Clipping path and masking are two very important photo editing techniques in professional product photography. Each of these methods are used to remove unwanted objects or isolate a product from a background. However, there are a couple of distinctions between the clipping path and masking editing techniques. While they both effectively do the same job, they have differences in ways of removing, eliminating, or isolating an object from an image. That’s why Thrive Product Studio would like to provide you with the following reasons the clipping path and masking techniques are important in professional product photography.
Product Photography Editing Methods
The Clipping Path Technique
As an essential, image editing technique, clipping path is a well-known photo retouching service that corrects colors, removes backgrounds, makes shadows, etc. It is performed using a photoshop “pen” tool to cut shapes, patterns, holes, and designs. This technique is great for acute, sharp, hard, smooth, or straight images. Editors must use this technique very carefully because any small flaw can cause an image to look unnatural or unrealistic. That’s why it’s important to zoom in as much as possible to get as close to the edges to cut straight lines while keeping the quality of an image intact.
The Masking Technique
Image masking, also known as layer masking is another high-end editing technique used to expose or hide certain elements, and to remove an image from its background. Masking is often performed when a product image has many curves, intricate edges, lines, or low details. This includes things like hair, smoke, feathers, cloth, flames, etc. Using photoshop, masking is applied using the background eraser tool, magic eraser tool, and color separation techniques. Masking is also used to alter, modify, or add new layers to remove unwanted flaws or objects from an image. As the most commonly used technique for commercial catalog, leaflets, and brochure purposes, it is widely used in product photography.
Which Technique Is Best?
While each of these photo editing techniques shares certain similarities, they do have their differences when it comes to background removal. While you can edit many images at a time with clipping path, you can only remove one object from the background at a time with masking.
Simply put, the best way to use a clipping path is when you want to remove the background from an image when a product has few lines and small curves, and when it’s a straight, round, or rectangular with few complexities. Masking, on the other hand, is a more multifaceted approach for images with many lines, curves, and detailed edges. While the clipping path technique can be used for complex images like these, the end result often looks unappealing, unattractive, and unnatural.
The Bottom Line
Both the clipping path and masking techniques are used to remove the background from an image for ecommerce products to make items look more professional, natural, and attractive. That’s why each of these methods are equally important, depending on a product image. At Thrive Product Studio, we provide professional product photography and editing services. We can help you with all your clipping path, and masking needs to boost your online sales. Contact us today by filling out our online form or give us a call at 1.877681.0980 to get started on your next project today!
