App listing photos washed out

[krys888]

brian@ebay  @shipscript  Here is the new consolidated post on this topic per your instructions. Thank you so much for being on this with me! Eager for solution!

The ebay ipad app update washes out listing photos. See attached screen shots of the same photos uploaded via the app vs the website. These screen shots are from the test listing I created in my store so you can see the problem for troubleshooting. Through process of elimination, including lengthy support calls with Apple that involved uploading the same photos to other platforms, we’ve isolated it to the ebay IOS mobile app photo editor update.

@shipscript did a super zoom side by side comparison and learned that the ebay app is “crisper” in that it is tighter on the bleeds, which blends to the human naked eye differently than if viewed in natural light, as colors blend to the eye. (@shipscript could you repost those side-by-sides here for brian@ebay ?) Since buyers are using their eyes, this tightening of the bleeds changes the perceived color. No matter how many different lighting scenarios I shoot in, my eyes, nor any of my family members’ eyes, perceive the colors the way the app is now showing them. Unfortunately, in my category, that perceived color is vital. (If I was still in print publishing, we would know how to adjust for it, but I don’t know how to adjust for it in your app, so to get true perceived color, I’m having to use the website.)

[krys888]

To clarify: when I say “viewed in natural light” I mean in person, with the item rather than a photo of the item in front of you.

[krys888]

Its like its cutting through the UV light by tightening up on the bleeds, the way surveillance satellites do. Maybe there’s something similar in the technology? I know, time for me to go list and sell and let you guys handle it lol. Glad you’re on it! I’ll check in between listings as I pop back over to upload photos if you have any questions or need me to do anything! Thank you again so much for being on this!

[mobile_feedback]

@krys888 

Thanks for posting all of this in one place. We will have the iPad team look into the photo uploading.

Thanks

[krys888]

Yay! Thank you! I look forward to learning the results. Looking forward to listing via the app again soon!

[shipscript]

@mobile_feedback 

Here is a similar comparison posted by @royalcosmetica , although I don't know if this was uploaded via the App. The symptoms are the same. The original is oversatured, while the eBay version is desaturated.

Below are the side-by-sides using the test listing provided by @krys888 . I am going to post 3 png images, so I need to post them one at a time due to photo handling limitations within my browser on this new forum uploader.

The saturated photos will be on the right and were uploaded through SYI, while the desaturated iPad App versions will be on the left. You will notice the iPad desaturated versions are a little sharper, while the saturated photos tend to bleed.

1) The desktop originals of the red dotted dress show pink dots. The oversaturation has bled into the whites. eBay's App shows crisper whites by cutting back the saturation, so the dots are white instead of pink.

[shipscript]

2) The desktop originals of the red bodice with white skirt shows a muddiness, bleeding, or blurriness of the bodice and darts. eBay's App clearly shows the darts. The red of the bodice bleeds into the white of the skirt on the desktop original, whereas eBay's App clears some of that problem.

[shipscript]

3) The green belt on the black dress is bright green on the desktop original and a little drabber on eBay's App. I did not see any other significant effects of green, although the fabric weave is a little sharper in eBay's App version and the green bleeds just a tad on the desktop original.

[krys888]

Except, it appears orange. And I can’t get that dress to look orange in any light; only on ebay. Again, the human eye sees blends. I have a horribly orange auction listing right now that I’m losing considerably on; I believe because it appears to have been left in a window where it has been sun faded; yet the dress is a rich vibrant red and because its an auction I can’t change it, sigh. Will be interesting to see what happens on this...

[krys888]

Also, shouldn’t there be some kind of notification to sellers that this is occurring? I can imagine a lot might be wondering why their photos are suddenly lacking luster, thinking its their camera or lighting or such. I know I spent a lot of time rephotographing that first few days of the update without a clue that it was the app. Just a suggestion. I tried a few days ago to post an alert on the selling board, but it got moved to one of these dungeons where sellers can’t see it unless they already know of the problem.

[krys888]

Thank you. Now that they know what the problem is, do you know if they’re going to fix it or keep it the way it is? If they’re going to keep it, I don’t want to keep buying inventory because removing the luster & vibrancy as a permanent function would definitely be a deal killer for me. Textiles reflect light; they’re woven intentionally to do so. We’re selling items, not pictures of items. The items will never look that desaturated in person to the naked eye. Anyway, eager for a response to this issue. It definitely impacts my plans. Thank you ever so kindly.

[krys888]

Have we been forgotten already? Starting to feel like I’m talking to myself here. Now that The problem has been identified, how long before it is fixed or it its going to be fixed? Wondering how long I should leave the test listing on my site. I’d like to remove it if you guys have what you need. I’d also like to know if you’re going to fix the problem or if its going to stay this way as I need to know whether to buy more inventory or clearance sale what I have and move on to another hobby. Hope someone responds soon. The waiting and work arounds are extremely frustrating especially after losing a week of listing. Thank you kindly.

[krys888]

Okay, since the problem has been identified and you guys (ebay) are aware of it and addressing it, I’m going to take down my test listing because its been on my store long enough that my customers could get the impression that ebay is slow in addressing problems, and we certainly don’t want that.  Hoping to get a response from someone soon as I need to make plans accordingly based on the outcome. If you need me to relist the test, just let me know. Thank you kindly.

[shipscript]

Here are the image pairs (oversaturated/desaturated):

https://ebay.com/itm/223839121915

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/uTsAAOSwLfxeFL19/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/P58AAOSwQF5eFLx7/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/GOoAAOSwXzBeFL14/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/~ogAAOSw1LJeFLx~/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/c5EAAOSwhZheFL11/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UiwAAOSwsvVeFLyv/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ahoAAOSwEdteFL1x/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8MUAAOSwhJteFLyh/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/dlwAAOSwHr9eFL1s/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/O7kAAOSwXHReFLyl/s-l1600.jpg

[mobile_feedback]

@krys888 

Thanks for your help and test listings. We are looking into making some changes to images in the apps. If you would like to be in the beta to try this out please contact us at iosfeedback@ebay.com. We should have a version for you in the next weeks.