Fine tuning the image



In addition to adjusting the tone of the image, it may be necessary or desirable to sharpen the apparent focus to give better definition to the details. In my software the "image" menu has an option for selecting a variety of "effects." (see bottom of the menu)

Selecting this option brings up an "effects browser" with a special window for previewing the results of applying an effect. In this case I have selected "Sharpen" from among the browser menu options, and I am now able to control the effect very precisely. Notice that I can even recalibrate the sensitivity of the application process. For my software a setting of +8 in the sharpness gives as much adjustment as I care to apply. This control actually only changes the relative lightness and darkness at the junctions between light and dark areas in the image. Technically this is actually an adjustment of the image accutance, but it tends to make the image look more tightly focused. Too much of this however, and the image will prematurely pixellate upon even slight magnification. To maximize the positive effect while minimizing the downside, it is best to apply this effect while the image is still in it large original state.

Reduce the image size

Once the sharpness has been satisfactorily adjusted, you may wish to reduce the size of the image to what you wish to display. This will also change the final file size, an important consideration for Web based images.

For me, resizing is more intuitive when it is done in terms of display inches. A more accurate calibration would be pixels, and a good image editing application will provide for both as well as other options. The smartsizing option here allows me to adjust one of the dimensions and have the other dimension automatically calculated so as to keep the image proportions. If smartsizing is disabled I can easily distort the image shape if that is desirable.

Save as JPEG

It is now time to save the preliminary version of the edited image. I prefer to use jpeg compression since it allows me to use 24 bit color. That is not an option in GIF format. JPEG also gives greater compression for subjects scanned in color.

The same procedures as described above for the reverse may also be applied to the obverse. Once both sides of the coin have been adjusted for best view, it is time to create a composite image which will display both sides together.


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