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Top 5 Photo Best Practices

Use sunlight to highlight the parts of the car you’re shooting, so take photos with your back to the sun.

Use "Still" Mode instead of "Auto" Mode on your camera.

Use Fill Flash to add light where shadows normally are.

Dealers opting to take their own photos can benefit from the Dealer Specialties trained experts by following these 5 simple steps: 
To download a complete "Photo Best Practices" guide in pdf format, click here. 

1. Make Sure the Car is Presentable - Photos show everything so make sure the vehicle has been thoroughly cleaned inside and out before you start taking pictures. This includes removing all paper/plastic floor mats!!
2. Get Rid of Background Distractions – Whenever possible, find a location where you can take a photo of the vehicle without background distractions such as other vehicles, signs and poles. Park the car on clean pavement (no pavement stripes, trash or debris). Focus should be on the vehicle, not the vehicle surroundings.
3. Make the Sun Your Friend – The best light is during “The Magic Hours” when light is horizontal, not direct, overhead sunlight. Use sunlight to highlight the parts of the car you’re shooting, so take photos with your back to the sun. If your shadow appears in the picture, crouch down to take the photo. In fact, one of the best ways to shoot a car is to position the camera at the same level as the bottom corner of the windshield.
4. Frame the Vehicle – Remember that with digital cameras, you need to momentarily press the shutter button halfway down before you press the button all the way down. This allows the camera to focus before the picture is taken. When using “point and shoot” cameras, use a middle zoom setting so the image is not distorted and the correct ratio from front to back bumper results. You’ll get a better photo using a “point and shoot” camera if you increase the distance between you and the vehicle. If using a wide-angle, telephoto or zoom lens camera, and close-up shots are taken, image distortions will occur.
5. Modes and Flash – Photos taken in “Auto” mode tend to come out blurry. The camera’s “Still” mode is specifically designed to take good still photos and focus on the main object. Flash eliminates shadows by equalizing the light. Use Fill or Forced Flash (not Auto Flash) to insure that the flash works when you take the photo. Fill or Forced Flash adds light where shadows exist. Always use Fill or Forced Flash when you take a photo, regardless of how bright the sun is.

It’s important to take photos of the vehicle from several different angles, including interior and exterior shots.  Take as many photos as you need to give the buyer a 360° “walk-around” view of the vehicle.

Interested in more photo best practices and how to display your inventory online with high quality photos?

Call Dealer Specialties Today!
866.795.6711

Visit www.GetAuto.com for dealers already using Dealer Specialties for their photo needs!