Good photos help interested parties quickly understand what you are offering and what condition the item is in. You do not need a professional camera for this. More important are a clean lens, an uncluttered background, suitable lighting and honest, up-to-date photos of the exact item being offered.
Informative photos can make an advert easier to understand and reduce repeated questions. However, they do not guarantee a sale. The price, description, condition, location and handover arrangements also influence an interested party’s decision.
Prepare the item and the place where you will take the photos
Before taking photos, remove any dust and objects that are not part of the offer. Arrange the accessories clearly and check that everything shown is actually included in the offer. Do not conceal signs of wear with decorations or an unfavourable angle. The photo should show the item that the other person will later receive.
Also clean the lens of your smartphone or camera. Even a single fingerprint can make the image look hazy. For a large item, make sure there is enough distance for it to fit entirely within the frame while keeping its shape clearly recognisable.
Use soft, natural light
Even daylight usually shows colours and surfaces realistically. Place the item near a window or photograph it outdoors in a bright location without direct, harsh sunlight. The light should fall on the item rather than directly into the lens.
Avoid deep shadows, strong reflections and photos that are too dark. If the surface is glossy, move the camera or item slightly until the reflection no longer obscures an important detail. A flash can help in the dark, but it often produces harsh light and can alter the surface’s actual appearance.
Take a clear, sharp main photo
The first photo should show the item in full and make it immediately recognisable. Landscape orientation often provides more room for a balanced composition. Leave some space around the item, but do not photograph it from so far away that important details are lost.
Hold the camera steady, tap the item on the screen to focus on it and check the photo immediately afterwards. In low light, you can rest your hands on a table or another stable surface. It is better to retake an out-of-focus photo than to try to conceal the blurriness with heavy editing.
Choose an uncluttered background
A plain wall, a clean table or a neutral fabric draws attention to the offer. Remove packaging, cables, crockery and other objects that do not belong to the item. At the same time, make sure there is enough contrast: a light item is easier to see against a slightly darker background, and a dark item against a light background.
The background should not give a false impression of the item’s size or where it is used. If its size is difficult to judge, a familiar object for comparison can help. However, it should remain in the photo only if it is clear that it is not part of the offer.
Show the item from several angles
A single photo rarely shows all the important views. Therefore, put together a small, easy-to-follow series of photos:
- an overall view as the first photo,
- the front, back and important side views,
- close-ups of the material, surface, markings or functions,
- all parts and accessories included in the offer,
- visible signs of wear, damage or other notable aspects of its condition.
Change the angle with a clear purpose. Several almost identical photos convey less information than an overall view, a view of the back and a few useful detail photos.
Use your own, up-to-date photos
Photos of the item actually being offered show its real condition and appear more trustworthy than catalogue images alone. Do not replace your own photos with manufacturer images, and do not use third-party photos as though they show your item. If packaging or a sample arrangement is visible, neither the image nor the description may promise components that are not part of the offer.
Subtle editing can be useful: you can crop out unnecessary background, straighten the horizon and adjust the brightness slightly. Do not use filters that alter colours, conceal scratches or make the condition appear better than it is. If the colour differs slightly because of the lighting, mention this in the description.
Show defects openly and clearly
A scratch, dent, stain or missing part should not come as a surprise at handover. First show the overall condition, then add a sharp close-up of every significant defect. Also describe the defect in the advert.
An honest presentation helps interested parties decide before making contact whether the offer is right for them. It also reduces misunderstandings because the photos and description present a consistent picture of the item’s condition.
Protect personal information in photos
Zoom in on each image before uploading it and check not only the item, but also the background, mirrors and other reflective surfaces. No information that you do not wish to share publicly should remain visible.
- Remove letters, invoices, documents and screens showing names, addresses or contact details.
- Do not show passwords, access codes, payment details or QR codes containing personal information.
- Check for reflections that might show people, a house number or private rooms.
- If a rating plate contains useful model details, show only the information needed to assess the item.
It is best to remove personal information before taking the photo. This is more reliable than hoping that nobody will notice it in the published image.
Check the series of photos before publication
Compare the photos with the description. The condition, what is included and the colour should be presented consistently. Remove duplicate photos, place the clearest overall view first and check that important details can be seen without having to zoom in significantly.
If the prepared images cannot be uploaded, do not unnecessarily reduce their quality. Instead, use the guide What can I do if I’m having trouble uploading images? to check the file format, file size, browser and connection.
A well-composed, honest and complete series of photos makes it easier for interested parties to assess the item and often leads to more specific questions. It provides a good basis for the advert, although the decision always depends on the overall offer.
