To end up with great listing photos, you have to start by taking some time to set up your photo shooting area.  There are two main things to address in this set up time:  background and lighting.  Today we will focus on backgrounds.

Backgrounds

The background of your photos needs to be uncluttered. There should be nothing to distract from the object you are photographing.  It should also be a contrasting color to the object to make your item stand out even more. The most widely used colors for backgrounds are white and black, although other colors may certainly be used effectively.  Here are some great choices for you to consider:

Poster board

Poster board can be found everywhere…even the grocery store.  It is inexpensive and comes in many sizes and colors.  To photograph a large object, two or more pieces can be placed side by side.  It is easy to store flat or rolled up when not in use.

Foam Core Display Board

Foam Core Detail

Foam Core Board can be purchased at office supply stores.  Foam Core is a little more expensive than poster board but will probably last longer. It is available in many sizes and colors. Flat sheets as well as display boards are good choices for photography backgrounds.  A display board can be closed for storage.  Since foam core boards are rigid, you need to consider where you might store one when you aren’t using it. (I slide mine behind our piano.)

Seagrass Mats

Seagrass mats as well as bamboo mats are another option to consider as photography backgrounds. These can be purchased very inexpensively in discount stores and even some dollar stores. Many colors and textures of objects show nicely on this background, and it is especially effective when photographing something red.  Storage is a breeze…just roll it up!

There are many more possibilities for backgrounds. Many different types of fabrics work well. If you have one you use and like, please share it with us!

Filed under: Better Selling Techniques, Tips and Tricks by Melisha
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You have a new blogger again this week. Hi, my name is Melisha, and I’m one of the Mods at HCTS. This is my first EVER blog entry, so take it easy on this newbie! (Please.) Let’s get started…

So, now that we’re all organized (you are, right?), it’s time to get listing!

Step one…take some photos. What? You hate this part of the listing process? You just can’t seem to get your photos right no matter what you do? Then you’ll want to stay tuned this week.

Even though I can take some pretty decent photos (if I do say so myself), I do not consider myself an expert by any means. I have asked some Storks to help me out.  These ladies are just a few of the talented photographers among our members who are willing to share their knowledge with us as well as their photos. Today’s examples are from Kim and Shannon. Thanks, Ladies!

I will take you through the entire process step by step. We will talk about backgrounds, lighting, posing your items, editing and more! By the end of this week you will be equipped to take your own amazing photos like these:

So get those camera batteries charged up and meet me here every day this week.  You might even have some tips to share as well, so jump on in with your comments. That’s what we Storks do!

Filed under: Better Selling Techniques, Tips and Tricks by Melisha
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Here I am, getting ready to use it! Sadly, you can see my lovely wrist bands in this picture.My arm bands repell bullets, of course…but what you don’t know is they also dispense packing tape.

Funny, photoshop “officially” calls it a MAGNETIC LASSO. My faux pas! I’ve always called it Magic, and it seems so magical to me!! Here’s a tut that explains it much better than I ever could. She copies and pastes hers, I drag mine. BTW, I have CS3 and you do it the same way…it’s just my lasso is in a different place.

Filed under: Better Selling Techniques, Tips and Tricks by Rebecca
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