While we don't expect everyone to be a technical expert on uploading images, let us help by providing a list of simple requirements that will help you better understand what's needed for great image presentations:
Make sure all photographs are in Landscape/Widescreen format -
Most all mobile device cameras, point-and-shoot cameras and professional digital cameras take photographs in a 16:9 aspect ratio. This is the ratio we use at ClassicCars.com when presenting full images.
Keep in mind, most all mobile devices, tablets, PC monitors and even HD Televisions present pictures in the landscape, 16:9 aspect ratio.
You want potential buyers to see the best presentation of your vehicle, and the landscape format does this the best on the ClassicCars.com site.
While you can upload a portrait image, we strongly suggest you stay clear of doing that. Since our image carousels are set in a landscape format of a 16:9 aspect ratio, uploading a portrait image does not fully fill the space used,
thus leaving empty blank space.
Note: If you are using a photo editor to crop your images in any way, just make sure the completed image fills the 16:9 aspect ratio. You don't want an image that is too wide, thus causing empty letter-boxing on the top and bottom of your picture.
Use the correct dimensions and file size of each image -
In order to achieve the correct aspect ratio from above, our largest image presented is 1280 pixels wide by 724 pixels high. If your images are larger than that dimension,
then you may need to use a photo editor program to reduce the dimensional size to 1280px X 724px, such as Photoshop, Fireworks, Corel Paint or something simple like MS Paint.
The reason you need to keep within the dimensions is because each images can only be a maximum of 10mgs per each image. Some cameras and smartphones do take extremely large pictures that can be three
times the dimensions suggested. The larger the image, the larger the file size is in megabytes and may cause errors when uploading because an extremely large image can go over the 10mgs limitation.
Again:
Image Size: 1280px X 724px
File Size: 10mg per image
Only use the JPG file format -
Most all mobile devices today will automatically shoot images in the web-friendly JPG format; however, if you're using a professional digital camera you my need to adjust your camera's
settings to shoot from RAW to JPG. If you already have images, but they're not in the JPG format, you will need to use a photo editor, such as Photoshop, Fireworks, Corel Paint or MS Paint,
to convert them to the JPG format. Open your image in the photo editor of your choice, then either import or save to the JPG format when saving the image.
Tips for taking a great picture -
While not everyone is a photo expert, it is important to take the best photo you can to present your vehicle in the best possible way.
Lighting is everything - Make sure your photos are taken in good daylight, or if in a garage, make sure you have a very well lit area. A Professional will tell you best day shots are 8am to 10am, and
just before evening (depending on time of year, about two-hours before sunset). Daylight in the mid afternoon can be too bright in some occasions and cause your pictures to capture what is known as Lens Flare. If you're
in an overcast area, or an overcast day, anytime will produce an acceptable picture.
Center and fill the area - While taking an artistic shot where your car is in a corner of the image and you're trying to show off the scenery of your location, it is strongly suggested to avoid the more
artistic shot. You want your vehicle to be centered in the image and fill the image space as much as possible. Try to avoid shots where there's too much sky on top, or too much street on the bottom, you want to present your
vehicle, not the scenery around it.
Close ups and focused - When taking a close-up shot make sure nothing but the vehicle is in the close up. A clear, sharp focus to your images is also key, whether a long shot or close up. Buyers are more likely to
dismiss a car that appears out-of-focus because they are unable to see vivid details.