Taking pictures of baseball cards

Mescalito345 · July 19, 2008 12:55PM

I'm trying to sell a few cards on eBay for the first time. With a digital camera, what's the best way to get a clear image? Most of my test photos have been out of focus. Also, shadows and reflections are a problem. Thanks.

AragornTheBold · July 19, 2008 12:57PM

get a scanner and use that not a camera

storm888 · July 19, 2008 1:01PM

If your camera has no "close-up" setting, you can try shooting
from a foot or so and crop the shots in PhotoShop or other
edit program.

If your camera has a dual-phase trigger, make sure you give the
thing time to focus before you fire.

Or, you can go to Kinkos and use their scanner.

Your sale adventure will not go well without nice pictures.

PoppaJ · July 19, 2008 1:03PM

It's best to use a scanner, but if you must use your digital camera, you might want to put it on a tripod.

Without a tripod, the slightest movement will make your pictures look a little blurry and sometimes bowed.

Lighting is a big factor too. Fluorescent bulbs are best because they don't give off a yellow or pink shadow.

If you're selling high end expensive cards, I'd really suggest buying a scanner, since bidders will tend to bid more if the card is more appealing, especially corners and edges etc.

PoppaJ

Mescalito345 · July 19, 2008 1:14PM

Thanks for all the responses. For ungraded cards, the scanner seems like a good idea. What about taking pictures of PSA graded cards using a camera?

storm888 · July 19, 2008 1:14PM

Scanner is the best way to go for raw and graded.

Mescalito345 · July 19, 2008 1:22PM

Thanks, any suggestions about specific scanners (company and model number)?

joestalin · July 19, 2008 1:26PM

there was a beckett thread a while back on scanners, you might be able to find it, but their search function sucks. It is possible to get a great scanner for under
75 bucks no a days. I have a cannon and it has lasted me years and is great.

Kevin

Mescalito345 · July 20, 2008 1:21PM

Thanks, it turned out that I already have a scanner. It's an HP 2110 that has been sitting around the house unused. You're right, scanning is much easier than using a digital camera. For cards with white borders, is it best to have a colored background, so that the condition of the borders and corners can be seen?

OAKESY25 · July 20, 2008 1:23PM

white borders.... leave the lid open.. it makes a nice dark backdrop

stown · July 20, 2008 1:24PM

Try scanning with the lid up.

Depending on the scanner, sometimes it will give a black background.

*

*not for sale

lawnmowerman · July 20, 2008 1:46PM

Barry

The thread title clearly stated "taking pctures of baseball cards" but you posted a football card???

Always a rebel aren't you

Taking pictures of baseball cards

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