How to Photograph Pokemon Cards for AI Grading: Complete Guide

Your AI grading results are only as good as your photos. Poor image quality can hide defects, create false positives, or limit your grade ceiling. This guide covers everything you need to know about photographing Pokemon cards for the most accurate AI grading results.

Key Takeaways

Use a tripod or phone stand for sharp, blur-free images
Use indirect/diffused lighting to avoid glare on holos
Shoot on a dark, non-reflective surface (black velvet is ideal)
Fill the frame 70-80% with the card for optimal detail
Take multiple photos and select the sharpest one

Why Photo Quality Matters for AI Grading

SwapLoom's AI grading analyzes pixel-level details to detect scratches, whitening, and surface defects. When your photo is blurry, overexposed, or has glare, the AI cannot accurately assess these details. This leads to:

Grade ceiling caps - Poor images limit maximum possible grade
False negatives - Real defects hidden by blur or shadows
False positives - Glare or dust interpreted as scratches
Lower confidence scores - AI uncertainty due to image quality

Image Quality Impact on Grade Ceiling

Image Quality	Max Grade	Common Issues
EXCELLENT	PSA 10	Full detail visible, no artifacts
GOOD	PSA 9	Minor blur or small glare spots
ACCEPTABLE	PSA 8	Noticeable issues, re-upload advised
POOR	—	Analysis blocked, re-upload required

Essential Equipment

You don't need professional camera gear. A modern smartphone produces excellent results with the right technique. Here's what you need:

1. Tripod or Phone Stand (Critical)

Hand-held photos almost always have micro-blur that reduces AI accuracy. A tripod eliminates this completely.

❌ Hand-held

Micro-shake blur
Inconsistent framing
Shadows from hands
Difficult to retake

✓ Tripod/Stand

Perfectly sharp images
Consistent framing
Hands free for lighting
Batch photography easy

💡 Budget Option: A basic phone tripod costs $10-20 and dramatically improves results. Look for one with a gooseneck or adjustable arm for overhead shots.

2. Diffused Indirect Lighting (Critical)

Direct light creates harsh reflections on holographic cards that the AI may interpret as defects. Indirect lighting solves this.

Lighting Setup Options

Window Light + Diffusion

Position near a window with sheer curtains or white fabric. Natural light through diffusion is soft and even. Best during overcast days or morning/evening.

Bounce Lighting

Point your light at a white wall or ceiling, not the card. The reflected light is naturally diffused and creates even illumination without hotspots.

Ring Light with Diffuser

If using a ring light, add a diffusion filter or increase distance. Ring lights without diffusion create harsh circular reflections on holo cards.

DIY Light Box

A cardboard box lined with white paper and a hole on top creates a mini studio. External lights shine through the sides for perfectly diffused illumination.

⚠️ Avoid: Overhead room lights, phone flashlights, and direct desk lamps. These create harsh shadows and reflections that obscure surface details.

3. Background Surface

The background affects both image quality and AI analysis. Choose carefully:

Background Surface Comparison

Surface	Rating	Notes
Black velvet	★★★★★	Ideal - absorbs light, no reflections
Dark matte paper	★★★★	Good alternative, cheap and effective
Playmat	★★★	OK if solid dark color, avoid patterns
White surface	★★	Creates edge contrast issues
Glass/glossy	★	Avoid - reflections ruin analysis

Camera Settings & Technique

Smartphone Settings

Most modern smartphones (iPhone 12+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 5+) have excellent cameras for card photography. Optimize these settings:

Recommended Settings

Resolution: Maximum (12MP or higher)
HDR: OFF - can create artifacts on holos
Flash: OFF - use external diffused light
Zoom: 1x or 2x optical only (no digital zoom)
Focus: Tap to focus on the card center
Timer: Use 3-second timer to avoid shake

Framing the Shot

How you frame the card affects AI analysis quality:

❌

Too Far

Card fills <50% of frame. Details lost.

✓

Ideal

Card fills 70-80% of frame. Perfect detail.

❌

Too Close

Edges cut off. Centering analysis fails.

💡 Pro Tip: Enable grid lines on your camera app. Use them to ensure the card is perfectly aligned and centered in the frame.

Angle Matters

Shoot from directly above (90°) or very close to it. Angled shots cause perspective distortion that affects centering analysis.

Camera Angle Guide

Perfect (90°): Camera directly overhead, parallel to card
Acceptable (85-90°): Very slight angle, minimal distortion
Poor (70-85°): Noticeable perspective, affects centering
Bad (<70°): Severe distortion, inaccurate analysis

Holographic Card Tips

Holo cards require extra care to avoid glare while still capturing surface details:

1. Move the Light, Not the Camera

If you see glare, adjust your light source position rather than the camera angle. Keep the camera perpendicular to the card.

2. Use Two Light Sources

Two lights at 45° angles on opposite sides create even illumination with minimal reflection hotspots.

3. Polarizing Filter (Advanced)

A circular polarizer filter ($10-30) dramatically reduces holo reflections when rotated correctly.

4. Take Multiple Shots

For valuable holos, take 5-10 photos with slightly different light positions and select the best one.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Top Photography Mistakes

Phone shadow on card

Solution: Use a tripod with offset position or longer arm

Card in sleeve/toploader

Solution: Remove from sleeve for analysis (reflections and blur)

Dust and fingerprints

Solution: Clean card with microfiber cloth before photographing

Mixed lighting

Solution: Turn off room lights, use only your controlled light source

Uploading compressed images

Solution: Upload original photos, not screenshots or social media downloads

Quick Setup Guide

Here's a 5-minute setup for consistent, high-quality card photos:

5-Minute Setup Checklist

Place dark surface (black paper/velvet) on a table
Position tripod directly overhead, 20-30cm above card
Set up bounce light - point desk lamp at white ceiling/wall
Turn off room lights and phone flash
Clean card with microfiber cloth
Enable camera grid lines and 3-second timer
Test shot - check for glare, shadows, blur
Photograph front, then flip and photograph back

Front vs Back Photo Requirements

SwapLoom analyzes both sides of your card. Each has specific requirements:

Front Photo

Analyzed for: Centering, corners, edges, surface scratches, holo condition

Entire card visible with margins
All four corners sharp and clear
Surface details visible
Holo area without major glare

Back Photo

Analyzed for: Authenticity, whitening, edge wear, surface condition

Pokeball centered in frame
Blue color accurate (no color cast)
Edges clearly visible
No sleeve reflections

ℹ️ Why the Back Matters: SwapLoom's authenticity AI primarily analyzes the card back because it's standardized across all Pokemon cards. A clear back photo is essential for accurate authenticity verification.

Batch Photography Workflow

Grading multiple cards? Here's an efficient workflow:

Set up once - Use our 5-minute setup guide above
Keep camera fixed - Don't move the tripod between cards
Front stack, back stack - Photograph all fronts, then all backs
Consistent orientation - Same direction for every card
Review before moving on - Check each photo for quality issues

⭐ Pro Workflow: Number your cards and photograph in order. This makes matching front/back pairs easy when uploading to SwapLoom.

Conclusion

Quality card photography doesn't require expensive equipment—just proper technique. A basic tripod, diffused lighting, and dark background will transform your AI grading results. The few minutes spent setting up properly will save hours of re-uploading poor photos.

Remember the fundamentals: stabilize your camera, diffuse your light, use a dark matte background, and fill the frame appropriately. Master these basics and your cards will always be photographed at their best.

Ready to Grade Your Cards?

Upload your perfectly photographed cards to SwapLoom for instant AI grading.

Start Grading Now →