TAKING PICS OF YOUR AUCTION ITEMS
How To Create a Makeshift Photo Studio

Online auction sellers often include photographs in electronic image format called a "pic" of items they sell in auction. Including a pic or numerous pics of the item you are selling in an online auction will increase interest in your auction. You have heard the saying; "A picture is worth a thousand words". Even if you are a "wiz" with words, and have the ability to describe all the aspects and condition of the item you wish to sell in an online auction, providing pics will enhance the item descriptions.

In this article you will learn:

Why auction item pics enhance sales
You do not need professional photography skills and equipment
Choosing a location for your studio
Everything you need for a decent photo studio is in your home
Additional and useful photography equipment tools

WHY AUCTION ITEM PICS ENHANCE SALES

A pic, minimally provides proof that the item actually exists. Providing several pics of an item can show it's condition, special features, and specifications. In other words, providing a pic or pics of items you are selling in online auctions will not only prove the physical existence of your item, it will also give visual details about your item to potential bidders. Pics of items attractively presented can make your items more appealing to potential bidders, than the same item other sellers have in auction.

YOU DO NOT NEED PROFESSIONAL
PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT

You do not have to be professional photographer to take attractive pics of your auction items. Most people have at least taken snapshots of family, vacations, and holiday get-togethers. This is all the experience you need.

You do not need a fancy photography studio with high-tech lighting or backdrops. And you do not need fancy photography equipment. You can provide professional looking, detailed, clear photographs using a digital camera, a regular 35mm camera, or video capture device.If you are unfamiliar with these types of equipment, you can review other newsletter articles that detail all types of equipment that can be used to take pics of your auction items.

CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR STUDIO

Lighting is the MOST important aspect of taking clear photographs. You want to choose a location that has the most light possible. The light can be natural, such as sunlight from windows during daytime, or electrical lights inside your home or office.

Do not set up the location to photograph your auction items in front of a window, or directly beneath an overhead electrical light. This will cause glare and shadows on the item you are photographing. Always make sure the light from a window or overhead light is behind where you will be physically holding or setting up your camera.

The location you choose does not have to be set up on a permanently! If the location you choose is in your home, make sure it is a place where other people in your home and/or your pets will not walk in front of you or the item you are photographing, while you are trying to photograph it! Well, I live with four cats, and it seems they still try to get in the pics I take, even when I set my "studio" up on a table.....

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A
DECENT PHOTO STUDIO IS IN YOUR HOME

Again, LIGHTING is the MOST important aspect of taking clear photographs! I am NOT a professional photographer, but have photographed hundreds of items I sold in online auctions. I have found that you can enhance the lighting of the item you are photographing with light behind you from a window or overhead electrical light AND by setting up two lights at each side of the object you are photographing.

Extra Lighting

For the additional side lights, I use two common desk lamps. One uses an incandescent 60 watt light bulb, and the other uses a 7 watt florescent light bulb. I set these lights up on either side of me, halfway between the camera and the object I am photographing. Make sure to set the lights up so they do not show up in the photograph of the item.

The beauty of using desk lamps is that they are only about 2 feet high, and where the light is directed can be adjusted! Even if you do not own desk lights, regular table lamps will suffice, that use incandescent light bulbs. If you choose to use table lights, remove the lamp shades and use white frosted light bulbs with 60 watt to 100 watt bulbs.

The Backdrop

In professional photography studios, there are always all types of backdrops which provide a background for the item or person/model being photographed. The purpose of these backdrops is to provide a background that enhances or does not distract the eye from the item being photographed. The backdrop also has the function of reflecting the light onto the object being photographed.

I use ordinary bedsheets for my backdrops! Most of the time I use a white bedsheet. Offwhite or beige will also work. And if the item I am photographing is white or light in color, I use a black bedsheet instead. A large piece of fabric, a table cloth, towel, etc., will also work. Do not use a something that has a print. If there is a pattern within the fabric, make sure it is all the same color.

When photographing small items, I drape my backdrop (bedsheet) over the back of a chair and onto the floor, and set the item on the floor where the bedsheet covers the floor. When photographing clothing, I hang the bedsheet over a door, and hang the clothing item with hanger on the top of the door with the bedsheet behind.

ADDITIONAL AND USEFUL PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT TOOLS

Most digital cameras have a feature called the macro. This feature enables you to photograph tiny items, or take extremely detailed close-up pics of items, within 6 inches. 35mm cameras need special expensive lenses, called "macro lenses" to take such photographs. If you own a camera with the macro feature, practice using it, and remember to not get in front of your lighting and create shadows! If you do not own a camera with the macro feature, or use a video camera with a video capture device, you can take equivalent close-up pics using your zoom!

Most cameras have a flash. It takes some skill to use the flash when taking photographs of inanimate objects such as items you may sell in online auctions. If you choose to use the flash, do not aim it directly at the object - instead, aim it above the object. When using your flash to create extra light, and if aimed directly at an object, more than likely it will create glare or a bad reflection on the object. But when aimed above the object, it will add the extra light you may need to take a clear photo of your item. If you photograph your items outside in sunlight, try using your flash to get rid of shadows!

Just remember, you do not need to be a professional or experienced photographer to take EXCELLENT pics of your auction items! Whether you find it fun photographing your items, or find it a chore.... your pics will look decent if you always keep in mind these two factors;

Always use lots of lighting
Photograph items with a plain background

Good luck!

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TAKING PICS OF YOUR AUCTION ITEMS How To Create a Makeshift Photo Studio