Visual tone

eBay’s photographic tone illustrates our customers’ authentic experiences around their products, passions, and communities.

The image shows three women posing on a sunny day by a black iron fence, each showcasing a distinct and stylish outfit. The woman on the left sports a blue cropped blazer and matching jeans, the middle woman wears a vibrant green zip-up jacket, and the woman on the right is dressed in a patterned dress. They each carry fashionable bags, smiling and radiating confidence and camaraderie in a casual urban setting.

Art direction

The image shows a man sitting on a stool in a sophisticated, sports-themed room. He's dressed casually in a tank top and camo shorts. Around him are shelves and cabinets displaying sports memorabilia, including basketball and football jerseys, framed pictures, and sports balls. The wooden panel background and green carpet give the room a warm, vintage vibe.

The image features a man sitting on a checkered floor, looking through a box of papers in a cozy, vibrant living room. He wears a stylish, patterned vest and has visible tattoos, adding to his artistic vibe. The room is decorated with colorful cushions and a blue sofa, giving it a warm, eclectic feel.

Sketch a scene

Your scene's narrative directs all stylistic decisions in photography, ensuring authentic representation. Opting to show spaces within real environments helps ground the settings in the real world and better connect our customers to the lifestyles and products we promote.

The image shows a woman with a joyful expression, sporting vibrant pink hair styled with small decorations. She wears a delicate pink cardigan with a green wavy pattern. Her makeup complements her hair with bright pink tones, and she has a cheerful, engaging smile. The background is a simple, neutral tone that highlights her colorful appearance.

Keep it real

Images should project a sense of approachability, realness, and humanity. They’re relatable, embracing imperfections and real-life moments. People’s expressions and behaviors are real and true to themselves. The image reflects real life, not a lofty, idealistic interpretation.

The image shows a YSL purse on a red carpet styled with pearls, sunglasses, and an open lipstick spilling out of it as if recently dropped.

Elevate the styling

Keep in mind that the presentation of products also communicates their value. Elevate products by thoughtfully selecting high-quality props, outfits, sets with character, and overall styling that elevate the narrative.

Contextual staging

Images show angles and details of the product that are unique and desirable. Opt to show real environments that complement the story of the product and its audiences in an authentic, inspiring way.

The image shows a person with numerous tattoos on their arms and legs sitting on a red surface, likely an outdoor court. They are wearing a gray sports bra, gray shorts, white socks, and blue and white sneakers. A basketball rests between their legs, and they hold a gradient water bottle. Beside them are a red sports bag, a pair of red and white sneakers, a blue Adidas pouch, and a skateboard with white earphones. The scene exudes a sporty and casual vibe.

Inclusive casting

Our casting represents our diverse and global customer base and marketplace. We want to show customers varying in age, ethnicity, body type, and culture in genuine and authentic ways.

The image shows four young individuals dressed in a mix of athleisure and streetwear styles. A description of the looks: On the left, we see a dark blue jacket over a striped collared shirt, pinkish-red faded trousers, and beige sneakers. On the second Left: Blue varsity jacket with "Supreme," light-colored hoodie, light blue striped jeans, and tan Timberland-style boots. On the second right, we see a cream sweatshirt with "KITH" and graphic print, mustard brown cargo pants, and black shoes. And lastly, on the far right we see a Burgundy patterned zip-up top, dark gray flared trousers, and beige sneakers.

Natural lighting

Lighting is realistic and vibrant, but always within a natural tonal range. Always use or emulate light that feels natural to the narrative of the photo.

The image shows an older woman standing indoors, holding a large, textured vase. She is wearing a light-colored jacket over a blue and white striped shirt. The background features a bright room with large windows, artwork, a potted plant, and a table with various decorative items. The scene conveys a cozy, artistic atmosphere.

The image captures two smiling individuals posing together in front of a blue velvet curtain. The woman, on the left, is wearing a stylish coat with a leopard print bag, while the man on the right sports a sweater with a fur-like texture. Both exhibit contemporary, fashionable looks and radiate a joyful, friendly vibe.

Nighttime

In a nighttime scene, natural lighting may involve using high-flash, employing a variety of shutter speeds, or incorporating bright continuous light close to the subject to create contrast and shadows in the frame.

The image shows a stylish, small red handbag with a unique, coiled design. It is placed on a surface with a richly patterned red and black rug in the background, highlighting the bag's intricate texture and bold color.

Golden hour

Another form of natural lighting is the golden hour, occurring shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low, casting warm, directional light with soft, long shadows. It can be recreated naturally or artificially in a studio.

The image shows a scene in a warehouse setting, where a man, dressed in a stylish varsity jacket with a cap, is meticulously examining an object in his hands. A woman opposite him is capturing this moment on her smartphone, possibly documenting the process or creating content. The background is filled with stacked cardboard boxes, suggesting a busy, logistics-oriented environment.

Daylight

Our go-to standard light in lifestyle, natural bright light adds warmth and a subtle storytelling element to the product, while maintaining true-to-life colors and overall appearance. This can vary from soft, diffused lighting to a high-contrast style while still maintaining a realistic appearance.

Resources

eBay photo library

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Change log

Date	Notes
Jun, 2024	Updated to eBay Evo Consolidated examples into their own groups consisting of art direction, contextual staging, inclusive casting, and natural lighting