| Taking photos of items for sale in | | | | close shot, lay the item |
| online auctions is fairly simple, but it | | | | on your scanner bed, and drape a piece |
| | | | of plain fabric over it. Scan the |
| does require some equipment. The | | | | item directly for a superior image. Be |
| following hardware and software items | | | | careful not to scratch the glass on |
| will | | | | the scanner. We used this technique |
| help you do it right:1.. A digital | | | | with an antique watch, a small computer |
| camera capable of taking a clear photo | | | | part, an agate, a doily, the extended |
| in varying light | | | | warranty label on the bottom of a |
| conditions.2.. A scanner.3.. Image | | | | laptop, and other items that need very |
| editing software that can be used to | | | | close detail to properly appreciate.Your |
| crop, scale, and adjust | | | | goal is to keep the images small enough |
| brightness and contrast.To take your | | | | to be convenient to the viewer, |
| photo with a digital camera, find a | | | | but large enough to show good detail |
| place where you can set it | | | | and impact. Good photos need not be |
| up without other visual distractions. I | | | | large, and the less important the item |
| use my diningroom table, which has a | | | | is, the less the quality matters. No |
| pleasing wood finish, and I make sure | | | | one really cares about getting a high |
| that the rest of the room is tidied up | | | | quality shot of a used DVD case, but |
| so distractions are minimal.Take about | | | | they DO care about getting a good shot |
| three shots, with the item or items | | | | of a used laptop with a broken screen |
| included in the auction all | | | | latch - they want to see that the rest |
| grouped together, and laid out in a way | | | | of the laptop is good, that the |
| that looks attractive, and which | | | | computer works (we take the shot with |
| also gives clear detail of the item(s). | | | | the laptop running), and they want to |
| Take closeups of any particular | | | | see the damaged latch.Once your auction |
| identifying features, or of any damage | | | | is posted, be sure to check and see that |
| (it is imperative that you show | | | | your image is |
| existing damage, if possible).Load the | | | | displaying as you want it to on the |
| images onto your computer. Pull them up | | | | auction page. This step can save you |
| and choose the photo that | | | | some grief and get better |
| shows the product in the best way. Only | | | | results!Anyone can learn to take good |
| use more than one if there is | | | | photos for auction. Detail and clarity |
| additional detail that needs to be | | | | are the |
| shown.Crop the photo to remove excess | | | | key here, and if you can show that, |
| photo area. You do not need any extra in | | | | your items will sell much better, and |
| the | | | | you will look much more |
| image, it won't help sell the item | | | | professional.Written By Laura Wheeler, |
| better, and may result in confusion if | | | | Owner of Fabulous Frugal Websites - |
| other items inadvertently get into the | | | | - Laura writes instructional |
| image. A seller with a cropped photo | | | | materials, produces infosites, and |
| is perceived as more professional than | | | | builds affordable websites for her |
| one with images that take up the | | | | business startup and small business |
| whole screen just because the seller | | | | clients. Laura works with small |
| did not know how to crop or scale | | | | businesses in a way that no other |
| them.Scale the image down to snapshot | | | | website designer does, and always with |
| size or smaller - your program will have | | | | the |
| a | | | | business owner's best interests at |
| Scale or Resize command. Do not use a | | | | heart. Laura is a busy mom of eight, |
| larger image unless there are critical | | | | homeschooler, and home business |
| details to show, and even then you are | | | | owner.This article may be reprinted if |
| better with a small close up combined | | | | it is unaltered, and if the signature |
| with a more distant shot.If you have an | | | | line |
| item that is small that needs a very | | | | is included with the article. |