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Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Dollars?

April 12, 2009


BEFORE:  Poor birds... they're fuzzy and off-color and nobody will buy them.
Napoleon Bonaparte was believed to have said "Un bon croquis vaut mieux qu'un long discours," or "A good sketch is better than a long speech". Today, we might translate that to "a picture is worth a thousand words". Bonanzle hopes that we can put our stamp on that phrase so that it ends up meaning "a picture is worth a thousand dollars."

What value do the pictures attached to your Bonanzle listings have? Do your pictures enhance your listings or do they turn off potential buyers? I would ask that you step outside your booth, look in and critically assess your listing photographs. Are the images "fuzzy" and out of focus or are they clear and sharp? Do you crop the image to show more of the item? What about close-ups to show the item's detail? Have you ever wondered why you cannot reproduce the colors in that purple shirt? Browse through the booths of other sellers and compare your pictures to theirs. How do your pictures stack up? Which booth looks more professional?

 


AFTER:  The birds, seller and potential buyers are all much happier.
One of the best marketing tools you have (after making sure your items show up in searches) is a great looking photo to draw in the buyer. You may think that a bad photo isn’t that important. However, when that Google-using shopper finally finds your item in a search and it’s in a sea of other, similar articles, that shopper will probably click-through to the photograph that has sharp details and outstanding color fidelity. Fuzzy, off-color pictures can turn off a potential buyer. Incorrect color on clothing can create an upset buyer who wants to return the item because that brown sweater really turned out to be a purple sweater.

Does it look like you took your picture 50 feet away from the item? Close-up details are important to many viewers who want to see the item in an uncluttered environment. As a seller, you want that shopper to be able to identify the item from the photo and click through to YOUR booth. So, how do you present your items in “the best possible light”?

 In this first article of a series, you will learn the techniques of taking better pictures, learn how to optimize your photos, and present your items in a better light. We will discuss what you need to take a good photo, focus the camera to take clear and sharp images, light the subject to achieve proper exposure and color, and crop the photo for a better “look” in your Bonanzle Booth and your listings. Along the way, you will learn about different photographic editing software and what you can do with software to correct photo problems and improve your photographs, and present your buyers with better pictures of your items. Does a better picture equate to more sales at higher prices? I think so!

This PHOTOS 101 series will cover:

•           Understanding your camera settings.

•           Proper lighting of the item to achieve proper exposure and the utility of a light box.

•           Photographic techniques and props to show off your item.

•           How backgrounds, camera angles and light sources affect your photograph’s quality.

•           How to take clearer, sharper photographs (and how computer software can help).

•           Cropping your photo in the camera and photo editing with computer software.

•           Proper sizing (resolution) and format of your photos - JPEG (JPG), GIF, PNG, or PICT

•           Uploading your photographs and adding them to your Bonanzle Booth.

•           Photo hosting sites – what they can do for you.

•           and more!

The Photos 101 series will be “fluid” so if it’s important and helpful, we will add it to the series. Your input is welcome and appreciated, as I don’t claim to be an expert in everything.

I feel comfortable saying that if you implement some or all of these tips, you can turn out great-looking pictures and enhance the appearance of your Bonanzle Booth and web presence. If that leads to more visitors and more sales, then maybe that picture will be worth $1000.

 

Don't forget to check out the other BOP articles at www.bonanzle.com/bop

 

Posted by Tom
Tagged as: photographs, photos, better photos, photo lighting, exposure, focus, fuzzy photos, photo resolution, photographic techniques

10 responses to Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Dollars?

  • antiquelittlegirls says:
    04/13/09 at 03:56:48

    Hey Tom..
    Great intro.
    I can hardly wait for the lessons to begin.

    I am a VERY visually oriented person, so, to me, photos’ are worth more than a thousand words.

    Unfortunatly, I’m working with an antique camera, and must do the best I can with what I have.

    Digital is a whole new world for me,(give me my Minolta Maxim or Cannon AE1,& a bag of film & I’m good to go),so hope you can give some advice for those of us who are digitally challanged

  • OurDresserToYours says:
    04/13/09 at 15:41:07

    Wow, very well put and very much appreciated! Thanks for all your input on the subject of pictures for listings, Tom!
    I will also encourage members to use the CROP feature within the listing page, that Bonanzle offers, it does a fabulous job of correcting anything you didn’t catch and will present very well on your booth front page.
    Joyfully,
    Reen~
    OurDresserToYours

  • Scarlettsboutique says:
    04/13/09 at 19:48:44

    When is this coming up? I have a point or 2 I can maybe add. Let me know in case I forget to come back. Too many emails!

  • kythingsforless says:
    04/15/09 at 14:32:04

    This info is so true everyone likes to see what they are buying.

  • HerWay says:
    04/15/09 at 17:08:52

    I am also interested in the series. I have experienced the value of a clear precise presentation. I have also listed my desktop photo kit, the same one I use for my own photos, in case others want to get in on the game. Although there are many examples, some less quality, some more, mine is cheaper, yet still has the quality needed for small items.

    How do we know when the Photo 101 will be active? Can we get a memo?

  • tomwayne1 says:
    04/15/09 at 17:28:16

    @ HerWay and others… when a new blog goes up, I will end up Tweeting it (if you’re following me) and it will be posted in the forums. —Tom

  • naturaltrail says:
    07/07/09 at 06:35:16

    Good picture can even be worth several millions dollars.

  • jk4493 says:
    08/06/09 at 19:50:00

    Wonderful, to the point article – thanks!

  • debdoll says:
    08/25/09 at 16:31:17

    When is the tutorial coming? This was a great article and I look forward to more, more, more!!!

  • MrsMysteryGal says:
    10/05/09 at 07:03:58

    I believe a picture is worth a million If its not showing the true value and it’s just blur and dark No one will even bother to evaluate it! It’s best to make sure the photo is as Clear as Day As you’ve shown above i bet everyone looked at the clearer photo.. ?