eBay Photos That Sell: Taking Great Product Shots For Ebay And Beyond

  Author:    Dan Gookin, Dan Gookin, Robert Birnbach, Robert Birnbach
  ISBN:    0782143814
  Sales Rank:    490894
  Published:    2004-12-29
  Publisher:    Sybex Inc
  # Pages:    172
  Binding:    Paperback
  Avg. Rating:    5.0 based on 9 reviews
  Used Offers:    13 from $8.97
  Amazon Price:    $19.79
  (Data above last updated:  2008-08-28 03:13:24 EST)
  
  
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eBay Photos That Sell: Taking Great Product Shots For Ebay And Beyond
  
"I've been an admirer of Dan Gookin since he wrote DOS For Dummies and spawned the For Dummies phenomenon. He takes things to a new level with this amazing and much needed book on practical product photography. Use his advice and you'll simply make more money. Highly recommended."
—John C. Dvorak, columnist, PC Magazine

Anyone can sell their stuff online. The challenge is to do it better than the competition and get the best possible results, every time. If you're attempting to sell your guitar on eBay, a photo of Aunt Pearl June strumming it in the backyard isn't likely to cut it. Does that mean you need to hire a professional photographer or invest in expensive equipment? Not if you follow the ingenious advice in this book!

eBay Photos That Sell teaches home-spun entrepreneurs how to create professional-quality product photos using a standard digital camera and a few handy tricks and inexpensive techniques. With page after page of inspiring examples and expert insights, you'll figure out how to capture everything from hats to wineglasses to MP3 players. You'll understand what makes one photo better than another and discover how to create images that viewers connect with--ones that evoke the "I must have this" feeling. Ultimately, it will help you attract customers and make sales, without investing a lot of time or money.

Inside, you'll learn how to:

  • Follow the basic rules for taking crisp, well-lit shots that outshine the competition
  • Set up shots quickly in your home or office
  • Create props and accessories from inexpensive items found at home or the local hardware store
  • Know how and when to use your camera's features, bells, and whistles to your advantage
  • Take the time to set up your photograph properly so you don't have to fix things later
  • Use photo-editing software to make final adjustments
  • Learn to size and format your photos effectively for the Web
  • Know when a simple black background is the best way to make your image pop
  • Build a safe and organized place to store your pictures so you can easily find them
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 12 of 12                 
  
  
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Reader Reviews Below Sorted by Newest First
10-22-07 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Great resource for the beginner!
Reviewer Permalink
As a beginner at selling on Ebay, this book gave great hints and tips on creating product pictures that will really stand out. It worked particularly well for me because I already had purchased the same camera and photo software that the authors used, but I can see it being less effective for others who haven't. Still, the lighting instructions and ideas make the book worthwhile!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-08-27 03:13:44 EST)
09-28-07 3 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Doesn't say a whole lot.
Reviewer Permalink
I got the book so I could improve my photography skills for a online jewelry business. I learned a little about paying attention to shadows, but overall I didn't get a whole lot out of this book.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-14 11:42:16 EST)
09-27-07 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  ebay photos that sell
Reviewer Permalink
I thought the book was a little pricey. I always justify my purchases, if the book contains at least one technicial piece of info, I did not know or it's info I was searching for.
So that being said, I justified my purchase.
It's a good informative book and has a lot of pictures as samples or this is the way to make the shot.
I would recommend this book to anyone going into EBAY as a seller.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-14 11:42:16 EST)
09-06-06 5 8\9
(Hide Review...)  Excellent for Much More Than Just eBay Photos
Reviewer Permalink
Using simple, lo-tech language and a wealth of color photos, this excellent book can teach anyone to arrange, light, photograph and even edit macro (closeup) pictures. I bought it sight unseen on a friend's recommendation, and it's even better than I thought it would be.
The instructions are always clear and simple, and every instruction is illustrated with full-color, detailed examples. The results make you look like a professional photographer (or could even make you become one!).
I've bought tons of books on Amazon; but this is the first one I've felt compelled to review, because it's so darn good.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-14 11:42:16 EST)
09-05-06 5 4\4
(Hide Review...)  Excellent for Much More Than Just eBay Photos
Reviewer Permalink
Using simple, lo-tech language and a wealth of color photos, this excellent book can teach anyone to arrange, light, photograph and even edit macro (closeup) pictures. I bought it sight unseen on a friend's recommendation, and it's even better than I thought it would be.
The instructions are always clear and simple, and every instruction is illustrated with full-color, detailed examples. The results make you look like a professional photographer (or could even make you become one!).
I've bought tons of books on Amazon; but this is the first one I've felt compelled to review, because it's so darn good.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-04-10 23:15:17 EST)
05-19-06 5 5\5
(Hide Review...)  My eBay photos will never be the same
Reviewer Permalink
Not being a true photographer(strictly for business) I looked through many books hoping I could find one that would help me take better photos for eBay. That's when I stumbled on this little gem. I'm sure this stuff is old hat to photo pros and hobbyists, but to those of us who don't know our f-stops from our brackets, this is a God send. My photos look so much better, that I've gotten compliments from friends and buyers (who'd a thought that!) People ask me what kind of camera I use, settings, etc. and my answer is read "eBay Photos That Sell". If nothing else the chapters of Objective and Subjective photos will help most folks (and don't forget the shower curtain). Simple stuff I know, but it makes all the difference in the world. BUY this book! You won't be disappointed.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-06-25 12:20:19 EST)
05-18-06 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  My eBay photos will never be the same
Reviewer Permalink
Not being a true photographer(strictly for business) I looked through many books hoping I could find one that would help me take better photos for eBay. That's when I stumbled on this little gem. I'm sure this stuff is old hat to photo pros and hobbyists, but to those of us who don't know our f-stops from our brackets, this is a God send. My photos look so much better, that I've gotten compliments from friends and buyers (who'd a thought that!) People ask me what kind of camera I use, settings, etc. and my answer is read "eBay Photos That Sell". If nothing else the chapters of Objective and Subjective photos will help most folks (and don't forget the shower curtain). Simple stuff I know, but it makes all the difference in the world. BUY this book! You won't be disappointed.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-09-06 04:47:48 EST)
12-23-05 5 9\11
(Hide Review...)  Highly Recommended!
Reviewer Permalink
If one takes a look at the items up for sale on eBay, many of the items have pictures. Some of them are stock photos from the manufacturer's website, but the great majority of them are amateur photos taken with a digital camera. The photographic quality of eBay is usually on the lower end of the amateur scale, filled with distracting elements, flash reflections and a host of other problems. The goal of this book is to teach the reader how to take product photos that sell.

