How to photograph a handwritten recipe
Updated
To photograph a handwritten recipe well, lay the page flat near a window and frame the whole page, holding your phone straight above it. A sharp, bright photo makes the handwriting easier to read, for you and for Grammage.
No special equipment needed: a phone and a bit of light are enough.
7 simple tips
- Daylight. Sit near a window. Natural light is often the softest.
- No shadows. Your hand or your phone shouldn't cast a shadow on the page. Move slightly if needed.
- Keep the page flat. Open the notebook wide. If the page lifts up, hold it down gently with your fingers on the edges.
- Phone straight above. Hold it parallel to the page, not at an angle: the writing stays straight.
- The whole page. Frame the entire page, including the notes in the margin: they count too.
- A sharp photo. Tap the screen on the text to focus, and keep still when you take the photo.
- One page per photo. If the recipe continues on the next page, add the second page to the recipe under "Original pages".
What if the page is damaged?
A stained, yellowed or crumpled page can still be photographed. If some words are misread, you correct them by looking at the photo, which stays attached to the recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a special camera?
No. A phone camera is enough. You can also use photos you've already taken.
Should I use the flash?
The flash can create a glare on the paper. If you can, use daylight instead.
What if my photo is a little blurry?
Grammage tries to read even an imperfect photo. If the result isn't good, take the photo again or correct the recipe by hand.