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Etsy Holiday How-To #4: Photographing Your Items
Story by EtsyStore, saguirl
Published on October 14, 2008 in How-To 		Photo by

saguirl

For our fourth how-to in this series, the Etsy Labs crew escapes the glare of the paparrazi just long enough to show you how to make your item photos look sharp and professional.  From backdrops to cropping, learn how to make those JPEGS sparkle and shine! 

 

And remember to stay tuned for our how-to next week!

Here are the previous ones in this series:

Etsy Holiday How-To #1: Packaging

Etsy Holiday How-To #2: Branding your Shipping Materials

Etsy Holiday How-To #3: Creating Labels and Hang-Tags

See more in the Seller Handbook!

[This video was originally published October 12, 2007. We're bringing it back for the '08 season!]

Tags Etsy Holiday How-tos, Etsy Labs, Holiday, holiday how-tos, How-To, HOW-TO, photographing, photography, pictures, Seller Handbook, selling, video, videos, Your Shop 101
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127 comments     Login to add your own!

Oct. 12, 2007 at 5:39 p.m. TeenAngster

Aw, man. Love the project runway vibe! Great tips!

Oct. 12, 2007 at 6:04 p.m. samann1121

Any chance these videos will be posted to YouTube? My computer hates these videos but loves YouTube.

Oct. 12, 2007 at 6:17 p.m. TeenAngster

If you search for Etsy on Youtube, they'll come up.

Oct. 12, 2007 at 7:31 p.m. anda

Lol, lookit my baby bump up there.

Oct. 12, 2007 at 9:05 p.m. 410BC

love this video and thank you guys for including us! <3

Oct. 12, 2007 at 9:05 p.m. pookeh

fabulous tut!

Oct. 13, 2007 at 8:57 a.m. naturalabstracts

Could you post a transcript of the video for those of us temporarily on Dino-Dial UP??

Oct. 13, 2007 at 3:58 p.m. daniellexo

whomp dere it iz!

Oct. 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. CaprichosDePapel

amazing tips! thanks guys!

Oct. 13, 2007 at 10:27 p.m. athousandnonedreams

thank u guys soooo much

(*_*)
> 0 <
^ ^

Oct. 14, 2007 at 3:21 p.m. mlcleavinger

The video on photography came up black and no sound. What am I doing wrong?

Oct. 14, 2007 at 8:08 p.m. fernfiddlehead

That was great. I need these tips and I need a new camera.

Oct. 15, 2007 at 1:13 a.m. chocolateandsteel

I love your How-to tips. I just sat here and watched all 4. I'm so inspired, thanks!

Oct. 16, 2007 at 11:36 p.m. katelynjane

You guys are awesome!

Oct. 23, 2007 at 1:19 p.m. miraartz

fyi
I have high speed internet. But I can't hear what is being said.i donno why?

Nov. 1, 2007 at 1:31 p.m. ahna

Hi - the photography vid was really great! I'd like to offer up an article I wrote about lighting. This is a technique I learned in college over 20 years ago and I'm happy to pass it onto you.

http://artcreated.com/article_lightin...

Dec. 5, 2007 at 2:21 p.m. SandFibers

Great video on photography!

May 13, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. angelwraps

does anyone ever answer these comments, or do ppl just read them?

May 13, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. TeenAngster

We read 'em!

May 13, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. TeenAngster

And answer, when possible!

June 24, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. allunique

Just setting up shop.. Lot more to this site than My daughter told me....

Aug. 18, 2008 at 3 p.m. ModFarmgirl

Great video! Thank you!

Oct. 14, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. minouxjewelry

Excellent short and sweet video! Thanks for the white balance tip.

Oct. 14, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. smmak2

great info!! thanks so much

Oct. 14, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. PinkCheeksStudios

I like it!

Oct. 14, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. rikrak

another superdooper how-to, nicies! thanks again!

Oct. 14, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. inspiredbyjenna

great tips!

Oct. 14, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. Studio618

Thanks for the photo tips. I love these how-tos. You make them look so simple.

