No More Glare: iPhone Photo Scanning Lighting Tips

Glare is the #1 frustration when scanning glossy prints with a phone. Use these lighting tricks to keep reflections off your images—and let smart cleanup handle the rest.

Set Up Soft, Even Light

• Window light: Place the photo on a table near a bright window, but keep direct sun off the print.
• Two-lamp method: Put lamps at 45° angles on either side so light hits the photo evenly. Bounce light off a wall or white foam board to soften it.
• Diffuse DIY: Tape baking parchment or a white T-shirt over a lamp to diffuse harsh bulbs.

Positioning Tips

• Keep the phone parallel to the print; tilt the photo slightly instead if glare persists.
• Watch for your phone’s shadow—move lights higher or step back and zoom in slightly.
• Turn off the flash and let the app control exposure.

Use App Tools

If you need capture-time glare removal, use an iPhone scanning app built for it (like Google PhotoScan’s multi-shot method). Then upload your best capture to PhotoScanRestore for restoration and additional glare reduction after upload.

See Glare Reduction After Upload

Quick Diagram

Lamp ↘         ↙ Lamp
      \ Photo /
        Table
      ↑ iPhone

Place lamps slightly higher than the photo, aiming down so light reflects away from the phone lens.

Need more help with tricky shiny prints? Visit the full glossy photo guide for advanced setups.

Digitize Without Glare – Free Demo

Back to Best iPhone Scanning App · Learn what to do after scanning in restore & enhance.