Photographing People
by A.B. Russell
eBay Staff Member

I haven't talked much about photographing people because I didn't think it was really important for eBay. Then a friend showed me that photographing people could be as important as anything else in making photos for your listings.

Many times, items must be modeled to show what they do and more importantly, their unique features. While the item being sold is the most important part of the picture, for best results the overall image should be of high quality, as well. The principles are approximately the same as others we have discussed in previous articles, but on a larger scale.

Begin with a background. You can use a large piece of cloth—even a bed sheet will do. It's generally best to keep it simple: a single color or plain white. If you use another color, be sure it doesn't clash with your item. You can also use the side of a building, a simple park setting—the possibilities go on and on.

Next is your lighting. If you're photographing indoors, you can use the same lighting principle you've been using only on a larger scale. Set up a fairly large piece of cloth or tracing paper and direct your lights through that. You'll want to use more lights than for smaller objects because you're lighting a larger area. The lights are also probably farther away from the subject, and light falls off with distance. You can actually calculate how much the light will fall off using the inverse square law, but if you're not quite familiar with it, it may be more confusing than helpful. Be sure to use reflectors or fill in light to lighten the shadows on the side opposite the main lights.

If you're photographing outdoors, it's usually best to stay out of the direct sunlight. If you're shooting in an area with bright colors, be certain that the colors don't reflect on your subject. If you know how to use fill-in flash, that is an excellent option.

Posing is often challenging. The model, remember, isn't your main subject. You will want to pose your model so that the item you're selling is the center of attraction in your photo, while keeping the entire photo attractive. In most cases, it's best to have your model sit or stand at an angle to the camera. Watch where the hands are placed, and be sure there's nothing behind the model that could appear to be sticking out of their head.

Applying these techniques with live models or mannequins will help you present your clothing, jewelry and other accessory items in their best light.