Standard Of Images Posted In The FS Forums

THIRTYFIVEMILL

THIRTYFIVEMILL

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Duncan
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I have to say I'm appalled at the standard of photography posted in the FS section of these forums. That this is a photography forum I think is what gets my goat the most. Cameras and lenses worth thousands of pounds with either no accompanying pictures at all, blurred garbage and even pics clearly not of the item for sale.

Is everything these days really too much of a chore for most? If you can't be bothered to take a photograph what in the heck are you doing frequenting a photography forum? Dear Lord..
 
It's an issue everywhere, not just here though rightly you'd expect a better standard, some folk seem to think you should just be grateful they give you the chance to buy their stuff.
 
THIRTYFIVEMILL said:
I have to say I'm appalled at the standard of photography posted in the FS section of these forums. That this is a photography forum I think is what gets my goat the most. Cameras and lenses worth thousands of pounds with either no accompanying pictures at all, blurred garbage and even pics clearly not of the item for sale.

Is everything these days really too much of a chore for most? If you can't be bothered to take a photograph what in the heck are you doing frequenting a photography forum? Dear Lord..
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Actually I am inclined to agree with you. I liken the FS section to the dreaded bay. Unless you are selling a service, then you would normally have a picture(s) of the item(s) for sale in order to attract buyers
After all a picture is worth a thousand words.
 
Steep said:
It's an issue everywhere, not just here though rightly you'd expect a better standard, some folk seem to think you should just be grateful they give you the chance to buy their stuff.
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You know, it doesn't bother me on non-photography forums. They're not expected to be able to post a decent picture but on a photography forum? These are mostly the same members posting constantly:

"OK, I have a Nikon D300 and need to upgrade. What should I buy? A D800 or D4? Also which pro lenses should I get?"

OK, heres the answer:

"You don't need to upgrade your ruddy camera or lenses, you need to sell them. Find an article showing you how to make a simple cardboard pinhole camera and for pennies you will already be taking better shots than you are now with your D300 and 24-70 f/2.8. With the money you've saved take your poor, long-suffering wife on holiday and when you post your ruddy D300 and lenses for sale in SC, please get her to take the ruddy pics. That way, we might actually be able to see what it is you're selling."

Right, that's better. Time for a cuppa.
 
THIRTYFIVEMILL said:
You know, it doesn't bother me on non-photography forums. They're not expected to be able to post a decent picture but on a photography forum? These are mostly the same members posting constantly:

"OK, I have a Nikon D300 and need to upgrade. What should I buy? A D800 or D4? Also which pro lenses should I get?"

OK, heres the answer:

"You don't need to upgrade your ruddy camera or lenses, you need to sell them. Find an article showing you how to make a simple cardboard pinhole camera and for pennies you will already be taking better shots than you are now with your D300 and 24-70 f/2.8. With the money you've saved take your poor, long-suffering wife on holiday and when you post your ruddy D300 and lenses for sale in SC, please get her to take the ruddy pics. That way, we might actually be able to see what it is you're selling."

Right, that's better. Time for a cuppa.
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Love it!!!!!
 
nickEnackEnoo said:
is there a link to a the How To Take A Photo Of The Only Camera You Own, With The Only Camera You Own tutorial? :)
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Nope. There might be a "How to use your initiative as well as your phone" article somewhere, though.
 
David_H said:
Love your sense of humour Dunc. Seems to take after mine!!!
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:p I think I was having a sugar low earlier and feel much better now :dummy:but my sentiments remain the same.

@nicknickedmycamera - we're not asking for a masterpiece, Nick, just a simple photo that shows the item and it's condition. It won't be entered in the next TP competition nor critiqued by the minions. And just to prove that it can actually be done and in about 4 minutes flat, here's a pic of one of my lenses I just took using my old iPhone 5. It's not an Ansel Adams but it would be fine for me if someone posted it in one of their ads and I'm sure most would find it sufficient for such purposes.

