Tried taking pictures for eBay, but just can't get the results you want? Use these tips and you'll be sure to increase your bids!
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When prepping your images for Ebay it is important to make your item look as good as possible while showing it in a way that makes the buyer feel comfortable with the purchase. Here are some simple tips to do that.
Start off by setting up your shoot.
Place your item against a plain background that will make it stand out. For smaller items you can use a shirt for larger items try a plain bed sheet or hardwood floor. At the very least try to take out as much clutter from the image as possible.
Try to shoot in a location where your item will be well lit. Generally try to move to a room with lots of windows but check to make sure that no strange shadows are being cast on the subject. Another option is to go to a dark room and set up the light your self. Often a desk lamp or two can go a long way. Remember the closer to the light the object is the more light your camera will be able to use.
If you have a digital camera, set it to a medium size image, if you don’t have the lab which processes your film scan it or if you have a scanner you can scan the prints. Ebay suggests an image size somewhere around 1024x768 pixels.
If at all possible turn the flash off so as not to have a huge white spot on your item. If the item is blurry without flash place the camera on a tripod or set it on something solid. Also set it to give a few seconds delay before taking the picture. This way you have time to press the shutter button and get your hand away so that there is no chance of accidentally shaking the camera.
Start by framing the item so that it fills or comes close to filling the frame. Also be sure that the item is level in the photo, a little composition goes a long way.
Capture the item from multiple angles. You want the buyer to get a sense that you are not hiding anything from them. This is not to say that you need to highlight every blemish and scratch but you definitely don’t want it to look like you are hiding something when you’re not.
If there is any detail worth showing do your best to do so.
Put your images into a photo imaging program (unless you are satisfied with your image and your camera produces a JPEG or GIF file). In the imaging program do crops, rotation, and sizing of the images as you see fit. Also make sure that you save the image in either JPEG (.jpg) or GIF (.gif) format.
