Better product photos, with the camera you already have
We started this site with the FlashClip, a little bounce and diffuser we made so eBay sellers could get clear, flash-free product photos. Most people sell from a phone now. The goal hasn't changed: help you take honest photos that make buyers confident.
Product photos with your phone
- Lighting Product Photos with Window LightWindow light is free and flattering for product photos. Where to put your table, how to tame direct sun, and how to fill shadows with a white card.
- Build a Cheap DIY LightboxMake a lightbox from a cardboard box, tissue paper, poster board and two daylight LED bulbs. Good for small items and shooting at night.
- Choosing a BackgroundHow to pick and set up a background for product photos: white poster board sweeps, gray for white items, black for glass, and styled shots for Etsy.
- Phone Camera Settings for Product PhotosThe phone camera settings that matter for product photos: which lens to use, locking focus and exposure, flash, portrait mode, gridlines and HEIC vs JPEG.
- eBay & Etsy Listing PhotosOur shot list for eBay and Etsy listings: the main photo, every angle, labels, flaws, scale and what is included, plus the photo rules to check.
- Small & Shiny ItemsPhotographing jewelry, rings, glassware and chrome with a phone: keeping reflections clean, outlining edges with black card, propping and cleaning.
- Editing Product PhotosThe handful of edits that matter for product photos: crop, straighten, brightness and white balance. Plus free apps, batch editing and where to draw the line.
- Product Photo Gear GuideWhat product photo gear is worth buying for eBay and Etsy sellers, what you already own, and a few things we would skip.
AI tools for listings New
- AI Background Removal & CleanupFree and cheap ways to cut product photos out onto white: your phone's own tools, eBay's built-in background tool, Photoroom and Canva, and how to check the cutout.
- An AI-Assisted Listing WorkflowHow we use AI to list faster on eBay: shooting for it, cleaning up the main photo, drafting titles and descriptions, and the check we never skip.
- Where to Draw the Line with AIWhat eBay's picture rules allow, why AI must never change how the item looks, and how edited photos lead to not-as-described returns.
Everyday photo tips
- Tips to Take Better PicturesPlain advice for better everyday photos on a phone or camera: find good light, get closer, hold steady, and learn what your camera modes do.
- Flower & Plant PhotosHow to photograph flowers and plants: shoot on calm, overcast days, use macro mode without flash, and find a clean background.
- Taking a Good Picture of YourselfSelf-portrait and selfie tips that actually help: use the rear camera and a timer, face a window, and keep the camera a little above eye level.
- Birthday Party PhotosBirthday party photo tips: get the details before guests arrive, shoot at kid level, handle candlelight, bounce your flash, and back up the same day.
- Pet & Animal PhotosPet photo tips for dogs, cats and other animals: short sessions, treats held by the lens, eye-level angles, burst mode and window light.
- Kids & Baby PhotosHow to get natural photos of children and babies: get on their level, photograph what they love doing, use burst mode and soft window light.
- Sports PhotosSports photo tips for parents and fans: know where the action will be, use burst mode, freeze motion with a fast shutter, and use real zoom.
- Wedding PhotosThinking about photographing a friend's wedding? What to consider first, the gear you'd need, and how to take good guest photos.
Flash, tripods & gear
- Better Flash PhotosHow to get better flash photos: built-in vs external flash, bouncing off the ceiling, diffusers, flash compensation, and when to skip flash.
- Choosing a TripodWhat to look for in a tripod: weight, height, aluminum vs carbon fiber, ball and pan-tilt heads, phone clamps and tabletop tripods for product photos.
- Camera Batteries & ChargersCamera battery basics: what mAh means, brand-name vs third-party batteries, USB-C charging, cold weather, storage and flying with spare lithium-ion batteries.
- Camera Bags & CasesHow to pick a camera bag: holsters, slings, shoulder bags, backpacks, padded inserts and hard cases, and the features worth paying for.
Edit, print & back up
- Photo Editing Software & AppsOur updated list of photo editing software and apps, from free options like Snapseed, GIMP and darktable to Lightroom, Photoshop and Capture One.
- Printing Your PhotosThe pros and cons of printing photos at home, at a store photo counter, or through an online lab, plus how to avoid dark or badly cropped prints.
- Backing Up Your PhotosHow to keep your photos safe: the 3-2-1 backup rule, cloud photo services, external drives, why old discs fail, and why you should test your backups.
- Recovering Deleted PhotosDeleted photos by accident? Check the Recently Deleted folder first, stop using the memory card, then try free tools like PhotoRec or Recuva.
Choosing a camera
- Finding the Best Camera for YouThe best camera depends on what you shoot. When a phone is enough, when a dedicated camera is worth it, and what to ask yourself before buying.
- Comparing Camera BrandsA quick look at today's main camera brands and what each is known for, with our brand pages for Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic and OM System.
- Point & Shoot CamerasWhat compact point-and-shoot cameras still do better than phones, the kinds you can buy today, and the trade-offs.
- DSLR & Mirrorless CamerasHow DSLR and mirrorless cameras differ, why nearly all new interchangeable-lens cameras are mirrorless, and when a used DSLR is a smart buy.
- Waterproof CamerasWhat to check before buying a waterproof camera (depth, drop and cold ratings), how phone water resistance compares, and how to care for the seals.
- Underwater Photo TipsHow to get better underwater photos while snorkeling or swimming: get close, stay shallow, fix the blue color, and be careful with flash.
Brand guides: Canon · Nikon · Fujifilm · Olympus & OM System · Panasonic Lumix · Camera Review Sites
Why "FlashClip"?
It was our first product: a combination bounce and diffuser that took the harshness out of a camera's built-in flash. We made it for eBay sellers, and helping sellers is still what this site is mostly about. The longer version.