How to Increase Sales and Strengthen Brand Value with Product Picture Retouching There is no need for a lengthy introduction when it comes to image retouching. We won’t even bother to talk about basic Photo Retouching picture editing as we’ve already covered that in prior chapters of this guide and we’ll presume you already adhere to industry standards. If not, you can catch up in the chapters that follow, where we discuss: 1.How to create a product photography studio (including the equipment you will need) 2. If all you have is a smartphone, how to take product shots with it 3. How to manipulate light 4. Adding shadows 5. Tips for taking pictures of objects that reflect light 6. White background removal 7. Tips for taking photos of ghost mannequins

1. Welcome To
How to Increase Sales and Strengthen Brand
Value with Product Picture Retouching
There is no need for a lengthy introduction when it comes to image retouching. We won’t even
bother to talk about basic Photo Retouching picture editing as we’ve already covered that in prior
chapters of this guide and we’ll presume you already adhere to industry standards.
If not, you can catch up in the chapters that follow, where we discuss:
1.How to create a product photography studio (including the equipment you will need)
2. If all you have is a smartphone, how to take product shots with it
3. How to manipulate light
4. Adding shadows
5. Tips for taking pictures of objects that reflect light
6. White background removal
7. Tips for taking photos of ghost mannequins

2. Go to our retouching dictionary if you come across a term that you are unfamiliar with.
Instead, this chapter focuses on more complex methods that are generally referred to as
retouching. We’ll go through three prevalent approaches to photographing clothing in terms of
retouching:
flat on a model’s hanger or mannequin
Before discussing model skin retouching, let’s concentrate especially on garment retouching
(split into light, medium, and heavy degrees).
NOTICE: THIS IS AN EXPLORATION OF WHAT RETOUCHING IS AND WHAT IT CAN
DO FOR YOU, NOT A HOW-TO.
We’ll go over best practices, but much like in photography, a lot of retouching choices are
influenced by the look of your brand.
Outdoor clothing may require a raw, natural appearance, but luxury manufacturers prefer a more
glitzy design.
We won’t try to decide for you; instead, we’ll just provide you options and explain why each
could be preferable.

3. Around 15 million photographs have been modified by Pixelz for renowned brands, shops, and
commercial photo studios. Although they are based on our experience, the concepts we’re going
over here shouldn’t be interpreted as speaking for any of our clients. Every opinion we have is
our own.
Retouching of clothing
Whether you are shooting flat, on a mannequin or hanger, or on a model, the general principles
of garment retouching apply. Your primary concerns are organization and appearance.
Well, when you’re taking samples, your images won’t be flawless immediately out of the
camera.
With careful planning, pinning, and creative arrangements, your stylist might be able to solve
some issues, but what do you do when the fabric is too sheer, the color is incorrect, or one leg is
longer than the other?
Problems that can’t be managed in the studio can be fixed with retouching (as well as
simplifying many that can).
Let’s examine some typical retouching techniques, broken down by level. Also, we’ll discuss
two methods that can’t be classified as being at the fundamental level:
1. symmetry
2. ghostly dolls

4. Light Retouching: How to Patch It Up
Cleanup, which entails the removal and replacement of plainly undesirable features, is the main
emphasis of light retouching. In this case, you are essentially making repairs rather than making
many aesthetic options.
Almost always, you should get rid of any signs of poor construction, wear, or styling. To do so,
clear the area of debris, pins, sloppy stitching, and loose threads. Moreover, significant creases
from style or packaging must be eliminated (like if a trouser leg has been shortened by a stylist
with a mid-leg fold).
Reconstructing areas after removing minor props, such as hangers, wire hands, or mannequin
cutaway necks, is another aspect of light retouching.
Use of mild retouching when
This level of retouching ought to be done if you have a small budget. A sample that is soiled and
has pins poking out of the shoulders is not a true representation of your product.
Retouching in the middle: The Low Hanging Fruit Method
Cleanup is the main focus of medium level retouching, although it also begins to incorporate
contour smoothing.
Furthermore to what you were accomplishing at the light level, you are proactively enhancing
your appearance by making more arbitrary and esthetic judgments.