Oct. 14, 2008 at 6 p.m. prittyaht

wow! your timing is on the money! i was just saying how badly i need tips on this topic. digital is somehow so much harder than old school manual. thanks

Oct. 14, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. LaveMeSoapCo

great tips but don't forget that magic of a light box
<--see?

Oct. 14, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. thatwinsomegirl

I loved these Holiday How-To videos last year and they are still absolutely awesome this year! Thanks for bringing them back.

Oct. 14, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. neverenoughhours

Thanks for this!

Oct. 14, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. arnym

Thank you!

Oct. 14, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. BluCille

Those vintage camera earrings are neat!

Oct. 15, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. LittleSnowflakes

Thanks for helping me rediscover "whitebalance". It's amazing what a person forgets when they have been out of the media arena for so long.

Oct. 15, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. nfall2rt

Very helpful, thanks! I'm one of those impossible impulsive people that does before reading directions. Now to go flip through my camera manual....

Oct. 15, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. bohemiababy

thanks for the tips! especially the white balancing one!

Oct. 15, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. minniesheart

Fun and educational, thanks!

Oct. 15, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. StudioAMF

I can always use help with photos! Thanks for the tips!

Oct. 16, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. FluteTeacher

Very helpful. Thanks!

Oct. 16, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. beachglassbaba

Great hints! Thank you.

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. KaleidoscopeKorner

i just made a light box out of cardboard, etc and then found this...so helpful...thanks so much for all your hard work(hahaha...looks like you had more fun than hard work!);)

Oct. 17, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. MadEarth

thanks for helping us succeed, etsy labs!!!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. ArtByShameka

Thanks for the tips. I've been using natural light when possible, but didn't know about white balance. Can't wait to see what's on the other videos. btw, you goofballs make laugh!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. motherscraft

Great tips!
I have that camera! Going to play!
Thanks

Oct. 18, 2008 at 1:20 a.m. busybeekreations

Great Tips ! Thank you.

Oct. 20, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. Owlishly

I always forget about white balance, thanks for the reminder!

Oct. 21, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. alankarshilpa

Thanks so much. I use macro and natural light for my jewelry photos. The white balance is a great idea. I'll try that now. Dita.

Oct. 22, 2008 at 2:47 a.m. daya81

that was adorable!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. MYTV

Great video!!!
Thanks

Oct. 23, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. BibBon

I really took this to heart when it first came out and it helped my photos a lot!!! It's very funny to see my beginning photos and compare with my now photos.

THANK YOU ETSY LABS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oct. 28, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. WatchingYouGrow

Thanks!!! That was soooooooo helpful. Let's see if I can put what I learned into practice!!!

Nov. 4, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. MyDarlingBaby

cool stuff!

Nov. 11, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. jewelrybyallison

Thanks so much for all the tips!

Nov. 11, 2008 at 8 p.m. crazy4wind

crazy cool! thanks for great tips!

Nov. 18, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. TheGreenZebra

What a great tutorial! You guys make it look so easy. I just spent like 2 days working on photographing my items.

I love the picket fence idea or having a consistent background for your items so your buyers can identify your items right away.

Nov. 24, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. krystalsbykrystallee

Awesome tips! Thank you.....

Nov. 24, 2008 at 6 p.m. fatcrowpress

I just set up shop and I am hooked!! I am enjoying the helpful how to's. They are a huge help. Thanks for making this easy !

Nov. 25, 2008 at 1:32 a.m. SANDYSAYLE

Thanks for the tips!! I'll have to check out the white balance...

Nov. 26, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. inbloomdesigns

Great article! I am trying to transition from taking all my pictures outside (it is so cold out now) to inside, and these tips will be helpful!

Nov. 28, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. whitecatdesign

I'm learning so much!! Thank you for all your info!!

Nov. 29, 2008 at 1:58 a.m. BubbleyBoutique

Where can I find that Etsy.com TEE? I love that!

Dec. 15, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. aromaticbodyoils

Lol, thanks for sharing!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. VonlenskaVintage

i <3 etsy

Dec. 19, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. VonlenskaVintage

to BubbleyBoutique: etsy labs sells their tee shirts from their username "etsylabs". they've got a bunch of really cool designs!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. europegirl

Thaks, it was very helpful!

