Have you ever bid on an item with a washed out, blurry photo?  Of course not, and why would you?  It makes you, as a buyer, feel as though the seller has something to hide, so you tend to stay clear of such auctions.  As a seller, it is essential that you provide clear images of the products you are selling.

With that in mind, here are some basic, yet important tips on taking better photos of your products.  Remember, if people can't see it, it's not likely they'll want to bid on it.

First things first

If you're going to be a high-volume seller, you should invest in a good digital camera.  Using a digital camera will make uploading and attaching images to your auctions considerably easier.  For starters, you won't have to buy and process film and then scan your photos everytime you want to sell an item.  You also won't be playing a guessing game with your photos - waiting until they're developed to make sure it's actually a good picture.  Your selling will be much more cost-effective in the long run if you invest in a good digital camera.

Background Check

One of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your product photos is to use a simple backdrop behind the item you are photographing.  In general, make sure your backdrop is one solid color, such as white, black or dark blue.  Allow your item color to dictate which background color you choose.  For example, if you are selling a white candlestick, don't photograph it on a white background.  Using a dark background will allow the product details to stand out.

Your backdrops needn't be elaborate or expensive.  Solid colored sheets, curtain panels, blankets or fabric pieces work great.

Finally, though it may sound obvious, remove clutter from your photos.  Photographing a product on a table or floor with furniture or other products around it will only detract attention from the main product.

The Right Light

If you're able to take photographs outside in the sunlight, then do so.  Most photographers agree that photos taken outside in natural light have better color than those taken indoors in artificial light.  Just the same, remember that blinding sunlight isn't necessarily a prerequisite for good outdoor photos.  Slightly overcast days create softer light which can give your product photos perfect coloring.

If you don't want to move your setup outdoors, put your photo area in a sunny room.  Open the shades and curtains allowing plenty of natural light into the room.  For photographing in the evening, or in an area without a lot of natural light, set a lamp with a 100-watt bulb on each side of your backdrop.  You may even want to remove the shades from the lamps.

Whether using the light of lamps alone, or to enhance some natural lighting, do not use flourescent bulbs!  Flourescent light will give your photos a green tint.  Instead, use halogen bulbs that do not impede the natural color spectrum.

If your photos appear "washed out" with too much light, adjust your light source or turn down your camera's exposure level, which controls the amount of light that enters the camera.

Get a Little Closer

The closer you are to the subject - without crowding or losing a portion - the better.  You want people to really see what you are selling, not the household pet lying next to it.

Be sure to review your camera's manual so you understand how to focus it when taking close up pictures.  Some cameras simply don't focus well on close ups.

Finally, use close ups to specific areas of a product sparingly.  Excessive close ups that do not impart new information simply slow down your auction page's loading time, which buyers will generally not wait for.  Your close ups should demonstrate detail or workmanship, reinforce the item's authenticity, or show a defect.  Common sense should be your guide in this area.

In Summary

Product photographs are usually the first thing that buyers look for, even before reading the description.  As a seller, you want that photograph to sell your product, so don't rely solely on your product description to do this.  Using the tips within this guide will help you to take better photographs that really showcase your products in the best possible way.