One item, one photo.
Don't photograph a pile of coins or a box of stuff. The AI analyzes what's in frame. If there are six things in frame, you'll get a confused result about all six. Isolate each item. This takes an extra thirty seconds and makes the difference.
Light is everything — and free light is best.
Natural daylight near a window, no direct sun. This is the best option for most items. Avoid flash — it creates glare on metal, washes out surface detail, and flattens the image. If you're shooting in low light, find a window or turn on room lights rather than using flash.
Background: boring is better.
Plain white, plain gray, plain anything. A piece of white paper, a gray cloth, or a plain tabletop is ideal. Busy backgrounds confuse the models and make it harder to isolate the item. The AI is looking at your item, not your kitchen counter.
Fill the frame.
Get close enough that the item takes up most of the photo. Don't leave a lot of empty space around it. On most smartphones, tap the item on your screen to focus before shooting.
Show what matters.
Coins: Both sides, ideally. The reverse often carries the date and mint mark that determines value. Get close enough to read the inscription.
Jewelry: The full piece plus any hallmarks, stamps, or maker's marks if they're visible. A second photo of the mark alone is worth taking.
Paper items (cards, currency, documents): Flat on a surface, no shadows across the face, shot straight-on not at an angle.
Vintage items with condition issues: Show the damage. A photo that hides wear gives you a valuation for a better item than you have.
Don't shoot through glass or plastic.
If your coin is in a holder or your item is in a display case, take it out if you can. Glass and plastic create glare, reduce sharpness, and sometimes shift color. The models see the reflection, not the item.
If you're not sure — shoot twice.
One overview shot and one close-up of the detail that makes the item what it is. You can add multiple angles in the app.
What the AI can't see.
Weight, sound, feel, smell. It can't tell you if a coin is silver by weight or if a piece of furniture is solid wood versus veneer. AI valuation is a visual tool. For high-value items where authentication matters, a physical appraisal is still worth getting. When visual data alone isn't enough, TurnOver tells you — that's what the confidence score is for.