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Photograph old photos without glare using your phone

Glare from glass, glossy paper, or ceiling lights can ruin a smartphone scan. Use these lighting setups and camera tips to capture crisp images that My Restored Photo can restore with full detail.

By My Restored Photo Team · Published May 15, 2025 · Updated October 1, 2025 · 5 min read

Once glare-free photos are ready, upload them to My Restored Photo and choose a credit pack that matches your project.

Why glare shows up

When you search for "how to photograph old photos without glare," most guides agree on one thing: reflections happen when light bounces directly back into your lens. Glossy prints and framed artwork act like mirrors. Reducing glare is all about redirecting the light so it reflects away from the camera.

  • Overhead lights produce hot spots because they sit almost directly above the photo.
  • Phone flash typically causes bright circles since it sits close to the lens.
  • Window light at eye level can work well, but a clear sky can still create reflections if the photo lies flat.

Lighting setups that stop reflections

The 45-degree window method

  1. Place the photo on a table near a bright window.
  2. Rotate the print so the window light hits from the side at roughly a 45-degree angle.
  3. Stand between the photo and the window, then tilt your phone slightly downward. You should see the reflection move off the surface.
  4. Take a test shot, zoom in, and adjust until the glare disappears.

Two-lamp cross lighting

Ideal for nighttime or rooms without natural light.

  1. Position two lamps of equal brightness at opposite sides of the photo, both pointed toward it at 45-degree angles.
  2. Diffuse the bulbs with thin white fabric or parchment paper to soften the light.
  3. Hold your phone directly above the print and keep it parallel to the surface.
  4. Check the preview and shift the lamps slightly if you see streaks or bright bands.

Photographing framed photos on a wall

  1. Move the frame to a wall opposite a large window with indirect light.
  2. Turn off overhead fixtures and remove any nearby standing lamps.
  3. Step to the side so your phone is angled about 5 to 10 degrees away from the frame. This keeps your reflection out of the glass.
  4. After photographing, crop the image to square up the edges.

Camera settings for clear smartphone scans

  • Turn off the flash. It introduces bright spots that are difficult to fix later.
  • Use the highest resolution option in your camera settings or scanning app for extra detail.
  • Enable grid lines to keep the phone aligned and reduce perspective distortion.
  • Tap to focus on a face or an area with fine detail, then slightly increase exposure if the preview looks dark.
  • Use the self-timer or a remote shutter to avoid motion blur when you press the button.

Polish the photo before upload

Once you capture a glare-free scan, make small tweaks so the file is ready for the restoration process.

  • Straighten and crop in your phone's editor to remove background clutter.
  • Adjust white balance if the image looks too cool or warm. Aim for natural skin tones.
  • Save as JPEG, PNG, or WebP to match My Restored Photo upload requirements.

Upload to My Restored Photo for instant fixes

With the reflections gone, you are ready to restore scratches, fix fading, and revive color in minutes. Every new account receives one free credit and three redo attempts per image, so you can experiment until the result looks perfect.

Restore your photo now