[meteorite-list] Misleading Images, a Real Problem

From: Matt Morgan <mmorgan_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:27:51 2004
Message-ID: <3FBBB5C9.2080309_at_mhmeteorites.com>

I think I can vouch for my images and from my customers very positive
reactions, that my digital photos tend to be representative of the
pieces they get from me. I've seen some pretty wild and unrealistic
enhancements, mostly on Ebay, that go way beyond what would be
considered "normal" enhancement. As always, "buyer beware".

Take care,
Matt Morgan
Mile High Meteorites

Adam Hupe wrote:

> Dear Bernhard, Tom and List,
>
> We do not see a problem with minor adjustments to images to compensate for
> the camera or lighting to make the photo appear more accurate. That is what
> the tools provided with the camera are for. What we are talking about is
> when someone goes beyond that point to realize greater profits knowing the
> manipulated image does not reflect reality.
>
> All the best,
>
> Adam and Greg Hupe
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bernhard "Rendelius" Rems" <rendelius_at_rpgdot.com>
> To: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 9:31 AM
> Subject: RE: [meteorite-list] Misleading Images, a Real Problem
>
>
>
>>Adam, Greg, I confess.
>>
>>I have altered brightness and contrast of pictures I placed on ebay. I
>>have done sharpening.
>>
>>But I always did that in a way to bring the picture of my inexpensive
>>digital camera with no macro function to a standard where the picture
>>represents what I see with my bare eye. Nothing more and nothing less.
>>For this reason, I NEVER adjust colors, because they are pretty true to
>>live.
>>
>>My experience on ebay is that 95% of the items I purchased look like
>>they looked on the photos.
>>
>>Bernhard
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: meteorite-list-admin_at_meteoritecentral.com
>>[mailto:meteorite-list-admin_at_meteoritecentral.com] On Behalf Of Adam
>>Hupe
>>Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 5:37 PM
>>To: Tom aka James Knudson
>>Cc: meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
>>Subject: [meteorite-list] Misleading Images, a Real Problem
>>
>>
>>Dear Tom and List,
>>
>>It is interesting to see how many List members showed an interest in the
>>new chondrite. Many asked if it was paired with other stones currently
>>on the market. To answer truthfully, we do not know. As we have said
>>many times, only a good laboratory can make this distinction. Images of
>>cut surfaces in reflected light are a poor way to determine pairings.
>>
>>As far as picture taking goes, there is a real problem out there. The
>>problem is that a lot of images seen on ebay and on dealer's websites
>>have been manipulated to enhance the appearance. Some have been colored
>>to make them look fantastic. The sharpen tool has been applied to
>>others making chondrules look better than in real life. Others add
>>contrast to bring out barely visible features. Some are obvious because
>>they use a coin in the picture to show off the size of the specimen.
>>Sometimes you can see that the colors of the coin are not correct giving
>>a clue that you are being mislead. Others mask out the background and
>>make the specimen look as if it is floating in the darkness of space.
>>This is ok if the image of the actual meteorite has not been altered but
>>this is usually not the case as can be seen by the sparkling
>>multi-rainbow colored chondrules, how stupid do these dealers think the
>>buyers really are?
>>
>>We feel manipulating images in this way is very misleading and
>>dishonest. Have a look for yourselves and you will know who the culprits
>>are, it is fairly obvious. On the flip side, there are some excellent
>>images out there that are true to life. Hint, the person is sometimes
>>seen holding the specimen with their fingers. If the skin color of
>>his/her fingers does not vary from image to image you can be fairly sure
>>the picture of the meteorite has not been manipulated.
>>
>>We are only discussing images in reflected light of specimens for sale
>>not SEM or thin-section images.
>>
>>How many of you have received specimens that have little resemblance to
>>the image you used to make a purchasing decision?
>>
>>All the best,
>>
>>Adam and Greg Hupe
>>The Hupe Collection
>>IMCA 2185
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>---- Original Message -----
>>From: "Tom aka James Knudson" <knudson911_at_frontiernet.net>
>>To: "Adam Hupe" <adamhupe_at_comcast.net>;
>><meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
>>Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 7:13 AM
>>Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] New Cool Meteorite
>>
>>
>>
>>>Hello Adam, Is this the same meteorite or paired with Rob Elliott's
>>>new meteorite? Sure looks similar? www.meteorites.uk.com
>>>
>>>Thanks, Tom
>>>Peregrineflier <><
>>>Yea, that's right,
>>>The proudest member of the IMCA # 6168
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: Adam Hupe <adamhupe_at_comcast.net>
>>>To: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
>>>Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 10:59 PM
>>>Subject: [meteorite-list] New Cool Meteorite
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Dear List Members,
>>>>
>>>>A few have already asked what other stone we will be releasing later
>>
>>this
>>
>>>>week. Here is a sneak preview:
>>>>
>>>>http://www.lunarrock.com/11-20/dsc00001.jpg
>>>>
>>>>This is a very beautiful chondrite with virtually no matrix or
>>>>metal.
>>
>>It
>>
>>>>has a dark filling between the multiple colored chondrules which are
>>
>>wall
>>
>>>to
>>>
>>>>wall. We will be starting a out few complete slices at 99 cents and
>>
>>>>let
>>>
>>>the
>>>
>>>>market determine the value so keep an eye out later in the week.
>>>>
>>>>All the best,
>>>>
>>>>Adam and Greg Hupe
>>>>The Hupe Collection
>>>>IMCA 2185
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>______________________________________________
>>>>Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
>>>>http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>______________________________________________
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>>Meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
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>>
>>
>>
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>>Meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
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>
>
>
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Received on Wed 19 Nov 2003 01:26:17 PM PST