The  basic do’s and don’ts for getting better images of your small and medium sized items

First the things you want to do:

1. Use a tripod.  Does not have to be a $300.00 one, find a nice sturdy one either at your local thrift store, or on eBay.  You should be able to purchase a used one for $15.00 - $35.00 which will do fine.  You may also want to check around with friends or relatives as someone may have one from an old film camera outfit and let you have it, or sell it at a reasonable price.

2. Use a backdrop.  This can be as simple as a very light blue sheet draped over a fold out scholastic science project display that sits on a table top.  Project display boards which are found at your local X-Mart, or office supply are 36” x 48” fully extended, even when the sides are folded in they still give you about 36” in width to work with.  It should sit on a table, ideally it should be 36” high, if it is not try taping a few sturdy boxes together to raise it to at least 36”.  The table or box tops can work for a base with the sheet draped over them. Another option is to visit you big box or local hardware store and buy a 24” x 48” plain white ceiling tie, cheapest one they have and use it as a base.  You will need to cut it to 36” or so, which is easily done with a razor knife. The reason you want a high platform is so your images do not look like they were photographed from an airplane, or satellite.   I would recommend you place you backdrop/table in a area where it can be left assembled, a garage or basement works fine, kitchen and dinning room tables should be avoided to keep sanity and peace in the household.  While a light blue sheet  will work for most items at some time you will have a light item that will need contrast.  I use a piece of black material over the sheet purchased at the local fabric shop, two yards should be sufficient.

3. Study the manual that came with your camera, you will want to know at least three things.

First, this is a multi-part one; you need to know the minimum distance your camera can get to the subject and still be in focus, this includes wide angle, zoom, and macro mode, it will probably be different for each setting. If you are shooting at wide angle versus full zoom it may make a big difference so check your manual.  Usually you will be able to get within 7 or 8 inches of your subject and still be in focus, some cameras allow you to be much closer, but check it out, this is important.  I have seen many pictures on eBay that are fuzzy, or out of focus, the culprit in most cases is they are too close to the subject.  Something worthwhile doings is find or buy an 18” ruler, plastic is fine, or cut a yardstick down to 18”, now not the one your wife or mother uses for dressmaking, the spare one.   Next mark on the yardstick the distance you need to stay at each range, “W” for wide, “Z” for full zoom, and “M” for macro. This is a big item, eBay is a visual market so know your camera.

Next, insure your camera is set to Auto White Balance, if not set it to Auto White Balance. Auto White Balance will basically try to keep your image the same color as it looks in front of you.  If you need to know more, just Google White Balance and select one or more of the many answers that will be available. 

Last, you need to know how to turn your flash on and off. For the most part leave it off, you do not want to use flash inside, especially when close to your subject. If your camera has a pop-up flash, just don’t pop it up.   Now if your camera does not have zoom or the ability to set features such as White Balance, and flash on/off, you may want to consider purchasing a good used camera, there are a lot of good guides out there to help you make the selection.  Personal preference is a used Olympus C-2040, if and when you find them they can usually be had for under $60.00 and if in good condition will last you many, many years.

4. Buy two desk top gooseneck lamps, they can be purchased at you local X-Mart or office supply for between $9.99 and $14.99 each.  I use the Halogen models.  I plug both of them into a power strip leaving the switches turned on, then I use the power strip switch to turn them both on and off, makes them easy to use.  I place them in front of the subject, one on each side.  You can move them around to see what angle or height works best for your subject being cautious about glare or hot spots, which will show white in your image.  By using lamps instead of flash you can get the light where you want it.  If you are taking a picture of a vase one lamp can be highlighting the top and the other the base.  Allows you to show the item in one image instead of two, and will highlight its best points.

5. Last of the do list is, get as much of the image in your LCD as possible, meaning you want to be as close as possible while still being in focus.  Your camera LCD can fool you, the image may look in focus through the LCD but when you look at the picture it is fuzzy or out of focus.  Looks like you took the picture through a fish bowl.  Use your measuring stick to check the distance, remember no one is going to know and your pictures will be in focus the first time.  Nothing more frustrating than having to retake a series of pictures.  Listing takes enough time without getting everything back out again to redo the image. One more thing worth noting, usually your camera will capture a larger image than is shown in your LCD, so take a few practice shots and check it out, you need to know your limitations.  So get as close as you can and still be in focus, worth the extra effort.

 
Now the don’ts, most of these are obvious, but let’s review them as they can save listing time and help capture great images.

1. Do not put items in the picture that are not included in the listing, no pet cat, dog or other item, just what you are selling. 

2. Do not use a fancy background or frame, no flower panel, tweed or plaid background, just a light blue or black background to provide contrast.  No flowers, flying butterflies, fancy multicolored frames, etc.  Why not you ask? Allow me to put it this way, if I was selling a picture frame I would not put it in a picture frame, think about it.

3. Do not stand back thirty feet from subject and take picture, reasons already covered in the do list.  I mention this again because it is natural to stay back, look at family photo album, you usually need a magnifying glass to see Aunt Blanch and Uncle Earl, and the kids look like ants.  Belly up there and get the largest image you can.

4. Do not mash the shutter release down, practice by applying a steady gentle pressure to turn on the auto-focus and camera settings, then all the way down to capture the picture.  This will reduce vibration, and help eliminate fuzzy and blurred images.  Most digital cameras are small and light, easy to move them even on a tripod, so practice pressing down with a light touch to turn on the auto-focus and other setting, then ease it all the way down to capture the image.

5. Do not be in a hurry, take time to center your picture, maybe raise your item up on something so you have a better view.  Look in your LCD before you release the shutter, you composition and lighting should produce a satisfying image, if you like it, take the picture, else more the item around, or alter the lighting, take a little time and enjoy higher sales.

Some may feel this is too much an investment for a beginner or someone who sells four or five items a week, so be it, but if you are serious about your ebay business, and it is a business, it is worth the investment in the long run.  In fact it may insure there is a long run, which should be your goal.

This guide is not meant to cover everything about digital photography or cover techniques for items of smaller or larger size.

Now there is a lot more that can be written, and I may do it at a later time, but if you follow these simple rules you should be able to improve your image, both on eBay and your P&L statement.  Feel free to ask questions, will answer time permitting.