Photography errors cost sales, trigger compliance issues, generate returns, and damage brand perception. Mistakes are often thought to be minor, but as they accumulate, they become very competitive. Prevention requires knowing what problems occur frequently so they can be avoided proactively.
Resolution and quality issues
Pixelated images signal amateur operations. Blurry photos suggest the product itself might be low quality. Amazon Produktbilder requires a minimum of 1000 pixels on the longest side for zoom functionality. Many sellers barely meet this threshold. Superior sellers use 2000 to 3000 pixels, creating crisp, detailed zoom experiences.
- Camera phones produce adequate resolution if used properly with good lighting
- Compression settings need balancing file size against image quality
- Focus must be sharp across the entire product, not just one section
- Noise and grain from low-light photography destroy professional appearance
- Color banding from over-compression creates visible quality problems
File format choices matter. JPEG works for most product photography. PNG preserves quality better but creates larger files. TIFF offers maximum quality, but platforms reject these due to size.
Background and editing errors
Off-white backgrounds fail compliance checks. Automated systems detect these deviations. Manual removal leaves fuzzy edges, color halos, or transparency issues. Professional background removal costs little but delivers clean results.
- Shadows on backgrounds create depth but violate the main image requirements
- Reflections add visual interest but belong only in secondary images
- Props in the background distract from the product itself
- Watermarks protect copyrights but violate platform rules
- Borders, frames, badges all trigger compliance violations
Poor cut-out work shows in the product edges. Choppy selection leaves jagged lines. Over-aggressive removal eats into the product. Color fringing creates glowing outlines. Professional editing preserves smooth edges while completely removing backgrounds.
Misleading representation problems
Digital manipulation crosses the line from enhancement to deception easily. Color correction that fixes lighting is acceptable. Color changing that misrepresents the actual product is fraud. Buyers expect to receive what the photos show. Mismatches generate returns, negative reviews, and potential account suspension.
- Altering product features to hide defects constitutes fraud
- Adding features the product lacks through editing misleads buyers
- Changing sizes or proportions sets false expectations
- Enhancing quality beyond reality disappoints customers
- Stock photos showing different versions confuse specifications
The best photography shows imperfections, but those imperfections exist regardless. Better to set proper expectations than generate returns from disappointed buyers who received products different from the photos.
Insufficient angle coverage
Single-angle photography leaves questions unanswered. Buyers want to see products from multiple perspectives before purchasing. The front view alone hides the back features. Top view without side perspectives fails to show depth. Comprehensive coverage requires five to seven distinct angles showing all product aspects.
- Front angle establishes basic appearance and primary features
- Back view reveals hidden controls, connections, or design elements
- Side perspectives show thickness, depth, and profile shape
- Top-down angle displays surface details and layout
- Close-ups highlight materials, textures, and construction quality
- In-use shots demonstrate scale and practical application
Missing angles create doubt. Uncertainty prevents purchases. Competitors offering complete angle coverage capture those uncertain buyers. Additional photos cost little to shoot but pay dividends through reduced hesitation and increased conversion.
Photos from different sessions with different lighting look mismatched in the same listing. This inconsistency suggests low quality control. Natural lighting varies constantly. Cloud cover changes color temperature. Time of day affects shadows. Outdoor photography requires careful timing or creates inconsistent results. Studio lighting provides complete control over every image variable. Color accuracy across devices requires monitor calibration.
