A Simple Way To Diffuse Your Flash

I just discovered a great new tool that makes using a flash easy. Using a diffuser will minimize contrast and help reduce shadows.

Here's a video about it:

A Great Use Of Video In Auctions

From Janelle Elms Newsletter:
"Here is another member who has utilized not only video in her listings, but has taken the information she learned in the eBay Stores Success Video (http://storessuccessvideo.com/clovercity/) , added the very important 'Pay It Forward' principles AND got very creative on animating her videos too (Cindy will be proud).
Check out Maria's auction that has already received 3700 hits in just 3 days.
check it out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230165469648"

Yes, Janelle I am proud!
What a wonderful use of video.
Best wishes to Peggy Sue

Tips For Lighting Paintings

I received this email today, and thought I'd share the answer on the blog.


"I'm a bit confused here on the lighting for art work.

I have a new consignment in and I need to get the right kind of inexpensive lighting to take the best pictures. Can you possible direct me to what I need?

Any and All help will be Greatly Appreciated!"

Thanks
Trisha
Double Eagle Antiques
Where Consignments Live While Waiting For A Home
www.auctionconsignmentthriftstore.com

Here's my answer - Please feel free to post any comments and help for Trisha in the comments section.

Hi Trisha,
I'm guessing you are talking about flat artwork, like paintings?

The best way to bring out the colors, depth and possible reflections from the glass frame is to use soft or diffused lighting.

If you are not ready to spend money on a light set-up you can use other means to diffuse light.

Here's what I would try:

Set the artwork on a table, or floor lying flat.
Find two lights - the same type -- don't mix light sources.
Put one light on either side of the artwork

Now, find a translucent (see through) material - preferably white or clear plastic, and put the material between your lights and the artwork.

This may take an extra set of hands or a way to hang the material while you take the picture.

Shoot straight down from above the artwork - this may involve you being on a ladder.

Or my favorite alternatives is to use a light set with shoot-through umbrellas - here's a link to them in my store so you can see what I am talking about: Light Set For Artwork

Guidelines For Shooting Better Quality Videos

Guidelines for Shooting Quality Videos

You grab your new digital camcorder and happily shoot.
Only later do you realize that the video footage was too dark, or the video quality was terrible. Isn't that a terrible feeling? What makes it worse is that you can never re-shoot that video as the happy moments are now gone.
The best way of avoiding these problems is to learn some basic video shooting skills. You need not learn complex cinematography or directorial skills, of course. But you should have some fundamental knowledge of what goes into a good video shoot and doesn't.

This great article can be found here:
http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/shoot-video.html

More information about shooting videos for eBay can be found:
http://www.clovercitysells.com/howtousevideo.htm

Squidoo Is Holding A Video Contest

Squidoo Is Holding A Video Contest. This is a great opportunity to get the word out about your lens AND as a result get traffic into your store.

The finalists will be posted on the front page of squidoo.com and on youtube.com

Here' s what Squidoo has to say about the squidcomercial:

"Just grab a video camera, the Squidoo prop we've designed for you, and some of that Patented Squidoo Cleverness. We'll compile the best clips into a superstar video that we'll run on the homepage, in lens headers, on the Squidblog, and more."

Have some fun and get some publicity at the same time!
Here's the URL for more information: http://www.squidoo.com:80/thesquidmercial

By the way, if you want to learn more about putting videos into your eBay listings please check out my soon to be released DVD on How To Put Videos In Your eBay Listings

Auction TNT

I don't subscribe to services everyday, in fact I'm cheap (OK - thrifty), a do it yourself type. But I just found this new site called Auction TNT which really fits in when it comes to taking my business to the next level.

The tools you will find there are:

• Product Sourcing
• Picture, Audio, Video hosting
• Audio & Video Creation Tools
• Traffic Multiplying Tools

What really got me to jump on board was the Audio & Video creation and hosting tools. They are very easy to use.

Did you know Internet Marketers find that when they add audio video to their sites they find an average of 72% increase in sales? Think what that will do for your eBay sales.

I really feel AuctionTNT is a powerful tool you should look into.

And by the way, if you are looking for more information about how to produce Videos for your listings, watch out for my up coming DVD How To Add Video To Your eBay Auctions

Yahoo Photos Is Closing

If you've been using Yahoo as your photo service it's time to move them. Here's the official notification from Yahoo that it's closing the service.

"Dear Yahoo! Photos user,

"For some time now, we've supported two great photo sharing services: Yahoo! Photos and Flickr. But even good things come to an end, and we've decided to close Yahoo! Photos to focus all our efforts on Flickr — the award-winning photo sharing community that TIME Magazine has called "completely addictive."

Until then, we are offering you the opportunity to move to another photo sharing service (Flickr, KODAK Gallery, Shutterfly, Snapfish, or Photobucket). We're making the transfer real simple, and with a couple clicks we'll automatically move your photos to Flickr or wherever you want them. You can also download your original-resolution photos back to your computer, or buy an archive CD from our featured partner (for users of the New Yahoo! Photos only). All you need to do is tell us what to do with your photos before we close, after which any photos remaining on Yahoo! Photos will be deleted and no longer accessible.


We will officially close Yahoo! Photos on Thursday, September 20, 2007, at 9 p.m. PDT. After that time, any photos remaining in Yahoo! Photos will be deleted."

Using An 18% Gray Card To Improve Your Photo Exposures

Here's a video about Gray Cards:




You can find the gray card in my eBay Store CloverCity Sells