General Forum

I've seen a lot of users here discouraging people from using photography for submitting images of cards, but if one will not be uploading a ton of card images (like myself) there is no need for me to buy a scanner. However, the way I look at it is if I have a very rare card that not many other people are likely to have, is it not better for there to be a photo of the card instead of nothing at all? I understand it will not look as pretty as a scanned card, but as long as people can see the card and recognize that the that is or is not the card they have, isn't that enough?

I ask this question because I just submitted an imperfect photo of a card I just added to the database. I believe its better than nothing, but if this is a super dooper big no-no I'd love to hear everyone's opinion and why that is. Thanks!

At the risk of starting an all out war on here after we've seemingly had peace in recent days, I'll explain my thoughts on it.  Scroll to the bottom if you don't want to see the whole argument and just see my thoughts.

First I will say that I'm against the idea of using any photos for cards.  I know it sucks for those without a scanner but I just think scans make the card look like it belongs on here.

That part isn't too uncommon of a thought here, but the next part is.  I do agree that a scan of a card is better than nothing at all, granted it is the right card.  I have the highest level on here and sometimes go to the inaccuracies and when cards need to be removed because it is the wrong card, I approve or second it most times.  However I don't do the same for scans that are lower quality or crooked.  I know having the best looking card for the site is great, but I'd rather see a slightly crooked or poorly scanned card (scanned is the key word) than no scan at all.  When I see these pop up I skip past them.  Part of the reason is the same reason the whole "points farmer" argument went crazy the other day.  There is an option on here to replace the scan, I much prefer people doing that instead of wasting time sifting through all the inaccuricies preventing resolutions to them.  If people truly don't care about points, then I say just replace the scan if you have it and be done with it instead of listing an inaccurcy, waiting for it to be removed, and then adding it again yourself (all in the hope it isn't readded before you do it).  I understand the whole "they'll never learn if we don't take away their points" but maybe add a feature after so many of your scans are replaced it can be looked at as to why. Some of the time its just because they were uploaded 8-10 years ago and scanning technology has gotten better, and so have some of the people scanning.  Sometimes its because the people are poor scanners, and sometimes its because they are just in it for the points.  At any rate, it is much easier to have a scan of a card (any scan, doesn't have to be perfect) to see if that's the same one as you have, especially for the parallels.

In the end, everybody has different reasons being on the site, some to use it to keep track of their collections, some to trade, some to track prices, some just to use the forums, and some to get points.  I have no problem with any of them, even the last ones, because it means in some way shape or form they've contributed to the site.  I'm grateful for all those that find a way to contribute, and I hope we can continue to knock out some of the things needed done on here (I'd really like to see all the team verifications knocked out soon).

So in summary- photos: not a fan of allowing, scans (as long as its the right card): I like, and wish folks would just replace the scans themselves instead of going through inaccurracies.

According to the FAQ rules, it's done via scanning only to keep higher quality images. 

When I go through the crop list though, I have noticed some were taken via photo because they were graded cards. Unless they have a scanner that can do that, mine can't. But, unless it was a scanner or they took a really good photo, I crop the grade case out of it and you can't tell.

I don't really mind if my photos are replaced better images. My main goal of being on the site is to keep track of my collection mainly, but the set I mentioned above, for example, will be a pretty hard one to find for people looking for the same card in the future because the card has no year on it or anything. So, an image would be extremely helpful. That's why I ask. For my own sake, I don't care if there's no image at all, because I know what I have, but others may not. So, long story short, you won't hurt my feelings if the photos are taken down or not approved, I'm just trying to help potential future collectors.

I did see the whole thing about the points farming thing the other day. I totally agree with most that think points farming to the detriment of the quality is not cool. I'm a big believer in that if you're going to do a job, do it to the best of your ability. 

First and foremost, it's the rule of law, Admin's law.  No photos.  If one exception is granted then unfortunately that gives license in the minds of some members to upload nothing but photos, "Well, if he can upload photos, I can upload photos."

You can upload your photos of your card to your personal images of the card.  Personal images are viewable by all. So your goal of having an image for members to look at will be accomplished.

"What he said"...

What about sealed cards like etopps. Im not going to break the case to scan the card. I guess this is why etopps cards have so little popularity here due to lack of images.

A couple points:

Slug03 - Simply put, as many have already said, no. A photo is not better than nothing, because the card thn comes "off the list" when "anything" is loaded there. You don't wish to purchase a scanner just to upload cards here - I don't blame you. If I didn't already have a scanner, I wouldn't either. Yes, it stinks for the site that we may not get images of the rarer cards you may own, however, there are plenty of rarer cards out there that no member owns or can get ahold of a scanned image of, so we'll live without them. If you happen to have a nearby friend who does have a scanner, maybe you can work something out there. But in the meantime, no to photos. It's Admin's rule. There are certain size requirements and it must be a complete card and scanned.

jupiterhill - I agree mostly with you - I do believe that there are extremes when it comes to crooked and they not all members have the ability to replace any image. So it's not fair to the newer members who are scanning beautiful images to be denied putting up a great image because a washed out, crooked image with most of one border missing is already there. I say purge the garbage and allow the good scanning member access to upload those.

Mscott713 - there are scanners than can do the depth scanning so there can be scans of graded cards which look awesome. (There have been several threads discussing the two scanner types. Unfortunately for me, I have the type that needs the card directly on the glass for it to look good.) So, don't be too quick to dismiss those as photos. There is actually a good chance they are scans.

ravenfaith77 - See note about different scanners above - although sometimes the seals on some of these type cards can obscure part of the card, and that is a no-no (incomplete card). But with the right scanner, and an unscratched case, these cards can look great. (I personally prefer my cards out of the eTopps holders, so I've busted mine out and scanned them.)

Enjoy the rest of weekend!

I forgot if everyone had the ability to replace scans or not, so I understand that.  Maybe anyone with scanning abilities should be allowed to replace images.  Also I do agree that extreme cases of crooked scans make the site look bad.  Sometimes I look at the crop help page and see some really bad ones that should be rejected, though I also see some that are rejected because it is less than .0001 cm crooked.  That's the ones that bother me that get rejected.  If they are new members the first few times aren't usually perfect, but they get better if they try.  If they don't I'm sure admin can not give them the ability of adding scans themselves.  I know Billy has a tutorial on making perfect scans, but I still think a little wiggle room shouldn't be penalized.

As for encased cards, I might have added one on here, but I don't have many to begin with.  I usually don't because I know my scanner isn't as good at scanning them then the ones that can do depth better, so I just let those that can do it. Reminds me though I have an Ohtani card I need to see if its been added to the site yet.

Good weekend to everyone.  Hopefully the heat warning will finally end today.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appxy.tinyscan&hl=en_US

or

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tiny-scanner-pro/id556500145

These work great to correct perspective flaws and square it up, but still doesn't have the image quality of an actual scanner.