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posted 08-05-2017 09:48 AM            

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Everyone, thanks for the information. [see: A list of free images editing applications ]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a camera for taking pictures of silver including closeups?

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posted 08-05-2017 06:44 PM            

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What camera/lens do you currently use?

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posted 08-05-2017 10:09 PM            

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I have a Nikon Coolpix S8100. This is a point and shoot type and if everything is right takes pretty good pictures. The color is often off however and it does not have image stabilization.

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posted 08-05-2017 11:08 PM            

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That camera should be OK. (don't use the flash)

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posted 08-06-2017 07:45 AM            

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Thanks Scott. I will try to follow the directions.

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posted 08-06-2017 12:22 PM            

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Another thing you can do with your camera to improve the close up is to increase the file size the camera takes.

Sometimes things are so small you can't get close enough without the camera blocking the light or blurring the image. A larger file size will allow you to back off the object and take a clear in focus image.

With enough image info stored in a large file size; and then using an image editor, like GIMP or Photoshop it will allow you digitally zoom in and crop the small image you captured into something enlarged and usable.

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posted 08-06-2017 12:37 PM            

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quote:

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Originally posted by ahwt:
I have a Nikon Coolpix S8100 ..... and it does not have image stabilization.

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See:

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posted 08-06-2017 05:06 PM            

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Thanks Scott, I took some more pictures today with the white balance changed and the vibration reduction on. I think they are a little better.

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posted 08-07-2017 08:44 PM            

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With digital cameras there is an element of "you get what you pay for". On the other hand, getting too much camera for what you really need is a risk unless you are wanting images that are as good as the ones you see in National Geographic where you would need one of those $4,000 to $6,000 type digital cameras. However, for most of us mortals you can do quite well with something a bit above the basic point and shoot which is similar in quality to an iPhone camera. My suggestion would be to look at something like the Canon Powershot SX60 16.1MP Digital Camera 65x Optical Zoom Lens 3-inch LCD Tilt Screen which has an excellent macro and image stabilization but it is also of good enough quality to use in taking nice quality photos of everything else including it having an especially powerful optical zoom lens function (optical zoom is what you want rather than digital zoom) for taking regular photos.

If you want to stick with what you have a couple of tricks to use would be to buy a decent quality tripod so it will be steady as a rock. And then buy a "polarizing" lens filter that will fit on your camera. A polarizing lens filter is a flat piece of glass that goes over your lens and that is made in such a way to filter the light so that it only lets light rays that are parallel into your lens rather than the usual widely scattered light rays that you get without such a filter. You should also buy one of these that is mounted in a frame that lets you rotate it around so that you can adjust the plane of parallel light rays. The whole point of a polarizing light filter is that it will greatly knock down or even eliminate the shiny glare and reflections you get from silver that is under a strong light. Your photos of silver will be instantly improved.

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posted 08-07-2017 08:47 PM            

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And one other trick to photographing silver in a more professional way, either buy or make yourself a light box. A light box is a box with translucent white sides and top into which you put your silver. You then shine your lights from two or more directions onto the outsides of the box so that the light coming in and onto your silver will be diffused and not harsh. Harsh light makes silver look bad. Diffused light makes it look good.

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posted 08-07-2017 10:01 PM            

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Kimo's insights are very good. I especially agree with "...getting too much camera for what you really need is a risk...."

Throughout the Silver Salon Forums there are tips and suggestions for photographing silver. Here is a random sampling:

• Photography - Light Box refresher
  
• Photography
  
• Coin Silverware Photography
  
• Digital Cameras and Photographing Hallmarks
  
• pictures - cameras - magnification
  
• A technique for revealing hard to see silver marks
• New camera-need suggestions
  
• How To Post Photos in the Silver Salon Forums
  

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posted 08-08-2017 07:21 AM            

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Kimo and Scott thanks for all the good advice.

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