How to photograph trading cards for eBay
Good photos sell cards faster and prevent returns. Buyers want to judge condition from the listing, so the goal is a sharp, straight, glare-free shot of both sides.
Light
Use soft, even light. Daylight from a window, without direct sun, works well. Indoors, two lamps at 45 degrees on either side of the card light it evenly and keep reflections off the surface. Avoid the phone's flash, which leaves a hot spot in the middle of the card.
Background
A plain, matte surface in one color. White or light gray suits most cards; black makes light borders and chrome cards stand out. Keep it free of patterns so buyers can see the card's edges.
Angle and framing
- Shoot straight down, with the phone parallel to the card. A tilted shot makes the card look off-center.
- Fill most of the frame and use the main lens, not ultra-wide.
- Tap to focus on the card, and hold still or use a stand.
Glare on top loaders and slabs
Plastic reflects light straight back at the camera. Move your lights farther to the sides, tilt the card slightly away from the light, or take raw cards out of their holders for the photo. For slabs, angled lights and a dark room cut most of the glare.
Which photos to include
- The front and back, side by side, as the main image.
- Close-ups of the corners for any card where condition matters.
- An angled shot that shows the surface, if you're pricing it as near mint or better.
- For slabs, the label and the back of the holder.
Size and finishing
eBay accepts photos from 500 pixels on the longest side, and larger images let buyers zoom in. The card listing photo maker crops, straightens and pairs the front and back into a 1600-pixel image in your browser. Crop and straighten, but don't edit out flaws.
Questions
Should I photograph cards in or out of the top loader?
Out, if the card is raw and you want to show condition. Plastic adds glare and hides the edges. Put it back in for shipping.
Are scans better than photos?
Scans are sharp and perfectly flat, which is great for centering and condition. Photos show surface shine better. Many sellers use a scan as the main image and add a photo.