If you have a digital camera and want to do some spring cleaning, you can take great, professional quality photos of your stuff to sell on E-Bay. Just stick to a few basic principles and you’ll be shipping it out in no time.

1) Use the simplest background you can, and make sure your item doesn’t get lost in it—for example photograph your white plate against a solid color, not more white.

2) Create a backdrop outside or near a window with good light by draping a towel or table cloth over a chair and placing the item in front of that backdrop. Be sure to smooth out any folds in the material.

3) Get close. You want the detail to show, and the closer and clearer the shot the faster your item will sell.

 You can also crop the photo with your digital software to highlight your item, which should take up about 75% of the shot. If you have lots of background with a little item in the center, crop that. A good photo will is often all you need to get a great price.