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Sharp, clear, well-lit, and attractive images of the items you
offer for sale online are the most crucial elements of successful online
sales at sites such as eBay. High-quality images with excellent detail,
accurate color balance, and plain, evenly lit backgrounds are much more
likely to result in swift sales and may even help you acquire higher
prices. Professional-quality shots of your products also help motivate
buyers because they convey the subliminal message that you’re competent,
knowledgeable, and trustworthy. Also, since these images officially
count as part of the product description, it’s essential to display
accurately and clearly any blemishes, age marks, or patina that would
affect the value of the items you’re selling. Here’s a concise, detailed
guide to taking online product shots that will help showcase your wares
and maximize your success rate.
Light tents can be used outdoors or placed next to a window, with daylight providing the illumination, or used with diffused light sources such as 5000K daylight fluorescent lights or floodlights aimed at the sides and top. You can even use a ring flash mounted directly on the lens. Lighting tents are also available as kits that include lights, and some have provision for inserting different-colored backgrounds, such as gray or blue. Some examples of tents are the Interfit Studio Light Tent and the My Studio MS20 Tabletop Photo Studio Kit with 5000K Lighting.
A sweep is basically a translucent Plexiglas sheet with a curved
surface that transitions from vertical to horizontal and forms an
extended tongue at the front. It can be lit from the top, sides, or
underneath to provide a smooth, even-toned background. One example of a
sweep would be the Impact Desktop Studio Table.
Both tents and sweeps are quick to set up and can be easily stored in set-up position for instant use.
Another good choice used by many eBay sellers is an adjustable tabletop tripod with a ball head that lets you get the camera and lens as close to your subject as possible. A tabletop tripod is especially useful if you’re shooting with a point-and-shoot camera or a DSLR with a normal lens or short zoom that requires you to get physically close to the subject. Since tabletop tripods are less stable than medium-sized ones, use your camera’s self-timer for a gentle shake-free release. One medium-sized tripod to check out would be the Davis & Sanford Magnum XG with FX12 Head. For a tabletop tripod, look at the Davis & Sanford Minipod 3 Tabletop Tripod.
You can position reflectors on opposite sides of the lights to vary the directionality of the lighting, but flat (even) lighting works best with most subjects, especially highly reflective ones. If you use autofocus (AF) set your camera for spot AF and focus precisely on the subject area requiring critical sharpness. Many experienced online product shooters prefer to use manual focus (MF) for the most consistent, precise results. Review the captured image on your camera’s LCD before changing your setup, and adjust the exposure compensation control (+/-) if needed. You may have to change the aperture, ISO setting, or lighting to get the exact result you want. Remember to get in close and make sure that the item appears as large as possible in the frame so you show maximum detail and don't have to crop the image afterwards.
Before uploading your images, check your image-processing software
(such as Photoshop). Use the slider controls to adjust the color balance
for the most visually accurate color balance, optimize contrast and
color saturation. Software such as Lightroom 4 and 5 let you
batch-process multiple images to speed up your workflow. Also, check
image sharpness. Typically, only moderate sharpening is required—don't
overdo it. Having a calibrated monitor helps—check out color calibration tools on the B&H website.
Finally, adjust the size of the images to the eBay standard or the standard of the particular selling site. For example, if the original hi-res image shot on a high-end DSLR is 2336 x 3504 pixels, go into Image Size and change the dimension of the longest side to 1600 pixels (eBay’s standard recommendation) and the short side will automatically adjust to 1067 pixels. Now you are ready to post your image and sell your items with the best chance of success.
Camera
It’s possible to shoot high-quality product pictures with a point-and-shoot camera or even a smart phone, but most experienced online sellers use a digital SLR (DSLR) or an interchangeable-lens mirrorless camera that provides higher image quality along with greater shooting flexibility and control. The best combo: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a moderate telephoto prime macro lens in the 90-135mm range, which focuses down to 1:1 (life-size on the sensor) for capturing the smallest details, and provides a greater working (lens-to-subject) distance that makes it easier to position lights and reflectors for optimal lighting.Lens
The Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro AF is available in Canon, Nikon, Sony/Minolta, and Pentax mounts. If you have a Sony NEX camera, another good lens choice would be the Sony 30mm f/3.5 macro lens. A less costly alternative to a macro lens for casual sellers would be close-up lenses that screw into the filter ring of an existing normal, moderate telephoto, or zoom lens, and allow focusing at closer distances. As an example, take a look at the Tiffen 55mm Close-up Set, for lenses with 55mm filter threads.Backgrounds
A plain, smooth white background without creases or lines is most effective for showcasing what you’re selling, and for focusing the viewer’s attention on the object. For relatively flat objects like coins, stamps, and watches, you can simply place them on a sheet of white matte board and photograph them from above or make an impromptu “sweep” background by clamping white paper to a support, letting it fall in a smooth arc, and taping the bottom edge to a table or other flat surface. Avoid right angles, which create a distracting horizon line.Lighting Tents and Shooting Tables
If you’re selling multiple items, or plan extensive online sales, it’s far more efficient to acquire a lighting tent or shooting table with a background sweep to provide a seamless white background and facilitate soft, even, shadow-free lighting for any items you’re selling. Lighting tents come in various sizes and configurations, but most have diffusion material on the sides, bottom, and top, with a front opening for placing and photographing the object.Light tents can be used outdoors or placed next to a window, with daylight providing the illumination, or used with diffused light sources such as 5000K daylight fluorescent lights or floodlights aimed at the sides and top. You can even use a ring flash mounted directly on the lens. Lighting tents are also available as kits that include lights, and some have provision for inserting different-colored backgrounds, such as gray or blue. Some examples of tents are the Interfit Studio Light Tent and the My Studio MS20 Tabletop Photo Studio Kit with 5000K Lighting.
