Coin - Stamp - Jewelry Photography How To Guide

Are you struggling to get the right image of your Jewelry items, Coins, Stamps, or other smaller items to use for your eBay listings? Then you are gonna love this little trick. If you will give this method a try, I am confident you'll cut your image time by as much as 90% in no time at all.

You won't need anything but your scanner, and about $3.99 for materials. In fact, this method is one I have used for years, and more recently to photograph a large coin collection for a collector friend. We completed the project in less than 5 hours (entire collection), far less than the three weeks it might have taken using traditional methods, with expensive lighting and photography equipment. By the way, I'm an award winning retired photographer, and author with more than 30 years in the business, so believe me, this method really works!

Assuming you already have a good scanner, simply stop by the local Joann's Craft Store or similar venue. You'll want to locate what is sold as a "CD Storage Box". these measure about 8 3/4" X 6 1/4" X 5 4/4". You'll want to start out with a black one, this is best to minimize any potential reflection or glare that a lighter color might cause, particularly if your not a seasoned commercial photographer. My favorite is SKU # 23602 61824 4 that typically sells for $3.99

Generally you'll be using just the lid portion, not the higher base of the CD case. Though there may be times when the extra depth is necessary for somewhat thicker or taller items of jewelry etc.

Once you have your scanner ready, open the lid back or remove it completely. Carefully set the item to be photographed on the scanner's glass surface, and center the black box lid over your item. Using your image editing application, or scanner imaging application, simply scan as you would any flat item.

Crop or edit the resulting image to suit your needs and wallah! that's all there is to it. Normally all that will be required is to tweak the contrast and or brightness of the final image after cropping out any unwanted background. In most cases, little if any editing but the cropping is required.

  You'll be amazed at how easy this method is, and how quickly you can master it. If you prefer a different background color other than the black box, simply use any kind of background material and cut it to fit snugly and without wrinkles inside of the black lid, or purchase different colors of boxes, it doesn't get any easier than that. However, please note that using the flat black box actually minimizes editing, and saves you the greatest amount of time.

 Use this easy method for coins, jewelry, stamps and more to get that great auction item image in no time at all! On a technical note, you'll find you get the best overall results by scanning items at between 150DPI and 200DPI, then save the image at 72DPI for ebay if you're using the single FREE picture option for your ads. If using your own image hosting, the final DPI setting is up to you, as ebay cannot re-size your self hosted mages. This is best for very valuable items like some coins and stamps or even jewelry too.

 Previously this information was only available in one of my copyrighted ebooks that I offered here on ebay. At the request of so many fellow ebayers, I have now made it available FREE in a more condensed version here in the reviews and guides help area. Please note however, images and text are fully copyrighted by JF Media Publishing, and may not be included in any other media for distribution, duplication, or transmission in any form.

You can let me know if you find this helpful for you too by simply taking a moment to leave your vote, it would be appreciated and entice me to offer additional Photography How-To Guides in the near future.

JF Media