Great photos are the difference between selling cards quickly at good prices and having listings sit unseen. Whether you're selling single cards or bulk lots, professional-looking photos build buyer trust and attract more bids. Here's how to photograph Pokemon cards for eBay and other online marketplaces in Australia.
Equipment You Need
You don't need expensive gear to take good card photos. Most modern smartphones (iPhone 13+, Samsung S21+, Pixel 6+) have cameras capable of excellent card photography. For dedicated camera setups, a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a macro lens produces superior results.
- Smartphone: iPhone or flagship Android on "Pro" mode
- Lighting: Two daylight LED panels or a lightbox (both available on Amazon Australia)
- Background: Plain white or black card/foam board
- Lens cleaner: Clean your camera lens before every session
Lighting Setup for Card Photography
Lighting is the most critical factor. Natural light works well on overcast days (cloudy diffuses harsh shadows). Place your setup near a north-facing window in Australia for consistent indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight — it creates harsh shadows and washed-out areas.
For a controllable setup, two LED soft boxes at 45-degree angles from the card eliminate shadows evenly. A light tent (photography lightbox) from around $30–50 on Amazon is an excellent investment for regular sellers.
Camera Settings for Sharp Card Photos
Use these settings for the best results:
- ISO: Keep as low as possible (100-400) to avoid grain
- Aperture: f/8 to f/11 for maximum sharpness
- Focus: Manual focus or tap-to-focus on the card text
- Stabilisation: Use a tripod or prop your phone to avoid shake
- White balance: Set to daylight or custom to avoid colour casts
How to Photograph Individual Cards
Place the card on a clean, flat surface. For valuable cards, leave them in the sleeve or toploader — buyers understand this and prefer to see the card protected. Remove holograms and foil from harsh light angles (try slightly off-axis lighting for rainbow and secret rare cards).
For CGC/PSA graded slabs, photograph through the case with the light angled to minimise reflections. Take multiple shots at slightly different angles and choose the sharpest.
What Photos to Include in eBay Listings
eBay allows up to 24 photos. For high-value cards include:
- Front of card in full
- Back of card
- Top edge close-up
- Bottom edge close-up
- Left and right edges
- Close-up of any damage or imperfections
- Card in hand for scale (optional)
Editing Your Photos
Light editing is fine and expected. Adjust brightness/contrast, crop tightly to the card, and correct white balance. Never add filters or heavily edit photos to hide card condition — this leads to disputes and negative feedback. Free editing apps like Snapseed (iOS/Android) work well for basic corrections.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Blurry or out-of-focus photos (always check sharpness before uploading)
- Harsh shadows obscuring the card art
- Reflections on holo cards from direct overhead lighting
- Cluttered or distracting backgrounds
- Not photographing the card back
- Over-editing to hide condition issues
Scaling Up for Bulk Listings
For sellers listing dozens of cards regularly, invest in a consistent setup with repeatable positioning. A fixed phone stand or copy stand, consistent lighting, and a batch editing workflow in Lightroom or similar can significantly speed up your process. Some sellers in Australia use scanners for bulk cards — a flatbed scanner like the Epson Perfection V39 produces excellent results for bulk lots at low cost.
Final Tips
Buyers trust sellers with clear, honest photos. Better photos mean higher prices, fewer disputes, and more repeat customers. Take the time to do it right and your eBay metrics will reflect the difference.