Using a background remover for photos

[goldrushfinds]

Do you use a background remover for your photos? Is it worth  the added time? Looked at PhotoRoom but always based on an app and using your phone. I DON'T WANT TO DO ALL MY WORK ON A TINY STUPID PHONE (so there!). I guess I am a throwback, but I just hate the ergonomics of doing many listings on a tiny phone vs my desktop with a true keyboard and large screen (OK, I vented). 

[evry1nositswindy]

I agree with you and use a desktop to list 100% of the time.  I will answer messages, etc on my phone, but I don't see how you can get any real work done on the phone app.  I don't use a background remover because all of my items are in my house and I take photos of them against a neutral background.    TBH I don't even know what that is!

[goldrushfinds]

Doing all your listings on your phone is fine if you want Carpel Tunnel Syndrome by age 40. My doctor says the rate of hand disorders among young people is skyrocketing due to the many hours they spend scrolling thru and texting on their phones.

[coffeebean832]

eBay has a background removal tool. It's definitely on the app. I thought eBay added it to desktop, too- but I'm not seeing it on the advanced/business listing form.

Does anybody know if it's available on the quick listing tool or on that abomination they call the unified listing tool? @valueaddedresource maybe?

I do all my editing with photo software so I haven't kept up with eBay tools like the background eraser.

[goldrushfinds]

From what I have observed, once again, the background removal tool is only available via an app on your phone. Us pc users are being abandoned. 

[chapeau-noir]

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@goldrushfinds wrote:

Do you use a background remover for your photos? Is it worth  the added time? Looked at PhotoRoom but always based on an app and using your phone. I DON'T WANT TO DO ALL MY WORK ON A TINY STUPID PHONE (so there!). I guess I am a throwback, but I just hate the ergonomics of doing many listings on a tiny phone vs my desktop with a true keyboard and large screen (OK, I vented). 

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You're not a throwback - I live in the silicone swamp with universal phone use and desktops/laptops are the standard for business. 

As for removing backgrounds, I do so mostly because the background of any of my photos is not something people really need to see (that 70s rug, arm of a coach, cat scratching post, etc.  A decent plain background works fine for most uses - in your completeds I see two backgrounds that work great - the one for your vintage Mr Christmas lights is nice, same with the vintage Patagonia. For small objects, a light drop shadow is enhancing and gives more of a 3D feel (your Mr Christmas  has that) - I lose that when I knock out backgrounds or if I paint it in, it doesn't really look natural. Frequently knocking out a background can render the item more 2D than one might like.

[slippinjimmy]

A simple Google search.......

https://fixthephoto.com/free-background-removal-software.html

There are 16 background removers reviewed, some are web based or available for desktops, the other are all phone apps.

[goldrushfinds]

Thanks for your input. May I ask, based on your comment, if you live in San Jose/Silicon Valley. I used to live in the East Bay and 3 of my brothers went to San Jose State. That area used to be primarily Cherry orchards way back when.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, i use the Advanced (business) listing tool to create my listings. But i take all my pictures with my iPhone because they are better quality than my regular camera. I go to the app to upload the pics. I do on occasion use eBay’s background eraser when needed, and then switch back to my pc to finish editing the photos and complete the listing. 

[albertabrightalberta]

I don't use a background removal tool because (IMO) backgrounds and photographing style are part of a seller's "personality" and show my buyers (or lurkers) that I do my own work and that the pictures shown in the listing are the actual items the buyer will receive. 

Although I like listings with real backgrounds, the background shouldn't be so busy that it distracts buyers or takes away from the item. 

As a side fringe benefit, having a distinct background makes it easier to prove infringement when another seller "borrows" pictures. (I also don't allow my images to be used in ebay's catalog so they aren't free for the taking.

[chapeau-noir]

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@goldrushfinds wrote:

Thanks for your input. May I ask, based on your comment, if you live in San Jose/Silicon Valley. I used to live in the East Bay and 3 of my brothers went to San Jose State. That area used to be primarily Cherry orchards way back when.

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I live north of Seattle (hence 'swamp' instead of 'valley' lol). 

[gwens*4saleitems*]

I use my phone to start the listing (title and pictures) then save as draft. Go to desktop to finish the listing.

Mostly because that's the only way I can get the pictures into my listings and it's easier to type on the computer keyboard.

[goldrushfinds]

Ahh yes. I guess nowadays we live in a country of many tech hubs/centers. Silicon Valley may have been the first, but now has no monopoly on having big tech firms. 

[chapeau-noir]

Using a phone wouldn't be bad save for the input.  No wonder so many listings have garbage descriptions like "condition is used, ships first class" rather than any actual description - poking away at a cell phone keyboard is a pain. I hate listing with them when I've had to do it, and I've been using a cell phone since 1998 so it's not like I'm not used to them. 

[coffeebean832]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

I also don't allow my images to be used in ebay's catalog so they aren't free for the taking.

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I'm sorry to be the one to burst your bubble- but eBay took away that option several years ago. The current policy can be found here-

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/images-text-policy?id=4240