Product togs, advice on photographing used items pls

Raptor Mike

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Mike
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We have a load of kids toys we want to put on the facebook local buy and sell sites. I've seen things on the tele where they recommend if you're ebaying used items to have pics done on white backgrounds. I can do this well enough for selling a few toys (although they'd probably look rubbish to you guys lol) but I wondered if this was a good idea? Or as its used items do they look more genuine if I take photos of them on my table/carpet/sofa/bed like others sellers do?
Many thanks, Mike
 
Just use a plane non cluttered background. Ask yourself are you trying to sell the toys or your carpet/sofa/bed.
 
If I were trying to sell anything I would always try and get accurate colours, either by doing a custom White Balance, and/or going that little bit further with something like a Colorchecker Passport if it were something like clothes that were very expensive. The more accurate the image, the less chance of them returning the goods because 'it didn't look like it did in the picture'.

With something like toys the, I would just get nice clear pics with a custom WB once the lighting conditions are set.
 
If I were trying to sell anything I would always try and get accurate colours, either by doing a custom White Balance, and/or going that little bit further with something like a Colorchecker Passport if it were something like clothes that were very expensive. The more accurate the image, the less chance of them returning the goods because 'it didn't look like it did in the picture'.

With something like toys the, I would just get nice clear pics with a custom WB once the lighting conditions are set.

That would assume that everyone who buys on eBay has a correctly calibrated monitor.....

Not a reason not to get it right of course but just a level set of expectation....

- Plain background
- Well (or at least evenly and brightly) lit
- Well exposed
- Sharp
- Either a large file that can be zoomed, or several images with details.

I sold a bunch of items recently. Electronics on white background, clothes against a plain blue paper roll. Plain and sharp are important. Do that and you'll be in the top 5-10% of images, and it might make the difference between your selling for a good price rather than someone elses.
 
So non cluttered, like on the table against the wall. And make sure the WB is right. Thanks guys. You'd be surprised what people do take photos on or the backgrounds behind them you see in some photos on our local facebook buy and sell groups.
 
That would assume that everyone who buys on eBay has a correctly calibrated monitor.....

Not a reason not to get it right of course but just a level set of expectation....

- Plain background
- Well (or at least evenly and brightly) lit
- Well exposed
- Sharp
- Either a large file that can be zoomed, or several images with details.

I sold a bunch of items recently. Electronics on white background, clothes against a plain blue paper roll. Plain and sharp are important. Do that and you'll be in the top 5-10% of images, and it might make the difference between your selling for a good price rather than someone elses.
Sorry Mike, you posted this will I was typing my reply. Thanks for all those tips too :thumbs:
 
If it's anything like my local facebook buy and sell page a mobile phone snap of it from 6 feet in the dark I wouldn't over think it!
 
If it's anything like my local facebook buy and sell page a mobile phone snap of it from 6 feet in the dark I wouldn't over think it!

Yep you should definitely aim for the lowest common denominator. :banghead:
 
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