Frame the Page

Lupa reads text that the camera can see clearly. Most of the time a casual grip is enough, but if a word isn't being recognized, one of these is usually why.

Aim for the center

The word you want to look up should sit near the middle of the screen. Recognition is sharpest where the lens is cleanest and the lighting is most even — which is almost always the center of the frame.

Keep lines horizontal

Hold the phone so the lines of text run straight across the screen, not diagonally. A tilted page is harder to read — for the camera and for you. A small rotation is fine; a 30-degree tilt is not.

Stay flat to the page

Point the camera straight down at the page, not at an angle. Angled shots stretch letters and blur the far side of the line. If you're reading a thick book where the pages curve near the spine, rest the book flatter or lift the camera to look down from above.

Let it focus

Pause for a moment before tapping. The camera needs a beat to focus — especially after moving to a new paragraph. If the text looks soft on screen, it's soft to Lupa too.

Give it light

Dim rooms and heavy shadows are the biggest enemies of recognition. A reading lamp, a bright window, or any overhead light will make a visible difference. Avoid glare — if a reflection from a lamp falls across the page, shift the book or your hand until the glare is off the word.