How to photograph trading cards for accurate analysis
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.