First, you will need a digital camera. If you don’t have one, see if you can borrow one from a friend or relative. Next, set up an area just for photographing your items. It does not have to be elaborate or expensive, but you should find a small space where you can work without clutter. You want to use a solid background for your photos so that the emphasis is on the item you are selling. Use foam core board, which you can buy at office supply stores for about $3, – you want the item for sale to be the focal point of the picture.
Use good lighting. Natural daylight is best, however, you won’t always have that luxury. Just be sure that the item can be represented accurately in the photo.
If you are selling clothing, make sure the item is in clean, presentable condition. Iron or steam clothing to remove wrinkles. Remove lint and loose threads before photographing. You don’t want your potential buyer to have to imagine what the item would look like if it was clean and wrinkle-free. You may want to invest about $10 to buy a half mannequin – these can be found on eBay. You can then cover a door with butcher paper or posterboard, hook a wreath hanger over the door, and hang your mannequin on the wreath hanger. You may need to adjust the clothing to fit the mannequin. If so, use clothes pins or masking tape on the backside of the mannequin, out of view of the camera.
After you have taken your photos, you will need to edit them on them on the computer. You don’t have to be an expert graphic designer, just crop the picture so the item for sale, and the solid background are all that’s in the picture. You may need to adjust color, brightness, and contrast.
Finally, upload your photos when you list your item on eBay. You may want to look at using a listing template service, such as Seller Sourcebook, which gives options such as background templates, enlargement of your photos, and image hosting.
Learn more about eBay selling by visiting my free eBay discussion forum, and by visiting my website, eBay Selling Coach