| Most folks aren't getting the best value when | | | | lighting! Make sure your shot is full of light so that |
| selling their used cars simply because they don't | | | | you aren't shooting shadows. If you can't get light |
| know any better!The single most important | | | | then move the car, get artificial lights or wait for |
| element in selling your car is marketing it correctly. | | | | a brighter time of day.- The number of shots you |
| You want to portray your car in the best possible | | | | take will be determined by the type of vehicle |
| light so that online buyers know what it is that | | | | you are selling. For example, a 2-seater requires |
| they're buying.Think of your car as a fashion | | | | fewer shots than an SUV simply because there |
| model. Would you photograph that model with a | | | | are less doors and seats.- Manually turn on your |
| backdrop of power lines in an alley and other junk, | | | | camera's flash system so that the light backfills |
| or would you position her out on the beach with | | | | dark areas. This is crucial when shooting the |
| the picturesque ocean in the background? Would | | | | engine compartment and undercarriage.- When |
| you do close-up photographs of a new pimple on | | | | taking your shots, make sure you fill the frame |
| her chin, or would you zoom in on her eyes | | | | of the photograph so that it is mostly a picture of |
| instead?The goal is to make your customer feel | | | | your car. Your focus is on the car, so don't take |
| like he knows what the car is truly like. To do | | | | any of those long distance shots where you can't |
| that you must take at least 60 quality photos in | | | | make out much detail.The Money Shots - the |
| specific areas.Now that I have you thinking about | | | | number in parentheses shows about how many |
| it, here are some things to consider:Prepare Your | | | | photos to take for a 2-seater.- (4) Shoot all four |
| Car- Wash and wax your car- Thoroughly clean | | | | corners at 45 degree angles to the car. Shooting |
| windows and wheels- Degrease the engine | | | | downward from a ladder or chair gives your |
| compartment- Throw out any junk inside- | | | | pictures a unique viewpoint and also lets you |
| Vacuum out the interior- Clean any stains from | | | | eliminate much of the background "noise".- (10) |
| the carpets and seats- Clean out the trunkStage | | | | Crouch down and shoot 5 pictures across the |
| Your Car For Its Photo Shoot- Move the car into | | | | front starting at a 45 degree corner shot, then |
| an open area (an enclosed garage makes for | | | | straight on corner, then middle, then other straight |
| junky pictures). A park or school parking lot can | | | | corner and other 45 degree corner shots. Repeat |
| work but it is better to find a pleasant | | | | for the rear.- (4) Shoot wheels- (2) Shoot down |
| background as you compose your marketing | | | | length of car to show body straightness on each |
| pictures.- Make sure there are no other vehicles in | | | | side- (6) Shoot engine compartment from all |
| the background so that the focus is entirely on | | | | angles- (2) Shoot trunk straight on and from 45 |
| what you are selling and not on the noise in the | | | | degree angle- (3) Rear seat compartment.- (3) |
| background.- Double check to make sure there is | | | | Dashboard. Straight on from driver seat, middle |
| nothing junky in the background of your shot like | | | | and passenger seat.- (6) Open door. Shoot the |
| garbage dumpsters, bikes, power lines, etc.- Shoot | | | | hinge, door jamb and the door sill for each door.- |
| crisp, properly lighted digital photos (All you need is | | | | (2) Shoot the door panels with the doors open- |
| about 72 dpi resolution. Any more resolution | | | | (4) Open the doors and shoot the front seats.- |
| results in much larger image files and offers | | | | (2) Console between the front seats.- (2) Pedals |
| nothing for the online buyers.)- When shooting | | | | and floor wear areas.- (5) Undercarriage. Shoot |
| problem areas, like rust or dents, make sure you | | | | exhaust, brakes and frame. |
| include a non-rusted area in the shot.- Watch the | | | | |