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