Picture Editing/Re sizing Guide For Dummies

[fishy]

A common problem for people who have not edited a picture before is how to do it.

If you have not been shown or struggle with computers then its a task you will find tricky. Sure you will get there in the end but a little help can often go a long way.

I have put together a picture illustrated, easy way of editing pictures for the forum.
There are many many ways of doing it and I have tried lots with very good results.

If it helps anyone then great

This is some free software that is easy to use.
http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/download.php
There are lots of others out there but this is what I use now, its quick, easy, free, and easy to use.

First of all take a picture.
I took a photo of one of my favourite coins. A Roman silver Lucilla.
My camera has macro function as most digital cameras do these days.
A pretty decent picture as it is, but we want a better close up view to really see it well and show it off the best we can

Little tip here. Take more than one picture.
What you want is a nice focused picture (most important), when you look at them on your computer pick the best one.

For ID'ing a nice close up makes it a lot easier for the experts to get stuck in. Not included any size comparison or grid on my photo but if you are looking for an ID then its essential in a lot of cases.

OK I have my picture.

Open up editing software.
Select picture for editing.


Next step is cropping.
Basically selecting what we want to see and getting rid of the rest.

Select CROP and mark out the area you want to keep.


When you are happy click crop.



Looking good

We can now edit it to make it look even better.
Other cameras may take a better picture so editing wont improve much but it can help.

First I click Auto Level.
You can see a difference and this time it looks better. If you decide that it looks worse then just click the undo button.



Next I click Back Light.
Not such a big difference here but I find on hammered coins it can bring out some nice detail.
Again if you think it looks worse then click undo.



Nearly there.
Next step is to reduce the image size to post it on the forum at maximum allowed.
Click re size and select longest length 600.



Finished picture =


If I missed anything or made a mistake please let me know and I will edit my post.

Hope that helps

Fishy

[Danzigman]

So good..

[Dave8472]

Good post Fishy

Dave

[GREGGOWREX]

Good post fishy .......that will stop the photo police picking on posts

[fishy]

Good post fishy .......that will stop the photo police picking on posts

[Fusion]

You've made a good job of that guide.
Clipping is the key. Ideally, re-sizing should be avoided (up or down) as it generally degrades picture quality. Most modern camera's take shots that are 3000+ pixels wide (your monitor screen is typically 1000-1200 pixels wide), and to get a coin, etc to appear large on the forum, the coin only needs to be 400 - 500 pixels across. So the ideal photo only needs the coin to fill less than one fifth of the width.
For example, a 12 Megapixel camera takes shots 4000 pixels wide, and 3000 pixels high, four times bigger than your monitor. A 3 Megapixel camera's shots are 2000(W) x 1500(H), so even they are capable of producing fine pictures. No super-macro is needed, you probably need to have the camera 5 - 10 inches away from the object. Then focusing issues don't occur. If pictures are blurred, due to poor focussing or camera-shake, re-take the shot, as de-blurring is virtually impossible.

[sugar]

FANTASTIC i hope we can keep this at the top as it is just soooo informative and makes our job just so much easier so thankyou

[Dave8472]

I have made the thread "Sticky" it will always be at the top of the tips section

Dave

[fishy]

Thanks

Hope it helps people.

[roddas]

Great bit if info No excuses now !

roddas ..............

[alloverover]

Nice post Fishy, very helpfull to many i am sure

[Indy]

Well done Fishy, this is a very useful post.

[Gwawrer]

Thank you for taking the time to do this its a great help to people like me!

[Philthy Phil]

**bumpy**

[GREGGOWREX]

Ive just been playing around on Photobucket......with smart scissors ....not bad

[fishy]

I like that, well done

Tried the scissors a few times now. Pretty neat tool.

[yellow]

Sorry I missed this thread,quality work
Iv'e saved it and will give it a try tomorrow,cheers

Yellow

[Fishermansam]

Really helpful, cheers fishy

[fishy]

Thanks Guys

[The Ferret]

PhotoBucket as had a makeover Every time I save a photo and then edit it and save as a Copy I get an error message But it still works... Ooooo I hate changes
TF