More About Photographs
I’ve talked a lot about the importance of presenting top notch photos of your items. While there are many excellent item photos on Zibbet, there is still considerable room for improvement. In an effort to help you with this challenging subject, today I’d like to take a look at the five most common problems I’ve observed with photos in Zibbet shops.
Out of focus images is the number one problem I’ve observed. In this age of digital media, there’s no excuse for presenting out of focus photographs. Retake your photos until you capture clearly focused images of your items. Use a tripod and the timer on your camera if necessary. If you don’t have a tripod, be creative and devise a substitute by propping your camera on a stack of books or your elbows on a tabletop.
Inadequately lit images is another problem I see. Natural light is the best option for most items and it’s freely available to everyone. Watch your weather forecast and plan a day of shooting photos of your items outside. If outside isn’t an option, try to take your photos near a window inside your home. For small items, especially jewelry, a light tent and appropriate light sources are investments that can quickly pay for themselves with just a few sales.
Poorly composed images can make it difficult for shoppers to focus on the item you’re trying to sell. While props can enhance the presentation of your items, be careful not to clutter your photos with unnecessary ’stuff’ that will detract from your focal point. A simple, clean background where your item is the ‘main attraction’ is always the best choice.
Undersized images often make it impossible to really see the item. Even excellently composed, well lit and sharply focused images that are too small aren’t going to tempt a buyer to purchase your item. Shoppers have to be able to see the item you’re selling. Item images can be up to 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels high. Use as much of this digital real estate as you can, preferably at least 600 pixels by 600 pixels, to show off your wonderful items.
I want to see more! Basic shops can display four photos of each item while Premium shops are allowed up to eight. Use those image slots to show all sides and up close details of your items. In addition to your camera, a flatbed scanner can be an effective tool for creating images of some items such as greeting cards and fabrics.
It takes practice learning to take great photos of your items. But your time investment won’t be wasted. For more information 
about photographing your items, take a look at the Success on Zibbet articles indexed on Zibbet’s Community Hub:
We’d love to hear your favorite photography tips, so please share!
Best wishes for much success on Zibbet!
Vicki is committed to assisting her fellow Zibbeters improve their shops for successful online selling. She is the owner of five Zibbet shops: LOC Design Studio, Denim and Pearls, A Stitch and a Prayer, Black Creek Crossing and Think Like a Fish. You can follow Vicki on Twitter and through her LOC Design Studio blog.
Tags: Images, Photograph, Photography, Success on Zibbet
Such timeless advice! I’ve been searching Zibbet daily for items to add to our Pinterest boards. While I’m delighted with the wonderful talent and variety I’ve found, I’m also shocked at the number of really bad photos. You’ve offered some great tips and helpful advice. As always, Thanks, Vicki!
You’re so right Vicki, there is always room for improvement for all of us. I spent AGES trying to handmake a lightbox using one of the excellent free tutorials, but finally spent around £30 buying one, well worth the expense. I rarely use it for its true intent - I don’t use the lights! - but it makes a great “studio” and white surround. My other best spend was photoshop elements, it makes up for many of the inadequacies of the British climate!
Great article Vicki.
I am also looking at items every day for the pinterest board I am doing.
I agree there are soooo many awesome items but, the photos are just to bad to pin.
I hope that everyone…(myself included) will check their photos and redo them if nessasary.
Vicki, once again, you’ve given us great “proven” suggestions. I just happened to see an item on the “Front Page” today that I actually could not tell what it was…too bad, because it was fairly expensive. I wish everyone would read your blog. Thank you for taking the time to help us
Thank you very much. I’m just getting started and this is very informative.
Can you guys give me advice. My photos are better than they used to be, but nowhere near the quality they need to be. I have cropped them and adjusted most of them to the correct size, but sometimes the items are look distorted when I do this. Like if it was a picture that was taken vertically instead of horizontally? How do I fix that?