How To Use Ghost Mannequin in Product Photography

The majority of e-commerce fashion outlets utilise a technique known as “ghost mannequin” or “invisible mannequin” photography for product images. This method requires a unique mannequin, designed to vanish in the final image, to model the clothing item during the photography session.

There are several benefits to using this type of photography, including the fact that it can help to make the clothing look more realistic and less like a mannequin is wearing it. Additionally, this type of photography can also help reduce the amount of time and money required to take professional-looking product photos.

If you are interested in using ghost mannequin photography for your own e-commerce store, there are a few things that you will need to keep in mind. Pixel by Hand’s team of creative image editors has created this quick guide on how to use ghost mannequins in product photography.

In this guide:

• What is Ghost Mannequin in Product Photography?
• How to Create the Ghost Mannequin Effect
• Post-Processing Images: A Quick Guide

What is Ghost Mannequin in Product Photography?

Mannequins are a cost-effective and efficient method to market your clothing products. Customers can see how an item of clothing looks without having to try it on themselves. Additionally, mannequins provide a support structure for the fabric, reducing wrinkles and creases in the clothing. Mannequins help your items maintain their form, which may make product photos seem more professional and consistent – resulting in higher sales.

However, mannequins may be distracting. Therefore creating a ghost mannequin effect for your product photos is a fantastic alternative. Ghost mannequin photography is a type of product photography that uses a special mannequin that is designed to be invisible in the final image. This is achieved by carefully editing the image in Photoshop or another image-editing software.

Pixel by Hand offers image editing services that include the removal of the mannequin from product photos. We have a team of highly-skilled image editors who can quickly and easily remove the mannequin from your images, resulting in a more realistic and polished final product.

How to Create the Ghost Mannequin Effect

There are two main methods that can be used to create the ghost mannequin effect:

The first method is to use a mannequin that is specifically designed to be invisible in the final image. These types of mannequins are often made from clear plastic or have been carefully painted to blend in with the background.

The second method is to remove the mannequin from the image in Photoshop or another image-editing software. This can be time-consuming, but it will result in a more realistic final image. Pixel by Hand provides photo editing services that can assist you in achieving the ghost mannequin look for your product images.

Here are the steps to doing product photography with the ghost mannequin effect:

1. Selecting and Posing a Model or Mannequin
   The first step is to select a model or mannequin that will be used for the product photography.

    

   Models or mannequins are frequently utilized in fashion photography to showcase each item’s distinct form and fit. However, showing the model or mannequin in every photo isn’t always a good idea. Retailers sometimes would prefer to remove the models to make the product further stand out and make the mannequins seem invisible later in Photoshop.

   To create the “ghost mannequin” (also known as “invisible mannequin”) effect, you must first take a lot of pictures of your product being worn by a model or a mannequin from different angles. The benefit of this is that you’ll be able to use these pictures in your product galleries along with any “ghost” images you make.

   If you are using a mannequin, it is important to select one that is specifically designed to be invisible in the final image. These types of mannequins are often made from clear plastic or have been carefully painted to blend in with the background.

   If you want to use a real person, make sure he or she is in a fixed posture. Your model should also be styled minimally and long hair should be secured so that it does not distract the attention from the product. These details will make image editing much easier.

    

2. Dressing the Model or Mannequin
   The next step is to dress the model or mannequin in the clothing item that is being photographed. It is important to take care when dressing the mannequin so that the clothing looks natural and relaxed.

    

   In dressing the mannequin, be careful not to create any wrinkles or creases in the clothing. You can do this by taking your time when putting the clothing on the mannequin and by using steaming techniques to remove any wrinkles that do occur.

    

3. Lighting the Scene
   Proper lighting is essential for ghost mannequin photography. The goal is to create an evenly lit image so that the clothing appears natural and there are no shadows cast by the mannequin.

   The best lighting for this type of photoshoot is studio lighting. This type of lighting can be expensive, but it will give you the most control over the final image.

   If you are using natural light, try to take pictures near a window with diffused sunlight. Reflectors can also be used to make the light bounce back onto the subject and fill in any shadows.

    

4. Taking the Photograph
   Once the scene is set up and the lighting is perfect, it is time to take the photograph. It is important to make sure that the camera is level with the mannequin so that the final image appears natural.

   When taking photos of shirts, make sure you position your camera to be directly level with the chest area. For pants or shorts, the camera should be positioned across from the hip area to the bottom.

