Experts from SberAuto note that a high-visibility car listing, even with two lines of text and a single photo, can sit on the market for a long time if the image quality and presentation aren’t compelling. They offered practical strategies to capture photos that grab attention and help sell the car quickly and effectively.
Preparation
To make the car look appealing in photos, thorough preparation is essential. Clean the interior and the trunk, and consider a professional dry cleaning if needed. Remove all belongings from the cabin that could remind a buyer of a previous owner. A clean, uncluttered cabin helps the vehicle look newer and lets potential buyers imagine it as theirs. Dust, fingerprints, and stray items can distract the eye, so a careful wipe-down and a neat, honest presentation build trust from the first glance.
Place
Choose a calm setting with a neutral backdrop to showcase the car without distractions. Avoid backgrounds that add color shifts or busy patterns. A solid fence, a plain wall, or a calm body of water with ample natural light makes the car appear more true to life. The goal is to let the vehicle stand out, not the surroundings. A simple, uncluttered environment helps viewers focus on the car’s lines, condition, and features.
Comfortable recording time
Optimal lighting matters. Shoot in clear weather but avoid direct sun, which can alter color and create harsh glare on the surfaces. Cloudy days with soft, even light work well for true color reproduction. Do not point the camera at the sky, as blown-out highlights reduce detail. When using a smartphone, touch the screen where the sky meets the roof to help the device balance tones. Night photography is generally less effective for car listings due to limited light and increased noise.
Angle and scale
Perspective matters. Different angles can distort how the car looks, so avoid photos that cut off wheels or the roof. Take wide shots as well as close captures to convey scale and condition. Multiple angles are essential: front, rear, left, and right views should be included. The three-quarters angle often serves as the main cover image for advertisements, highlighting the car’s silhouette. Keep the frame tight so the vehicle remains the focal point; avoid overloading the scene with too much space on the sides. Flash should be avoided to prevent distorted perspective and unwanted glare.
Attention to detail
Detail photos tell a story of care. Include shots of the opened trunk, hood, and doors, close-ups of wheels and rims, and interior shots showing both the driver’s and passenger’s seats. A clean display of the instrument panel, steering wheel, and dash details is useful. If the car has additional equipment, feature it prominently in separate images to maximize perceived value without overwhelming the viewer.
Adjust photos
Post-processing should be restrained but effective. Crop to remove distractions and adjust brightness to reproduce accurate color. A subtle background blur can help the car pop in the frame. Save the final images in the appropriate formats required by major advertising platforms to prevent automatic compression from degrading quality. Consistent, high-quality images contribute to a credible, professional impression that encourages inquiries.
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