IPHONE-PIC_zpsabahweoz.png
 
Now I know why I don't sell my old gear.... I have APQDS

Ad Picture Quality Dysfunction Syndrome

No wonder I cannot move in my house. Is there a cure?

Werther's Original moment ahead.. [emoji56]
 
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The same goes for most things for sale.

A picture is worth 1000 words as they say!

All you need is 3-4 clear images and a few sentences to explain the condition and the price.

Personally I am not a salesman and have little interest in being one but I could probably sell things 10x better than half of the salesmen out there.
 
I respectfully don't agree with this. When I buy I do so based on the description given from someone with feedback whom I trust. I couldn't give a toss if there were any photos of that item at all never mind good ones. Feedback over photos any day of the week.
 
scottduffy said:
I respectfully don't agree with this. When I buy I do so based on the description given from someone with feedback whom I trust. I couldn't give a toss if there were any photos of that item at all never mind good ones. Feedback over photos any day of the week.
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Nah, not for me, unless I've already dealt with that person or knew them well. Look in disputed trades and see how many participants have great feedback up until that point, which often lulls buyers into a false sense of security.

Here's my take on an ad with no pics included or rubbish ones included.

1. If you can't be bothered to take a decent pic then how do I trust that you could be bothered to take care of the item you're advertising?
2. If you can't be bothered to construct a decent ad and show that courtesy to potential buyers then how can I trust you'll pack it properly and post it on time?
3. If something goes wrong with the transaction I'm going to have to deal with someone who "can't be bothered" and frankly I don't want to deal with someone who can't be bothered.

So as much as I might want the item the seller is selling, I also like to buy the seller and I don't buy slovenly sellers who can't be bothered.. You're on a photography forum. Using a camera is supposed to be second nature to you. Use it.
 
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Is it a rule to actually have a photo of the item you're selling these days? The Amount of posts I see without photos is annoying. Even more annoying when someone says "no point in posting images, you all know what it looks like" this really bugs me. I know what new shiny things look like, but I want an idea of the condition to see with my own eyes.
 
The amount of items I've bought which look way better than the half arsed photos I've seen of them is another reason photos don't worry me. Phone pictures rarely show anything in its glory, pictures can rarely show tiny marks unless the person has a macro lens so for that reason I'm more than happy to go with their feedback. Maybe another reason for it is that lenses and cameras are tools of our trade yet some people won't consider them second hand unless they are shiny new things. Can you imagine trying to purchase any other tradesman's tool and wanting it mint or minty mint? It's ridiculous.
 
What does being able to take a good product photograph have to do with honesty, courtesy or packing abilities?

Someone may be a photography genius and a lying b*****d, daresay not all the adverts in the disputed thread are accompanied by bad pictures

What about when something is expertly photoshopped to remove blemishes, will they be ok to deal with when you complain after receiving the item?

Safe to say I disagree with your buyer selection process
 
THIRTYFIVEMILL said:
:p I think I was having a sugar low earlier and feel much better now :dummy:but my sentiments remain the same.

@nicknickedmycamera - we're not asking for a masterpiece, Nick, just a simple photo that shows the item and it's condition. It won't be entered in the next TP competition nor critiqued by the minions. And just to prove that it can actually be done and in about 4 minutes flat, here's a pic of one of my lenses I just took using my old iPhone 5. It's not an Ansel Adams but it would be fine for me if someone posted it in one of their ads and I'm sure most would find it sufficient for such purposes.

