

If a given coin presents problems to the photographer ( example - too dark to see details), it would

serve the individual well if he or she would simply state so in the description! It's a matter of Common Sense and ethics! What is so difficult about stating "this coin was very hard to photograph and is darker than shown. I lightened the shot to give you an idea of it's detail but PLEASE MAKE NOTE of this!"

This would be the right thing to do IF the seller is on the up & up! IF the seller does as seems to be the case here, with no mention of such he definitely is misrepresenting the coin and THAT is unacceptable.

He then is subject to chargeback as outlined by ebay & PayPal guidelines and in a position to rightfully be given negative feedback! This is another example of why just telling it like it is IS the right thing to do.

Basically, if not mentioned in the description, this is to be considered intentionally misleading people.

FWIW - JMHO

seemyauction · September 8, 2008 10:28AM

<< As for me, it's not which one I like best....... but which one is closest to the actual look of the coin. That's why there is such a need for
people to either practice or have someone else shoot their coins.

I like the 4th one because it looks like most Linc's I have seen........ >>

I agree with you, but there is one important thing we need to concider, the 4th coin looks like most Linc's to you because that photo was taken with the type of light you are used to viewing coins under.

If you view your coins in a dark room with Halogen lighting your opinion would probably be different.

BTW I forgot to mention, I like the coin.

This photo seems to show the details and not the tone.

This photo seems to show the tone and not the details.

Boom, I also agree with you, it would have been pretty easy to say, "My photo shows the details of this coin, but the tone of the coin is much darker."

JungleFever can you post a picture of the obverse and reverse? I'm curious of the grade and need the reverse to be sure.

Alan

JungleFever · September 8, 2008 12:03PM

Regarding the BHD...........I have not read his feedback, nor looked at any of his current or past sales, maybe he's OK, maybe not. I don't wish to disparage anyone publicly.

In this case, I wanted the coin in his auction, not the one I got.

Nothing wrong w/the one I got, just not what I wanted. I have some of mine on display in my office,
and I really don't want to put in special lighting for dark coins.

The patina is fine. Again, just not what I wanted.

My original question was: is it normal in the coin world to return a coin based on the difference
between the photo used in the description, and the actual coin.

I don't think it takes a genius to know the difference prior to posting a photo as to how closely the
coin on the auction resembles the coin in hand.

Thanks again...

I have sent the coin back to the seller otherwise I would post the reverse, which looks identical
in patina/crust, etc to the obverse.

garsmith · September 9, 2008 12:14AM

1/100th of a pixel is to much juicing.

IrishMike · September 9, 2008 12:47AM

If I am contemplating an ebay purchase I always download the photo and play around with it in photoshop elements.

How much photo juicing is too much?

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