any tips for taking close-up pictures?

[riffdoctor]

I have a 5 mp camera and cant seem to get anything close-up except blurry pics.
I have several buttons and tokens I would like to post but cant get the pics to come out, all the close-ups others have posted on this site look great, what am I doing wrong?

 

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[weasel606]

if your camera dont have macro setting it might be hard to get a closeup, you might this free software that you can crop and resize with, i use it and seems to work well for me, http://www.gimp.org/

 

[riffdoctor]

thanks weasle Ill check that out.

 

[Jeffro]

When using the macro setting, 12 inches seems to be the number. I usually take three or four pics leaning in a little, then leaning out a little. One usually turns out OK.

 

[Lady_Huntress]

I agree 12 inches is pretty good space

 

[Farmercal]

If you you have a scanner with your computer you might try scanning the item. This procedure works for a lot of people but your have to have a scanner.

 

[cosmic]

If no macro setting you can take the picture through a magnifying glass..

 

[re-tek]

since nobody mentioned it.. macro is the button with the little flower looking thing on it. the symbol is pretty standard across camera manufacturers.

also..
the 12" thing.. nah, i shoot my macros at about 5" or 6" and DONT use flash. put your item under a bright lamp instead.

the way i usually do it when i need a good close up for ebay or whatever is to place to item under a bright lamp or take it outside in the sunlight but not direct sunlight, in a brightly lit shady area (if that makes sense). i get a small box or something to rest my camera on so i dont shake it and shoot the item without flash. my pics look fairly decent.

here's a link to some coins i shot under a nightstand lamp in a hotel room while resting the camera on a cookie box!
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,113715.0/topicseen.html

 

[riffdoctor]

Thanks for all your help guys, (and gals) what a great online community , glad I found it and joined.

 

[Ocean7]

tip I learned from a photographer. On silver or shiny objects use a piece of tissue over the flash. Works pretty good in macro mode - 6" from coin.

 

[riffdoctor]

Well thanks again for the help, I went with the scanner to post seemed easiest for now, thought I would share a civil war button I found and scanned to post, turned out better than the blurry shots I got with my camera,(no macro setting) so anyway here it is and I appreciate everyones help.