Good photographs are useful for identification, appraisal, selling and restoration. The goal is not dramatic lighting; it is a repeatable record of what the machine looks like before anything changes.
The minimum photo set
- Full front, straight on.
- Full rear, with normal access opened if safe.
- Left and right cabinet sides.
- Maker logo, model/title markings and every label.
- Power cord, plug, transformer or converter.
- Key and lock area.
- Trays, handle, glass and playfield close-ups.
- Any rust, cracks, stains, missing parts or repairs.
Photograph labels twice
Take one image showing where the label is located and a second close enough to read it. This makes later identification much easier than a single cropped photo with no context.
For restoration documentation
Before removing an assembly, photograph how it sits in the machine and how nearby springs, levers, connectors and fasteners relate to it. Add a simple filename or note sequence so the photos remain useful weeks later.
For a sales listing
Do not hide flaws with angles or filters. Buyers care about the rear of a pachinko machine nearly as much as the front. A clear defect photo builds more trust than a vague sentence saying “normal wear.”