Pictures can have the effect of enhancing your eBay items. Have you ever seen 2 auctions for same item, but noticed by the end of both auctions one item ends at a higher price. Several ideas can be suggested to make your next item have more of an uplifting picture.
Are you wondering how can you take that uplifting picture?
Researching your target market is always important in everything you sell online. Before submitting your listing check to see how the items are selling. What are your competitors selling their items for; check everything they offer. Such as different shipping items, specials or combining shipping options, and check to see what other items they sell in their store. By looking at other websites you will get an idea of what can be listed, a guideline of prices and you can see how they take pictures of each item. Some will show pictures with great detail and some are just a quick snapshot. You may have a question in your mind asking what are they even selling? Keep in mind that you want to make your listing clean cut to enhance your item and present the buyer with a reason why they have to place their bid. Try to use a light colored background for most items, you will notice this helps create an uplifting picture and the main focus is on the clothing item.
After grasping the idea of what you need to do, how do you overcome?
Picture taking is not just based upon what features your camera has. Buying an expensive camera may help, but there are several ways you can help create an uplifting photo session in your own home. Here is what you need:
1) A couple sheets of white poster board, a white sheet, blanket or comforter. Black poster board works well for light colored items so it will ”pop” on the background. Stay away from any backgrounds with patterns or designs. “POP” is exactly what you want your item to do. You only want attention on your item and nothing else.
2) A photo editing program. One probably came with your computer or digital camera. I recommend both Jasc Paint Shop Pro & Adobe Photoshop as excellent photo editing programs. Jasc allows you to soften the edges of your photos giving them an even more airy look, and can be picked up used on Ebay for about $35.00. Photo editing programs are ESSENTIAL, in fact, the MOST IMPORTANT part of PICTURES! It is really hard to attain the perfect picture just with your digital camera. It rarely happens. Editors allow you to manipulate the lighting, shadows, correct blurriness, soften edges and MUCH, MUCH MORE! At www.adobe.com you can try out Photoshop for 30 days free. You can try out Jasc Paint Shop Pro for 30 days also at www.jasc.com
Remember to browse the programs on your computer you never know what you might already have that can be beneficial for you. An option available on many computers is Microsoft Picture Manager. The program is part of Microsoft Office products. You may be able to access the program directly by following these steps: Click on Start in the lower corner of your screen, then move to My Programs, locate Microsoft Office folder, move your mouse over to Microsoft Office Picture Manager and click on it. Picture Manager is a great tool once you have a chance to browse around. You can resize your photos so your listing will load quicker, you can crop your pictures. I encourage you to spend a few hours practicing, before your next listing to get a feel for the program. You will see that you can use it for so many options. Check out your computer to see if you have Microsoft Picture Manager and let me know how you like it!
3) Lighting is another vital key. Natural light really is best. It can either be from outside or from natural light bulbs that you can buy at a hardware store. You definitely don’t want to stick your items out underneath the sun, as it will create a large shadow around the clothing. Take your pictures in the early morning or early evening beside a window that draws a good source of lighting. This helps avoid shadows.
4) Detail! People want to see detail in the photos. Take a body shot of the item and then a close-up or two of the detail. You want potential bidders to feel like they can reach out and touch the item. Obviously people can’t touch the item, so you want them to be able to visualize it as much as possible. You want to capture the detail, coloring & texture as accurately as possible.
IMPORTANT – NEVER take pictures with your items lying on the bare carpet/floor. Try to use the four ideas listed above and see your picture taking skills at work.
Soon you will see an increase in traffic to your eBay Store with your new uplifting pictures. Through experience, you will become an EXPERT in picture taking.