Feb. 17, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. YourSpecialCharm

So helpful...thank you so much...esp. liked the idea of not using landscape so much, only portrait!

May 2, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. AzitasSurprises

i learned so much. thanks for sharing!

May 20, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. MBraze

Thank you ,thank you so much! very thorough and extremely helpful!

June 2, 2009 at 3:23 a.m. madebysam

great tips! Thank you very much etsy:)

June 7, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. mammysshop

Great tips! Thank you so much.

July 6, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. MadeByFire

Tnx. Great tips!!

July 28, 2009 at 4:38 a.m. bewitchment

i love these video rather than reading..i spend 6 to 8 hours a day online and everything looks the same i watched all 3 of the videos..loved them and will remember them more that a lot of stuff i have read....thanks for the great ideas and tips

Aug. 11, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. DalkullanJewelry

Great article! The white balance tip was a definite 'light bulb turning on' moment for me. Thank you!

Aug. 15, 2009 at 9:44 p.m. yosemitevintage

Oh bewitchment, you are so right. Love to see training on video! Yes Etsy, more videos for us to learn. I would love to see information on all the different lighting and light bulbs that are available and when to buy what.
Thank you!

Aug. 19, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. CarolinaTopet

THank you,I hope to improve my pictures !!!

Sept. 21, 2009 at 4:35 a.m. APACHETEAR

IM GOING TO MAKE THAT LIGHT BOX TOMORROW
THANK YOU SO MUCH

Sept. 22, 2009 at 10:41 p.m. AChildsDreamParty

Awesome! Using the white paper to figure out white balance is genius! :)

Oct. 21, 2009 at 9:22 p.m. MagMoment

That was helpful and fun!

Oct. 30, 2009 at 11:24 a.m. LavenderField

great video! loved it, and loved the tips, thank you so much xxxx

Oct. 30, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. Jackiegee

Cant seem to get the video to work :(

Nov. 3, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. ModernMetalJewelry

Loved the tips! Many thanks!

Jan. 1, 2010 at 3:31 p.m. FickleFrog

Great Tips, need to study my camera how too book.
Thanks

Jan. 5, 2010 at 1:13 p.m. IrelandBrady

TY 4 all the great tips! I especially like the concept of an identifying background, makes sense!

Jan. 8, 2010 at 1:09 p.m. litapsilverj

Super fun watching the photo video. It helped me quite a bit. Never fiddled with the settings on my camera and did not realize it had the light setting! You guys rock!!!
Thanks a gazillion!

Jan. 8, 2010 at 1:10 p.m. litapsilverj

Super fun watching the photo video. Found out some things about my camera that I didn't know before. Your guys rock! Thanks a gazillion!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 4:33 p.m. Simag

I L O V E your "How-to tips".
I'm so inspired!!!
THANK Y O U !

Jan. 19, 2010 at 4:42 p.m. thenettiep

That was so fabulous, Darlings, simply fabulous!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 4:42 p.m. ModernMetalJewelry

Fun video and great tips. Thanks!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 5:03 p.m. urbanfusions

Thanks for sharing. You're all so cute!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 5:57 p.m. PoplarRidgePottery

Great ideas!! I never thought about "cheeting" and getting more than one shot in a single photo. Thanks for the white balance info. too.

Jan. 19, 2010 at 6:01 p.m. EmbellishYourself

Excellent!!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 6:22 p.m. LovelandShadeTree

It's always good to be reminded how important our photos are, just in case we have gotten lazy. I think I need to revisit some product shots, thanks for reminding me.

Jan. 19, 2010 at 6:58 p.m. ferozasjewelery

Thanks for sharing.

Jan. 19, 2010 at 7:23 p.m. sofisticata

Very nice and helpful! thank you !!! :)

Jan. 19, 2010 at 7:27 p.m. AmericanHandmade

Great tips and ideas! thanks! I REALLY NEEDED THIS. I got a Computer instead of lighting for christmas so I'll have to make some kind of setup. I need better pictures on my site. Thanks again for some Great tips.

