How to photograph an item for a check

Why photos decide the result

VerifAI reads only the photos you upload. It cannot pick the item up, feel the leather or open the case. Logos, labels, stitching, hardware and codes are the details that carry the most evidence, so the clearer they are, the more there is to go on.

A quick check reads up to 4 photos. Deep VerifAI reads up to 8, which leaves room for close-ups of every important detail.

Set up in one minute

1. 1Find good light: daylight near a window, or even indoor light without harsh shadows
2. 2Put the item on a plain, neutral background such as a table, a sheet or a wall
3. 3Clean your camera lens with a soft cloth
4. 4Turn off the flash, filters and beauty modes
5. 5Have the box, tags, receipt and any certificates ready to photograph too

The shot list

These shots work for almost any item. The category guides add the details that matter most for each kind of item.

• The whole item from the front
• The whole item from the back
• The logo or engraving, close up
• Stitching, seams and hardware such as zips, buttons and clasps
• Inside labels, tags, serial numbers and date codes
• Packaging and receipts, if you have them

Mistakes to avoid

• Flash that washes out detail and adds glare
• Low light, which makes close-ups blurry
• Cropping off part of the item, or a label
• Reflections on glass, metal or patent leather: change your angle instead
• Heavy editing, filters or screenshots of screenshots

Checking an item you are buying online

If you cannot hold the item, ask the seller for the photos on this list, taken today. Ask for one with a note showing your name and the date beside the item: it proves the photos are recent and of the real item. In the app, you can also check the listing itself.