Killing Two Birds with One Stone - help with product shots please

Here's the situation:
I've got about 50 items to sell on ebay and I figure this is a good chance
to practice product shots. I took photos of them a few weeks ago and when I
finally had time to look at them I was less than satisfied. I've often had
people ask me to do product shoots, but have declined because *i have no
idea what I'm doing!* :)

I'm shooting with a Canon 20D. I have 3 lenses to choose from: the 17-55
"kit"; the 28-80 that came with my 35mm film Rebel; and a 80-200. I've got
a good tiltable flash, but no cord for off-camera holding - maybe I should
get one.

I don't have any lighting setup other than the Vivatar flash.

Should I build a light box? Should I use different colored backgrounds with
different colored objects or just use white/black? And many more questions
I'm too uneducated to even know to ask.. It seems like it would be a fun
project, but right now I'm mostly frustrated.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, including links/URLs.

--
Mark

Photos, Ideas & Opinions
http://www.marklauter.com


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