Before and after. The joy of photoshop. I had very little time to take this photo so it looks a mess. I completely got rid of the background in photoshop and added a black one instead, then white stars. I left all the labels on purpose because although they look a mess they make it clear that this is a new belt and never worn. As you can see I’ve changed the contrast and sharpened the image as well. The possibilties in photoshop are endless, making a crap photo into a half decent one.

When the item itself is dull, it’s important to make the background interesting. I try to use contrasting colours. So for example if the sock is white, use a dark colour to set it off. I always think the 2 colour backgrounds really add interest too. It’s also very important to include a photo of the product in it’s packaging to prove it is brand new.

It is possible to make even boring socks look cool!

This was very simple. I took 2 photos and layered them in photoshop. I used the black “Star In The Hood” t-shirt as the back drop and then simply laid the chain over it. I took another photo of the star on a plain black background and used a slightly different angle. Only slight issoe is the close up has a slight blue tinge to it, but as the other shot doesn’t I thought it was ok to leave it as it is.

Cath Kidston is such a popular designer here in the UK. I really don’t like her style at all. It’s far too pretty and flowery, but I don’t only sell stuff on Ebay I like, I sell stuff that’s popular, and she is! I used a backdrop of a blue sheet and one of my daughters t-shirts. I also included small photo of the pillowcase in the packet, because people want to see that they will receive a brand new sealed packet. The pillowcases sold like hot cakes!

Seems appropriate to add this VIP Pass today, as George has just been arrested again. I don’t like him very much. I loved him in Wham, but then he began to take himself way too seriously. I went to see him at the Wembley Arena and really didn’t enjoy the concert at all. Too me he has no soul, no real passion and his performance left me cold. This VIP Pass sold well though, so I know he does have a huge following. From a technical point of view I just kept it dead simple, or maybe my heart wasn’t in it either. I placed the pass on a gold piece of card and then added the rest in photoshop.

I’ve probably sold more wristbands on ebay than anything else. They are cheap to buy, easy to photograph, and small and light to post. But making them look good still needs work. Whenever you sell anything you have to think about who is going to buy it. Also different labels have different images. Quiksilver has a surf image, Nike a sports/hip hop image, Boxfresh a British Grime/chav image etc etc. You must take this into consideration when you are selling them. You’ll notice once again I’ve used the 2 tone backgrounds. You’ll also notice I’ve added some models. You’ll have to work out which ones are me!

Ok here is the process. This wallet is damn ugly but Kappa is quite in with Chavs. So I had the idea of using my hoodie as the background. (See photo below of me in it!). On the top photo you will see how I literally laid the wallet on the sweatshirt and took the photo. I wasn’t happy with that, so if you look at the second photo you will see I’ve removed the No 80 from the top and actually added another photo of the back of the wallet there instead. That was created in a new layer in photoshop. Then I added the blue line down the side so it looked more framed because I knew it would be sitting on a white background on the Ebay listing. As always, show the label, it proves it’s brand new. I think I made the most of a crappy wallet really!

I noticed that last year Betty Poop seemed to becoming more popular again. So before Christmas I decided to try selling some socks. I also offered a personalied bookmark which is what you can see on the left hand side of the photo. I used the 2 tone background as usual and added some stars in photoshop. I put them on as a Buy It Now and they sold within 24 hours.

I think black and gold always looks good. I used my normal trademark of putting the items on a two tone background of black and gold. Personally I think the cream and gold beanie looks great. I’d never wear one but it sold well, so someone did!!

The Nike Air Jordan logos were added in photoshop and I gave them glowing edges to add a bit more interest.

Always add a logo if you can!

Hey I’ll sell anything! I have to say that aprons are one of the hardest things to photograph. Mainly because you need to stand on a chair to get far enough away from them! On the spotty one I used our granite worktop, put a roll of white wallpaper under part of it, added some mugs and chrome to set the scene and there you go. The cow one was easier as I knew it would sell without all the extra work, so I just kept it simple. Oh I even ironed the creases out. Are you impressed?