BlogJune 18, 2026
How to photograph card damage for a free assessment
Soft light, a flat background, and a short shot list are enough for Slabworks to tell you whether a repair attempt is worth a plan.
You do not need a studio. You need honest light and enough angles that we are not guessing. Most delays on a quote are blurry photos, heavy filters, or a single flash shot that hides the crease.
The shot list
- Straight-on front, filling most of the frame
- Straight-on back
- Each damaged corner or edge
- One raking-light shot across the surface
- One edge-on shot if the card curls or has a dent
Lay the card on a plain sheet of paper. Turn off portrait mode. Do not crop so tight that we cannot see all four corners.
Light that tells the truth
Stand near a window, not under a yellow ceiling bulb. Tilt the card slightly for holos so scratches show up. If the surface looks perfect in every photo, we will assume we are missing something and ask again.
Avoid beauty filters, HDR that smears edges, and watermarks across the damage.
What to write in the email
Name, city, card list, and what you want (display, possible grading, or “tell me if this is silly”). Mention home remedies, shop stickers, and whether the card is already in a loader. Attach the photos. You do not need a paragraph for each scratch.
If we can quote from what you sent, you get a written plan. If we cannot, we will ask for one more angle instead of guessing.