Some Good Do's and Don'ts

[Former_Member]

The longer I'm on Etsy the more I see the trends between the great shops and the rest. I have not placed items on my shop yet due to not being ready. But once I do, Here are some issues that I keep running into as I research having a business on Etsy when it comes to just photography.

It's known that an average online shopper has about 10 sidetracking thoughts every 2 minutes. This is why most people get sidetracked and veer off sites. You have to first capture, then keep the viewer to have them buy a product. How to do this is to not have anything that will side track shoppers on your site.. You don't want the viewer to think about anything but the piece that they are viewing or about to view. Props, Shadows, fuzziness, lighting, etc. Once the customer has been sidetracked, it is likely they will move on.

I have compiled some tips that have helped me through my career as an interior designer and professional art photographer.


Lighting -
This is one of the top key elements when portraying your products. Natural light is the best, but can be inconsistent. If you use natural light, you will have to be vigilant in staying focused on when the best time of the day is to capture the whitest light. Depending on the day, the light can shift to the red or blue hues. It also changes with the seasons as well. Summer tends to be more red and winter tends be be more blue. When it comes to artificial lighting, it's good to do your research, as I'm not too keen on this area.

Shadows - I find that a lot of sellers have shadows in there images hiding or darkening the products. This just looks unprofessional.

Image Size - In rare cases images being uploaded are too small to fully see the product. This is frustrating to buyers and they will go elsewhere.

Color Theory -
I'm finding out a lot of people don't understand this area and is also a science in itself. This is one of the most important and also unknown secrets to amazing images and sales.
The basics of color theory is the visual impact of specific color combinations. This includes; color harmony, color context, saturation, contrast, hue, and so much more.

Color is subjective, this can be due to cultural experience or personal preference.

Color Harmony -
Understanding color harmony is understanding what kind of mood or feeling you would like to convey. It engages the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience. When something is not harmonious, it's either boring or chaotic. This means knowing what colors to use in what order and what proportion to convey a desired mood, to communicate an idea, or to elicit a reaction. Color is physical - We see it. Color is emotional - it evokes feelings. Color communicates - we receive information from the language of color.

Color Context -
This is how color behaves in relation to other colors and shapes and is a complex area of color theory. Basically when you place one object next to a second object. Both objects "Change" colors. This is known as Color context. This is real and happens all the time. Have you ever bought something at the store and then got it home and you thought it was a different color. Well it was! Try a very simple experiment. Take 2 pieces of different colored paper. You will need a large square and a small square of each color. Then place the smaller square of the other color on top of the other colored paper, and visa versa. Notice the color appears to be different. This is what happens as well when taking photographs.

Visual Weight / Texture
This can also be known as visual texture. When you have an item that is heavy in texture, or visual texture, this is known as to be visually busy. Items that are visually heavy in texture should not be balanced with other items that are visually heavy. This confuses the viewer and makes the viewer really work at what they are viewing. This is a problem when trying to capture a potential online buyer.

This is can also be reversed and not have enough visual weight. Some items get photographed with nothing for the eye to either compare it to or reference. Also known as to "float". Depending on the photographers intent this is desired.

Props -
Using props is dependent on what is being sold. If you are to use props, remember the color theory rules that will also have to apply with props as well.

Sometimes the props are in focus and a big part of the image. But don't make it a focal point of the image. This can get confusing and mislead the viewer into what they are purchasing.

Remember if you are selling an item that will be worn, a good amount of people get freaked out if they are searching for an item and a real person is wearing a piece. (Even if it says "Made to Order"). but there are others that say that this doesn't matter.

Jewelry - I have noticed a ton of ingenious ideas out there. There is a ton of ideas.

Last but not least.... Photography is an art and Etsy is for artists!
Have fun and get creative!

Toni

[Former_Member]

thanks for your contribution! that's terrific advice and info.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Hi there! Have been following the various threads whenever I've had time, and based on tips over the weeks since I joined, have decided to take all my pics for the shop in the sunlight - if possible. Took two a couple of days ago, when sun was available, and before computer went on the blink! They have been listed at www.etsy.com/#69778158/brown-bear and www.etsy.com/#69777037/light-brown-bear. To my untutored eye, they look so much better than the rest of the shop, that I have decided (as I have to re-list) that the rest of the toys will be subjected to the treatment! Now all I need is for the sun to co-operate - and I'd appreciate comments/feedback from fellow team members. Please, not too technical!! Isobel

[Morninglightglass]

Great Information!! Thanks so much for taking the time!!

[JewelryByMaureen]

Sunlight is great for making colors true and bright - there's just not enough if it during the day after my real job! Hoping this weekend is sunny in PA!

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

having only just joined this thread, left it to carry out my threat of relisting and rephotographing. Got a banner done as well, and the shop is now a better sight - I think! Hope you do - please visit www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com - and hopefully enjoy! Isobel

[Former_Member]

coldhamcuddlies - adorable animals! love.

you photograph the animals clearly and the lighting is balanced. i also like the angles they're shown.

i would work on a more neutral background without a lot of pattern. i noticed a lot of shadow. you can use a large piece of white paper to bounce light to fill in the shadow or you can photograph indoors next to a sunny window with a white fabric over it to diffuse the lighting.

check out this thread on some other lighting techniques:
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7435/diy-product-photography-how-to-hacks/discuss/6776430/

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Thanks for both comment and suggestions. Was so busy posing the toys that I really forgot about shadows and tried to crop as many out as possible. However, will try to remember the next time I have a photo session. Having discovered the delights of both sunshine and our garden here, will be concentrating on outside pic for time being. My indoor ones were OK, but not nearly as bright as current offering. Thanks again, though. Best of luck to all the rest of the team. Will be interested in hearing your news on various topics related to camera work

[Former_Member]

thanks for posting. :)