It also should be more or less square for the main pic. Even when I use small pictures, the bottom is cut off if the photo is longer than it is wide. So now I try to find square or wider pics for the first (main) one. The rest post fine whether they longer or wider. It's just that all important main photo that seems to need an avatar-like photo to look its best.

I must have 50 tips for photos but here's a couple of biggies:

1. Make sure the picture is in focus. If you take a close-up shot, use your camera's "macro" feature so that it will focus. Look for a little symbol of a flower on your camera's controls -- that is for the macro setting. Push it until your display shows the flower symbol. Once it does, you can get the camera REAL close and it will focus. Some of my best shots are macros.

2. Adjust the picture's contrast so that it's clear and bright. If you use any version of Photoshop, hold down the "Cntl" key and press "L" -- that is the "Levels" command and it brings up a screen that lets you control contrast. Sliding the left slider to the right makes blacks darker, and sliding the right slider to the left makes whites whiter. A little sliding goes a long way but it's how I adjust my pictures to be bright and clear.

Start with those two and see if it helps. Practice, practice practice!

--Bob

Oh, I thought of another. This one is not on taking photos but is about photos here.

I've been asked how I get a bunch of photos up.

There are three to add right from the start (not including the main photo if that has not already been adding by someone). After those are in, publish the review. Then you can press edit and add another photo. Publish. Edit. Add photo. After the first three, it's one at a time going through edit.

I do watch the length and make sure I don't have more photos than text. In other words, when the photos get near the bottom of my review, I stop. That way the lay out still looks attractive.

You don't have to actually post a review to add more than three photos to it. You can put it into draft mode, then you can add one more picture each time you re-open it. That's how I usually do it.

--Bob

That's what I do, Bob, rather than publishing it. Although I have published reviews and then wanted to add another picture. Jo still practicing;)

My only tip on photos is to post an original photo whenever you can!  You wouldn't believe how seeing a picture of a product can really tell a lot.  Words can only say so much to describe a product, but a photo helps a bunch AND lets you cut out some sentances since you no longer have to fully describe everything.

Photos are most helpful for vacation spots as those are my favorite to look at :)

Thought of another one.

For the Main Photo don't use a personal photo.  It's much better to find the actual product photo online of the actual product box or logo since that one is usually more accurate and looks better as the main picture.

vivasuzi said…

Thought of another one.

For the Main Photo don't use a personal photo.  It's much better to find the actual product photo online of the actual product box or logo since that one is usually more accurate and looks better as the main picture.

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PattyTherre said…

I agree 100%. Remember, everyone after you will have to use that photo as the main one. Be mindful when posting main photos on first reviews that they will be used on every review after yours.

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I agree completely and always try to get a good picture for the main pic. Unfortunately, we're preaching to the choir here -- how do we get the word to the people who need to hear these things?

--Bob

Well invite more newbies to the message boards :)  That's about the only way to spread all our ideas.