Card Photography Tips
Take professional-quality photos that showcase your cards and attract buyers
Essential Equipment
Camera
A modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel) works great for card photography. You don't need an expensive DSLR camera.
Lighting
Natural daylight is best. Position your cards near a window with indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows and glare.
Background
Use a plain, neutral background (white, black, or gray). A simple piece of poster board or fabric works perfectly.
Card Protection
Keep cards in penny sleeves or top loaders during photography to protect them and reduce glare.
Lighting Best Practices
Use natural light: Position near a window during daytime for soft, even lighting
Avoid overhead lights: They create harsh shadows and uneven colors
No flash: Camera flash creates glare and washes out details
Diffuse harsh light: Use a white sheet or curtain to soften direct sunlight
Consistent lighting: Use the same lighting setup for all cards in a lot
Camera Settings & Technique
Clean your lens: Wipe your phone camera lens before shooting
Hold steady: Use both hands or a small tripod to prevent blur
Shoot straight on: Position camera directly above or in front of the card (not at an angle)
Focus properly: Tap on the card to ensure your phone focuses on it
Take multiple shots: Capture 3-5 photos and choose the best one
Fill the frame: Get close enough that the card takes up most of the photo
What to Photograph
Front of Card (Required)
Capture the entire front of the card clearly. Ensure all text, images, and borders are visible and in focus.
Back of Card (Required)
Show the back to verify authenticity and condition. This is especially important for valuable cards.
Close-ups of Damage (If Any)
Photograph any scratches, edge wear, creases, or whitening. Honesty builds trust and prevents disputes.
Corners and Edges
For high-value cards, include close-up shots of all four corners to show condition.
Holographic or Foil Features
If your card has special finishes, take photos at slight angles to show the effect.
Reducing Glare & Reflections
Angle adjustment: Tilt the card slightly (5-10 degrees) if you see reflections
Use sleeves wisely: Penny sleeves cause less glare than thick top loaders
Remove from holders: For best results, carefully photograph unsleeved cards
Move the light source: Change your position relative to the window to minimize glare
Polarizing filter: For advanced users, a phone lens polarizing filter eliminates glare
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Blurry photos: Keep camera steady and ensure focus is locked on the card
Too dark or too bright: Adjust exposure by tapping and sliding brightness on your phone
Busy backgrounds: Distracting backgrounds draw attention away from the card
Too far away: Card should fill at least 60-70% of the frame
Color inaccuracy: Don't over-edit colors; buyers need to see true card appearance
Hiding damage: Never hide flaws; they'll cause disputes and negative reviews
Basic Photo Editing
Light editing is acceptable, but don't mislead buyers. Use your phone's built-in photo editor or free apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile.
Crop: Remove excess background to focus on the card
Straighten: Ensure card edges are parallel to photo edges
Brightness: Slightly increase if photo is too dark
Contrast: Minor adjustments can make cards pop
Don't: Apply heavy filters, saturate colors unnaturally, or hide defects
Quick Setup Guide
Choose your location
Find a spot near a window with good natural light (not direct sun)
Set up background
Place a white or black poster board on a table or floor
Position card
Place card flat on background, away from edges
Frame your shot
Hold phone directly above or in front, fill frame with card
Focus and shoot
Tap on card to focus, hold steady, take multiple photos