| 1 Use A Digital Camera | | | | eTent, put one light on each side, and shoot. |
| You can use a film camera for your eBay listings. The | | | | Many photographers also use umbrellas designed to |
| problem is that, with film, you can't see the results right | | | | bounce or diffuse the light before it reaches the |
| away. Digital cameras have an LCD screen that gives | | | | subject. If you don't have a set of reflective umbrellas, |
| instant feedback about the shot. Another factor is time. | | | | that's OK. You can diffuse light by putting some sort of |
| You can spend lots of time running back and forth to | | | | sheer material between the light source and the |
| the film processor. Lastly, the cost of process and | | | | subject. That material can be anything from a clear |
| printing the film and/or converting the images into digital | | | | plastic shower curtain to translucent shrink wrap. |
| format will add up quickly. | | | | 4 Use A Tripod |
| Buying a digital camera is the wiser course - and, | | | | A tripod is both a useful and an important tool in |
| event-ually, the less expensive one. | | | | product photography. Yet, tripods are often the last |
| What should you look for when purchasing a digital | | | | thing people reach for. If you have one, it's time to dust |
| camera? | | | | it off and put it into service, ASAP! If you don't own |
| A Brand Name | | | | one, get one. They sell on eBay for as little as $20.00. |
| 3 Megapixels or Better | | | | Why is it so important to use this seemingly awkward |
| Macro Focus (or Close-Up Lens) | | | | tool? When you use natural or diffused light, as you |
| The Ability To Turn The Flash-Off | | | | frequently will, the light falling on the subject is less |
| You do not need an 8 to 12 megapixel monster for | | | | intense. Your camera's shutter must stay open longer |
| internet photography. Those multi-mega-mega pixel | | | | for a proper exposure. When the shutter stays open |
| cameras are designed for photographers who want | | | | for more than 1/60 of a second, any slight movement - |
| to print and enlarge their photos. On eBay, buyers only | | | | even the movement of pressing on the shutter button |
| see images on computer monitors. Even the best | | | | - will cause the picture to blur. However, if your |
| monitor's resolution is less than that of a decent | | | | camera is on a tripod, the camera will remain stable |
| snapshot. And you want to keep your images small | | | | and the photo will be in focus. |
| enough to load quickly. So 3 or 4 megapixels is all you'll | | | | Small items that are shot in macro (or close-up) face a |
| need. | | | | similar problem. The very slightest movement will be |
| Choose a camera with the ability to focus close up - | | | | magnified and the photo will appear soft or out of |
| as close as a few inches from the item you are | | | | focus. You might not be able to tell that it is soft just |
| photographing. This close-up feature is called 'Macro | | | | by looking at the LCD screen. Perhaps you will have |
| Focus.' Avoid cameras with a fixed focus that will not | | | | already uploaded the picture to your computer before |
| allow you to get close-up. A fixed focus camera | | | | you notice the focus problem. At that point, you will |
| generally will not allow you to get closer than three | | | | have no alternative to go but back and start over. |
| feet from your subject. This is not nearly close enough | | | | Are you convinced of the tripod's importance yet? If |
| for small collectibles. A postage stamp will look very | | | | not, here is one more reason for a tripod: if the |
| small shot from three feet away! | | | | camera is on a tripod, the photographer's hands are |
| And lastly, be sure your camera is not so automatic | | | | free to move the lights and adjust other elements in |
| that you can't turn the built in flash off. Under normal | | | | the photo before shooting. Having your hands free is a |
| circumstances, you should not use the camera's flash | | | | big help when setting up a still life photograph. |
| to light your subject. In product photography, items will | | | | 5 Learn To Use Photo Editing Software |
| look best under either soft, diffused light or natural light. | | | | Learning a few simple commands that can fix up your |
| 2 Watch the Background | | | | photos will go a long way to improve the final image. |
| Keep your shot simple and plan ahead! Having a busy | | | | I've never taken a photo-graph that couldn't benefit |
| background ruins a good photograph. | | | | from a little touch-up. I am not talking about advanced |
| Before hitting the shutter release, ask yourself, "Can I | | | | photo techniques. I am referring to basic steps like |
| move myself or the item to display the product in a | | | | cropping out the excess space or background around |
| better manner?" Sometimes just moving a few inches | | | | a subject to isolate it, or rotating the image so it is right |
| up or down or sideways can dramatically improve the | | | | side up. |
| photo. | | | | One important command to master is "Resize." For |
| If you can't improve the background by moving your | | | | eBay and similar sites, the image should be about 400 |
| angle of view, try using a backdrop. A simple white | | | | pixels on its longest side. This will insure that the image |
| piece of flexible poster board can isolate your item | | | | loads quickly in your buyer's browser, and it will fit the |
| from its surroundings. Remember to keep the | | | | format specifications of eBay's picture service. |
| backdrop a solid color - no patterns. You are trying to | | | | Photo editing software can be invaluable when |
| keep the buyers eyes focused on the item you are | | | | working with a less than perfect shot. Fixing up or |
| selling. | | | | retouching your photographs is perfectly acceptable |
| 3 Use Diffused Light | | | | as long as you are not trying to mislead your customer |
| Using the on-camera flash can wash out detail or | | | | about the product. |
| create reflection spots on the item you are shooting. A | | | | If you do nothing else, at least learn to crop, rotate and |
| flash can also create deep, distracting shadows. | | | | resize images. |
| To avoid these problems, use soft, diffused light. | | | | If you use these five suggestions you are sure to |
| How can you diffuse light? Clouds act as natural | | | | improve the quality of your eBay product photography. |
| diffusers. Try shooting outside on an overcast day. | | | | With over 1.3 million sellers worldwide, the competition is |
| The light is soft and allows the detail and color of the | | | | getting fierce - and having a top quality photographs is |
| item to show clearly. If you can't wait for an overcast | | | | one way to turn browsers into buyers! |
| day, you can create the same effect in your studio by | | | | For more information, tips and techniques, including how |
| using an eTent - which is a box of white nylon that | | | | to set up a photo studio on a shoe-string budget, |
| softens the light as it passes through the sides to fall | | | | check out Easy Auction Photography by Cindy |
| on the subject. You simply place your item inside the | | | | Shebley. |