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Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Just curious? I like to take multiple pictures of all the items I post. I always include bigger sized versions embedded in the body.

Was just curious if anyone has any advice etc. About backgrounds, best way to take pictures, different types of Cameras, etc.

Not sure about everyone else. But stealing someone else stock photo usually hurts business. Taking lots of your own detailed and clear pictures usually translates to more sales. This is what I have noticed over the years. Any thoughts?

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

If you dropship you wont always be able to take your own photos.
Some manufacturers I guess have press areas on their website where you can download high resolution photos of their items you can use for whatever you want (= no stealing).
Never tried this though because I dont dropship... its just an idea.

If you take your own pictures, I like to use a white nicely ironed bed sheet as background.

There are also cheap little light boxes (little tents for photography) to be had for under 10 bucks. If your selling small stuff (dimension-wise) that might be a great option for perfect lighting etc.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

depends what the item for sale is. If it is a second hand item or one of piece than your own pics are best, if it is many nike t shirts I find a stock picture to be more professional followed by some edging from basic software like paint to add your user id

am sure there is so many ways to do this

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Generally the more pictures the better.

Lighting can be very important.

Make sure your background from stealth to stealth differs.

Take the pictures in as much detail as possible, highlighting any imperfections.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Any advice on backgrounds that eliminate a glare from the flash. For whatever reason. I get some black clothing items from time to time. It seems like no matter what background I take pictures on I always get some odd glare on the items. I have tried different colored blankets as background, wood tables, hardwood floors, etc. It seems to not matter.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

I guess that you should work more on the light itself than the background...
Did you try to have 2 different light by the side of the object or get and "indirect" or screened flash light?
I do not know if it is clear... if not I try to find a setup somewhere.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Instead of a different background it would be better to get a different light source instead of using the flash built into the camera. They are often prone to causing the issues you are having.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Tried a blue background like in the movies/fashion shoots?

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

One of my main businesses is clothing / apparel.

I invested in a lighting kit which by memory was about $280ish.
Basically similar to this:

Continuous Soft Box Kit 3 Bulb Set

It is has been a priceless investment. I would recommend you get one. (if you haven't already)
I use it daily when taking photos of product, not just clothing. I rarely need to use flash with the lighting source + SLR camera settings.

Second thing, for clothing I use a white background, I think it's what they call muslin.
I also have a cream and grey one.

Switch the colours, pixel width etc between stealth accounts. Also if you put your user ID on the photo to watermark it, use a different font, size etc.

I always upload 12+ pictures, sometime more via the + embedded area.
The more pictures you add, the more leverage you have against idiots that claim the item is 'not as described'. + I Also suggest putting a size chart explaining the measurements to reaffirm you defence against 'not as described' issues.

Two other crucial parts of my process: SLR camera + Photoshop.

Lighting + Background + SLR Camera + Photoshop, all investments which in my opinion
pay for themselves quickly.

Depending on how serious you want to get these things will do the job.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

I bought a small light box with 2 camera lights for $25 delivered on ebay last year ans it works magnificently with my cell phone camera. Samsung galaxy takes spectacular pictures. good luck!

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Does anyone have suggestions on SLR cameras? Maybe something with wifi or bluetooth? Right now I use my Samsung Galaxy S3 phone to take pics. I did manage to acquire a high end lighting system for peanuts however I don't think I can get it to flash with the phone. I just turn it on lol. Thanks.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

@jscan thanks for the reply.

Does make me think I need to go that route.

I have learned over the past about 10 years how to take pretty good pictures considering I still use the same old Olympus 5 Mega Pixel Camera I started with.

But the lighting I am sure is a big issue. I actually have some LED Work lights on a stand that are normally for construction, auto repair, etc. Might try those before taking the plunge.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

As a matter of interest what time of day do you take your photos?

