Playing with my new camera

[Brian R]

I got a new camera for Christmas (I know, I know, it's March) and wanted to show off a couple of Navy Badges for you folks. I'm still learning the ins and outs of the camera so the images are not as detailed as I'd like them to be.

The three badges are:

Minesweeper Badge - Schwerin
Coastal Artillery Badge - Junker
High Seas Fleet Badge - Schwerin

Here goes...

[Rick Research]

Brian-- excellent photos-- I'd say you've figured out how to do it just right!

[mott5ranch]

nice layout

Brian, What kind of camera do you have? Again, nice job.,,,Nice badges, too.

[George Stimson]

Good pics

Good pictures!
Is the Juncker Coastal Artillery Badge vaulted at all? (Mine is.)

George

[Brian R]

Gary-

The camera is a NIKON COOLPIX 775. Here's a link for the camera from J&R in NYC.

Camera

My wife bought it for me for Christmas. It was a nice surprise - I wasn't expecting it at all (and it's kinda expensive!). The camera is very good for close-ups but it seems there are two things that I have to consider each time I try to take pics. The first is the flash - you get quite a reflection off of the background and sometimes even the badge. The badges above were actually placed on a cardboard folder. The flat finish of the folder really helps with the reflection (and so does the angle in which I am holding the camera). The other thing I have found to be a problem is my shaking when I take a picture. It seems that shaking even the slightest bit has a significant effect on the quality of these close-up pictures. I find that I have to be very relaxed when I try to take these pictures.

As for the badges, they are some of the better items in my modest collection. The High Seas Fleet badge is in excellent shape - I had to splurge on this one. The Minesweeper and Coastal Arty badges were obtained for very reasonable prices. They both show some age (especially the Coastal Arty Badge) so they were priced relatively low. I actually had a fairly nice, unmarked Minesweeper badge in my collection before I pick up this one. I sold the unmarked badge and replaced it with the Schwerin piece for almost the same amount of money.

Brian

[Brian R]

George-

The Coastal Arty Badge is NOT vaulted, and neither is the Minesweeper Badge. The HSF Badge is vaulted, however.

Best,
Brian

[mott5ranch]

Photo tricks

Brian nice camera! I too had to work out the glare thing and the shaking problem.I use different foam padding for back ground shots. I found them at Hobby Lobby, an arts and crafts store they had assorted colors too. The foam pads are an eighth of an inch thick and they not only hold the medal they also stop the glare thing from the flash. I also use a lamp for light at times. As far as the steady shots I hold my camera on the back of a chair when I shoot the pictures. I look forward to more of your pictures

[François SAEZ]

Why not using a tripod? No more shaking problem

[mott5ranch]

A little shaking is fun.