You’ve got the perfect camera now it’s time to point, shoot and get those pictures posted on eBay. After all, if you want to sell your Internet auction items for as much as possible you need to snap to it… and remember to focus.
In my previous blog I mentioned the importance of investing in a sound tripod and making sure your pictures are clutter-free. Now, we’re moving on to some solid photography lessons—namely focusing.
How many times have you seen fuzzy pictures on eBay? I’m sure the blurred shots didn’t prompt you to place a bid on the item, especially if you had a hard time making out the details.
In most cases blurry shots can be blamed on either an auto focus malfunction or lack of depth of field. Most digital cameras feature a laser or infrared beam that projects onto the object being photographed. The camera then measures the reflection to determine the focus. However, the laser doesn’t always interpret a scene correctly. It can be fooled by the size of the item you are photographing or by a reflection off the item.
As far as the depth of field (or lack thereof) is concerned it too is a common photography mistake. It happens when the subject is in focus and the background is fuzzy. Depth of field is the distance that the camera will cover where everything is in focus. The lens opening on a camera adjusts to allow more or less light into the camera. When the lens opening is small, the focal length is longer and vice versa. This is an important fact to keep in mind when you shooting small objects items up close.
To adjust for these problems your best bet is to switch your camera from AUTO to MANUAL. Most digital cameras will allow the aperture (lens opening) to be set manually. Take a look at your camera—-the lens openings are marked as a series of numbers that range from 3.5 to 16. The higher the number the more depth of field you will achieve. If you are shooting a small object close up, set the aperture to 8 or higher and use a tripod to compensate for the slow shutter speed.
Another tip: Avoid relying on your camera’s zoom feature too much. Instead, get close to your subject. It is easier to focus accurately when you are close. Also, it will help you cut down on the amount of clutter in your shot.
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