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

@vogeltron, my Olympus camera stopped working yesterday :(

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

:rip:

Poor camera

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

@rsot, Poor Camera, it couldn't take your verbal abuse anymore! it's in a better place now.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

http://www.entrepreneurialdaddy.com/...1.00.15-PM.png








:ahhhhhh: :rip: :ahhhhhh:

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Literally my Like 03-04 Camera. I would say I have taken about 20,000 pictures. Been through about 8 batteries over 10 years. I have 2 at a time. But been so solid I am one of those if it ain't broken don't fix it.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

All times of day. For the most part different backgrounds give me different issues. But more or less. Black colored clothing gives me the biggest glare and issues by far. No matter if I have daylight or I have lamp light. Seems to be for the most part the same.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Good one MM78 and Greenie :) flash props to you

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

After you establish normal quality of photographs, meaning they have enough detail and lighting, try some completely different styles and see what sells more than the other. I've found out that quality pictures of the same product in just different compositions make big difference. I've had huge amount and effort in making the most professional looking photo for my listing, just to find out that people will instead buy from the listing that has the same product, but having a very amateur pictures, like just lying on the desk, with my junk on the background.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Black is always difficult to photo. As well as white & gray.

:typing:

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

In my experience. This isn't for every category. But many eBayer's don't want a stock photo stolen off some website. They really prefer even if it is something like a USB cord. To have multiple pictures of what it looks like.

I think there is a balance between professional and kinda stock photo/generic. I hate to say it but it seems like stock photo sellers from what I have seen over the years tend to get more dishonest buyers than ones who individualize things.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

That was something I got told way back.... present the listing with your OWN touch.

Still do that these days.

:mod:

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Don't use flash, use natural light!!

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

I use different colors of construction paper for each account I have. It works well so I can keep each one straight in my head. Depending on the item I will either use a bright LED/ florecent Light to show off imperfections or when trying to make an item look more appealing/ not show off imperfections, I will use a warm/natural light. Never flash. This has worked very very well for me. I use ebay mobile so my Samsungs 15MP camera takes the photos very well.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

I agree. It is often the difference with 'flat' photos & 'attractive' ones.

Mind, I have to lock up the dogs etc to use parts of the garden to make use of natural light.

:mod:

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Or a nice professional combination of both :)

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Any problem with using photographs from an ebay account you can't use anymore?
I have about 200 listings and I may be losing this account because Paypal is limited.
Can i copy the photographs from the listings and use them with a new ebay ID?
Do I need to follow any steps to anonymise (is that areal word?) the photographs

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

For 200, you would need more than just using Exif data.

That's a big job there.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

What else would i have to do?

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Ideally you could try to look as if you have brand new photos.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

I'm not too worried about photographs appearance . the items i sell are clothing -the other people who sell the same we all have very similar photographs in our listings.
I have to photograph every item, I can't use stock photos so the pics will soon be new anyway after a few months.
As long as i can exif i will be happy.

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

Exif data should be OK then.

:typing:

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

When I did clothing I had maybe 30 different color and texture backgrounds, and sometimes had to try 3-4 different colors, textures, lighting etc, to get a really good jump-off-the-screen series of shots. I'd take lots of photos and pick the best ones.

If you set up a walk in closet and get the lighting rigged, time of day doesn't matter so much.

Multiple lights at different angles on different circuits so you can turn them on individually and change lighting angle, intensity, etc at will can be done if you want.

I used to depend somewhat on post-production to color correct and make other changes.

Cropping is important, background doesn't matter so much, if the product is the true focus of the picture people will hardly notice the background, remember your product is the star of the show, the less distraction the better.

You also can create some secondary photos from one really good shot, zoom in on a defect, the label, the cuffs or collar, wear spots, etc., good planning this way and a very high resolution pic that doesn't degrade a lot when you zoom in will help.

Or you could shoot your picture with your phone, do a fairly good job, crop, edit and publish and have it done in a minutes, and just be done with it! In most cases this will work just fine. :)

If you're selling $10 women's blouses and making $5 it's all about volume, if you're selling $100 stuff and you're making $50 a pop it's a whole different game. :)

Re: Any suggestions on taking pictures?
 

I took a white sheet, placed it on my bed, and photographed on that. Heck I even went mobile with it when I was trying to save time and put the sheet down in the back of my car, folded the seat forward and took pics on that.