Oh how frustrating!

How do you get those closeups of those teeny tiny items like toys, jewelry, or other tiny items?

Well, here are a few tips from an amateur photographer who specializes in landscapes, sunsets, flowers, and pets. (and of course, selling on eBay!)

The following suggestions, tips, and guidelines apply whether you use a digital camera or not.  If you are going to be selling much on ebay, you will really need a digital camera for speed.  Your time is money.

First, it's okay to make mistakes.  Remember that professional photographers shoot hundreds of photos in order to catch just a few to use.  Note a few key considerations:

LED for an acronym (like the computer acronym Light Emitting Diode)

L Light and Background

E Exposure (Flash)

D Distance and Focus

Light and Background. If you are shooting inside (as your probably do) turn on all the lights, and open the curtains if it is daytime.

Note what kind of background your item has.  For something tiny, a simple plain white piece of paper is great.  White reflects light, and so the light showcases your item better.  Generally if you use a dark background, the item will get lost.  An exception is sometimes jewelry, where black and velvet is used to denote elegance.  But this works only with intense light and a shiney object.

For a larger object, you can use a sheet, a blanket, a towel, or a large piece of cloth, even a dress or coat.  Of course you're going to want to disguise what you're using....

Exposure and Flash.  Exposure means how long the aperture is open. This matters because it regulares how much light it lets in, so how light and clear the image becomes.

Your camera has an option to use automatic flash, to suppress the flash, and to force the flash.  For your phot try both automatic, and turn the flash off.  When you turn the flash off, the aperture will stay open longer, so lighten to the audio signal of your camera click. Hold the camera very, very steady.

Distance and focus.  Try your photo with the camera close to the item, and shoot again with the camera a foot (12 inches) away, and then 1.5 feet away. 

There is a setting on your camera that is special for closeups.  It is usually denoted with an icon of a flower.  Try the settings with it on automatic, and with it set on.

Remember to take numerous pictures with multiple of these options.  If digital, you're hurting and costing nothing.  You can always delete the extras.

Now, view and edit.