Both tents and sweeps are quick to set up and can be easily stored in set-up position for instant use.
Lighting
In a pinch, window light and overcast daylight can provide relatively soft, shadowless lighting, and any minor shadows can be controlled with simple matte-board reflectors held in place with clamps or tape. If the lighting is too cool (bluish), set your camera’s Auto White Balance (AWB) control to “overcast” or a warmer color-temperature setting for a more natural look. Daylight-balanced fluorescent lights with diffusers, tungsten-balanced floodlights with umbrellas, and daylight-balanced ring flash units are all excellent sources of illumination when used alone or in conjunction with tents and sweeps, but make sure your camera’s AWB control is properly set. For a fluorescent light with diffuser you might try the Lowel Ego Digital Imaging Fluorescent Light. If you'd prefer the illumination from a floodlight kit, take a look at the Impact Tungsten Two-Floodlight Kit. A good ring flash for shooting products would be the Bolt VM-110 LED Macro Ring Light.Tripods
While it’s possible to shoot adequate online product shots handheld at sensitivity settings up to ISO 1600, it’s best to shoot at small apertures in the f/11 to f/32 range to maximize depth of field and enhance overall image sharpness and detail. Since this often entails shooting at relatively slow shutter speeds, it’s better to use a tripod to achieve consistently crisp, clear, blur-free images. The best overall type of tripod in this application, especially when using a moderate telephoto macro lens on a DSLR or mirrorless, is a sturdy, medium-sized tripod with 3-way pan/tilt head for maximum flexibility.Another good choice used by many eBay sellers is an adjustable tabletop tripod with a ball head that lets you get the camera and lens as close to your subject as possible. A tabletop tripod is especially useful if you’re shooting with a point-and-shoot camera or a DSLR with a normal lens or short zoom that requires you to get physically close to the subject. Since tabletop tripods are less stable than medium-sized ones, use your camera’s self-timer for a gentle shake-free release. One medium-sized tripod to check out would be the Davis & Sanford Magnum XG with FX12 Head. For a tabletop tripod, look at the Davis & Sanford Minipod 3 Tabletop Tripod.
Clamps
Occasionally, it’s necessary to shoot an item from an unusual angle where it can’t be balanced on a flat surface—showing the milled edge of a coin or the full surround of a diamond ring setting, for example. In such cases, it’s sometimes possible to hold the object between your fingers while you take the shot, or use an assistant or set the self-timer, but it’s more convenient to have a clamp that can attach to a tabletop tripod. The Novoflex Plant Holder Clamp with ¼”-20 Threaded Socket is designed to keep plants and flowers from blowing in the wind, but it’s also good for holding other delicate items in place while you take the picture.General Shooting Tips
Set your camera to “A” (aperture-priority) mode and shoot at a small aperture (such as f/16) to maximize depth of field. Shoot large, fine JPEGs at your camera’s maximum resolution setting. Always use a tripod. To start, place floodlights with umbrellas or fluorescent lights with diffusers, aimed at 45-degree angles on both sides of the subject or tent, to obtain even, shadowless lighting. Generally, a ring light aimed directly at the subject will achieve a similar effect, but you may have to vary the subject distance until you get the lighting effect you want.You can position reflectors on opposite sides of the lights to vary the directionality of the lighting, but flat (even) lighting works best with most subjects, especially highly reflective ones. If you use autofocus (AF) set your camera for spot AF and focus precisely on the subject area requiring critical sharpness. Many experienced online product shooters prefer to use manual focus (MF) for the most consistent, precise results. Review the captured image on your camera’s LCD before changing your setup, and adjust the exposure compensation control (+/-) if needed. You may have to change the aperture, ISO setting, or lighting to get the exact result you want. Remember to get in close and make sure that the item appears as large as possible in the frame so you show maximum detail and don't have to crop the image afterwards.
Post Production
Finally, adjust the size of the images to the eBay standard or the standard of the particular selling site. For example, if the original hi-res image shot on a high-end DSLR is 2336 x 3504 pixels, go into Image Size and change the dimension of the longest side to 1600 pixels (eBay’s standard recommendation) and the short side will automatically adjust to 1067 pixels. Now you are ready to post your image and sell your items with the best chance of success.
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