IPHONE-PIC_zpsabahweoz.png
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Care to elaborate on your method please? You obviously haven't just stuck the lens on a table and taken a shot. :p
 
scottduffy said:
The amount of items I've bought which look way better than the half arsed photos I've seen of them is another reason photos don't worry me. Phone pictures rarely show anything in its glory, pictures can rarely show tiny marks unless the person has a macro lens so for that reason I'm more than happy to go with their feedback. Maybe another reason for it is that lenses and cameras are tools of our trade yet some people won't consider them second hand unless they are shiny new things. Can you imagine trying to purchase any other tradesman's tool and wanting it mint or minty mint? It's ridiculous.
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Well, I don't always need stuff that's mint but I do want stuff that's been looked after. If a lens has multiple dings and/or scratches then it's more likely fail than one that's not. That may, of course, not always be the case but we get to use the indications before us. If I see a lens in very good condition cosmetically then there's a good chance it's OK and has been cared for. If it's a pro lens from a pro then it may well be worn and that's fine but if it's not been serviced recently there's a good chance it will need it it soon. I don't personally buy "mint" items because they look nice but because they're in good condition and hopefully good working condition, too.

I also disagree completely about lenses not showing small marks. If shot correctly a phone will show small marks and nuances, let alone a lens and DSLR.

It's simple for me: if I don't know the person who's selling then if he posts crap pictures or no pictures I will assume him to be lazy. I don't want to buy off that kind of a person as it could cause me problems so I avoid them and I know many who think the same. So if you can't be bothered to post decent photos that's your prerogative but you will reduce your market audience. Posting good pics can never harm your listing, unless you have something to hide, of course.
 
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tijuana taxi said:
What does being able to take a good product photograph have to do with honesty, courtesy or packing abilities?

Someone may be a photography genius and a lying b*****d, daresay not all the adverts in the disputed thread are accompanied by bad pictures

What about when something is expertly photoshopped to remove blemishes, will they be ok to deal with when you complain after receiving the item?

Safe to say I disagree with your buyer selection process
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There's no sure fire way to judge a seller and many sellers I personally won't deal with might be absolutely fine and their items likewise. We will all have different ways of making that call.
 
scottduffy said:
I respectfully don't agree with this. When I buy I do so based on the description given from someone with feedback whom I trust. I couldn't give a toss if there were any photos of that item at all never mind good ones. Feedback over photos any day of the week.
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yeah I am the same, I do like to see a picture but (on here anyway) I tend to trust the description of the seller.

It does tickle me Dunc how it 'gets your goat'
 
ecoleman said:
:LOL::LOL::LOL: you don't get to Wales much do you?

Joking aside you're still not going to get the same lighting from a window.
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LOL! I spent my youth on a small farm on top of the Brecon Beacons, Elliott. I still have the scars on my butt from when my moped and I met one of the two thousand cattle-grids on the way to Sennybridge. :jawdrop:

You're right but with a tripod and a slow shutter speed and a few bits of paper it works. I used to like to mess around photographing watches on an old Georgian chest of drawers we have about 4 feet from our living room window.



The images were not perfect but for fun or an SC post they worked for me.
 
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I have to admit I used to be guilty of this. Then I realised I could be just as lazy using the kitchen light and two chopping boards. :geek:

DSC00462 by Jon, on Flickr
 
:exit:
THIRTYFIVEMILL said:
:p I think I was having a sugar low earlier and feel much better now :dummy:but my sentiments remain the same.

@nicknickedmycamera - we're not asking for a masterpiece, Nick, just a simple photo that shows the item and it's condition. It won't be entered in the next TP competition nor critiqued by the minions. And just to prove that it can actually be done and in about 4 minutes flat, here's a pic of one of my lenses I just took using my old iPhone 5. It's not an Ansel Adams but it would be fine for me if someone posted it in one of their ads and I'm sure most would find it sufficient for such purposes.

IPHONE-PIC_zpsabahweoz.png
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What a crap photo,lol.joking.:D
 
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aliengrove said:
I have to admit I used to be guilty of this. Then I realised I could be just as lazy using the kitchen light and two chopping boards. :geek:

DSC00462 by Jon, on Flickr
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Perfectly good SC photo! Clear, sharp and in focus!! Kitchen boards at their best! :D
 
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