Shoot ‘n’ Sell
If you are buying a product online, which one would you pick? The one with a picture that’s in focus with an attractive background, or one that looks fuzzy? The choice is a no brainer. If you plan to sell your ware in cyberspace, you need to make it look appealing to get more hits. Here’s how…
Lighting - Always use natural lighting; it’s best to shoot near a window or a white wall. Early morning and late noon light is easier to shoot in, campared to harsh, direct noon sunlight.
Flash - If you need the extra lighting for reflective items like jewellery, tape a small piece of white paper over your flash to tone down the strength of the light.
Background - To maintain focus on the product, specifically small items, use a plain tablecloth, textured art paper, or wooded or metal surfaces. Coloured backgrounds add a nice touch too, but avoid colors that clash or patterned motifs. For larger items like clothes, shoot against a clean wall as a backdrop.
Shooting - For small items, get close-up shots to make the potential buyer feel like they can reach out and touch it (use the zoom in function for this). Use a tripod if you can; zooming in can cause blurring with the slightest shake.
Angles - Take photos from every angle; more ways than you think is necessary, so people can see what they are buying such as close-up, detail shot, and a full shot. If you are photographing jewellery or clothes, try to get a friend to model for you.
