Trading Card Photography for Accurate Grading
Accurate photo-based grading begins with the capture. A sharp image can still mislead if the card is tilted, cropped, hidden by glare or photographed through scratched plastic. The goal is not studio photography; it is repeatable evidence. Keep the entire card visible, preserve the original camera file, use even light first, and add another light angle when foil or surface texture needs clarification.
Show the whole card
Place the card on a flat, contrasting background. Keep all four corners and a small margin visible. Photograph the front and back separately. Move closer without cutting off any edge.
Control light and focus
Use soft, even light. Avoid direct flash and bright reflections. Hold the phone steady, focus on the card and check the original photo before uploading. Keep the camera approximately parallel to the card.
Foil cards and protective holders
Reflections can look like defects. Capture another angle if glare covers the artwork or borders. Where safe, photograph a raw card outside its sleeve. Do not open a graded slab. Its plastic can limit what BAO can measure.
Respond to recapture guidance
If BAO cannot measure an area, follow the specific instruction and retake the photo. A clearer scan can resolve uncertainty. It does not change the physical condition of your card.
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