Thanks for the video. As someone who buys a lot of second hand books - I think the most important photo (besides the front cover) is the top edge of the book. It shows any foxing or yellowing of the pages (or any dreaded folded corners!!!). Photos of the page edges shows the condition of the book more than any other photo IMHO. l really love a seller who shows all 4 sides of a book (all 6 sides if you count the front and back cover). Also - if the book has a dust jacket - the back of the dust jacket is good to show as it can often have age marks and spots.
That's a very good point. Thanks. Something I'm going to have to incorporate into my future listings. Can't with the older listings, as they're already packed up, ready to go.
I'm a firm believer, in that, the pictures can sell the book. Since e-Bay allows up to 24 pictures now, I don't hesitate using that quantity up, if the book can supply them. I always show the table of contents (makes sense to me that the buyer would like to see what chapters are included), any lists of illustrations, maps, etc. Quite often will use pics of the Foreword and Preface to the book. Also, in the case of that cook book, I would show some representative recipes. Has always worked for me.
Yeah, I was surprised, with a cookbook, he didn't take at least one photo of the table of contents, as well as some representative recipes. I will take photos of the entire table of contents, which often encompass three or more pages. If I have space, I will take photos of section headers, if they have their own table of contents. Right or wrong? Overkill? I don't know. I don't sell $500 a week in books. Not even close.
Yep, I totally agree with you guys. Was about to say the same thing about contents page. I always do at least 12 photo’s, but often more if needed. With a cookbook, customers will definitely want to know what sort of recipes are inside. If I was in a bookstore looking at a book, I wouldn’t buy it just by looking at the cover and title page only. The photo’s are our chance to entice the buyer.
@@lozzieburger A picture is worth a thousand words. Show them what they would look at if they were in a bookstore holding the book. It's all selling and the pictures really help sell the book, in my opinion. @criscoleman I don't sell $500.00 a week either, at least not often.
I have a similar photo-taking method and setup, and it has always worked well for me, too. I don't like listings with a single stock photo either as a seller or buyer. I feel strongly that if you're selling a book that's not new or like-new condition, there should always be photos of the actual book in the listing! Thanks for sharing!
Varies per value for me. ~$40+: B/F covers, all 3 edges, spine, copyright, signed (if signed), random page(s)(marking or not), library marks. If has DJ, remove DJ and covers. If under $40 or too thin to get edge photos, then I get 4-5 pics. I always and something in the condition description: "Very minor DJ wear; spotting; mint pages" etc.
I have found the easiest process for me to complete a listing is to start it on my desktop or laptop (from a similar item), then save it for later as a draft. Then I use my phone to take pictures of the book. Then I use the eBay app on my phone and I can open the draft listing and dump the photos straight from my phone to the listing. then I save it as a draft again and got back and finish the listing it on my laptop where it is easier to type and do research on the item. I absolutely hate transferring files around on media cards or up and down from the cloud. The eBay app makes it easy to move the photos right into the listing, and also to do the rotating and trimming of the photos.
I do the same process as you, John. Apparently you can save even more time if you take the photo’s while actually inside your draft… hitting the + button and then the camera icon to take the photo’s…. rather than taking photo’s the normal way and then dragging them across from photo’s into the listing. (I haven’t tried it yet.). Think it saves a lot of the waiting time.
I just upload my phone pics straight to the laptop, a one-step process, the reason being-no matter how I set up my lighting, it's always too dark, or off-color, or something. So, I have to do some minor editing on most things.
I agree with adding more photos. You have no clue what you are buying with a stock photo. I even add a couple of interior pages. I think it lets the buyer get an better idea of what they are buying and helps the sale. I also post in the description that all my photos are of the book they are buying. I've been getting a lot of good reviews stating that the book is exactly as described. I'm also having fun, learning how to include videos by flipping pages of illustrated books.
I use a white canvas to take photos of. It's a large canvas and will hold just about any size book. I take a LOT of photos. With cookbooks, I do all the ones you mentioned, plus I take photos of the table of contents, each page of the index and a few examples of the recipes which will show the size of the font, etc. It takes longer, but my buyers seem to like it. I could probably list a lot more quicker if I would just take 7-10 pics rather than 24.