5. For instance, in addition to erasing packing creases, you are now also erasing folds and creases
brought on by styling or fitting issues. For instance, you can eliminate wrinkles through
retouching if a product fits a mannequin too tightly and there are unequal creases on opposite
sides of the body.
You’re also paying attention to the exterior.
One of the most crucial aspects of apparel product photos is shape because it shows how well the
item fits. Retouching is a great approach to enhance the presentation of your product by
removing minor bumps from an improper fit and smoothing the edges of clothing.
Use medium retouching when:
In the majority of cases, we advise using this level of retouching. You receive all the mild
retouching cleanup and enhancements that apply to practically all product photographs. You can
step it up to extensive retouching if you have unique issues that aren’t addressed at this level.
Heavy retouching: The process of detailing an image
Shadowing, imprints, and uniformity are the kinds of elements that heavy retouching
concentrates on.
Once more, you’re adding more retouching while continuing to work at the medium level.
Be aware that a photograph that has been significantly edited won’t make you think, “Wow, it
looks plastic!” That is poor retouching, not extensive retouching.

6. Nobody should ever glance at one of your product photographs and conclude that it is a phony.
Your credibility with the audience is immediately destroyed by that, and without trust, there can
be no sale.
Let’s use wrinkles as an example to describe severe retouching since they are one of the main
concerns it attempts to fix.
With the strong retouch setting, in addition to eliminating noticeable wrinkles, you also lessen
the contrast, hard shadows, and highlights brought on by creases. It’s a more understated method
that can enhance pictures of challenging textiles, such laminated jackets.
Unwanted imprints can occasionally occur and make it unclear what is a natural component of a
garment and what is the result of external causes. For instance, sheer fabrics can make the shapes
of mannequins, clothing, nipples, and pockets visible. These distractions can be removed through
retouching.
Retouching can also guarantee that edge lines like sleeve cuffs, trouser cuffs, waistbands, and
hemlines are given a uniform shape.
I mean something like always curved inward, always curved outward, or always straight.
Consistency is aesthetically beautiful and demonstrates attention to detail, both of which increase
credibility with clients.

7. Symmetry
Symmetry serves as the foundation for many human standards of beauty; for instance, multiple
studies have shown that faces with more symmetry are deemed to be more attractive.
Why is that relevant? Because it suggests that your consumers (and probably even you!) have a
psychological preference for symmetry.
Asymmetrical photography makes symmetrical clothing, such as the majority of jackets, dresses,
shirts, and slacks, look shoddy.
Occasionally it causes a noticeable lean or gives the impression that the construction was of low
quality. In product photographs taken on mannequins or hangers, when there isn’t any indicated
human movement to make flaws seem natural, this is particularly obvious.
In retouching, symmetry may be achieved by establishing standards and enforcing them over
your whole product category.
With clothing like a jacket, for instance, we’ll:
Decide on a vertical axis
Make sure that the shoulders, armpits, sleeves, and hems are all the same height.
matching the sleeve width
matching the space between the torso’s sleeves
One of the best things you can do to produce a consistent, appealing image is to ensure symmetry
through retouching.

8. Ghost or Invisible Mannequin
The ghost mannequin effect, sometimes known as the invisible mannequin effect, has been
discussed before, but it bears repeating.
The invisible mannequin, in short, is a post-production method that merges two or more pictures
to produce a single mannequin-free image. The benefit is that it minimizes distractions while
presenting on-figure shape and displaying more of the goods than is otherwise possible.
For merchants who need on-figure imaging but don’t want mannequins in their pictures or don’t
want to spend more money on models, the invisible mannequin is a smart choice.
About models…
Retouching & Cropping of Model Skin
If you bring up retouching (you know, Photoshop) in discussion with someone who doesn’t work
in the photography profession, they almost always move right on to body image, advertising, and
the negative impacts of having high standards for women.
We’re not talking about body type here.
The topic is debatable and has been extensively discussed elsewhere, however the focus of this
article is on skin retouching.
Body fat or bone structure are not being touched.
Let’s briefly discuss cropping, a sometimes-overlooked part of handling model photographs,
before we delve into various aesthetics involving moles, skin tone, and eye bags.
Face or Faceless Cropping?
If you have full-body or top-only model product photographs, you might want to think about
cropping them out to save yourself some difficulties.
Toward the top of the head is a common crop for model photos. After all, a beautiful face
promotes the sale of goods.
However there are benefits to routinely cropping at a different axis, such as below the eyes,
below the nose, or below the mouth.

