eBay Hacks, 2nd Edition

Construct an Auction Photo Studio

Save time and improve the look of your pictures by setting up a dedicated area in which to take all your eBay photos.

If you sell regularly, you’re probably getting tired of repeatedly setting up your camera, backdrop, and lighting equipment every time you want to snap a few more shots. So why not set aside a small space in your office, attic, or apartment for a simple studio, and have the convenience of zero setup time?

Figure 5-5. Increase the depth of field to bring more of an item into focus

So that your studio consumes the least amount of space possible, use the corner of a room. The amount of space you need depends on the size of the items you’ll be photographing; if you sell jewelry, for instance, you probably won’t need anything larger than a 12in x 12in (30cm x 30cm) square. For larger items, like dolls, camera equipment, or pottery, set aside 2ft–3ft (0.5m–1m) square.

Next, find a small wooden box or a shallow foot stool, and place it in the middle of your studio. This will allow you to elevate your items above the ground and help throw the background out of focus [Hack #71] .

Use a tripod with your camera so you can shoot items from any angle and at any height without having to hold the camera by hand. A pistol-grip camera mount like the one shown in Figure 5-7 will allow you to make quick adjustments without having to loosen and tighten a ...