Excellent video, Shane! I'm sure your grandmother would be pleased that you've put her baking cabinet to good use! :) I use a 35mm camera, as well, to take photos. Each book is different, of course, but I think the shots that you highlighted in the video are probably the most important to include. I've never used a stock photo for anything that I've sold. I guess if you are selling $4 cheap paperbacks, it would be okay to do so. But, definitely not for the type of books that we sell!
Hello, just started following your videos. Thank you for all your help on the books. When you take the inside title page and information page with publisher dates, my question is whether you are not worried about the copyright disclaimer. I fear taking pictures of the title page and the book information page in newer publications because of their copyright disclaimers. Therefore, I have niched down my photos to include the outside, edges, inside front and back covers, and any damages on all the books whether older or newer. What do you recommend? Thanks for your help.
I won't buy a book unless I see some readable pictures of inside pages. I also need the dimensions of the book. I'm usually shopping for books based on topic or category. How can I make a decision if I don't know if the content meets my needs or tastes? I need pictures of sample content.
Good idea about the dimensions. I hadn't thought about that. Do you put that in the title, as most people don't seem to read the descriptions. Some don't even read all the titles. LOL I had one woman request a return for a pair of Capri pants because she didn't know they were Capris, even though Capris was in both the description AND the title. LOL
I had to laugh when you said, "Hey, I'm old school, I'm in my fifties." So am I LOL Great tips. I have a question: Do you have any suggestions to cut the glare on highly reflective items? Quite often jacketed books, magazines, and glossy photos end up having flares spots from the lights, which keeps you from seeing a true representation of the item. I have to work in my garage, which has a bright overhead light and I also use a ring light. The glare is really frustrating, so would love to find a way around that. 😊
@@sandy-sagerabbitvintage2681 I'll have to try that. Normally, I would shoot from a lower angle, which takes the squareness away. Or I would aim the lights at the ceiling, but I most of the time have to edit for better contrast or more white background. It will be interesting to see how this works. Thanks.
Thanks. I'm wondering how you photograph sets of books. I'm also surprised that, with a cookbook, you didn't take pics of the table of contents and maybe some representative pics of recipes. I would think a book with a lot of photos in it would be benefited by having some pics of some of them, not just with cookbooks, but other books with pictures. But then, what do I know? I don't sell $500 worth of books in a year (usually), let alone a week. That's not for not trying. I think I sold one 1920s National Geographic magazine out of half a dozen I had listed before I pulled them. Now I have tons of vintage NG sets in 6-month boxes, and I've been hesitant to list them.
Out of curiosity, why don't you use a scanner to take pictures of your books (that is, for books that are not delicate and can be opened fully without damaging their binding)? I have a scanner that can do a scan in 4-8 seconds, always perfect and ready to use with no fiddling with light, flash, white balance, contrast, cropping etc.) I noticed very few booksellers on eBay use scanners for some reason.
Mainly a time thing. Most folks scanners are slower and sellers don’t want to take the time. That said- a scanner would be a great option in those cases.
Hi Shane, happy 4th. Very helpful video. I have an opportunity to purchase large quantity of .25 western paperbacks. Any recommendations on what i should be looking for author wise?
Nice! I would look at Max Brand, Zane Grey, and Louis Lamour for sure. Pretty anything should sell in lots. PB westerns should bring $1-$1.50 each on the low end when sold in lots. Max Brand should bring more. If you get all of the Sackett series from Lamour that bundles for a nice profit. Older vintage, pulp ones might sell individually. Good luck!
@@curatorofthelost I have four volumes of the Sackett series. I think there might be five. I'm having trouble getting them listed, though, because I want to read them all. LOL I've always loved the Sackett series, as they're all a bunch of super heroes, almost like Superman for Westerns. Not sure what to price them yet.
Thanks for the video. As someone who buys a lot of second hand books - I think the most important photo (besides the front cover) is the top edge of the book. It shows any foxing or yellowing of the pages (or any dreaded folded corners!!!). Photos of the page edges shows the condition of the book more than any other photo IMHO. l really love a seller who shows all 4 sides of a book (all 6 sides if you count the front and back cover). Also - if the book has a dust jacket - the back of the dust jacket is good to show as it can often have age marks and spots.
That's a very good point. Thanks. Something I'm going to have to incorporate into my future listings. Can't with the older listings, as they're already packed up, ready to go.
