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There are many factors which affect the quality photos used
in an auction. This page doesn't attempt to address them all.
Instead, we'll list out the major points and provide links to more detail
where possible.
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Thumber
photo optimizer
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PHOTO SIZE: Before you start, you should have an idea of the general display size for your auction photos. of the people who view your auction will see the photos differently because the resolution of the their display will dictate the physical size. A general recommendation is that the image not be larger than 500 pixels on its longest side. This is not a hard rule, just a guideline. If your photo is much larger, some potential bidders will have to scroll to see all the photo and that's not good! Click the sample image sizes on the right to help you understand this relationship. | |
| CAMERA: (and Software) We mentioned image size before camera for a reason. You may have a newer digital camera with so many megapixels that you can't even set it for the image size you decided above. This is regrettable. Many pixels of resolution are good for enlargement but bad for auction photos! The reason? Because if you can't set you camera to a lower setting - something like 640 X 480 - that only means more work for you, your PC and your internet connection. Big pictures mean big files - lots of bytes to be processed uploading and slow downloading for your auction visitors on dial-up connections. Best Practice? Take your photos at the lowest resolution supported by your camera. If the photos are still too big, move back from the subject so you can crop out part of the background and still have a sharp photo the size you want. |
File Compression: Just as you must ensure your photo fits in
the viewer's screen, you must also make an effort to deliver the photo quickly.
Fully ²50% or more US internet users
still connect by modem. For these users, uncompressed images straight
from your fancy new camera may take several minutes or more to become visible.
Dial-up users are patient by nature, but not that patient!
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Lighting and Technique Low and medium priced Digitals are designed to use default settings and 'auto' mode to take good snapshots in a normal 'snapshot' circumstance. This usually means your camera will take a good picture of a person or group indoors or outdoors from a distance of a few feet. The flash will come on automatically if needed. It is not likely this default or 'auto' mode will not work well for small items at closer distances. To take good pictures of your auction items, you'll probably be forced to read the operation booklet that came with your camera and learn how to change some of the settings manually.
Best Practice? Read your camera manual completely. Understand the meaning of each section and control. To take good auction pictures, you'll need to be able to control the field, focus, and exposure either by changing settings on the camera, or, by a manual technique such as moving the camera and controlling amount and source of the light. Common problems Picture is too dark The natural reaction is to get bigger lights, but this is almost never the problem. What is actually happening is that the automatic features of the camera are overeacting to the available light and under-exposing the shot. More light just means more compensation by the camera. You need to control exposure manually. The camera manual should explain this, or, check the help links on this page. Picture is blurry.
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 Are you serious? This is a very important site for anyone who wants to
understand digital photography. I can not stress that enough! If you want to take
good auction pictures, you need to understand most of the information presented at shortcourses.com. The amount of information is massive, it is accurate, and, unbelievably, it's free!
This is not a paid link!
Lighting tricks
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