Smartphone and camera

Smartphone lenses are easily touched by fingers and exposed to pocket dust.

Before the photo session, clean the lens gently with a suitable material.

A dirty lens can cause:

• hazy images;
• light flare;
• reduced contrast;
• loss of detail;
• halos around light sources.

It is one of the simplest checks with one of the largest effects on final image quality.

When possible, use the smartphone’s main camera.

Ultra-wide lenses can distort proportions when used too close, while digital zoom can reduce detail.

For a close detail, it is often better to move physically closer while maintaining enough distance to avoid distortion, or use a genuine optical telephoto camera where available.

For overall views, avoid extreme perspectives that make parts of the item appear much larger or smaller than they really are.

Before taking the photo, tap the main area of the item on screen and check that it is sharp.

In low light, the phone may use a slower shutter speed. In that case:

• support the device;
• use both hands;
• use a tripod;
• increase the available light.

After each group of shots, zoom into at least one image to check detail and sharpness.

Do not wait until the end of the session to discover that the serial number or defects are out of focus.

Automatic exposure does not always interpret very black, white or reflective gear correctly.

If the subject is too bright and loses detail, reduce exposure slightly. If it is too dark and surfaces are unreadable, increase it carefully.

Pay particular attention to:

• highlights not being completely blown out;
• dark areas retaining detail;
• colour remaining natural;
• the photographed defect remaining visible.

Small exposure corrections are preferable to heavy editing later.