eBay: It's Photography That Sells
- by Peter Lerman (a.k.a: OldBrooklynBoy) - copyright 2010
(If you like this article......
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Not photography that you can sell. Rather, photography that will help you sell what you'd like to sell on eBay and get good prices, too. Photographs are the single greatest source of information buyers get when browsing eBay with big piles of cash in their PayPal accounts.
Buyers from all over the world, many of whom do not read English, will want to buy what you are offering if the photos tell them what they want to know; if what you show them looks like something they want to buy.
photo: copyright 2009 Peter Lerman
Yes, take my hand as I introduce you to the world of still-life photography. That's me, above, on the left, doing my Prince Charming impression. I really am not the least bit charming at all but you now see what amazing things you can do with a digital camera and good lighting. (I bought this item at a yard sale for $5 and sold it on eBay for about $175. No joke; no exageration. Can your photos do that?)
Still life photography is what we are talking about. For our purposes it is what we also call "product photography" and "table-top photography". A photo of a bowl of fruit or a bouquet of flowers is "still life photography" but we are going to focus on (get it? "focus" on?) is product photography.
I worked for many years in New York City doing product photography for national advertisers. I was pretty good at it. I also taught photographic technology and theory back in the day when photographers put something called "film" in their cameras and had to go into smelly little rooms with no light in order to make actual photographs from the film. Be very glad you no longer have to learn about that stuff to make photos.
Prepare yourself with an open mind because I am going to tell you what is important and what it not important when your goal is photos to sell products on eBay (or online in general). I will tell you what to spend some money on (not much money, I promise) and what is a big waste. Your studious effort, patience and good sense will be more important than megapixels and expensive gear. I promise.
Ready?
Step One: Remove the Clutter...
or JUMP to
