Photography Tips by Category

General Best Practices

• Use natural daylight or diffused artificial light. Avoid harsh shadows and flash — they obscure surface details and distort colors.
• Photograph from multiple angles: front, back, top, bottom, and both sides. More views give the AI more information.
• Include a common object for scale — a coin, ruler, or standard playing card placed next to the item.
• Use a plain, neutral background (white or light gray). Busy backgrounds make it harder for the AI to isolate the object.
• Ensure sharp focus, especially on detail shots. Blurry photos are the single biggest cause of 'Uncertain' verdicts.

Ceramics & Porcelain

• Photograph the bottom/base clearly — maker's marks, kiln stamps, and reign marks are critical for dating and attribution.
• Capture glaze details: crackle patterns, color variations, and any iridescence. A close-up of the glaze surface tells the AI about firing technique and age.
• Document any chips, hairline cracks, or repairs. Zoom in on damaged areas. Condition significantly affects value.

Read the full ceramics identification guide →

Paintings & Prints

• Photograph the signature or monogram with a close-up. If unsigned, note that in your description.
• Always photograph the back of the canvas or panel. Labels, gallery stamps, auction stickers, and stretcher bar marks provide provenance clues.
• For oil paintings, capture brush stroke detail with raking light (light from the side). This reveals technique and helps distinguish originals from reproductions.
• Include the frame — it can be independently valuable and provides dating context. Photograph any marks or labels on the frame.

Read the full painting authentication guide →

Jewelry & Watches

• Photograph all hallmarks, purity stamps, and maker's marks. Use macro mode or a magnifying lens if available.
• Show clasps, pin mechanisms, and settings — construction methods help date the piece.
• For gemstones, capture them with and without flash. Note the stone color in natural light in your description.
• Mention weight in your text description if you can weigh the piece (kitchen scale works). The AI cannot assess weight from photos alone.

Read the full jewelry authentication guide →

Furniture

• Photograph joinery close-ups: dovetails, mortise-and-tenon joints, pegged construction. These are the strongest indicators of age and origin.
• Capture all hardware (hinges, pulls, locks) — original vs. replaced hardware significantly affects value.
• Show the wood grain in good light. Include both finished and unfinished surfaces (drawer bottoms, backs).
• Look for maker's stamps, paper labels, branded marks, or stenciled numbers — often found on drawer bottoms or back panels.

Read the full furniture identification guide →

Bronzes & Metalwork

• Photograph the patina in detail — color, texture, and distribution. Natural vs. artificial patina is a key authenticity indicator.
• Always photograph the base/bottom. Foundry marks, edition numbers, and casting evidence are usually here.
• Capture any inscriptions, signatures, or foundry stamps with a close-up.

Read the full bronze identification guide →

Other Categories

For items not covered above, follow the general best practices and pay special attention to: any maker's marks, labels, stamps, or inscriptions; material details visible in close-ups; construction methods; and any text or numbers on the item. Mention material, approximate weight, and dimensions in your description field.