Keep the phone's shadow off a mailing label
When a light is directly overhead and you hold the phone between it and the label, the phone can shade the label. Moving the light to one side usually fixes it without special equipment.
Setting up shadow-free lighting
- Move a lamp, or move near a window, so the light comes from beside you instead of from above.
- Hold the phone over the label with the phone parallel to the surface so the whole label stays in focus.
- Take a test shot and look for shadow. If one remains, shift the light further to one side or move the catalog closer to the window.
- Zoom into the final photo and check that no part of the label looks darker than the rest.
When the shadow moves but does not disappear
A shadow may hide a unit number, customer code or part of the sender's address. Check the sender details as well as the recipient label in the saved image. If a character becomes uncertain inside the dark area, move the light and retake the photo before submitting it.
Do a final readability check
After adjusting the light, view the photo at full size. Every character on the label should be readable before you upload.
Instructions for the next step
Have an unwanted advertisement ready?
Photograph one piece you are authorized to handle, with the sender and full mailing label visible. Review the details before submitting. The first request is free; the sender controls the response.
Try one request free