There are the typical Do's and Do Not's in taking proper photos for sale on etsy.com, ebay.com or even your own personal website.
Do NOT
1. Take one and think it'll be proper enough for your customers to actually SEE it. I take AT LEAST 10 of a single item and later pick the best ones....
2. Anything camera less than 5MP... nope. And yes, MACRO setting is NECESSARY.
3. Do not BUY a little studio setup or brand new camera if you're just starting out. I almost did and here are the little tricks I learned :)
DO DO DO!
1.) Most smart phones like iphones or my handy HTC HD2 take wonderful pictures... seriously!
2.) I purchased my wonderful FUJI 10 MP Finepix S1500 1.5 years ago for less than 150 with a 2 year warranty BECAUSE it was a display camera at WalMart. Check for scratches, ask for discounts, make sure it comes with a warranty and keep your receipts. It's a STEAL. or EBay :)
3.) Natural light is wonderful! But an "Otto Light" at 40-50% at JoAnns' is just as good! (natural light lamps unlike the "reddish" light regular bulbs give out) helps your eyes also if you use it to read.
4.) No flash necessary. But if you get your hands on Adobe's Lightroom program... (80% off if youre a student like me) you can work wonders on the exposure settings, clarity, sharpening, cutting, editting! Otherwise, the simple Microsoft editor works as well... I just like Lightroom because I can impose my customized watermarks and create MULTIPLE saves in a heartbeat. Well worth the $$$. Fixes old vintage photos too. I cleaned up one of my sister and mom from 36 years ago! and it looks lINCREDIBLE!
5.) For Necklace displays I used shower hooks and an old curtain holders = $3.00. Outside I have a free sidewalk that has some moss growing on it this summer. Evening hours is the best time to take the best pictures especially in shaded areas!
6.) I cannot stress ANGLES and for backdrops... WHITE PAPER or scrapbooking paper.
7.) Lastly: Take CLOSE UPS & Entire photos. Give lengths, carats, details, measurements, the works. Be thorough!