I'm a firm believer, in that, the pictures can sell the book. Since e-Bay allows up to 24 pictures now, I don't hesitate using that quantity up, if the book can supply them. I always show the table of contents (makes sense to me that the buyer would like to see what chapters are included), any lists of illustrations, maps, etc. Quite often will use pics of the Foreword and Preface to the book. Also, in the case of that cook book, I would show some representative recipes. Has always worked for me.
Yeah, I was surprised, with a cookbook, he didn't take at least one photo of the table of contents, as well as some representative recipes. I will take photos of the entire table of contents, which often encompass three or more pages. If I have space, I will take photos of section headers, if they have their own table of contents. Right or wrong? Overkill? I don't know. I don't sell $500 a week in books. Not even close.
Yep, I totally agree with you guys. Was about to say the same thing about contents page. I always do at least 12 photo’s, but often more if needed. With a cookbook, customers will definitely want to know what sort of recipes are inside. If I was in a bookstore looking at a book, I wouldn’t buy it just by looking at the cover and title page only. The photo’s are our chance to entice the buyer.
@@lozzieburger A picture is worth a thousand words. Show them what they would look at if they were in a bookstore holding the book. It's all selling and the pictures really help sell the book, in my opinion. @criscoleman I don't sell $500.00 a week either, at least not often.
Taking some photos from the pages with cool pictures specifically for picture books help a lot.
LOVE the Kliban cat poster!
I appreciate your advice and seeing your setup. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
I have a similar photo-taking method and setup, and it has always worked well for me, too. I don't like listings with a single stock photo either as a seller or buyer. I feel strongly that if you're selling a book that's not new or like-new condition, there should always be photos of the actual book in the listing! Thanks for sharing!
Varies per value for me. ~$40+: B/F covers, all 3 edges, spine, copyright, signed (if signed), random page(s)(marking or not), library marks. If has DJ, remove DJ and covers. If under $40 or too thin to get edge photos, then I get 4-5 pics. I always and something in the condition description: "Very minor DJ wear; spotting; mint pages" etc.
One thing I do for thin books/booklets is put small bookends on either side to get shots of the leaf edges.
I have found the easiest process for me to complete a listing is to start it on my desktop or laptop (from a similar item), then save it for later as a draft. Then I use my phone to take pictures of the book. Then I use the eBay app on my phone and I can open the draft listing and dump the photos straight from my phone to the listing. then I save it as a draft again and got back and finish the listing it on my laptop where it is easier to type and do research on the item. I absolutely hate transferring files around on media cards or up and down from the cloud. The eBay app makes it easy to move the photos right into the listing, and also to do the rotating and trimming of the photos.
I do the same process as you, John. Apparently you can save even more time if you take the photo’s while actually inside your draft… hitting the + button and then the camera icon to take the photo’s…. rather than taking photo’s the normal way and then dragging them across from photo’s into the listing. (I haven’t tried it yet.). Think it saves a lot of the waiting time.
I just upload my phone pics straight to the laptop, a one-step process, the reason being-no matter how I set up my lighting, it's always too dark, or off-color, or something. So, I have to do some minor editing on most things.
I agree with adding more photos. You have no clue what you are buying with a stock photo. I even add a couple of interior pages. I think it lets the buyer get an better idea of what they are buying and helps the sale. I also post in the description that all my photos are of the book they are buying. I've been getting a lot of good reviews stating that the book is exactly as described. I'm also having fun, learning how to include videos by flipping pages of illustrated books.
Ooh, that's a good idea about taking a video. Do you have an example of one of your videos?
I too do my listings in groups of no more than 10. This way if you make a mistake, it is not hard to go back and make a quick correction.
I use a white canvas to take photos of. It's a large canvas and will hold just about any size book. I take a LOT of photos. With cookbooks, I do all the ones you mentioned, plus I take photos of the table of contents, each page of the index and a few examples of the recipes which will show the size of the font, etc. It takes longer, but my buyers seem to like it. I could probably list a lot more quicker if I would just take 7-10 pics rather than 24.
Excellent video, Shane! I'm sure your grandmother would be pleased that you've put her baking cabinet to good use! :) I use a 35mm camera, as well, to take photos. Each book is different, of course, but I think the shots that you highlighted in the video are probably the most important to include. I've never used a stock photo for anything that I've sold. I guess if you are selling $4 cheap paperbacks, it would be okay to do so. But, definitely not for the type of books that we sell!
Scanning with my printer works well for me.
