Now that you’ve got your hands on the best eBay camera it’s time to focus on how to use it to your advantage. You want to sell your Internet auction items for as much as possible and the best way to accomplish that is to display your products in the best light possible.
Before I get into the hard-core digital photography dos and don’ts, I’d like to start with some very simple tips you should keep in mind prior to snapping your first pic. As my series of blogs on shooting great photos of eBay items continues I’ll go in-depth on topics such as proper lighting, focus and exposure.
But, for now let’s start with the basics:
The Importance of a Tripod. No photographer should be without a tripod and that goes double for someone shooting photos, which will be posted on eBay. Tripods are especially critical when it comes to using digital cameras. The reason: digital cameras tend to have a very slow shutter speed. Which means there’s a greater chance you will end up with a blurry shot. And it’s not just you. Most people are simply not able to hold their camera steady enough to accommodate a camera with a shutter speed under 1/125th of a second. Using a tripod will prevent fuzzy shots. Though, before you invest in a three-legged device make sure it is sturdy and has an adjustable head that will rotate the camera both horizontally and vertically. Name brand tripods typically run in the $100 range, but shop around, some photo shops offer used tripods for less than half that. Just make sure your second-hand tripod is in good condition.
Clear Out the Clutter. Shoot only what you want to sell. No one shopping on eBay wants to be confused about what they are bidding on. Which means you should avoid clutter at all costs. There’s a product called the EZ Cube that helps eliminate background distractions, though it is not large enough to accommodate oversized items like computers. In that case you should remove everything that’s surrounding the desk or table that you have the computer sitting on. It’s also a good idea to hide messy wires or any other distracting objects. If you are shooting a car, park it in a place where the background enhances the vehicle (in front of a freshly manicured lawn or a well groomed hedge). Steer clear of documenting it in your driveway where it would be framed with garbage cans and basketballs. Finally, if you are shooting clothing items for adults, you should consider investing in a mannequin. Doing so will allow you to easily display the clothing item against a wall draped with a cloth, which will help diffuse shadows.
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