How to photograph a scrapbook page without glare

Soon Scrappd will straighten your pages for you and remove the worst of the glare. But a good photo is always a better start. These five things help, even if you want to capture your pages right now.

1. Find daylight, but not sunshine

Sit by a window, with the light coming from the side. Direct sunlight gives harsh shadows and white patches on glossy paper. A cloudy day is ideal.

2. Switch off the light above the table

A lamp right above your book reflects in photos, stickers and plastic sleeves. Daylight from the side, and no other light from above.

3. Hold your phone straight above the page

Your phone should be parallel to the page, not at an angle. That way straight lines stay straight and the whole page is sharp. Rest your elbows on the table for a steady hand.

4. Lay the book flat

A book that keeps falling shut gives you a curved page. Put something heavy along the edges, such as two other books, without covering any of the page.

5. No flash

The flash turns glossy areas white and makes colours look flat. Switch it off, and take a little more time to hold still instead.

Got a page with lots of shine, like a photo in a sleeve? Then tilt the book ever so slightly away from the window. Often the glare disappears completely.