Tips To Take Jigsaw Puzzle Photos

Use the best jigsaw puzzle lights but watch for glare.

Reflection of Glass on framed jigsaw puzzles: 

• If the light is directly behind you, then wear a black shirt and stand between the light and the glass framed photo. 
•  You can block the light with your body or get the camera so close to the glass that there is no way for the light to get in.
• In a naturally side-lighted room (lights through windows) under a clean white ceiling, lay down the glass framed puzzle on the floor then use a selfie stick mounted cell phone (in my case an iPhone) to take a picture. Slight imperfections such as straightness can be adjusted by Aviary app (free from Apple store).

Reduce glare on jigsaw puzzle without glass frame:

• Buy an external flash and turn the flash away from the window (so it's toward you). The light will bounce off the walls/ceiling and generate enough light for the shot but you won't have flash glare.
•  Place 2 lamps, one at each side and at the same distance from the front and from the sides of the puzzle. For example, if dealing with a 3 foot wide puzzle, lamps would be roughly 3 feet in front of the puzzle and 3 feet away from the sides of the puzzle. 
• Take photos in direct daylight preferably around noon. This may eliminate all glare. There may be shadows along the edges from the frame. That's why it's best when the sun is directly overhead.
• Try buying a big sheet of (white) fleece because it doesn't reflect and helps diffusing the light. Use 3 white foam boards for a back wall and 2 side walls to lay the white fleece over and lay the puzzle inside the area. Stand over the puzzle to take the image (maybe carefully on chair if need be).
• Do not take shots where the light is behind the puzzle.
• Use an iPhone. Their hardware based signal processing mitigates glare. I have researched the cameras on the iPhones and it indicates that some professional photographers endorse the iPhone 5S for the best cameras so far on cell phones. The Galaxy S7 camera is a non-iPhone option.
  
• If you are really serious about your photos we suggest the following book titled Light Science and Magic which will provide you with more information.