posted on March 23, 2001 10:52:29 AM
I suspect that what I am about to say doesn't apply to those of you who post here, since most of you - including my sister, who is an eBay seller - seem to be conscientious and thoughtful sellers. However, I have nowhere else to go with my frustration!
I just spent an hour searching eBay for VIctorian jewelry, which I collect. While doing so I noticed that a large number of sellers' listings contained pictures that were so out of focus that a buyer would have to be crazy to bid on these items, especially since a lot of them have a fairly high starting bid. Almost 100% of these listings had no bids, so I imagine other buyers feel the same way I do and don't bid on something when all they can see is a shiny gold or brass blur.
I don't want to be intrusive or stick my nose in where it doesn't belong, but sometimes I'm tempted to e-mail these sellers and tell them I think I know why their listings haven't received any bids. It's a shame, really, because I think a lot of these items would sell if the buyers could see them.
posted on March 23, 2001 02:16:56 PM
You are so right about the photo's..in ANY category. Its been a constant irritation to click on an auction your interested in to find a LOUSY picture and/or description. I have found so many pics that are so damned DARK I can't make anything out.
I usually leave but a few times I have really wanted the item so I have saved the pic to my desktop and ran it thru my photo editor. Usually its just a matter of using the brighteness control and it transforms it into a REALLY great pic. So simple and I don't understand why the seller does not think to do that before they post.
I had started a thread awhile back about taking better pics and what lighting to use. It has some great info in it on how to's. But in a case like this..its simply a matter of lightening the photo up in a photo editor....I imagine with something as finely detailed as jewelry its got to be worse.
posted on March 23, 2001 02:37:48 PM
And let's not forget the classic: CROP THOSE PHOTOS!! (And please don't show off your flower arranging or decorating skills in these photos -- we really don't care!)
I've got two photo editing applications, and I wouldn't want to do without either.
The main one is L-View Pro and I happened on it because a demo version of it came bundled with my software. It does all kinds of things I don't understand and therefore don't use, but I do use it for cropping, resizing, and occasionally sharpening -- the easy stuff. I think the non-demo copy cost $49 or so.
The other is PhotoBase from ArcSoft, which also has a few real basic (crude but surprisingly effective) tools for brightness, contrast, hue, sharpening and cropping. Plus, you can create these "albums" which store thumbnails of your photos -- handy to right-click on a photo and be able to find it again on your hard drive.
I'm sure there are many others out there, even some free ones ?? -- but the point is that there is help out there (I think that excellent other thread minx started mentions some too) and basically there's no good excuse except for THE most hobbyist of sellers to not do a bit better with their photos.
posted on March 23, 2001 03:09:39 PM
Hi, I don't know if this is the place to ask this question, but here goes.
Can anyone tell me how I go about (using html) to take my photo and place a "click to enlarge" under it and at the same time making the photo smaller so loading will be quicker? I hope I'm asking this the right way. Thanks for any help.
posted on March 23, 2001 03:12:50 PM
Trying shopping for clothes on eBay. Many of the pictures are just awful. And they often say 'I know the picture looks bad, but this really looks lovely'.
posted on March 23, 2001 03:27:27 PM
Do not know why some sellers do not check their auction photos when they look at their listings and why some use a background the same dark shade as the object they have for sale because I cannot find even the ouline of the object. Also I notice some take the photo outdoors and I get to see the trees, flowers and fence and sometimes the spouse? holding the object up.
buyhigh
posted on March 23, 2001 11:06:21 PM new
Regarding bad pics...I am wondering if different monitors show colors differently. The reason I ask, is because I place pics on my auctions that I think look very accurate with the color, etc. Then I'll go on my Mom's computer and it looks a little off.
Any comments?
Mallary
posted on March 23, 2001 11:26:19 PM new
Yes, monitor quality can make a big difference, but a big black blob, is still a big black blob, no matter how good the monitor is, or is not.
posted on March 23, 2001 11:57:33 PM new
Also, have you noticed IPIX or is it EPIX. GAWD! Those are the fuzziest worst pics I've ever seen. No matter how good your picture is IPIX ruins it.
posted on March 24, 2001 12:28:46 AM new
Oh bless you becrafty & reddeer! I was just trying to remember how to do that I am getting ready to build my own templates (time to be self sufficient) and wanted to do that. Again, thanks for asking the question and giving the answer!!!
posted on March 24, 2001 07:28:31 AM new
Reddeer & Mouseslayer,
I worked (got help in the end) on a "html only" to get my original picture to be small to start and get larger with clicking on it. This way, I can just substitute a new picture file into the html and do not have to "edit" to make small picture and it works great. I do not know how to show it here, seeing as it is html. I hope you can understand what I'm trying to say here.
posted on March 24, 2001 07:40:12 AM new
becrafty - if you simply force a "thumbnail" view using HTML, the load time is going to be just as long as if you put the big picture in your auction. Creating a smaller version of the picture using graphics software is the best way to reduce load time.
I guess I really don't have a clue about what I'm doing!! I was trying to avoid the "making a smaller picture" because I don't know how to do that. Well I guess today will be a good day for a crash course with my camera/photo impressions. Thanks for letting me know before I did up a bunch of auctions. Boy, I wish I knew how this stuff all worked, would make my life easier.
I am getting ready to build my own templates (time to be self sufficient) and wanted to do that. Again, thanks for asking the question and giving the answer!!!
Hippy wannabe 
~^~