White background in photos

[Former_Member]

Hello,

I am looking for some feedback on photos. I have heard many sellers say that using an all white background for their product photos increases views, sales, and overall impressions of their items. Have you found this to be true? I think the photos are what draw people in to your shop and I just want to make sure that I'm doing all I can. Any thoughts would be so greatly appreciated!

[JustForGiggles]

The white background is popular because that's what generally ends up on the front page. It doesn't necessarily mean more views. I just had this chat with a woman who'd been told the same thing but she had silver jewelry that washed out over white and looked AMAZING in her original photographs in which her pieces were shown over black ice.

I say do what's best for your product.

[Former_Member]

i am posing the same question.
but realize the white background makes it easier to be chosen for treasuries. and i want to experiment with better lighting too.

its also a way to give an overall cohesive look to your shop.

[Former_Member]

White is so popular cause it is easiest for most sellers, I guess. But I agree with Wanda: you just need to fibd what is best for you. Most my items are on white but my most viewed and liked item is actually white itself on a cream-peachy background. It is a very nice item but sometimes it think it got only chosen because of the background color. It goes mostly into romantic themed treasuries ;)
In your case I would say start by improving overall quality. Especially the light quality in your pics.

[Former_Member]

Not all items work well with a white background, try and few different shots and pick which suits your items best. Aslong as they are crisp, clear and detailed shots, you'll be fine : )

[ohmyclumsyheart]

You have to work with what is good for your product.
I use a white background but it's a sheet and the pictures are off-white. I don't like the stark PROPER white backgrounds, they look weird but they are popular. Although many other shops are extremely popular and don't use white backgrounds..

x

[EquipandExhortLLC]

I like the white background because it gives my shop a more uniform or cohesive look; because my crochet is in many different colors, the background does not compete with the item I am selling, which makes it easier for shoppers to get a clear image of the item they are looking to purchase. I learned from listening to the Etsy online labs that bloggers like a simple white background when choosing photos for their blogs.

[philosophiacreations]

My initial experience with transitioning to white backgrounds was pretty positive.

I took a sample of listings, took a few new photos and put those up as primary listing pictures. I did this for probably a dozen listings and promoted a few of those along with some of my regular items. Within a couple of days I did have my first front page feature. In hindsight, though, I'm not sure if it was a fluke or what.

More recently I am still quite drawn to my previous background - I've always really loved that look. But my white background photos probably do still accumulate hearts & views more quickly.

[Former_Member]

hi, i'm going to enter into this debate just because i am sick of stark white backgrounds. i used to really work hard to get that white look, and now i think it is souless. i see too many sellers "bleach" their photos with phot editing software, and it looks horrible. i make tons of treasuries, some make fp, and it is never the ones with the white background style. i think there is a new look etsy is inching towards, and it includes photos that breath atmosphere and warmth, and you won't get that from stark white backgrounds. use a piece of bleached wood, or something with a little more texture if you need that white.

what i look for (as a treasurer) is good cropping. Megan, your phots are great, clear and lovely, but stand back a little from your work. too much of the product is cropped. a little negative space around your product, no matter what colour, will go a long way in making your product pop and please the eye.

this is just my opinion btw :)

[Former_Member]

Thank you for all of the advice! This was really helpful and so appreciate everyone's input. I did some work on lightening some of my photos and I think that really helped. I may just experiment like some of you suggested with white and colored backgrounds and see how it goes.

[RetroChalet]

I envy those sellers with white backgrounds. I really love them. I actually set up a white board photography area on my desk but I was having shadow issues. So now I'm lazy and snap and crop. :)

[Former_Member]

i think you should take the best matching background for your products - not all products are good looking with white background - i like your photos - they are good - and the background is fine!

have a great day.

[Former_Member]

I personally am not fond of photoshop or using other programs to edit your photos. But I use posterboards and daylight bulbs to take my photos. I have an ottlite I use. I have noticed the results in my photos are so much better!

[EmilyMagoneArtist]

Megan, I agree with the above, it totally depends on your product. White does work for some products - I have to with the sheer/silk scarves, otherwise the true color is affected, but I think there are ways to keep it simple while still really making your product pop. For example, I think this pillow cover of yours would look amazing on a dark rich purple. :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/112698328/cozy-modern-pillow-cover-eco-friendly

[Former_Member]

I was using white backgrounds in all our pictures untill we were shown how good our items look in a more natural background. I think it all depends on what you are selling.

[Former_Member]

I agree with what another's rosin said about backing up and getting the whole pillow in the picture. I would also try lightening your pictures a bit more or find another area that is has more natural light. By no means are we experts,I know I'm not, I am experimenting right now with fotofuze, textured white background and some with props.

Michelle - Your jewelry is very pretty ,one thing I did notice is that your jewelry is angled at multiple angles and that makes your shop look really busy. I like both the white and grey backgrounds, some of the grey ones are a little dark though.

Good luck everyone!

[ElleMadisonEducation]

I don't think it has to be white, but I do believe that a solid background is key. And it is very rare that a prop looks good. I do like the way a trinket looks with a collection of vintage books, though... with a solid background, of course!

[Former_Member]

Every shop is different and depending how you want to portray your shop. I say for your items it would look good on a white background to bring out the color and item.

[Former_Member]

I Think with white background the attention is in the object but as you say it depends on the product. Maybe sometimes you need more than a simple surface.

[RDrewNaturals]

I am not sure about the all white background leading to better views, sells, etc. I personally feel that it is best to take pictures on a background that best suites your products. I feel a well taken picture will lead to great views, etc.

[Former_Member]

hmmm I remember when I first started using etsy everything suggested using white backgrounds for better quality, but I knew exactly what I wanted my shop, website, business cards, storefront everything to look like and even thought it's not quite there I knew a white background was not what I wanted and I went with a drk purple almost black background. \

BUT someone did say earlier that white backgrounds get picked for treasuries and that got me thinking even I tend to only use item on light backgrounds so I decided to dedicate a whole treasury to items on any other color background besides white to see how it works and to show them some love... (I might to include my own items if I cant find any lol) but I will post it here for you guys to have a look when I finish