   If you are using a professional camera, set it to manual mode so that you have complete control over the exposure. A high aperture (low f-stop number) will help to keep the mannequin in focus while blurring the background.

   This is important because you will be removing the mannequin in Photoshop and you want the clothing to remain in focus.

   Using a telephoto zoom lens may assist you in reducing distortion and offering you the freedom to approach smaller things and back from larger ones.

   Your space should also be large enough to accommodate your camera and tripod for invisible mannequin shoots. You’ll need two studio lights and umbrellas on either side of the product, as well as a backdrop. The backdrop can be a wall, a piece of fabric, or even a green screen.

   To create a 3D photo with the ghost mannequin approach, you need to take a photo of your clothing product worn by your model or mannequin from both the front and rear.

   Then, style and hang your product on a piece of white foam board for a front and back view; these foam board photos will allow you to show the inside portions of the garment once they’re combined.

   If you’re shooting collared shirts, open the top and make the inner back visible. Some cases may require you to turn it inside out.

   For best results, take multiple pictures of the same scene from different angles. This will give you more options to choose from when editing the image in Photoshop.

Post-Processing Images: A Quick Guide

After the photographs have been taken, it is time to edit them in Photoshop or another image-editing software. The goal of post-processing is to remove the mannequin from the image so that only the clothing remains. This can be a time-consuming process, but it is essential for achieving the ghost mannequin effect.

• Open Your Files and Create Layers in Photoshop: The first step is to open your files in Photoshop and create layers for each image. This makes it easier to edit the images and remove the mannequin from the scene. It’s also ideal to label your layers so you can tell them apart and keep your project organized.
• Edit the Background Layer: The next step is to edit the background layer. This can be done by using the clone stamp tool or the healing brush tool. The goal is to remove any shadows cast by the mannequin and to even out the lighting in the image.
  Remember that using a white background to shoot generally makes it simple to remove the mannequin because of the color separation between the product and the backdrop.
• Use a Selection Tool to Select the Product in the Mannequin Image: The next step is to use a selection tool, such as the lasso tool, to select the product in the mannequin image. Once the product is selected, you can use the clone stamp tool or the healing brush tool to remove the mannequin from the image.
• Refine and Place Your Mask: The next step is to refine your mask so that it covers only the product. The pen tool or the lasso tool is used in this technique. Once you are happy with your mask, you can place it over the product in the other image.
• Rinse and Repeat Previous Steps with the Foam Board Image: Repeat the previous steps with the foam board image. This helps ensure that the product is evenly lit and there are no shadows cast by the mannequin.
• Combine the Images: This can be done by using the layer mask tool. You want to create a seamless product photo that looks natural and realistic.
• Remove Unnecessary Parts of the Foam Board Layer: The next step is to remove any unnecessary parts of the foam board layer. This can be done by using the eraser tool or the clone stamp tool.
• Add Shadows and Save: Add shadows to the product so that it looks natural and realistic. Shadows help to give the product a three-dimensional look. Once you are happy with your image, save it as a high-resolution file.
• Save and Export Your File: The final step is to save and export your file. Simply hit the save function in Photoshop and export it to your desired file format such as .jpg, .png, etc. Once you have exported the image file, you can upload it to your website or online store.

Keep in mind that high-quality product images will not only make your products more appealing and distinctive, but they will also help you achieve a very professional appearance for your online store. Customers will see your brand in a new light, which will boost sales. By following these simple steps, you can quickly and easily create beautiful product photos that will make your clothing images standout from the competition.

Pixel By Hand Photo Editing Services for E-Commerce

The aim of ghost mannequin photography is to get an evenly lit photo so that the clothing appears natural and there are no shadows cast by the mannequin. This requires you to take multiple pictures of the same scene from different angles and then edit them in Photoshop or another image-editing software.

If you do not have the time or the knowledge to do this yourself, you can outsource the task to a professional photo editing company such as Pixel By Hand. We are a team of experienced professional photo editors for online retailers and e-commerce businesses.

Our range of photo editing services includes background removal, product photo editing, and retouching. We’ve worked with clients from all over the world helping small e-commerce businesses achieve a more professional look in their online stores.

Our e-commerce product photo editing service includes ghost mannequin photography wherein we use the latest software and equipment to carry out our services, and we guarantee high-quality results.

If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us or use the chatbox below. Our friendly editors are always online to discuss your needs and provide a quote. Or, you can sign up for a FREE Trial. Simply send us the product images you need to work on and our editors will take care of the rest.