Photomatched...meaning?

[BGH]

In a variety of forums and sales sites I have been seeing more and more people using the term "photomatched" in reference to gameworn/game used items. In the past, these terms were used to connote specific gamewear on items...almost a fingerprint if you will. For instance certain puck marks, stick marks, repairs, rips, like on a jersey or a stick. Increasingly, I am seeing this used as an instance where a player is pictured in a similar jersey but without identifying marks. True photomatching is far more difficult. Are others seeing this more frequently?

 

[BGH]

I meant to post an example of proper photomatching. In this thread:

http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=382691

Look at the Spencer Martin. The author highlights the mark on the jersey as well as a game photo.

I realize most, if not all, of you are already familiar. However, I am seeing with increasing frequency pictures showing a player wearing a jersey...and no matchable markings to the item they are selling/trading.

 

[chadsexington]

I've noticed this too, however, MeiGray makes it easier for you to technically "photomatch" because the specified date range of use makes it easier for you to just pluck photos from games where the player would have worn it. Doesn't matter if it's game 1 or game 12 on that set...they still wore it.

I haven't seen a case around here on HI where somebody didn't at least disclose they couldn't find an actual photo of the guy and were using a stand-in photo. I can't speak of any game used boards though since I don't frequent them anymore

 

[Raffi31]

photomatch matches it specifically to a mark, thread, etc.
anything that does not match it specifically but is suspected to be the jersey I have seen referred to as a photoreference.

 

[koondog44]

A photo match needs to leave me with absolutely no doubt that it is in fact one and the same jersey. Like Raffi said, I consider non-definite matches just a reference. That doesn't mean that it's not the jersey (ie: winter classic, and other one game wonders), just that there's no definitive photo MATCH. Nothing beats a good photo matched jersey.

Having said that...if I recall correctly, a member on another forum has/had a major Gretzky milestone jersey in his collection, that was a definite photo match from the pics I saw. However, I think Gretzky said that he (or his dad) kept that particular jersey for themself. I hate to say it, but from the pics I saw...gretzkys memory seems incorrect. Creating wear is easy, but creating exact photo matches is virtually impossible in my opinion.