Hello, just started following your videos. Thank you for all your help on the books. When you take the inside title page and information page with publisher dates, my question is whether you are not worried about the copyright disclaimer. I fear taking pictures of the title page and the book information page in newer publications because of their copyright disclaimers. Therefore, I have niched down my photos to include the outside, edges, inside front and back covers, and any damages on all the books whether older or newer. What do you recommend? Thanks for your help.
I won't buy a book unless I see some readable pictures of inside pages. I also need the dimensions of the book. I'm usually shopping for books based on topic or category. How can I make a decision if I don't know if the content meets my needs or tastes? I need pictures of sample content.
Good idea about the dimensions. I hadn't thought about that. Do you put that in the title, as most people don't seem to read the descriptions. Some don't even read all the titles. LOL I had one woman request a return for a pair of Capri pants because she didn't know they were Capris, even though Capris was in both the description AND the title. LOL
I had to laugh when you said, "Hey, I'm old school, I'm in my fifties." So am I LOL Great tips. I have a question: Do you have any suggestions to cut the glare on highly reflective items? Quite often jacketed books, magazines, and glossy photos end up having flares spots from the lights, which keeps you from seeing a true representation of the item. I have to work in my garage, which has a bright overhead light and I also use a ring light. The glare is really frustrating, so would love to find a way around that. 😊
I've got the same issue and found that if I stand the book up by leaning it against a book end, I can eliminate those nasty reflections. 😁
Great tip!
@@sandy-sagerabbitvintage2681 I'll have to try that. Normally, I would shoot from a lower angle, which takes the squareness away. Or I would aim the lights at the ceiling, but I most of the time have to edit for better contrast or more white background. It will be interesting to see how this works. Thanks.
Yep, I do the same… stand it up, at least for the front & back cover photo’s.
I am finishing up in Office for my eBay business, and I spent a week trying to figure out the best way to wire the lighting in the room
Thanks. I'm wondering how you photograph sets of books. I'm also surprised that, with a cookbook, you didn't take pics of the table of contents and maybe some representative pics of recipes. I would think a book with a lot of photos in it would be benefited by having some pics of some of them, not just with cookbooks, but other books with pictures. But then, what do I know? I don't sell $500 worth of books in a year (usually), let alone a week. That's not for not trying. I think I sold one 1920s National Geographic magazine out of half a dozen I had listed before I pulled them. Now I have tons of vintage NG sets in 6-month boxes, and I've been hesitant to list them.
Out of curiosity, why don't you use a scanner to take pictures of your books (that is, for books that are not delicate and can be opened fully without damaging their binding)? I have a scanner that can do a scan in 4-8 seconds, always perfect and ready to use with no fiddling with light, flash, white balance, contrast, cropping etc.) I noticed very few booksellers on eBay use scanners for some reason.
Mainly a time thing. Most folks scanners are slower and sellers don’t want to take the time. That said- a scanner would be a great option in those cases.
Hi Shane, happy 4th. Very helpful video. I have an opportunity to purchase large quantity of .25 western paperbacks. Any recommendations on what i should be looking for author wise?
Nice! I would look at Max Brand, Zane Grey, and Louis Lamour for sure. Pretty anything should sell in lots. PB westerns should bring $1-$1.50 each on the low end when sold in lots. Max Brand should bring more. If you get all of the Sackett series from Lamour that bundles for a nice profit. Older vintage, pulp ones might sell individually. Good luck!
@@curatorofthelost I have four volumes of the Sackett series. I think there might be five. I'm having trouble getting them listed, though, because I want to read them all. LOL I've always loved the Sackett series, as they're all a bunch of super heroes, almost like Superman for Westerns. Not sure what to price them yet.
I have also heard that large-print cowboy books sell better than those with tiny print.
@@lozzieburger I wouldn't be surprised, as they're a lot harder to find. I wish my Sackett series were large print. LOL
I find this to be true- I’ve had good luck with large print westerns. Even the ex-library copies do well
Never buy a stock photo!!!
When you see a stock photo of a book (an indicator it is being sold by an incompetent and lazy megaseller who don't even examine their books), run!
So you're telling me that people really do judge books by their covers?! Have I been lied to all my life?!
Hahahaha! 👏
Stock photos, so impersonal. I like to buy things from people who put in the efforts and deserve it. Even if it's $1 more, support a small business.