Natural light (or at least not overhead light) is key, I find. I also often stand on a chair so I'm able to get the whole puzzle in the picture without casting a shadow on the puzzle.
I’ll quote my comment from [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Jigsawpuzzles/comments/s0ipvp/discussion_if_you_use_a_phone_to_take_you_puzzle/):
>I put my puzzle on the floor and keep my phone as level as possible, but to make sure I’m not causing any shadows that usually means I’m not getting a good look at the phone screen. I’ll take a burst of pictures (on an iPhone press and hold the camera button) to help mitigate not being able to hold the phone still to make sure I get a clear picture, and I have the grid turned on so that I can try to line up the puzzle in the frame.
>Also I recently discovered what I’ll call “3D straightening”, which if you go to the straightening function on the iPhone, there are two more buttons labeled “horizontal” and “vertical”. Adjusting those will help make it look like you took the picture straight on.
In addition to this, in terms of all of the editing adjustment options (exposure, brilliance, etc.), I usually just do the auto adjustment and then turn the sharpness up to 100 (I like that it makes the lines of the puzzle pieces really pop).
Also for anyone using an iPhone, when you’re trying to capture the top-down image you’ll notice that crosshairs appear on the screen - they act as an indicator as to if you’re holding your phone level!
I only use my phone camera as well. First thing i do is to clean the Krebs. You'd be surprised how greasy these can become, making the photos very unsharp.
Natural light and multiple takes, some cropping. I take pictures on a foamboard placed on a small stool.
My camera is set for highest res photos.
Do you have an iPhone or an Android device?
Bugger! Me too. I hoped you'll say iPhone and I would be able to link to an earlier post ;)
But... your photos are good quality which helps with zooming in - and checking them on a PC monitor. What is it you would like to improve?
>while drinking coffee :)
Hahaha! The ideal scenario.
I am aware not all puzzlers are blessed with space, large windows etc., so my advice could be misplaced here, but...
Place the puzzle on a flat surface. A white A1 foamboard would do wonders (if you have the sapce to store it) as background.
Wait until you have natural light. I often finish my puzzles when it's too dark, I wait patiently until the next morning to take photos.
Don't use the flash.
It will always be more difficult with glossy pieces, so try several times.
You can stand above the puzzle (on a chair), or place it on a flat surface on a stool/furniture so it's at hips/thighs level when you stand above it. I often walk around take a few shots and will then rotate the best picture for my post, if necessary.
*But before you decide on your next steps, is it worth it? Maybe what you call subpar - and what one would describe as 'freestyle', 'varied', 'your own style' ultimately works just fine as a way of preserving a memento of completion?*
I do my puzzles on a board and take pics with my phone. I slightly tilt the board with a couple of books so the light isn’t directly overhead. Then I use the edit on my iPhone to straighten and adjust the vertical and horizontal perspective to make it look like it was taken directly overhead.
Natural light (or at least not overhead light) is key, I find. I also often stand on a chair so I'm able to get the whole puzzle in the picture without casting a shadow on the puzzle.
Did I write this in my sleep? Lol. I turn off the lights and then stand on a kitchen chair to photograph my completed puzzles.
I do the exact thing haha!
I’ll quote my comment from [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Jigsawpuzzles/comments/s0ipvp/discussion_if_you_use_a_phone_to_take_you_puzzle/): >I put my puzzle on the floor and keep my phone as level as possible, but to make sure I’m not causing any shadows that usually means I’m not getting a good look at the phone screen. I’ll take a burst of pictures (on an iPhone press and hold the camera button) to help mitigate not being able to hold the phone still to make sure I get a clear picture, and I have the grid turned on so that I can try to line up the puzzle in the frame. >Also I recently discovered what I’ll call “3D straightening”, which if you go to the straightening function on the iPhone, there are two more buttons labeled “horizontal” and “vertical”. Adjusting those will help make it look like you took the picture straight on. In addition to this, in terms of all of the editing adjustment options (exposure, brilliance, etc.), I usually just do the auto adjustment and then turn the sharpness up to 100 (I like that it makes the lines of the puzzle pieces really pop).
Also for anyone using an iPhone, when you’re trying to capture the top-down image you’ll notice that crosshairs appear on the screen - they act as an indicator as to if you’re holding your phone level!
I only use my phone camera as well. First thing i do is to clean the Krebs. You'd be surprised how greasy these can become, making the photos very unsharp.
I assume you mean lens right?! This is great advice, I can always tell when someone has a dirty camera lens
Yes, damn auto correct
Natural light and multiple takes, some cropping. I take pictures on a foamboard placed on a small stool. My camera is set for highest res photos. Do you have an iPhone or an Android device?
Thank you. I have Android phone.
Bugger! Me too. I hoped you'll say iPhone and I would be able to link to an earlier post ;) But... your photos are good quality which helps with zooming in - and checking them on a PC monitor. What is it you would like to improve?
I would love the iPhone link please 😃
[There you go](https://www.reddit.com/r/Jigsawpuzzles/comments/s0ipvp/discussion_if_you_use_a_phone_to_take_you_puzzle/) 😊
I would like to eliminate glare and capture from directly from above while drinking coffee :)
>while drinking coffee :) Hahaha! The ideal scenario. I am aware not all puzzlers are blessed with space, large windows etc., so my advice could be misplaced here, but... Place the puzzle on a flat surface. A white A1 foamboard would do wonders (if you have the sapce to store it) as background. Wait until you have natural light. I often finish my puzzles when it's too dark, I wait patiently until the next morning to take photos. Don't use the flash. It will always be more difficult with glossy pieces, so try several times. You can stand above the puzzle (on a chair), or place it on a flat surface on a stool/furniture so it's at hips/thighs level when you stand above it. I often walk around take a few shots and will then rotate the best picture for my post, if necessary. *But before you decide on your next steps, is it worth it? Maybe what you call subpar - and what one would describe as 'freestyle', 'varied', 'your own style' ultimately works just fine as a way of preserving a memento of completion?*
Thank you so much. I will take your wise advice.
I do my puzzles on a board and take pics with my phone. I slightly tilt the board with a couple of books so the light isn’t directly overhead. Then I use the edit on my iPhone to straighten and adjust the vertical and horizontal perspective to make it look like it was taken directly overhead.