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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,815 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1370 Posts |
I know we talk about ebay imaging tricks and how some sellers are known for either doctoring or making their coins look better than what they appear in hand. I had some down time the other day and decided to see how easy it would be. Here's a before and after comparison of a Morgan. This took me roughly 5 minutes to do and I am definitely a hack when it comes to photoshop. I think where we get burned aren't necessarily with images as doctored as these but with images with subtle changes. Something we buyers definitely need to be aware of.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1227 Posts |
Shadow,
I'm maybe two steps above "a hack" in GIMP (basically, the free version of Photoshop) and I agree. I took a look at your second image and went "hmm, it'd take me . . . what . . . fifteen minutes to fix the date, her neck, and those cleaning marks up top?"
Remember this, y'all: I live in a home lit by incandescent bulbs and so every single picture you have ever seen from me has been run through GIMP to correct the colour. It takes me about three minutes to edit my images if I don't get sidetracked, and that involves an "auto-fix" and then subtly playing around with two separate colour filters so the colour on the screen matches what's in my hand. It's a lot faster and can produce far more dramatic results than you'd believe--even MS Paint can do some ridiculous things.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
Yeah, that is a clear and obvious photoshop job. I've been using photoshop since 4.0. Doctoring coins to that extent would earn you a removal from ebay and ruin your reputation. That is far beyond adjusting the contrast and/or brightness. That is actually using a type of brush tool to deceptively alter the photo. Photographic journalists are black listed for stuff like this. Anyone with half a brain would report it and demand a refund. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1370 Posts |
@ Drsandman, I agree. However I guess my point was more along the lines of : reduction of imperfections versus complete removal. I got rid of most however I do believe there are some sellers that slightly reduce the appearance of bagmarks and other imperfections to fetch a stronger price. Then once you get it in hand....look at it.....think man I missed that one spot ...or those two spots. And many times that may warrant a return.....but at the same time many buyers may chalk it up to missing it and just move on.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
The big trouble is adjusting the lighting to best show or hide the marks on the coin you are selling, I try to show both or at least a very fair representation of what I'm selling. I wish others would too, unfortuntely not everyone has honest ethics in this business.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2936 Posts |
So true on the different angles to hide scratches and minor flaws. While not quite ethical, I don't put it in the same category as Photoshopping to remove problems. Isn't it interesting at all the "perfect" coins GSC sells these days? Just saying....
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1370 Posts |
Yeah GSC is kinda who I was thinking of when I did this quick job on this coin....granted they don't hide as much as I did in this picture....but they certainly make their coins look a lot better. This is speaking from purchasing a few from them in the past before I knew any better
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
one thing I have to wonder is... I think the color/contrast is over corrected , the small details; These the polishing lines are SPECTACULAR!!
Very hard to photo without the , "just right lighting angle" any general photo will not emphasize this "detail" which really over
plays...the coin itself which should really send out some red flags....
The other point is...YES they can use some photo shopr or other programs, or simply "SLANT" the coin so the light "Obliterates" the defects of the coin...
HOW EVER I completely agree, with the OP, the coin shot has been combined and then altered ....as he has intended to show us..examples of photos.. that have been altered....VERY NICELY DONE! very nice poswt..G
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I did that with a 1904 once. Imagine seeing pics on ebay this size - not uncommon - and making a buying decision based on them. Before:  After:  I even left deliberate hints on the nose; could have made them go away as well. |
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Valued Member
United States
294 Posts |
Personally, I avoid buying any coins sight unseen; it just isn't worth the grief.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1704 Posts |
I typically don't buy coins on ebay though I did get a couple of Liberty Seated dimes recently. One of the which was listed as an AU is so nice I think it might even get MS if I send it in for grading. The other was just what was expected so no complaints there either. You all have seen the pictures of my coins and I try very hard to have the picture show exactly what the coin truly looks like. The things I sell online all have photos which are as accurate as possible and I have had no complaints from anyone saying what they got was worse than they expected. Honesty is always the best policy. Ed ANA LM-3175 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
620 Posts |
I maybe the only one, but I think e-bay os a great place to find
bargins on coins and other items.
I have close to 900 positive feedbacks and have had very few problems over the years.
I buy from sellers that I have dealt with for years, but also will take a chance
on a new seller from time to time.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,815 |
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Posted 10/13/2012 05:49 am
