Great eBay Photos

How to take a great photo:

1. Clean the item. Give it a polish with a dry cloth if it’s shiny.
2. Set the item up on it’s own and on a plain, contrasting and clean background. If you can’t move the item at least clean up around it – don’t photograph your couch with dirty laundry next to it.
3. Take the photo in bright daylight, but out of direct sun. Daylight gives the best colour and clarity but direct sunlight leaves strong shadow lines which the item hard to see.
4. Do not use the flash (also leaves shadow lines).
5. Make sure the photo is in focus. If you are taking photos of small details like labels or blemishes set the camera to a close range setting (usually shown with a flower symbol on your camera).
6. If you are using a digital camera, take a few shots just in case.
7. No need to have the camera on a high resolution. Standard eBay photos are not more than 500 by 500 pixels and less than 50KB.
8. Download to your computer and choose the best photo.
9. Crop the photo the edges of the item, plus a small border.
10. Up the brightness to just a smidge above what looks normal.
11. Up the contrast to just a smidge above what looks normal.
12. Resize the picture to around 500pixels by 500pixels (this will save on uploading time later on).

How many to take? Usually 1 photo is enough. Additional photos should be taken if there is some detail that is much easier shown than explained – such as a makers mark on the base of a ceramic or a scratch on a piece of furniture. It really is a waste of time (and money) to put on multiple photos from slightly different angles.

Original photo.

Photo after editing.