Photo quality tips
Capture clearer photos of paper documents so Sera can read them and your exports look professional.
Overview
Phone photos are often the fastest way to add paper. A few habits — lighting, alignment, and framing — dramatically improve how well Sera reads text and how useful those images are later in Evidence and Export.
Why this feature exists
Poor photos create stress twice: once when Sera can’t read them, and again when you share an unclear package. Clear captures protect both organization and presentation.
Step-by-step
- 1
Lay the document flat
Place the page on a dark, non-reflective surface. Smooth wrinkles so text isn’t distorted.
- 2
Use even light
Face a window or use soft overhead light. Avoid harsh flash that creates glare on glossy paper.
- 3
Fill the frame
Include all four corners of the page. Keep the camera parallel so lines stay straight.
- 4
Check before you leave the page
Zoom in on dates, signatures, and small print. If you can’t read it, retake now.
- 5
Add Documents and review
Upload the best capture. After Sera reviews it, search for a key phrase to confirm quality.
Best practices
- Photograph one page at a time for important orders and notices.
- Hold the phone with both hands or rest your elbows to reduce blur.
- Turn off filters and beauty modes — true color and sharp text matter more.
Productivity tips
- Create a simple staging area at home for document photos so every capture looks consistent.
- For multi-page sets, keep the same orientation and distance across the batch.
Common mistakes
- Capturing a stack of pages in one shot.
- Cutting off headers, footers, or exhibit stamps.
- Uploading the first take without checking sharpness.
Frequently asked questions
Is a scanner better than a phone?
A flat scan or printer scan is often sharper. Phones work well when lighting and framing are careful. Use whichever you can do consistently.
What if I already uploaded a blurry photo?
Take a clearer photo, add it through Add Documents, then Move to Trash the weak version if you no longer need it.
Screenshots
Illustration placeholder — product screenshot coming soon.
Photo quality tips screenshot placeholderHelpful links
Related articles
- How Sera reads text from documents
Learn how Sera extracts readable text from PDFs, scans, and photos — and how to improve results.
- Uploading documents
Add PDFs, photos, emails, and scans to your case so Sera can organize them into a clear timeline and evidence library.
- Supported file types
See which document and image formats you can add to SeraCase — and how to prepare files that work best.
- Evidence library
Browse, open, and manage the materials in your case from one organized Evidence library.
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