The authors of the book do an excellent job of guiding the reader through the process, from the initial setup to taking the photos, to editing them in software. This is a rather non-technical book, and the focus is definitely on the photography and not the image manipulation aspect of product photography. It is written to be understood by the beginner, but has useful tips for advanced photographers as well.

The book is filled with pictures to provide examples of how to transform an everyday object into a visually appealing photograph. The advice and tips given in the book helps beginners solve the common problems of home photography. It is an excellent introduction to product photography and a valuable reference book that no photographer (or eBay seller) should be without.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-14 11:42:16 EST)
12-22-05 5 4\5
(Hide Review...)  Highly Recommended!
Reviewer Permalink
If one takes a look at the items up for sale on eBay, many of the items have pictures. Some of them are stock photos from the manufacturer's website, but the great majority of them are amateur photos taken with a digital camera. The photographic quality of eBay is usually on the lower end of the amateur scale, filled with distracting elements, flash reflections and a host of other problems. The goal of this book is to teach the reader how to take product photos that sell.

The authors of the book do an excellent job of guiding the reader through the process, from the initial setup to taking the photos, to editing them in software. This is a rather non-technical book, and the focus is definitely on the photography and not the image manipulation aspect of product photography. It is written to be understood by the beginner, but has useful tips for advanced photographers as well.

The book is filled with pictures to provide examples of how to transform an everyday object into a visually appealing photograph. The advice and tips given in the book helps beginners solve the common problems of home photography. It is an excellent introduction to product photography and a valuable reference book that no photographer (or eBay seller) should be without.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 05:42:38 EST)
09-17-05 4 12\13
(Hide Review...)  practical, non-high tech steps
Reviewer Permalink
An interesting aspect of this book is how it often advises you to improve your photos of items you're selling on eBay. Not by image enhancement via Photoshop, as so many other books do. Instead, it recommends trying simple steps in the real world, that might actually be faster than several hours in front of your computer. For example, if you have a black, shiny item, then polish it so that smudges and fingerprints are not visible in the photo. And take that photo against a white background, for high contrast.

This is the general tenor of the book. Practical, non-high tech steps. A good counterpoint to other eBay books.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-14 08:11:43 EST)
09-10-05 5 5\8
(Hide Review...)  Photos That Sell
Reviewer Permalink
This is a great book and definitely a rare find as few books focus on product photography. The steps given for shooting great photos of items you want to sell on eBay are simple and easy to understand. The techniques outlined are easy to follow and you don't have to be a professional photographer to understand what is involved. It has been proven that ads with great photos on eBay are more likely to be successful auctions and attract more bidders. If you're serious about selling on eBay, this book is a must read.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-02 09:39:18 EST)
02-27-05 5 12\13
(Hide Review...)  Great new book on photography
Reviewer Permalink
I stumbled across this book by chance when I was looking for books on photography and what a gem it is! I love the layout and the photographs that are
used as examples. The text is not only easy to read and understand, but it's funny as well. I found myself laughing while reading it and I'm now eager to put my new knowledge to work!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-02 09:39:18 EST)
  
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 12 of 12                 
  
  
  
  
  
  

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