Without a picture you are not going to sell your products on eBay.

That’s the golden rule – you must have pictures because they sell to the customer once you have got them on your auction page.

Arm yourself with a digital camera, you don’t need a complicated or expensive one but make sure the photographs it takes do come out at sufficiently high-resolution so the results look clear and clean on your computer.  Most camera phones are not sufficiently powerful for this function and the resolution will look grainy and substandard when it is uploaded – a cheap digital camera is usually a far superior route to go but make sure it has more than 3 megapixels (8 is becoming the standard and just as cheap too). You will also need a zoom facility so you can take pictures from close up as you focus on specific aspects of the product.

Look at this picture and think of how it could be improved:

Here is a better representation of an overall view:

So, the pictures you are aiming for will be sharp and straight forward. Make sure you create simple images that give a good overall and also detailed views of your product.

Take your pictures in a good light but beware of reflective surfaces as these will bounce back flash or distort the lines of the goods – taking pictures in daylight is the best, under a neon light is next best and avoid using flash wherever possible.  Although most of us are not professional photographers, we can all create a decent picture if we follow a few guidelines, right?

Photograph the item from all angles – front, side, back, from the top and from the bottom – include close up and distance shots.  Use a solid color backdrop so attention is focused upon the item itself unless the item is so large this is impractical – a plain wall in the house or a fence in the yard will do the trick.  Now is also the time to take photographs of any defects in the item – if there is a scratch, take a photo of it so the bidders can see what is wrong and whether it is a deal-breaker or not (this demonstrates your integrity and avoids complaints post-sale).

If you want to add a bit of panache, get a light-tent and you are in business to give your photos an extra boost. They cost around $25.00 (depending on the size) and can be purchased best on eBay .

Remember to keep it simple – you are not creating art here – you are looking for simple, sharp images which will demonstrate your products to their best effect and sell themselves to the bidders.

Thank you for your interest and please let me know if you have any questions or comments. I always enjoy hearing from you!