9. Use of rights
Several models and agencies are willing to provide faceless photographs’ rights for longer
periods of time than images with faces.
It’s really quite simple: a photograph in which the model cannot be recognized is less valuable
than one in which they can.
Please be aware that there are a variety of image usage permissions. Don’t automatically assume
you can crop out the model’s face and use the image indefinitely if it isn’t specifically included
in your model release.
Model casting
If you concentrate on fit and are less worried about face while casting models, you can cast a
larger net. Finding a better body fit and cheaper rates may result from this.
Product emphasis
Eyes catch attention. People will inevitably be drawn to a model’s face if it is on the page. They
are not looking at your product if they are looking at the face. Crop below the eyes to keep more
of the product in focus.
Revising and simplifying
The face receives disproportionately more retouching time than other aspects of the model
because it is exposed and naturally draws attentive attention. You won’t have to deal with
flyaway hairs, eye bags, as much acne, freckles, or other facial flaws if you crop off the majority
of the face.
You should maintain consistency no matter where you decide to crop your model product
photographs. You must also choose the type of retouching you wish to apply to the model’s
remaining skin.
Retouching the Skin: Know Thyself
Understanding your brand’s aesthetic and adhering to it are key components of skin retouching.
Making sure the retouching you do supports your brand is more important than “how much” you
want to retouch.
Let’s contrast two distinct approaches of skin retouching:

10. Natural sClassic
If you use a professional retoucher or service, it will cost you around the same because they
require a similar amount of work.
Natural skin retouching: Is it here to stay or will it fade away?
You don’t want your model to have a face that looks like it belongs in a cosmetics commercial if
your outdoor wear company prides itself on looking fantastic while getting down and filthy.
Less is more is the driving philosophy for natural retouching.
You’re editing to eliminate distractions, but if you go overboard, your obvious inauthenticity will
actually become a distraction. Little retouching should look natural.
Don’ts and Dos
Check out these suggestions for good and bad skin retouching.
The two primary focuses of skin retouching are:
Skin’s color and texture
Blemishes and marks
The simplest way to improve skin tone is to simply balance it out all over the body. Nobody tans
evenly, and standing all day in harsh sunlight will cause poor circulation and reddening of the
extremities in models (particularly hands).
A more appealing image can be produced by selecting a neutral area, such as the face, and then
altering tone elsewhere to reflect that reference.
I refer to birthmarks, freckles, moles, bruises, scrapes, acne, and other skin marks as
“blemishes.” Natural retouching typically adheres to the temporary vs. permanent rule and
concentrates on reduction rather than removal.
Is it here now or is it here?
If you’re using natural retouching techniques, the answer to that query will tell you what to do
with a blemish.
Both bruises and acne are transient. You are not fundamentally altering your model’s skin if you
remove them. They typically lack those marks.
Contrarily, a scar or birthmark is an enduring component of the model. If flaws aren’t too
noticeable to be distracting, leaving them as they are maintains the character of your figure.

11. The standard becomes much more straightforward when applied to your model’s skin. At first, it
seemed ambiguous and subjective.
Goosebumps? Transient; gone.
Freckles? Always keep them.
Traditional Skin Retouching: Soften and Smooth Skin, Eliminate
Blemishes
Have you ever experienced the “too real” feeling when watching a movie on a brand-new
HDTV? When the image is so clear and fluid that it really makes the scene look worse, as if the
most recent Hollywood movie with special effects were a soap opera?
You may prevent a similar vibe in your product photography by using traditional retouching.
Very high quality cameras and strong lighting might provide a picture that defies what a
potential customer would expect from a product image.
Evening out skin tone is typically not a concern in traditional retouching unless there are obvious
differences. Instead, all skin is softened and smoothed to provide the aspirationally ideal skin that
a cover model is expected to have.
Classic retouching mostly gets rid of flaws like freckles and noticeable moles, but not all of
them. To maintain a sense of familiarity, it’s a good idea to keep less obvious moles or the
occasional freckle.
Once more, you never want to take it too far lest the image appear unreal.
How to Retouch Your Photos
You may be wondering how to get your photographs edited affordably now that you are aware of
what retouching is capable of.
There are really just two choices:
in-house soutsourced
To retouch in-house, you can either do it yourself, hire retouchers full-time, or hire freelancers.
All three approaches take a lot of time, are costly, and are not scalable (seasonal shoots cause
frequent bottlenecks). Nonetheless, they typically give you strong communication and tight
control.
Inconsistent quality and poor communication come with traditional outsourcing’s reduced costs
and greater scale. If you choose the incorrect outsourcing option, you will waste time and money
without seeing any quality improvement.

12. Optional Outsourcing
With the help of a fully functional web platform, professional assistance, and professional
retouching, Pixelz is a professional retouching solution that provides you the command and
communication of in-house editing.
Products-specific retouching choices, next-morning turnaround times, and rates starting at less
than a dollar per image are all features of a plan like Pixelz PRO Retailer. With 10 free altered
photographs of your choosing, you may test out Pixelz.
Contact us
Website: www.photoeditorph.com
E-mail: info@photoeditorph.com
Phone: +8801723283638
WhatsApp: +880 1723-283638
Address: Blk 34 Lot 5 Easthomes 3 Subd., Estefania, Bacolod City, Philippines,6100