You’ve heard it a million times: a picture is worth a thousand words. On a marketplace, a great picture is worth a sale. You don’t need an expensive camera or a professional studio. The best tool for taking clear, bright, and attractive photos is free and available to everyone: natural light.
Bad lighting creates shadows, alters colors, and makes items look dull. Good lighting makes them look appealing and trustworthy. Here’s how to harness it.
Your New Best Friend: The “Golden Hour”
Photographers swear by the “golden hour”—the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. During this time, the sun is low in the sky, producing a soft, warm, and diffused light that is incredibly flattering. It eliminates the harsh shadows you get from the midday sun.
If golden hour isn’t practical, your next best option is a bright but overcast day. Clouds act as a giant softbox, diffusing the sunlight evenly and eliminating harsh shadows and glare. This is perfect for photographing items with reflective surfaces, like glass or electronics.
Create a DIY “Light Box” for Under $5
For small items, you can create a professional-looking setup with a cardboard box and printer paper.
- Get a medium-sized cardboard box and cut out the two sides and the top, leaving the bottom and the back intact.
- Line the inside with white poster board or plain white printer paper, creating a smooth, seamless curve from the back to the bottom. This eliminates corners and shadows.
- Place the box near a large window where plenty of indirect light comes in.
- Place your item inside the box. The white surfaces will bounce the window light around, evenly illuminating your item from all sides.
Composition and Background: Keep it Simple
Background is Key
Use a neutral background that doesn’t distract from the item. A plain white wall, a large piece of poster board, or a clean wooden floor are excellent choices. Avoid busy patterns, rugs, or clutter.
Shoot from All Angles
Take multiple photos: the front, back, sides, top, and bottom. Get a close-up shot of the brand logo and any unique features or flaws.
Show Scale
If the size isn’t obvious, place a common object next to it, like a coin, a pen, or a smartphone.
Smartphone Pro-Tips
- Clean Your Lens: A smudged lens will ruin every photo. Wipe it with a soft cloth before you start.
- Tap to Focus: On your smartphone screen, tap the main part of the item you want to be in focus. This tells the camera where to prioritize sharpness and exposure.
- Use the Grid: Turn on the camera’s grid lines to help you keep the shot level and well-composed.
By mastering natural light, you can present your items in their best possible light (pun intended). Clear, bright, and honest photos build trust with potential buyers, answer their questions before they ask, and dramatically increase your chances of a quick sale.