How to photograph a paper drawing so it comes alive

Before you take the photo

1. Use a plain background. A table of one colour works better than a patterned tablecloth.
2. Find even light. Daylight by a window is ideal. Avoid the shadow of your hand or the phone on the sheet.
3. Keep the sheet flat. A curled corner bends the outline.
4. Fit the whole sheet in the frame and hold the phone above it, not at a sharp angle.

What kind of drawing works best

• Bold, closed outlines. A marker line around the creature helps most of all.
• Bright colours. Felt pens, crayons and paint read better than a light pencil.
• One creature, not touching the edge of the sheet.
• Any subject. It does not have to be a fish.

Printed colouring pages are recognised automatically

A drawing made on one of the printable colouring pages is recognised as that exact creature: a coloured clownfish page becomes a clownfish with your child's colours. The black squares in the corners of each sheet help the app find the page, so do not cut them off or colour over them.

If something goes wrong

• The shape is wrong. Tap Shape on the next screen and adjust the outline.
• The drawing is not found. The app offers to try again or to choose another photo. Move to better light and retake it.
• The camera is turned off. The app explains this and lets you choose a photo instead. A grown-up can turn the camera on in iOS Settings.