Do I need to upgrade to a higher resolution camera?

[AlisonHiggins]

I opened my shop about five months ago and have been shooting my jewellery photos with a Panasonic Lumix LZ8 that gives me 8.1 megapixels. I shoot in what I call "idiot mode", primarily with the camera's "intelligent auto mode" setting, using the auto white balance and macro settings. I don't have a desire to learn about manual settings (no time!) and plan to keep up with my "idiot mode" photos. All of that said, would I notice an improvement in my shop photos if I upgraded to a similar type of camera that had 16 rather than 8.1 megapixels?

Any thoughts from more photo and camera-savy folks would be very much appreicated!

[Former_Member]

I actually use my smart phone to take all of my pictures. I have it set up to load into our computer and do my editing on PicMonkey. I'm sure you could get some better pictures using a better camera, but I didn't think yours looked bad.

Hopefully you can get someone to give you input who is more photo savvy than myself.....I'm still learning too :)

[AlisonHiggins]

Thanks, Elizabeth.

I never knew there was such a thing as French Press Cozies...best idea since sliced bread!

Alison

[QuietUnrest]

Alison, your camera's "idiot mode" is amazing because your photos look great. You could keep playing with the backgrounds (lighter, different textures) just to change things up a bit if you wish, but I would never complain about the quality of your photos.

[Former_Member]

I shoot with a Canon EOS Rebel T3 and often rely on "idiot Mode" too...I am learning the aperture priority function because I have been told by several Professional photographer friends that it can produce really good shots, particularly where a blurred background dis the desire. PicMonkey is great...I always use their editing software to auto balance and brighten all of my photos. If you are looking for crisper shots, invest in a DSLR and skip the Macro lenses and just get a non telescoping 50mm or some other lens ideal for your parameters...75mm or 88mm ect. There is a loss of quality with closeups when your lens is telescoping..... I have had my shop for a few years but only just revived my dead shop at the beginning of this month....and have found that according to other Etisians there is some relationship between shop age and number of sales that may play into the search algorithm....Hope this helps ;-)

[Former_Member]

Hi Alison,

I really don't think it's in the camera. However, I am getting a new one for my birthday :D

I currently shoot with my iPhone and I have used regular digital camera (just like you), I have had professional photos taken and all in between.

I think the key to good pictures is not the camera (eat me alive photographers) but the composition and light.

Make sure you use light background so your items can pop up and that they are not weirdly cropped in thumbnail view.

For example, I personally think this is great:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/227989888/hand-shaped-brass-leaf-earrings-with?ref=shop_home_active_5

the item really pops up and the colors of the background compliment it.

However, I would edit this one:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/227594572/faceted-watermelon-tourmaline-nugget?ref=shop_home_active_4

because in thumbnail (how customers view the image when searching) it looks strange.

No need to invest in a new camera, I think...

[AlisonHiggins]

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to look at my pics and provide constructive feedback. It is very much appreciated!

Best to all,

Alison

[Former_Member]

I agree with the other posters, your camera looks fine. One thing that works very well on etsy is composition of your images. If you can find a theme to display all your jewelry (for example on a rustic slab of wood) that would be nice. Have you considered into getting models to model your jewelry?

[SilviaMaciasDesigns]

Alison, I also checked out some of your pics and the quality looks great. Very crisp and clear. I agree with those that say it's not necessarily the camera; as long as you have a macro mode and a good eye. I think 8 megapixels is more than sufficient for our purposes here online. I know my photos are not the best in the world, but would you believe I'm using a 4 or 5 megapixel camera that's about 13 years old? :)

[TheFamilyJewelsWI]

Alison, I would not waste the money on a new camera. I think Panasonics are fabulous! I have two. What threw me is the age of your shop (2011) and 18 sales. Too bad you didn't open a new shop when you started selling.

Your shop looks great!

[AlisonHiggins]

Again, thanks fellow Estians for taking the time to look and comment. I like the idea of using more consistent backgrounds, and know that shots of my pieces on models would be helpful -- just kind of a hassle to organize when I'm flying by the seat of the pants most of the time.

And, darn, I didn't even consider opening a new shop when I started actively selling a few months back -- didn't know I could, but sure wish i had!

[IlzesCreations]

More MP is for bigger pictures. More MP won't improve quality. If you need to print out photo with what you can cover all your wall in a room, then more MP are better. For Etsy purposes it's more than enough with ~5 MP. My pictures are made with 10 year old camera with only 5 MP. Important is lighting and focus. If possible you can try different camera lenses, especially for Macro. I would suggest you to inspect your camera settings and experiment with them.

[AlisonHiggins]

Thanks, Ilze. Will do some experimenting for sure!

[BlackCatStudio98]

I also think your resolution looks good. I like these simple backgrounds:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/212239849/enter-the-dragon-fine-silver-medalion?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/225388444/antique-iron-padlock-screw-key-from?ref=shop_home_active_23

These backgrounds are too distracting and the item gets lost.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/225390792/new-zealand-paua-shell-pendant-with-hand?ref=shop_home_active...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228063486/copper-leaf-dangle-earrings-topped-with?ref=shop_home_active_...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/212241849/vintage-dinner-knife-end-bell-pendant?ref=listing-shop-header...

I don't know how you got your photos in direct sunlight in this listing to turn out so good! I can never get good pictures in the sun. I have to use shade and/or a lightbox.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/225577423/reverse-bezel-set-ammonite-pendant-on?ref=shop_home_active_9