diff --git a/backend/routers/items.py b/backend/routers/items.py
index 913fdf42..9d2bde1c 100644
--- a/backend/routers/items.py
+++ b/backend/routers/items.py
@@ -586,7 +586,9 @@ def _auto_save_photo_from_extraction(
         try:
             # Process image (crop + rotation + compression + thumbnail)
             processor = ImageProcessor()
+            log.info(f"[AUTO_SAVE] Processing photo: crop_bounds={crop_bounds_validated}, rotation_degrees={rotation_degrees or 0}")
             process_result = processor.process_photo(image_bytes, crop_bounds_validated, rotation_degrees=rotation_degrees or 0)
+            log.info(f"[AUTO_SAVE] Processing result: status={process_result.get('status')}")
 
             if process_result.get('status') != 'success':
                 error_msg = process_result.get('error', 'Unknown error')
diff --git a/backend/services/image_processing.py b/backend/services/image_processing.py
index 8ab07f01..c47fa5b8 100644
--- a/backend/services/image_processing.py
+++ b/backend/services/image_processing.py
@@ -81,7 +81,9 @@ class ImageProcessor:
             # Open image with PIL (without applying EXIF yet, so crop_bounds match AI analysis)
             image = Image.open(io.BytesIO(file_bytes))
             original_size = image.size
-            self.logger.info(f"[PROCESS] Input: {len(file_bytes)} bytes, size={original_size}, crop_bounds={crop_bounds}, rotation={rotation_degrees}°")
+            msg = f"[PROCESS] Input: {len(file_bytes)} bytes, size={original_size}, crop_bounds={crop_bounds}, rotation={rotation_degrees}°"
+            self.logger.info(msg)
+            print(f">>> {msg}")  # Explicit print for visibility
 
             # Extract EXIF orientation (but don't apply yet)
             exif_orientation = self._extract_exif_orientation(image)
@@ -100,11 +102,15 @@ class ImageProcessor:
                     crop_bounds['x'] + crop_bounds['width'],
                     crop_bounds['y'] + crop_bounds['height'],
                 )
-                self.logger.info(f"[CROP] Manual bounds: {crop_rect}")
+                msg1 = f"[CROP] Manual bounds: {crop_rect}"
+                self.logger.info(msg1)
+                print(f">>> {msg1}")  # Explicit print
                 cropped_image = image.crop(crop_rect)
                 crop_size = cropped_image.size
                 crop_method = 'manual'
-                self.logger.info(f"[CROP] Result size: {crop_size}, pixels={crop_size[0]*crop_size[1]}")
+                msg2 = f"[CROP] Result size: {crop_size}, pixels={crop_size[0]*crop_size[1]}"
+                self.logger.info(msg2)
+                print(f">>> {msg2}")  # Explicit print
             else:
                 # Try OpenCV smart crop on raw image
                 self.logger.info("[CROP] Attempting OpenCV smart crop...")