Using a Digital Camera to ID Finds

Using a Digital Camera to ID Finds

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It is now winter, and for most of us that means no metal detecting.
Time to clean up last years finds and see what we have. Even after
a good cleaning, some items are hard to identify. We cannot make out
the date of a coin or the wording on a button. By using a digital
camera, we may be able to Id some of these finds. For example:
by taking a digital photo we could email the photos to someone
who is more knowable than we are, or post the photo to a newsgroup.
We could also document the item for insurance purposes. (As a side
note, take photos of you detector also, writing down the serial number.)

But the main reason is that by having a digital image, we can use Photoshop
or Paint Shop Pro to enhance the image, bringing out features not seen
by most eyes. Photo software has a variety of tools to make enhancing and cleaning
up images a snap, bringing out dates and lettering from shadows and
improving contrast.

Steps include:
1) Crop the image, leave only the item in the photo
2) Adjust Levels
3) Adjust Brightness/Contrast
4) Sharpen

Clay pipe, found while digging a target

When taking a photo with your camera, mount it on a tripod,
and set the self timer. This will help prevent blurring.
Get even lighting from the sides and top. Use a simple white
or black background.

To the right are some photos of finds.
In many cases the camera has made identifying and noticing
features quick and easy.

This image was taken and then the image reversed to read the
text easier.

View Digital Coin Photos

Digital Coin Photo Edits

Battle of Bushy Run Pennsylvania Photo Paintings

All photos taken with a Canon G3. In all cases the images
were cropped and compressed to increase download times
Get your own Photo Gallery and Sell your Photos:<>

Contact

It is now winter, and for most of us that means no metal detecting. Time to clean up last years finds and see what we have. Even after a good cleaning, some items are hard to identify. We cannot make out the date of a coin or the wording on a button. By using a digital camera, we may be able to Id some of these finds. For example: by taking a digital photo we could email the photos to someone who is more knowable than we are, or post the photo to a newsgroup. We could also document the item for insurance purposes. (As a side note, take photos of you detector also, writing down the serial number.)

But the main reason is that by having a digital image, we can use Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro to enhance the image, bringing out features not seen by most eyes. Photo software has a variety of tools to make enhancing and cleaning up images a snap, bringing out dates and lettering from shadows and improving contrast.

Steps include: 1) Crop the image, leave only the item in the photo 2) Adjust Levels 3) Adjust Brightness/Contrast 4) Sharpen
	Clay pipe, found while digging a target
When taking a photo with your camera, mount it on a tripod, and set the self timer. This will help prevent blurring. Get even lighting from the sides and top. Use a simple white or black background.

To the right are some photos of finds. In many cases the camera has made identifying and noticing features quick and easy.

This image was taken and then the image reversed to read the text easier.

	View Digital Coin Photos Digital Coin Photo Edits
	Battle of Bushy Run Pennsylvania Photo Paintings

All photos taken with a Canon G3. In all cases the images were cropped and compressed to increase download times	Get your own Photo Gallery and Sell your Photos:<>

Contact