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Have
you ever bid on an auction with a washed-out, blurry photo of
the item for sale? We didn't think so. Why would anybody? It
likely would lead to getting burned on an item that doesn't live
up to its sales pitch. With that in mind, here are some basic
yet essential tips on taking better photos of your auction
items. Remember, if people can't see it, it's not likely they'll
want to bid on it.
Pregame
Warm-Up
If you are going to be a high-volume seller, we suggest you
invest in a digital camera, which will make uploading and
attaching images to your auctions considerably easier. For one,
you won't have to buy and process film and then scan your photos
every time you want to sell an item. Your selling will be much
more spontaneous and cost-effective in the long run. Consider
the Sony
Mavica. It's expensive, but it features an excellent
auto-zoom, -focus, and -exposure system, not to mention a
three-inch disk drive for saving images directly to disk. On a
related note, buy a tripod to avoid taking jumbled photos by
hand.
Once you are armed and ready, you have
to decide how large and how high-res your images will be.
Happily, there's an easy answer. Most buyers do not want to wait
for large photos to load. They also don't want tiny thumbnails
that make verification problematic. In other words, choose the
happy medium between massive (1,280 by 1,024) and miniscule (640
by 480). Also, set your camera image quality to medium, as
opposed to fine, to reduce the byte size. In addition, use a
utility like JPEGCruncher or GIFCruncher
to further compress your images without decreasing their
quality.
Background
Check
One of the simplest but most effective ways to improve your
auction shots immediately is to use a simple backdrop behind the
item you're photographing. In general, make sure the backdrop is
one solid color, such as white, black, or dark blue. This way,
the background color will not clash with the colors in the item.
With that said, the color of your backdrop should be dictated by
the color of your merchandise. If you are taking a shot of a
black stereo receiver, black velvet probably isn't the best bet.
Also, experiment with soft paper backdrops, which provide
greater color choice and artistic freedom.
Finally, though it might sound
obvious, remove clutter or people from your auction photos. They
will only detract attention away from the main attraction. For
instance, if you are selling an old rocking chair, don't sit
your child in it for dramatic effect, no matter how cute she is.
The
Right Light
If you live in a place blessed with year-round sunshine, take
advantage of it. 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 auction item photos a more evocative effect.
If you think your auction item deserves a more dramatic
presentation, try that approach. (Along the same lines, you can
also purchase software that will help you touch up your images;
but be aware that there's a fine line between merely touching up
an item and misrepresenting its true condition.)
If you don't want to move your setup
outdoors, put your photo table in a sunny room with a window.
Open the shades so there is plenty of light. For shooting in the
evening, 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.
Do not shoot under fluorescent lights--they may give your photos
a green tint. Try Halogen or "natural spectrum" bulbs
that do not impede the natural color spectrum. If your shots
appear washed out, adjust your light source or turn down your
digital camera's exposure level, which controls the amount of
light that enters the camera.
Get
a Little Closer
If you have a zoom, use it. Frankly, the closer you are to the
subject--without crowding or losing a portion--the better. You
want people to see what you are selling, not the tree next to
it. If the item is lost in the foreground, bidders may not trust
your grade. Moreover, they won't see the markings or defects you
may have addressed in your description. Be sure to review your
camera's manual, so you understand how to focus it when taking
close-range shots. Some cameras, especially disposable ones, do
not focus on subjects closer than four feet.
On the subject of close-ups of
specifics area of an item, use them sparingly. Excessive
close-ups that do not impart new information simply slow down
your auction page's load time. That could be the kiss of death
in a competitive category. 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.
Finally, get close when taking
close-ups. That's why they're called close-ups!
Back to Auction tips &
tactics
by Vendio Services
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