Jan. 19, 2010 at 7:28 p.m. elemegibere

Thank you!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 8:07 p.m. victoriaelizabethqoc

Thanks for the tips!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 8:11 p.m. jewelryNgemstones

Hoping these tips will help my photos. Thanks a bunch

Jan. 19, 2010 at 8:19 p.m. samsstuff

Thanks for the helpful advice! I am slowly redoing shop photos, so these are good reminders.

Jan. 19, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. MelsBellsClocheHats

Simply fabulous!!! I learned more from this video clip than all of the articles, forum posts etc. I have previously poured over. I'm definitely going to increase my live model pics. Thanks guys! :)

Jan. 19, 2010 at 8:34 p.m. MetroGypsy

Very informative but fun tips and advice! Thanks for the post!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 9:09 p.m. jechorydesigns

That was very helpful,thanks!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 9:10 p.m. jechorydesigns

That was very helpful, thanks!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 9:34 p.m. saraparker

Thanks!! You guys are really helpful, and we appreciate it.

Jan. 20, 2010 at 12:15 a.m. NADINEmedinadesigns

Thanks for the tip on distinct and easily identifiable backgrounds. I actually never considered that before now, but it makes perfect sense.

Jan. 20, 2010 at 12:19 a.m. TheHourglassStudio

I needed this info, thank you

Jan. 20, 2010 at 12:36 a.m. SugarvilleCandles

THE ETSY CREW IS THE BEST! You guys should have your own TV show on Bravo or E!--SERIOUSLY!

Jan. 20, 2010 at 2:03 a.m. freyagushi

I take picture since years and still it helped me ! thanks a lot.

Jan. 20, 2010 at 2:18 a.m. KNPhotography

Good tips.
Except that White Balance is not for when your images look dark, but instead when they have a color cast to them (Often a problem when using incandescent or fluorescent lighting) EV is for fixing exposure problems; images to dark or to light. Don't get the two confused. :)

Jan. 20, 2010 at 2:23 a.m. 12anglesart

thanks!

Jan. 20, 2010 at 6:11 a.m. carlossantiago

super!!! thanks!

Jan. 20, 2010 at 6:29 a.m. PinkTigerTextiles

Really great 'how to' have taken some notes and will hopefully be able to take better photos now!

thanks!!

Jan. 20, 2010 at 6:30 a.m. ozzana

great info! Thanks!

Jan. 20, 2010 at 8 a.m. ilovetweek

AWESOME tips!!!..thanks so much!!!!

Jan. 20, 2010 at 12:54 p.m. birdsinchandeliers

I had completely forgotten about the white balance on my camera. Thanks!

Jan. 20, 2010 at 4:45 p.m. Yayahandicraft

Ohhh I have something new about my camera. Thank you so much!!

Jan. 20, 2010 at 7:02 p.m. prayernotesbycynthia

Thank you! This helps so much!

Jan. 21, 2010 at 1:19 p.m. Esria

Great tips! I didn't know about the white balance on cameras. I've got to try that. If it would allow me to take pictures indoors, I'd be so happy. Right now I take them outside and cloudy or rainy days are my enemy!

Jan. 21, 2010 at 5:11 p.m. betinaworks

Wow! Such great tips! And right when I was ready to take a little drive over my camera. Thank you so much.

Jan. 21, 2010 at 7:20 p.m. zueeuz

Thanks for ALOT of great information in a SHORT amount of time, appreciate that!

Jan. 23, 2010 at 3:03 p.m. ChrisBDesigns

Fabulous. Great tips. Thanks

Jan. 29, 2010 at 12:10 a.m. PureaAccessory

Motivating! Thank you!

Jan. 31, 2010 at 12:31 p.m. LeslieGallery

i loved this video. it was fun and full of tips. thank you! i can't wait to get started.

Feb. 1, 2010 at 9:02 a.m. flashbackintime

I needed this. Thanks much.

Feb. 1, 2010 at 4:07 p.m. thedootdootstore

funny and informative! Best.

Feb. 6, 2010 at 3:21 p.m. amytrimble

Great tips! Thank you.

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